Guest guest Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 The oldies on this board will remember some time ago that I told a little story about my happy happenstance to be with and work with Marlene Deitrich in a show I produced in Madrid. At that time I said I would tell a little story about Ava Gardner, but for some four years or so I haven't and today, when she came into my mind, I prompted myself to write it now. So here it is in brief. At the time I was a USAF captain stationed in Madrid, Spain as the press liaison officer for the Joint U.S. Miliarty Group. Americans living there or just passsing through that needed some help called my office. That's how I met Deitrich when her accompanist called me for help getting some sound equipment. His name was Burt Bacharach. Ava was more of a resident in Madrid, living in the local Hilton Hotel. It so happened that she was dating a USAF major who was a friend of mine. We use to go to jazz clubs together, she and he, and me and my wife. Knowing that Ava grew up in proverty on a South Carolina farm, such as I did in Texas, I thought we would have something in common. We didn't. Or if we did, I couldn't detect it. Stories about her in Madrid and her sexual escapades were rampant and not for nice social small talk, but that didn't stop any one. I was a great movie fan in those days and from my seat in a movie house I admired them as gods and goddesses. They were, but with rather dirty feet, I learned. Siting in a somewhat smokey club, Ava's beauty was magnetic. It was difficult to look away, and in some ways a sacrilage. We talked around her as she sat there, her eyes on some distance something beyond the confines of the club. A great sadness surounded her, too painful to see but too difficult to look away. I only saw her on those jazz club evenings, never in a different setting, and happy to go although I knew it would be painful. It was later when I returned to the US and left the USAF and settled in NYC that I learned enough about her to understand her sadness. She had been married several times. As I remember once to Mickey Rooney and then to Sinatra, perhaps others, who saw her fabulous beauty but not the poor country girl she really was. Now in New York, she was "dating" , the actor who played Patton in the movie about General Patten. was living in New York with his wife, but on his trips to Hollywood where the movie was being shot, he was with Ava. He used her as a punching bag. And so did others. Sorry to be so long. When I get going I have a hard time shutting up. How about Esther and her husband Fernand Lamas some day when I get to musing on my life? Jack79/IPF - UIP/dx06/05 Maine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Ava was a beautiful woman. It makes me sad to think that - with all she had - she was sad. We are all the same, I guess. We can make what we want of our life by our attitude. Barbara McD PF--Sept 08; Sjogren's--Apr 09; Reynaud's--seems like forever Beautiful Western NC Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 To: Breathe-Support Group <Breathe-Support >Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 5:01:21 PMSubject: Ava Gardner The oldies on this board will remember some time ago that I told a little story about my happy happenstance to be with and work with Marlene Deitrich in a show I produced in Madrid. At that time I said I would tell a little story about Ava Gardner, but for some four years or so I haven't and today, when she came into my mind, I prompted myself to write it now. So here it is in brief. At the time I was a USAF captain stationed in Madrid, Spain as the press liaison officer for the Joint U.S. Miliarty Group. Americans living there or just passsing through that needed some help called my office. That's how I met Deitrich when her accompanist called me for help getting some sound equipment. His name was Burt Bacharach. Ava was more of a resident in Madrid, living in the local Hilton Hotel. It so happened that she was dating a USAF major who was a friend of mine. We use to go to jazz clubs together, she and he, and me and my wife. Knowing that Ava grew up in proverty on a South Carolina farm, such as I did in Texas, I thought we would have something in common. We didn't. Or if we did, I couldn't detect it. Stories about her in Madrid and her sexual escapades were rampant and not for nice social small talk, but that didn't stop any one. I was a great movie fan in those days and from my seat in a movie house I admired them as gods and goddesses. They were, but with rather dirty feet, I learned. Siting in a somewhat smokey club, Ava's beauty was magnetic. It was difficult to look away, and in some ways a sacrilage. We talked around her as she sat there, her eyes on some distance something beyond the confines of the club. A great sadness surounded her, too painful to see but too difficult to look away. I only saw her on those jazz club evenings, never in a different setting, and happy to go although I knew it would be painful. It was later when I returned to the US and left the USAF and settled in NYC that I learned enough about her to understand her sadness. She had been married several times. As I remember once to Mickey Rooney and then to Sinatra, perhaps others, who saw her fabulous beauty but not the poor country girl she really was. Now in New York, she was "dating" , the actor who played Patton in the movie about General Patten. was living in New York with his wife, but on his trips to Hollywood where the movie was being shot, he was with Ava. He used her as a punching bag. And so did others. Sorry to be so long. When I get going I have a hard time shutting up. How about Esther and her husband Fernand Lamas some day when I get to musing on my life? Jack79/IPF - UIP/dx06/05 Maine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Jack, What a fascinating but sad story. I'd love to hear more. Nan 49, MA > > The oldies on this board will remember some time ago that I told a little story about my happy happenstance > to be with and work with Marlene Deitrich in a show I produced in Madrid. At that time I said I would tell a little story about Ava Gardner, but for some four years or so I haven't and today, when she came into my > mind, I prompted myself to write it now. So here it is in brief. > > At the time I was a USAF captain stationed in Madrid, Spain as the press liaison officer for the Joint U.S. > Miliarty Group. Americans living there or just passsing through that needed some help called my office. That's how I met Deitrich when her accompanist called me for help getting some sound equipment. His name was Burt Bacharach. > > Ava was more of a resident in Madrid, living in the local Hilton Hotel. It so happened that she was dating > a USAF major who was a friend of mine. We use to go to jazz clubs together, she and he, and me and > my wife. Knowing that Ava grew up in proverty on a South Carolina farm, such as I did in Texas, I thought > we would have something in common.. We didn't. Or if we did, I couldn't detect it. > > Stories about her in Madrid and her sexual escapades were rampant and not for nice social small talk, but that didn't stop any one. I was a great movie fan in those days and from my seat in a movie house I admired them > as gods and goddesses. They were, but with rather dirty feet, I learned. > > Siting in a somewhat smokey club, Ava's beauty was magnetic. It was difficult to look away, and in some ways a sacrilage. We talked around her as she sat there, her eyes on some distance something beyond the confines of the club. A great sadness surounded her, too painful to see but too difficult to look away. > > I only saw her on those jazz club evenings, never in a different setting, and happy to go although I knew it > would be painful. > > It was later when I returned to the US and left the USAF and settled in NYC that I learned enough about her > to understand her sadness. She had been married several times. As I remember once to Mickey Rooney > and then to Sinatra, perhaps others, who saw her fabulous beauty but not the poor country girl she > really was. Now in New York, she was " dating " , the actor who played Patton in the movie > about General Patten. was living in New York with his wife, but on his trips to Hollywood where > the movie was being shot, he was with Ava. He used her as a punching bag. And so did others. > > Sorry to be so long. When I get going I have a hard time shutting up. How about Esther and her husband Fernand Lamas some day when I get to musing on my life? > > > Jack > 79/IPF - UIP/dx06/05 Maine > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 How very interesting, I love your story, Ava Gardner was very beautiful. I love old movies. My grandfather was in Vaudevill, he grew up in the streets of New York. He eventually got an act together and did quite well and ended up in California because everything was going on film. He retired in the early 50's. We were lucky enough to meet some really neet people because of him. He would sit with me and we would look at his scrap book, infact that was the last thing we did together before he died. I learned that famous people are people, just a little weird. I love weird....I would love for you to tell more stories........ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Thanks Jack, So exciting. I hope Sher gets it.. Waiting for more..I hate it that G. was a jerk.. I loved him.. Things change. Love and Prayers, Peggy IPF 2004, FloridaWorry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up. The oldies on this board will remember some time ago that I told a little story about my happy happenstance to be with and work with Marlene Deitrich in a show I produced in Madrid. At that time I said I would tell a little story about Ava Gardner, but for some four years or so I haven't and today, when she came into my mind, I prompted myself to write it now. So here it is in brief. At the time I was a USAF captain stationed in Madrid, Spain as the press liaison officer for the Joint U.S. Miliarty Group. Americans living there or just passsing through that needed some help called my office. That's how I met Deitrich when her accompanist called me for help getting some sound equipment. His name was Burt Bacharach. Ava was more of a resident in Madrid, living in the local Hilton Hotel. It so happened that she was dating a USAF major who was a friend of mine. We use to go to jazz clubs together, she and he, and me and my wife. Knowing that Ava grew up in proverty on a South Carolina farm, such as I did in Texas, I thought we would have something in common. We didn't. Or if we did, I couldn't detect it. Stories about her in Madrid and her sexual escapades were rampant and not for nice social small talk, but that didn't stop any one. I was a great movie fan in those days and from my seat in a movie house I admired them as gods and goddesses. They were, but with rather dirty feet, I learned. Siting in a somewhat smokey club, Ava's beauty was magnetic. It was difficult to look away, and in some ways a sacrilage. We talked around her as she sat there, her eyes on some distance something beyond the confines of the club. A great sadness surounded her, too painful to see but too difficult to look away. I only saw her on those jazz club evenings, never in a different setting, and happy to go although I knew it would be painful. It was later when I returned to the US and left the USAF and settled in NYC that I learned enough about her to understand her sadness. She had been married several times. As I remember once to Mickey Rooney and then to Sinatra, perhaps others, who saw her fabulous beauty but not the poor country girl she really was. Now in New York, she was "dating" , the actor who played Patton in the movie about General Patten. was living in New York with his wife, but on his trips to Hollywood where the movie was being shot, he was with Ava. He used her as a punching bag. And so did others. Sorry to be so long. When I get going I have a hard time shutting up. How about Esther and her husband Fernand Lamas some day when I get to musing on my life? Jack79/IPF - UIP/dx06/05 Maine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Jack didn't Ava Gardner wind up with Merv ?? Love and Prayers, Peggy IPF 2004, FloridaWorry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up. The oldies on this board will remember some time ago that I told a little story about my happy happenstance to be with and work with Marlene Deitrich in a show I produced in Madrid. At that time I said I would tell a little story about Ava Gardner, but for some four years or so I haven't and today, when she came into my mind, I prompted myself to write it now. So here it is in brief. At the time I was a USAF captain stationed in Madrid, Spain as the press liaison officer for the Joint U.S. Miliarty Group. Americans living there or just passsing through that needed some help called my office. That's how I met Deitrich when her accompanist called me for help getting some sound equipment. His name was Burt Bacharach. Ava was more of a resident in Madrid, living in the local Hilton Hotel. It so happened that she was dating a USAF major who was a friend of mine. We use to go to jazz clubs together, she and he, and me and my wife. Knowing that Ava grew up in proverty on a South Carolina farm, such as I did in Texas, I thought we would have something in common. We didn't. Or if we did, I couldn't detect it. Stories about her in Madrid and her sexual escapades were rampant and not for nice social small talk, but that didn't stop any one. I was a great movie fan in those days and from my seat in a movie house I admired them as gods and goddesses. They were, but with rather dirty feet, I learned. Siting in a somewhat smokey club, Ava's beauty was magnetic. It was difficult to look away, and in some ways a sacrilage. We talked around her as she sat there, her eyes on some distance something beyond the confines of the club. A great sadness surounded her, too painful to see but too difficult to look away. I only saw her on those jazz club evenings, never in a different setting, and happy to go although I knew it would be painful. It was later when I returned to the US and left the USAF and settled in NYC that I learned enough about her to understand her sadness. She had been married several times. As I remember once to Mickey Rooney and then to Sinatra, perhaps others, who saw her fabulous beauty but not the poor country girl she really was. Now in New York, she was "dating" , the actor who played Patton in the movie about General Patten. was living in New York with his wife, but on his trips to Hollywood where the movie was being shot, he was with Ava. He used her as a punching bag. And so did others. Sorry to be so long. When I get going I have a hard time shutting up. How about Esther and her husband Fernand Lamas some day when I get to musing on my life? Jack79/IPF - UIP/dx06/05 Maine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Jack,How wonderful and how sad..Dyane Phoenix ipf 02>> The oldies on this board will remember some time ago that I told a little story about my happy happenstance> to be with and work with Marlene Deitrich in a show I produced in Madrid. At that time I said I would tell a little story about Ava Gardner, but for some four years or so I haven't and today, when she came into my> mind, I prompted myself to write it now. So here it is in brief.> > At the time I was a USAF captain stationed in Madrid, Spain as the press liaison officer for the Joint U.S.> Miliarty Group. Americans living there or just passsing through that needed some help called my office. That's how I met Deitrich when her accompanist called me for help getting some sound equipment. His name was Burt Bacharach. > > Ava was more of a resident in Madrid, living in the local Hilton Hotel. It so happened that she was dating> a USAF major who was a friend of mine. We use to go to jazz clubs together, she and he, and me and> my wife. Knowing that Ava grew up in proverty on a South Carolina farm, such as I did in Texas, I thought> we would have something in common.. We didn't. Or if we did, I couldn't detect it.> > Stories about her in Madrid and her sexual escapades were rampant and not for nice social small talk, but that didn't stop any one. I was a great movie fan in those days and from my seat in a movie house I admired them> as gods and goddesses. They were, but with rather dirty feet, I learned.> > Siting in a somewhat smokey club, Ava's beauty was magnetic. It was difficult to look away, and in some ways a sacrilage. We talked around her as she sat there, her eyes on some distance something beyond the confines of the club. A great sadness surounded her, too painful to see but too difficult to look away. > > I only saw her on those jazz club evenings, never in a different setting, and happy to go although I knew it> would be painful.> > It was later when I returned to the US and left the USAF and settled in NYC that I learned enough about her > to understand her sadness. She had been married several times. As I remember once to Mickey Rooney> and then to Sinatra, perhaps others, who saw her fabulous beauty but not the poor country girl she> really was. Now in New York, she was "dating" , the actor who played Patton in the movie> about General Patten. was living in New York with his wife, but on his trips to Hollywood where> the movie was being shot, he was with Ava. He used her as a punching bag. And so did others.> > Sorry to be so long. When I get going I have a hard time shutting up. How about Esther and her husband Fernand Lamas some day when I get to musing on my life?> > > Jack> 79/IPF - UIP/dx06/05 Maine> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Jack, Thsnks for sharing this story. I love " behind the scenes " stories. Ava was a very beautiful and very sad woman. Too bad about Georce C . I WON'T be watching any more of HIS movies. I hate it when our heroes turn out to be jerks. Would love to hear about Esther and Lamas. And for Peggy - It was Ava Gabor (Zsa Zsa's sister) who was with Merv . They were together many years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Peggy, I don't know. After the episodes with , I lost track of her. My info on came from his wife, Collen Duhurst, who at the time was in the play "Little Foxes." I didn't know her well, mostly through common friends. I would like to think that Ava had some love and peace in her life. Jack79/IPF - UIP/dx06/05 Maine To: Breathe-Support Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:48:07 PMSubject: Re: Ava Gardner Jack didn't Ava Gardner wind up with Merv ?? Love and Prayers, Peggy IPF 2004, Florida Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up. The oldies on this board will remember some time ago that I told a little story about my happy happenstance to be with and work with Marlene Deitrich in a show I produced in Madrid. At that time I said I would tell a little story about Ava Gardner, but for some four years or so I haven't and today, when she came into my mind, I prompted myself to write it now. So here it is in brief. At the time I was a USAF captain stationed in Madrid, Spain as the press liaison officer for the Joint U.S. Miliarty Group. Americans living there or just passsing through that needed some help called my office. That's how I met Deitrich when her accompanist called me for help getting some sound equipment. His name was Burt Bacharach. Ava was more of a resident in Madrid, living in the local Hilton Hotel. It so happened that she was dating a USAF major who was a friend of mine. We use to go to jazz clubs together, she and he, and me and my wife. Knowing that Ava grew up in proverty on a South Carolina farm, such as I did in Texas, I thought we would have something in common. We didn't. Or if we did, I couldn't detect it. Stories about her in Madrid and her sexual escapades were rampant and not for nice social small talk, but that didn't stop any one. I was a great movie fan in those days and from my seat in a movie house I admired them as gods and goddesses. They were, but with rather dirty feet, I learned. Siting in a somewhat smokey club, Ava's beauty was magnetic. It was difficult to look away, and in some ways a sacrilage. We talked around her as she sat there, her eyes on some distance something beyond the confines of the club. A great sadness surounded her, too painful to see but too difficult to look away. I only saw her on those jazz club evenings, never in a different setting, and happy to go although I knew it would be painful. It was later when I returned to the US and left the USAF and settled in NYC that I learned enough about her to understand her sadness. She had been married several times. As I remember once to Mickey Rooney and then to Sinatra, perhaps others, who saw her fabulous beauty but not the poor country girl she really was. Now in New York, she was "dating" , the actor who played Patton in the movie about General Patten. was living in New York with his wife, but on his trips to Hollywood where the movie was being shot, he was with Ava. He used her as a punching bag. And so did others. Sorry to be so long. When I get going I have a hard time shutting up. How about Esther and her husband Fernand Lamas some day when I get to musing on my life? Jack79/IPF - UIP/dx06/05 Maine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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