Sunday, June 28, 2020

The Last Legwoman



 HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Did you ever read movie magazines where you were a teenager? (Are there still such things?)   I remember Photoplay, certainly. What were the others? I would read them when my mom went to the “beauty shop,” and always wondered about the movie stars’ glamorous lives. Back when the gloss and glitter made everything seem wonderful, and back when Hedda Hopper and her ilk ruled the world. Or thought they did.
So when author and journalist Penny Pence Smith told me about one of her first jobs—as a “legwoman,” I was enchanted. And, I fear, I began deluging her with questions.  What was that job, and why was I so fascinated? Read on. And I bet you’ll have questions, too.

  by Penny Pence Smith
The postponement of Broadway’s 2020 Tony Awards is sad, suggesting cloudy forecasts for the Oscars and Emmys in September and early 2021. I feel a lot of nostalgia for those glittering events, having covered them for nearly a decade, first as a “legwoman” or reporter/assistant for Marilyn Beck, the most widely syndicated Hollywood columnist (several hundred worldwide outlets) for nearly three decades. With her, I was a movie magazine editor, then a by-lined feature writer for two major media syndicates, including the New York Times Special Features Syndicate.  They were heady years and in spite of other subsequent career paths, still account for some of my professional “peak” moments.
Thinking about the Oscars reminds me of myself as a 24-year-old journalist ingenue, “covering” those awards in 1968  for my boss, unable to attend that year. I drove up to the bustling entrance (then the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium) in my VW Bug and was rudely directed to a self-parking spot. My participation was limited to the press briefing room along with hundreds of other reporters. Awards to In the Heat of the Night, Cool Hand Luke and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner were nevertheless an exciting launch to many years of glittering adventures. Subsequently, I would enjoy audience seats and after-parties.
It was joyful to reminisce about those days, using them as inspiration for the stories in my recently released The Last Legwoman: A novel of Hollywood, Murder…and Gossip! Among many memories, the first is always spending time with John Wayne, on horseback, on the set(s) of movie(s) filming in Mexico, talking about his critics and his love of movie making. He was intensely loyal to his crew and cadre of costars, nearly always surrounded by them.
I was one of only two women allowed on the set of The Longest Yard, relaxing on the prison sports bleachers with Burt Reynolds, laughing about the script, while my own personal guard, “Jelly”, flicked his baton, assuring our safety. He was beside me when I interviewed the prison's warden, and two convicted murders.
Nothing really said “Hollywood” in my recollection more than arriving for a lunch visit with Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner at the height of their own vitality and popularity. She, pregnant and glowing, he suntanned and handsome. Together they were a vision of glamor that took my breath away.
With Jack Lord for Hawaii Five 0
There were continual “quick” trips—to Las Vegas to meet Elvis Presley after his show, to London, changing into formal wear in the airport restrooms and cabbing to a Disney movie premiere, to Mexico City to lunch with Rosalind Russell on the set of her last film, to Hawaii to interview the cast of the original Hawaii Five 0 series. In those times, I rarely bought a movie ticket or visited an exotic location without story assignments. London, Paris, Spain, Monaco — a publicist was always waiting.
But entertainment journalism was not without its share of minefields, as well.  George Peppard threatened to sue and “ruin” my career because I had described him as an “aging actor” after he arrived two hours late for a breakfast interview grumpy, weary and disheveled. Two studio publicists had been present and calmed the star storm. Hollywood nostalgia is always stained by the memory of the Charles Manson cult murder of Sharon Tate and friends. The early morning phone call from a writer colleague who lived across the street and described the scene as police were arriving was chilling. The public lives of many celebrities went quietly underground for a while, fear and distrust tinging the atmosphere. Over the years, there were other lawsuits threatened, deaths and misfortunes of people I liked and had covered.
Ultimately, I evolved into another career path and seldom spoke about the Hollywood time because many outside the entertainment bubble were incredulous or considered such discussions arrogant. But many of my life’s “peak events” occurred during those times and it was great fun plumbing them as I developed my book and its forthcoming sequel.
What are your peak events and are you writing them down for the future?
HANK: See? Told you. Okay, Penny, dish.  Come sit by me! And we all  want more of all of this. What say you, Reds and readers? What do we want to hear more about first? And which of these encounters do you wish you’d shared?  

   

Meredith Ogden is at the top of her game in Hollywood as Legwoman (assistant in modern terms) to Bettina Grant, the country’s most widely read celebrity gossip columnist. But life changes for the 36-year-old journalist when she arrives for work at Grant’s Bel Air home-office on a December morning in 1983 to find her famous boss dead, murdered. A book manuscript lies on the floor next to the death bed. Partnering with High-Profile crimes detective T.K. Raymond to find out who killed Grant and why, Meredith faces more than questions or answers.  A volatile TV night-show host lobs threats because of a damaging news investigation about his background, Grant’s children have demands on the office and valuable celebrity files. Meredith’s home is broken into and searched, and she is assaulted.
With “High Profile” detective T.K. Raymond’s help, and that of an unlikely team of colleagues, Meredith deals with the threats to herself, her future and even ghosts from her own past brought up by the emotional chaos.

Penny Pence Smith began writing professionally during high school for the Indio Daily News, in Southern California. She went on to receive a Communication and journalism B.A. at the University of Washington, an MA from the Annenberg School at the University of Southern California, and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. From the beginning, she was engaged in the entertainment industry:  Warner Communication movie magazine editor, correspondent/LA Bureau Manager for New York Times Special Features Syndicate covering entertainment, Hawaii Correspondent for The Hollywood Reporter, and later, author of best-selling tourism books, Under a Maui Sun and Reflections of Kauai (Island Heritage).  Along the way, she managed advertising, public relations agencies and marketing consulting firms then became a professor at UNC Chapel Hill and Hawaii Pacific University. Her current work appears in Sun City News & Views in Palm Desert, CA, and in Hopper (former Mokulele Airlines magazine), and in-room books for SPG Hotels (Hoku) and Alohilani Resort. Penny lives in Hawaii with her husband and two cats (depending on who’s counting!)

BREAKING NEWS: From Friday's 3-book contest, Barbara Waloven is the winner of Liz/Cate's book and Gloria Browning wins the book from Maddie/Edith. Barb will be back July 2 and will pick hers after that. Please email edithmax @ gmail dot com to claim your books...

61 comments:

  1. Penny, your “peak moments” sound absolutely fascinating! Do you have a favorite among all those special moments?
    I’m definitely looking forward to reading your book and finding out how Meredith deals with everything . . . .

    Interviewing Jack Lord and the cast of “Hawaii Five-O” . . . I’d have loved sharing that encounter . . . .

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    1. I can still hear that theme music in my head, can’t you?

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    2. Hi Joan:

      That's such a complex question. Peak times often weren't the ones that would seem obvious. Watching the debut performance of Neil Diamond's "Hot August Night" at the Greek Theater in Hollywood was stunning and one of those moments you knew would be history. Meeting him backstage afterward had me tongue-tied. And sharing a table at the premiere of "Lion in Winter" with historians Will and Ariel Durant was humbling, like nothing else could be.

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  2. I love Hollywood and the movies, so I could listen to stories all day long, and your novel sounds fantastic as a result.

    As a die hard Mrs. Pollifax fan, the fact that you visited Rosalind Russel on the set of the movie version of The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax really caught my attention. (And how much of a geek am I to know that's the movie you were referring to without having to look it up?)

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    1. Early encounters with celebrities stay with you. My first was as a tourist visitng the old Brown Derby Restaurant with my grand-uncle who worked for universal Pictures. He introduced me to Tennessee Ernie Ford and Hilo Hattie. I didn't know who they were then - but the excitement of it stayed with me.

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    2. Wow - I'm a movie geek now as well - although there are so may these days it's hard to keep track. I have wonderful memories of Mrs. Pollifax - glad you still hold it close.

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    3. Hank, I've watched the movie version, and I noticed it was her last credit on IMDB at the time. I stuck with me.

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  3. Wow, you have certainly led an interesting life, Penny! I feel like Hank. Come sit by me and tell all about your interviews with these A-list stars. The one I would have wanted to be at the most is Natalie Wood. I adored her, and I still remember where I was when I found out about her tragic death. I’d love to hear more about her and RJ.

    Congratulations on the book. It sounds like a nicely layered mystery, just what I like.

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  4. Penny, meeting and interviewing those Hollywood celebrities sounds fascinating, and congratulations on the book.

    It is interesting to see which celebrities are kind and loyal, and which ones are real life jerks. For me, I would have loved to have witnessed Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner in their happier times. Her tragic death is still a mystery and I enjoy seeing RJ in his more recent roles.



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    1. Do you think we will ever know what really happened?

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    2. Hank, I remember seeing that a news item that Natalie's death ie being reexamined again in 2020. There is a new HBO documentary about her life.
      https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a32366791/natalie-wood-death/

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    3. Oh, I will look for that! Thank you!

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  5. Fascinating - like Grace, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at the Wood/Wagner interview. I remember reading that RJ described Wood during her pregnancy as looking like a cocktail skewer with an olive in the middle. I wonder if that quote didn't come from your interview!

    My peak moment - I think it was the first time Toots Shor called me crumbum - it was reflected glory from my parents' friends but it was an attainment - and now I've dated myself!

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    1. Not much to tell - my brother's in-laws and their friends were regulars and through the in-laws my parents were introduced and discovered what a fun place it was. The bar was fabulous - a giant horseshoe - everyone had lots of personality and even teens were included and expected to hold their own in conversation. I was sitting with my brother's in laws, my sister-in-law and my mom - my brother was in Viet Nam at the time - and Toots came over, gave me a crunkle (cross between a pat and a knuckle on the back) and said, "Ya know, you're young, but you're a crumbum." I was told I glowed. He was a very nice man and that was high praise.

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    2. That is SO great! So a crumbum--forgive me--is good? Was that a thing?

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    3. Hi Kait:
      Probably not from my story - but it's a funny image. I was too in awe to be that tough.

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  6. Oooh sounds like I need to read this book! I grew up in Hollywood with screenwriter parents, loved photoplay when I could get my hands on it (my mother who let us read virtually anything disapproved). Thanks for sharing your experiences, Penny! What I remember was my parents’ disdain for most actors - narcissists all was their verdict. Hence intrinsically boring... intellectually at least. Heady times.

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    1. Such a precarious life, you know? Being a “movie star”?
      When success or failure is so out of your control...

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    2. Hi Hallie - you'll have to red the book to get a sense of my feelings. A colorful era and still peak moments because of my youth. When I realized there are peak moments in many wlaks of life, I think I finally grew up. But only a little.

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    3. There are celebrities who manage to keep a strong and subtle profile - their ups and downs only blips. Then there are those who relish the spotlight and use it. Not always to their own advantage, but it is one way to keep your name "top of mind" (as the marketing term goes)>

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  7. Fascinating stuff! I remember those magazines. My aunt subscribed to all of them and passed them along to my mom. I loved digging through each new stash of magazines to read about lives worlds away from my own.

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    1. And we will have to ask Penny how much of that was made up, you know?

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    2. "Made up" is a hard term to define. There were some rules because of the libel laws so you can think of it as an abstract painter looks at a portrait. Many colorful shadings, but the basic truth has to be in there somewhere. Usually movie magazine stories ended with an uplifting way ("She'll/he'll find his way for sure because..." In the days of movie magazines, the mainstream press rarely printed the deep down personal stories, so that was left to the movie magazines. The stories they took on were often framed in innuendo or "perhaps, what if, then again..." And, often, the stories were attributed to someone who was "close" or sometimes to someone with an actual name. In libel laws, if the basic information was true, and was confirmed by at least two credible sources, it was likely okay to print - perhaps not outright but in a suggestive form. Movie Magazine writing was truly an art form.

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  8. I do remember those magazines! I was probably more interested in teen heart throb gossip, which I think was a different magazine. But whenever John Wayne was on a cover I had to devour every word! I used to dream he would come to my house and visit my family.

    What wonderful memories you must have, Penny. Looking forward to reading that book!

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  9. What a life you've led, Penny. Not just the close contacts with celebrities, but also the travel experiences to get to them. That must also have been full of memories, good and bad. And at a time when international travel was much more glamorous than it is today. Having to change into formalwear in an airport bathroom must have meant also hauling that formalwear with you, before luggage had wheels.

    One of my Class of 1969 fellow graduates became a cameraman in Hollywood, he still is. For several years he posted Facebook photos of himself with every star you could think of, as he organized his archives. I was hoping he'd come to our reunion last year to hear more, but he couldn't make it.

    The prison set of The Longest Yard would have been scary, but then hanging out with Burt rewarded you amply, I'm sure! That was about the time he appeared as a nude centerfold in Playgirl, wasn't it? A very hairy nude centerfold!

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    1. Oh, I had forgotten about that! And maybe better left forgotten :-) I do remember, how old were we them? I remember thinking it was extremely… Unattractive. :-)

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    2. Burt was a force of nature all his own. He had a great, ironic sense of humor. If you ever caught him on the Johnny Carson show you could see it. I think he even hosted it a couple of times. But I always figured he did the Playgirl spread as a tongue in cheek.

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  10. Welcome to JRW's Penny. Reading your bio, it looks like we were at the University of Washington at the same time. The person who might have checked your books at the Suzallo library on campus was me!
    Your book sounds fascinating, I would be interested to learn about the hidden parts of stardom. Like, did the 'questionable' money lenders still have influence? Did you ever interview someone and thought "this person will become world famous."?
    Best wishes for your book, I will be looking forward to reading about it's success.

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  11. "Legwoman" -- what a great title to have on one's resume! I'm looking forward to reading about Meredith and her work.

    Hollywood seems like a fantasyland to me, and the "movie stars" of a bygone era existed in a world of glamour, wealth and fame so far removed from my ordinary life that I never believed we were of the same species! I used to fantasize about being Katherine Hepburn, and would "smoke" short pencils to try to emulate her style. Oh my goodness, that was a long time ago. ha ha

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    1. Years after I left the "industry" I was a marketing manger in a high tech company and had a wonderful, young, blithe assistant who had majored in drama in college, looked like a more modern day Doris Day. She was brilliant at promotion. Short of staff one time we sent her to give a major software presentation to a client -a very technical product and she was new. She did splendidly and I asked her how she kept her cool with such difficult material. She said, "I just pretended I was Katherine Hepburn in "Desk Set" and played the role."

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  12. Penny, my mom would've been a little envious that you got to spend time with Jack Lord. She was a massive fan of Hawaii Five-0 and meeting him would've topped the autographed photo my brother got from James MacArthur.

    As for me, I know it might not be cool to say it because of the renewed focus on his views, but I would've loved to have met John Wayne. Two of his movies remain among my favorites, The Searchers and The Quiet Man.

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    1. I think the Quiet Man was one of his best. Jack Lord lived and breathed Hawaii probably one of the reasons I live here now. Mostly because my visits here on assignment helped me fall in love with the place.I'm astounded that the reboot of Five - just left the air after - yes, 10 years. He was and is a legend.

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  13. What an interesting life. I would have liked to interview Natalie Wood.
    As far as movies magazines go,I remember reading Rona Barrett's Hollywood ( I think that was the title) when I was 10 or 11. I read the teenybopper magazines also.

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  14. Hank, I loved movie magazines when I was a kid. I remember reading about famous people, including famous people who were NOT in movies or on tv at all! LOL. I remember asking my Mom if Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was an actress. She explained to me that she was married to the President of the U.S.A. then showed me a photo of JFK on a record cover. I was always learning new words like "purchase". I read that one of my favorite actors purchased a farm in Montana and I learned that word "purchase" was another word for "buy".

    Penny, welcome to Jungle Reds! And congratulations on your new book! I have met many famous people. One famous actor (famous in the Deaf community, not so much in the Hearing world) was my acting teacher. I met Gloria Steinem, who was wearing a lot of makeup as if she was going to be in a fashion show. I saw the Queen of England in Edinburgh. I met Hillary Rodham C., who was shorter than me! And I am shorter than many women. I met Hank, Rhys, Deborah, Lucy and Hallie. I think Julia is the only Jungle Red writer that I have not met yet. I met Linda Bove from Sesame Street. I met Heather Whitestone. I met Peggy Lennon. I met Al and Tipper Gore. I met Jason Lewis from Sex and the City. I met Molly Ringwald and Jessica Sarah Parker when they were kids. My grandfather was an attorney for Mae West in the 1950s. I met Daryl Wood Gerber. I met Kathryn Scott Leigh from Dark Shadows. I met Marta Kristen from Lost in Space and Beach Blanket Babylon. I met Richard Hatch from Battlestar Galactica. I met Lady Antonia Fraser. I met Penny Warner. I met Doris Kearns Goodwin. I met Bill Moyers. I met Stud Terkel who worked with my Great Uncle in Chicago on a radio show in the 1930s. I met the late Earl Spencer who was Princess Diana's father. I met an actress from Back to the Future. I met Catherine Denevue / Devenue. I met Tom Hayden who was married to Jane Fonda. (My grandmother was in the same exercise class with Jane Fonda in Beverly Hills). I've met many artists, ballerinas, and authors. I've met so many famous people. I once saw Prince Edward teaching his daughter Lady Louise how to ride a bicycle.

    Sorry if I sound like I was name-dropping. LOL

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    1. WOW! That is quite the amazing list! She was in Jane Fonda's exercise class? That is downright historic. :)

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    2. Hi - I understand the issue of name dropping. I kind of quit talking about Hollywood because people thought I was arrogant. But there are so many ways we "run into" celebrities. I smiled at your mention of Jane Fonda's exercise class - I used to drive from Palo alto all the way to San Francisco to take her classes. She taught one or twice but the possibility was always a draw. You sound like you should be writing some stories as well.

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    3. Hi - thanks for the compliment. I have been thinking of writing stories for a while.

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  15. Penny, what a fascinating career!! I'm looking forward to reading about Meredith and her adventures. With your background, I'm wondering what you thought about Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. I think my few brushes with celebrity have happened on London streets. Once I walked past Michael Caine--boy, did I do a double-take! And then not too long ago, I passed the English actor (and long time favorite of mine) Nigel Havers, walking down the King's Road in Chelsea. Very well turned out he was, too, in a navy blazer and a straw hat!

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    1. So amazing--I can just picture that. And seeing Michael Caine--that would have been SO weird! Wonderfully weird.

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    2. I LOVED Once upon a Time in Hollywood and truly felt like I was surrounded by my old life. Even the Spahn ranch sequences seemed real. And I WISH the ending had been more real. A good friend of mine from high technology just told me she went to high school with Sharon Tate, who was a cheerleader. "All the dads came to the games to see one of the most gloriously beautiful cheerleaders imaginable!"They had big friday night game crowds.

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    3. Need to clarify - I WISH the ending of Once upon a Time in Hollywood had BEEN the real ending.

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  16. I meant to day Nigel Havers and his wife!

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  17. That's quite a list! I think I will love this book. I'm a fourth-generation Californian from the Pasadena area.

    I pumped Buddy Ebsen's gas in 1975, and got a hug from Elizabeth Warren a couple of years ago. When Michele Obama was First Lady and promoting healthy food and gardening, I sent her my first Local Foods Mystery. Got back a polite form letter and doubt she ever saw the book. It was worth a try! So I haven't met Michele, but a friend of mine works with her and her girls foundation. That counts, right? ;^)

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    1. Aloha, Edith.

      I have to say that the Obamas live here on the same island as we do - and we have often crossed paths - not as buddies- but it's a small island. We ate at the same restaurant one Christmas eve and I must say if there was anyone I could put the moniker of "gracious" and "regal" to - it is Michele Obama.

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    2. Both the Obamas are gracious to all and everyone gives them lots of welcome and space. But Michele moves with a smile on her face - and as a physically strong woman, you feel her presence. Even the security people around them are fun - all casual and integrated into the Island lifestyle -

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    3. Love your stories about Michelle Obama. I always thought she was beautiful and gracious.

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  18. Oh, my gosh, I used to read movie magazines at my grandmother's house. They were usually a few months out of date - in her retirement years, Grandma Greuling ran an antique store out of her barn and would go to estate sales and yard sales every weekend looking for resalable stuff. She'd pick up magazine for herself and comic books for her grandkids at the same time.

    My peak moments - well, the ones not connected with husband and kids - have been in my writing career. Probably getting nominated for an Edgar - that was peak that lasted from the moment I found out to the after party at the Grand Hyatt Hotel!

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    1. Julia, didn't you meet the actress who plays Vera at a mystery conference?

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  19. There are so many wonderful peak moments in our lives. Writing is essential to me - has been from the start. But having folks enjoy my work (now that the heavy duty journalism days are over) - is a great high. Getting my Ph.D. at age 53 was a peak and attending my first graduation ceremony in full academic regalia kind of leads my hit parade of peaks. Being story tellers, we often get to enjoy those moments through the eyes of our characters or subjects (for the journalists reading this) - but our own times are amazing and truly we should write about them, too.

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  20. Penny, in my earlier post, I did not ask about how you got into writing travel guides set in Hawaii. Did you get some inspiration to do so before living there or because you lived in Hawaii. I have been to O'ahu twice and the Big Island but would love to go visit Kauai and Maui in future winters (when we can travel).

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  21. Hi Grace - I lived here and did a lot of PR for one of the biggest local publishers. My husband did project work for them publishing their books. The owners came to us and ask us to work together on a series of coffee table books - it was about two years of pure bliss. That was in the 1980s and 90s - Hawaii has changed immeasurably since then. But the soul of the land and its legacy is there. Kauai is a gem - and Maui is fun and tropical. But right now and in the near future - you have to either quarantine for 14 days once here - in your room - of pass a COVID 19 test to come. Wait a while.

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  22. Yes, I read movie magazines and teen magazines. I still read celebrity autobiographies. I don't read biographies as much because some authors have an agenda. One kept relating everything to an older woman star's being molested by her father but never really proved that. If a star wants to say stuff in their books, fine, but I don't like speculating about people who can't defend themselves. Plus it can hurt their families. Stay safe and well.

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