Stars divulge secrets of attraction

Press, 23 May 1988, Page 19

Stars divulge secrets of attraction

David Hartnells.

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I’m not one to gossip but... here in Hollywood they’ll write a book about anything. The latest publication to be launched is a book called “What Turns a Man’s Head.” It’s full of useless information from top Hollywood stars (male), saying what first attracts them to a woman. Here’s what some of them say — Bob Hope: “I never give women a second thought. My first thought covers everything.” Telly Savalas: “A woman who carries herself with authority always impresses me. However, the ability to maintain an intelligent conversation is the most important prerequisite of all.” Lorenzo Lamas: "Dancing eyes and a big open smile.” Don Johnson: “Usually it will be the way she carries herself — with an air of confidence. But not an arrogance — a sense of grace.”

I am amazed at such a sexist book being published in the 80s, but as I say, here in Hollywood anything that can make a dollar they sell. Yesterday I was in one of L.A.’s leading book shops, and the customers were three deep buying the book at $25.75 a copy.

Last week I was at the Beverly Hills Hotel and

saw the beautiful Stefanie Powers. I have always thought of her as a rather tall woman, but to my amazement she is rather short, and as beautiful as ever at 45. Although we do not see much of her on our New Zealand screens, here in Hollywood she is one of the hottest actresses around — not bad for someone who started life with a name like Stefania Federkiewicz, her real name.

While attending a Texas horse auction, “Dallas” star Linda Gray took a shine to a cute little colt. She bid $4OOO for it and the hammer fell in her favour. Later she stopped to talk to a man and his young daughter who had dropped out of the bidding at $5OO. It seemed the little girl had set her i heart on the colt, but they just couldn’t afford it. So Linda sold them the colt for $5OO — now that’s star quality for you. I spotted Robert Stack the other day, shopping with his wife. Both were wearing black tracksuits . with a silver fern on them — guess he got them when he was in New Zealand making the telly commercial for that car.

An actress who claims she was fired by “Who’s

the Boss” star Tony Danza because she refused to date his brother has lashed back with a $5 million law-suit. Dana Gordon, aged 23, was hired in 1985 as a stand-in on the set, and as a guardian for then 14-year-old Alyssa Milano, who plays Tony’s on-, screen daughter Samantha Micelli. She claims in her suit filed in L.A. Superior Court that Tony, aged 36, said he fired her from his show because she refused to make his brother happy. She claims that Tony also said, “If you don’t make my> brother happy, you will be banned from the show’s end-of-season party.” The case is still going on. Donna Mills, of the soapie “Knots Landing,” is very happy with her part on the show as Abby. Previously she had almost always been cast as ai victim, and she was tired, of passive roles.

“The Golden Girls” show has asked Jack Nicholson to appear as a guest on an upcoming episode, but Jack has said no, to their offer. He hates to appear in front of a live audience, and “Golden Girls” is filmed with a live audience. Besides,'' Jack said, he doesn’t like appearing on TV as it is

too much like hard work. Meanwhile Jack’s father, who is 76, and iblind, has only one wish before he dies — to make peace with the famous son who has refused to acknowledge him for the past 10 years. He has written dozens of letters to Jack and sent him a family album filled with old pictures of Jack and his mother. I, hear that Jack has never forgiven him for walking out on his mother some 48 years ago... but my lips are sealed.