From the archives: Clint Eastwood Plays It Smart

Clint Eastwood of Rawhide played it smart. Went to Italy and made a western, “A Fistful of Dollars,” for $15,000. It grossed $6 million in Italy alone, and opens in Paris next week. A second film titled “For A Few Dollars More,” which he made when “Rawhide” ended in November, brought Clint $50,000; and now he’s signed for a third for $250,000. He’s very popular all over Europe — they know him from TV. He’s wanted for another picture in Italy with Vittorio De Sica titled “The Witches.”

Right now he’s at Carmel ready to play in Bing Crosby’s golf clam bake.

Henry Rogers was struck dumb when he heard that a London paper front-paged the fact that his firm had been hired to publicize Prince Philip’s visit to the United States. It didn’t surprise me. Princess Margaret would have had a better press here if she’d had ‘em, and she might have been on time at parties too. Even the hospitals have press agents these days — they come under the heading of Patients Relations.

Dolores Del Río came up from Mexico to finish “I Spy” and stayed on to do a guest shot on “Branded.” Maybe somebody will see the light and put her in a film. She’s as beautiful as ever.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton must be going out of their cotton-pickin’ minds. The lawyers taking their depositions anent “Cleopatra” are still at it. There are so many they occupy two bungalows at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

A New Beat for Margaret Whiting

Margaret Whiting hadn’t made a record for ages but suddenly cracked out with one that has the new beat. Her 16-year-old, Debbie, took it to a party the other night. All the kids danced to it, loved it, and asked, “Whose is it?” thinking it was one of the new singers. Debbie quietly said, “It’s my Mom.”

Larry Storch says, “Peter Sellers will never know another night’s sleep after my latest ‘F Troop,’” in which he played five different characters — everything from a Mexican bandit to a Maude Frickett type. Jack Warner thought it 26 of the funniest minutes he’d ever seen, and will put Storch up for an Emmy.

Don Knotts is out of the hospital (blood clot in the leg), then his pal Jim Nabors went in with the flu. They’re both home now. But Walter Matthau, suffering hepatitis, was moved from Midway Hospital to Cedars.

Mike Douglas, who puts his guest stars through everything, is now getting the business on “U.N.C.L.E.” Dressed in black, he’s an enemy and they’re giving him the full treatment. When he finishes he’s off to Pebble Beach to join the swingers on the golf course. Golf is his first love.

The Navy spends many dollars yearly for pictures to show on their flattops. Loretta Young is their favorite. Loretta, bless her, hasn’t made a picture in ages. When Marty Rackin heard about the lack of current product, he booked his “Stagecoach” on the Independence.

Pat Boone gave an interview titled “My Second Wife,” which raised my eyebrows to my hairline for a minute.

All because Shirley is now a blonde and instead of dreading big parties and premieres, she loves ‘em. Went to a big party in Washington, observed how helpful wives were to their husbands and decided to get on the ball.

David McCallum in Heavy Demand

David McCallum will make “Three Bites of an Apple” in Italy this summer, and the producer wants Senta Berger to play opposite him. McCallum should be triplets, he’s wanted for so many pictures.

Zsa Zsa Gabor has gone completely native — playing a gypsy in “F Troop.” “But haven’t you always been one?” I said. “Oh, no. I’m always a lady. In this one I get all their money.” It figures.

Carol Burnett’s certainly got star helpers for her TV special — Lucille Ball and Zero Mostel. Lucy will not do her show next year, but she’s delighted that she’s still in the No. 3 spot. Her sponsors are begging and she’s grateful.