The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-12-31
Observations
MacLean Party
i'm w ashington
Really Something
BY Helen Essary


the Washington stage.
such people, Putting on a $3.50
show before your popping eyes.
Imagine, Grace Moore and Noel
Coward. old friends. sitting across
the table from each other, Laugh
ing Smiling. Talking.
The pIace-Friendship The
hour-miduight. After one OF Mrs.
Eyalyn McLeans famous dinners.
Evalyu Mclean herself with the
hlue-black Hope diamond on her
slender white throat above the low
decolletage of her black dinner
gown. Eyalyn. lowering IN the
wings. stage managing. applauding
With Monkey, the little dog, in his
red sweater tucked under her arm.
Signalling 10 the musicians l.ned'up
against the corner.wall, to keep On
playing
The rest OF us-plain people sit
ting at the table. too. Listening.
Saying-"Oh' All. Wonderful.
Splendid" We were the audience.
They-Noel and Grace. played TO
us or did they? No, they played
10 each other And to themselves,
Picking up their cues a. il they
were prima douuas before the foot
lights. Which, Of course, they al
ways are wherever they go.
Noel Coward piaywrieht-actor-
an sleek in black dinner jacket as
one of his own heroes. Miss Moore
--dimpled. laughing in bright blue
satin studded with sequins. Dia
mond brooches winked here and
there on her chest. Sapphires dan
Cling in her ears aeainst the back
ground OF her yellow hair.
The dialog -e-something like
this Noel darling III never forget
that night in Cairo. There was
doing Boheme Giving Mimi
everything | had when | happened
10 look down and there you we're.
darling sitting in box. | was so
surprised | almost stopped singing.
Then you smiled and ! went on"
Grace, dear. shall never for
get that sudden look in your eyes.
! wanted 10 run up on the stage.
You were so beautiful"
Musicians had begun Miss
Noore's fayorite song One Night
of Love Miss Moore threw back
her handsome head. Sing it. dear"
urged Mrs. Coward. Sing 1t, Come
now. Grace. Come"
The pIaywright-actor lifted his
hands 10 direct the prima donna.
Miss Moore opened her mouth and
out came the thrilling notes.
"Gloriousi All, Grace there IS
no one like you. And those ro-
mantle things are the very best.
They will live forever. | went to
the Mayfower Saturday and what
did | hear-"The Chocolate Sol
der Do try it, Grace. know
you're tired from the concert. But
I'll help you remember the words
Now =" Somebody whis-
pered TO the musicians. MY Hero"
came to life. Now My
arms then will embrace you. :"
Hero Mine =. ="
Miss Moore's voice filed the
room. Somebody set a tall drink
before Miss Moore. Maybe you'd
rather have bourbon 1T doesn't
matter. don't know one from
the other" laughed Miss Moore.
Then-"Noel darling why don't
you do another operetta? You must.
You know how bare the stage is
now"
VIII you sing in It II do" ask
ed Coward. "Of course l will. Do
you remember that evening in
Venice -
Next the musicians played "Oh.
What a Beautiful Morning. We
sang that. too. All Of us joining in.
Recklessly out OF tune. Knowing
that Miss Moores voice would
drown our wobbly notes. Leon
Henderson sang robustly. He
knows all the words said Miss
Moore and flashed a quick smile
Mr.. Coward / said There are
at least 20 drawing room dramas
in this Friendship dinner tonight.
Eyalyn Mclean is a play in her
self I wish you would stay a
while and do something on Wash
ington'
Il wish | could stay said Cow
ard politely. But Monday / ay
far away--to Africa"
How / would like to be able 10
write" sighed Miss Moore. I'D
like to spend the rest OF my life
sitting under an apple tree Just
writing. I've got three-year con.
tract with Doubleday, Doran and
Miss Moore. will you dance a
zomba with me?" said Leon Hen
derson bowling deeply.
Oh, what a beautiful evening.
Everything happened my way.