Mamie Van Doren's Hollywood

Mamie's Hollywood
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Midsummer Night's Dream

Playboy Mansion, August 4, 2007

It was another steamy summer night in Southern California, and the Playboy Mansion was rocking for the one of the best parties of the year. The girls are naked and the guys are gorgeous and everyone drank champagne and danced until dawn. No cameras are allowed inside, but here are a few pix to give you a little flavor of the night.

Here I am posing with the Lexus in my see-through Chanel. It's all Chanel, all the time: Chanel black and pink camelia, Chanel gold chain, and Chanel shoes.

And hiding in the lovely green of a stand of bamboo.

This is a cute shot of Lizzie Strain, Julie's little sis. You might notice that I have been partying a bit.

Perry and the lovely Deanna Webb. They are so cute together.

Deanna and I take a quick snapshot before I head for home.

Mauricio's Party

Dan Tana's, May 20, 2007

Mauricio Padilla, my dear friend from New York, celebrated his birthday at Dan Tana's in Hollywood. For those of you who haven't been there, Dan Tana's is an old Hollywood, speakeasy style dining establishment that's been around for ever. It's small, noisy, celebrity-filled, and the food is wonderful. Sixteen of us, hosted by Tia from Jack Henry Studio, made merry into the wee hours to celebrate another year with our Mauricio who looks simply FABULOUS! Also in attendance were Annie Flanders, one-time owner of Details magazine who is in L.A. to start a new business, and handsome Tony Ward, model and ex-boyfriend of Madonna's. The photos are by the always handsome dear friend David Wills.

Tana's features checkered table cloths. I wore my gangster suit.

Left to right: Emma, a wardrobe stylist; Tony Duran, internationally famous photographer, as we discuss an upcoming photo shoot; the birthday boy, Mauricio; and Tia.

Tia posing with me.

Jack Henry Studio

May 20, 2007

My friend Mauricio Padilla, co-owner with his brother Roger of MAO Magazine and the MAO public relations agency, invited me to the Jack Henry Studio, a trendy little fashion boutique off La Cienega in L.A. to check out my favorite thing: FASHIONS! I went expecting to meet the owner, Mr. Henry, and found instead the lovely, Tia. The namesake of the salon is a strapping Miniature Pincher. Tia owns two of them, so my Starlet and Sofee had a big time getting acquainted while I tried on clothes. The photos are by Alan Mercer.

Arriving at the Jack Henry Boutique. Sofee and Star can't wait.

Sofee is all attention when she sees Tia's Min Pins.

Starlet poses with Mommy. "Let's have a movie star smile!"

Jack Henry says hello to Starlet while Tia and I look on.

Tia and I take a break from trying on clothes.

Sweet Mauricio as handsome as ever!

Sofee and me back in the car and ready to go home.

Greg Firlotte (on the right) and his brother stopped to say hello. Greg was recently voted one of the most influential designers in L.A. Congrats, Greg!

Happy Birthday, Johnny Grant!

May 9, 2007

Some friendships are stronger than time. Some can even survive the rigors of a tough factory town like Hollywood. That is my friendship with Johnny Grant. I have known Johnny, the Mayor of Hollywood and its most eloquent spokesman, for a very long time. He has been a part of my landscape for almost a lifetime. He is funny, helpful, kind, honest, irreverent, funny, tireless, strong, sexy, and did I say he was funny? He is childlike in the most charming way, and always has a tidbit of gossip--not mean, you understand, just spicy. He is a joy to be around, and no room in which Johnny Grant is present is ever without laughter for long. So, you see, when Johnny celebrated his birthday recently, I had no choice but to attend. The photographs below and the video here will give you a little of the flavor of the event, even though they don't begin to show all the people at the event. Birthday message to Johnny: my unabashed love always. May we both live another hundred years!

Just before the party got under way. My placecard was next to Johnny's at the head table. On his other side was my dear friend Angie Dickenson.

One of the first people I saw at the party was the totally gorgeous Rhonda Fleming. I starred opposite Rhonda and Jeff Chandler in "Yankee Pasha". Rhonda and I had a memorable cat fight which we reminisced about today. Neither of us ever forgot that sock to the jaw I got! Rhonda is one of those miracle people who retains a youthful look. It's a joy to meet one so ageless.

You can see that Rhonda maintains a fabulous figure too. As sweet as she is beautiful, we had a wonderful visit over luncheon.

The always handsome astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who landed on the moon with Neil Armstrong. A former beau, Buzz is always fun to run into at parties and such about town--when you can get him off the phone. Buzz is still an intensely popular speaker and makes many appearances all over the country every year.

Here I'm saying hello to Buzz's beautiful wife, Lois. Where you find Buzz, you'll find Lois. They make a wonderful couple and always keep a party jumping!

The guest of honor himself, Johnny Grant! A toast to you and to the occasion!

This is yummy cake! Don't bother me, I'm eating!

Meet the Reverend Bill Minson, the Executive Director of the Congressional Entertainment Industries Caucus. Reverend Minson is associated with Congresswoman Diane E. Watson. Reverend Minson wears a large metal cross made from a piece of the World Trade Center. I kissed the cross and it gave me the eeriest feeling.

A Night at the Egyptian

March 29, 2007

American Cinematheque invited me to a showing of my movie, "The Beat Generation," subsequently retitled "This Rebel Age". It sounded like a fun night out around some of my old haunts in Hollywood, so Perry, Thomas, and I saddled up and rode. It was a great time, attended by many friends, fans, and well-wishers. Photographer extrordinaire and friend, Alan Mercer attended and shot the following pix. Thomas also shot video and edited it into a montage. See it here! After the movie, my posse adjourned to the venerable watering hole and eatery, Musso & Frank.