THE BRIDGE WORLD’S TIES TO THE CINEMA
This one is for movie buffs! It is a departure from our everyday bridge chatter — but definitely has it’s connection to the game. If you are not an old time movie goer, you may as well head for the next blogsite.
Yesterday at our Tuesday bridge outing at the LVBW, we arrived early and I had a chance to chat with my old friend Mary Hardy (widow of the handsome late director Max Hardy). We reminisced about the times we (my partner Jane Segal and I ) played against her in some NABC women’s events about thirty years ago. I recalled, in particular, her partner (and client) — a lovely looking older woman to whom she introduced us. I bumped into Mary later on during the game and she offered an interesting tidbit of information. Her partner’s name was Pati Behrs, the first wife of handsome actor John Derek, famous in his own right, but more in the spotlight for his discovery of screen idol BO DEREK — his fourth wife. Those of you who are (or were) movie fans will remember Bo for her starring role in ‘TEN.”
John’s introduction to the silver screen was quite unusual. His father was a film director and his mother an actress. John had some bit roles in Since You Went Away, I’ll Be Seeing You, A Double Life — until finally his big break came. He was approached by Humphrey Bogart (who renamed him John Derek — a far cry from his birth name of Derek Delevan Harris) and cast him as Pretty Boy Nick Romano in the famed movie “Knock on Any Door.” Although he appeared in a supporting role later in All the King’s Men (1949 Best Picture), he was unhappy with his career as an actor and turned to film directing. A handsome Ladies Man, he was best known for marrying glamorous starlets and for launching the meteoric career of his last wife, Bo Derek. His wives (besides Pati and Bo) were Ursula Andress (No. 2) and Linda Evans, of Dynasty Fame (No. 3). Incidentally, I found it fascinating to learn that Mary’s partner, Pati Behrs, was a Russian born American actress and the grandniece of Leo Tolstoy.
So much for this break in tempo!
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Taking a break from the pasteboards isn’t all bad. I, too, am an old movie buff. I enjoy reading your memories of times gone by. Keep ’em coming.
Thanks, Joanie. I have boxes and boxes of saved bridge memories (plus Bobby’s) which are piled up to the ceiling in our storeroom — probably enough to write and publish “The Lone Wolfess.” Occasionally, when I see something which triggers a funny, happy or even sad recollection, I settle down at the computer and share it with those who read my blogs and remember the legends of yesteryear. Happy you like them and appreciate your encouragement.
Cheers,
Judy
It’s so funny, Judy. Bo Derek has actually entered the bridge world. When I teach a class of beginners, I teach them the Bo Derek rule: (from the movie “Ten”) Rule #1: You’re never allowed to bid a new suit on the 2 level without at least TEN points. For some reason the name Bo Derek encourages them to remember the rule! 🙂
Gail:
That takes the cake for originality. However, I do think (especially at the beginners level where there is so much to remember) that an association such as you suggest is great. When I first started playing systems like Ogust, Jacoby and Flannery, I would go into the tank to try and recall the responses. The easiest was Flannery (F/F) — Flannery/Fragment.
If it takes crutches to get it right — so be it!