Merv Griffin- A Life in the Closet
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Even after many years, Jose Ferrer, Rosemary's husband, was still resentful of Marlene Dietrich's intrusion into his marriage. He also remained deeply resentful of Robert Kennedy's involvement with Rosemary, and Merv's small role in that illicit romance.
Acting coach Mira Rostova, who would be the fascinating subject of any book devoted entirely to her, shared memories of both Merv and Monty Clift. She was introduced to me by Brooks Clift and Kim Stanley, his lover.
Ralph Richards, a close friend and personal assistant to Bill Orr, provided insights into what was going on behind the scenes at Warner Brothers during the 1950s. After leaving the studio, he was very candid about Jack Warner and Warner's soninlaw, Bill Orr.
Years after her involvement in showbiz, Phyllis Kirk was bright, perky, and filled with regrets about her days in Hollywood. She spoke honestly of her brief involvement with Merv and about why she felt that she was betrayed.
Sammy Cahn was also full of stories about the entertainment industry, including anecdotes about Merv, and to an even greater degree, tales about Frank Sinatra.
Fred Zinnemann provided remembrances of his horrendous experiences directing the actors and egos associated with From Here to Eternity.
Nick Adams, a friend of mine, shared memories of James Dean and his own encounters with Merv.
When I was a member of the student press in Miami, I got to meet Robert Francis, in town on a publicity tour. He graciously accepted my invitation to show him the glories of South Florida. During that time with him, I learned many stories about his attempt to become a big star in Hollywood, as well as his rather unattractive brief encounter with Merv. His loss in a plane crash was a great tragedy.
Meeting Lady May Lawford at a party in Santa Monica, I encountered the most tactlessly outspoken woman I'd ever met. The mother of Peter Lawford had vitriolic opinions about everybody, including her son. She had nothing but barbs for the Kennedys, Frank Sinatra, and others.
Through mutual friends,and on several occasions, I met Claudette Colbert. Her remembrances were always “laundered,” highly censored, and very discreet.
Director Gordon Douglas never censored himself when he relayed tall tales about Hollywood, including stories about his involvements with Liberace and Merv. He directed Liberace in Sincerely Yours.
I am deeply indebted to Paul Richardson, Liberace's assistant, for his stories linking Merv and Liberace into a deep friendship. He was especially entertaining in relating the details of an evening which Merv and Liberace shared with Mae West.
Once married to Judy Garland, Mark Herron articulated stories too hot to print, many of them about his troubled days with Judy. After Judy died, he seriously considered writing a tellall memoir, but the project was never completed. He spoke frankly about his brief flings with Merv and Tallulah, as well as equivalent involvements with Charles Laughton and the actor Henry Brandon. Herron also delivered a zinger about a notorious episode involving Merv's onenight involvement with Ol’ Blue Eyes and sultry Lana Turner.
Truman Capote, in Key West, was characteristically candid about his relationships with both Merv and Montgomery Clift.
Agent Marty Kummer was a source for material about Merv's struggle in show business during the 1950s and early 1960s.
Actor George Grizzard, one evening at Ted Hook's Backstage Bar in New York, spoke with candor about his involvements with both Paul Newman and Merv during his appearance in The Desperate Hours on Broadway.
John Henry Faulk had only the fondest of memories of Merv when they cohosted The Morning Show for CBS. In contrast, Robert Q. Lewis had only venom for Merv, his rival. And perhaps in a kind of karmic symmetry, Irving Mansfield, the husband and promoter of author Jacqueline Susann, had only venom for Lewis.
Although discreet in print, Graham Payn spent the rest of his life after the death of his lover, Noel Coward, sharing raucous and sometimes hilarious stories.
My attempt to ghost write a memoir with Cal Culver didn't work out, but my head is still reeling from learning the details of his personal involvement as “stud” to the stars, including Merv.
My dear friend, the Austrian chanteuse, Greta Keller, who lived for a year in my home in New York City, introduced me to her best friend, Jolie Gabor. Ms. Gabor arrived on many a summer night at my home and, perhaps without knowing it, provided material not only about herself, but about her daughter, Zsa Zsa, and especially about Merv and his relationship with Eva.
I am also deeply grateful to Monica Dunn for her tireless assistance during the preparation of this biography.
As a means of assisting readers of this book, within it I sometimes presented the stories related to me as “conversations remembered.” If the wording isn't exactly right in some of these recitations, the points I've made in my use of this device are dead-on.
Darwin Porter
New York City
February, 2009
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Index
10 1/2 441
Abbott, George 374, 375
Abel, Walter 185
Abrams Brothers, Albert & Sam 299
Abroad With Two Yanks 367
Adam's Rib 364
Adams, Edie 344, 345, 365, 369
Adams, Nick 169, 171, 172, 522
Adrian 167
Adventures of Captain Fabian 124
Adventures of Robin Hood, The 20
Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, The 204
Advocate, The 422, 443
Affair in Trinidad 175
Agnelli, Gianni 374
Agnew, Spiro 429
Ailes, Roger 378
Air Cadet 218
Air Force One 465
Alamo, The 420
Albert, Eddie 454, 504
Alexander, Kirk 378
Ali, Muhammed (Cassius Clay) 388
Alice in Wonderland 447
All About Eve 146, 249, 272, 274, 363
All in the Family 102, 436
Allen, Peter 381, 382
Allen, Steve 325, 378, 413, 454
Allen, Woody 351, 352, 356, 384
Alligator People, The 256
Allyson, June 196, 224, 324
“Am I in Love?” 86
Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles) 51, 401, 402
Ameche, Don 377
American Airlines 314
American Bandstand 342
American Idol 507
American Ireland Fund, The 508
American Life, An 497
American Mythologies 495
American Negro Theater, The 79
American Optical Company 257
American Tabloid 156
Americana Hotel, The (New York) 399
Ames Brothers, The 323