| "When we got on the phone, for the first few minutes everything would be just great, and then the frustration of being apart would set in and, before you knew it, we were quarreling. We'd hang up and, about the same time, begin to suffer remorse. Then we'd try to call back and, half the time, we could never get the second call through." They had no formal engagement but, for a year, they tried to get married. The problem was in setting a date when they would be in the same city at the same time. They would have preferred to marry in New York, so that their respective families could be present, but finally settled on Las Vegas, where Eydie was singing. Steve had a few days off. "It was a wonderful wedding," Eydie says. "A lovely Sunday and we had a wedding breakfast and champagne. We were married at noon in the cottage of Beldon Kattleman, owner of El Rancho Vegas, where I was singing. It was unfortunate that our parents weren't there, but they couldn't have made the air trip alone both ways. Luckily, most of our close friends came in. That was the wonderful part of it." That same night, Eydie had two shows to do. Three days later, Steve flew to Havana for a month's engagement. "That was the most difficult time for me," Eydie recalls. "It was so depressing, being apart right after we got married." One of the rewards of the summer television show is that Eydie and Steve, man and wife, get to live together as man and wife, with all the domestic trimmings. Eydie is a great cook. Her family is of Turkish and Spanish extraction, so her dishes are out of the ordinary. "And for me," she says, "cooking is a wonderful diversion from my work." Because television cameras add about ten pounds to anyone's appearance, both have been watching their diet rather carefully. "Our only problem," Eydie says, "is with rolls and bread and butter. We both like them better than cake or sweets. I'm so glad that Steve has to watch his diet, too. I can't think of anything more incompatible than having a husband stuffing himself while I'm dieting!" The living room is predominantly white and yellow. There is a long, marble-topped buffet which also contains their television receiver and hi-fidelity equipment. On top of the buffet is Eydie's "Dinah Award," designating her the outstanding female performer in night clubs during 1957. In the center of the room is a huge white hassock which looks like a big powderpuff. This was Steve's contribution, along with a grand piano in French Provencal style. On the piano is a framed picture of Steve which Eydie has had since the first year they met - plus a stuffed, flappy-eared dog which Eydie carries as a good luck piece. |
| Belated Honeymoon |
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| TV Radio Mirror |
| September 1958 |
| The buffet acts as a separator for the living and dining areas. The dining alcove, next to the kitchen, contains only a round, white Danish modern table and four antique chairs. Against the foyer wall, there is a floor-to-ceiling Italian breakfront at least five feet wide. "I liked it so much and bought it even though I thought it might be too big for this apartment," Eydie says. "But, in a sense, this apartment is temporary. It has only one bedroom, and we want room for a family. We both love children and would like to have at least two close together." When they're in Manhattan, they like to visit with old friends and see the shows they've missed while they were out of town. They recently traded in their cars for a four-seater, a hard-top convertible Thunderbird in gunmetal gray. They frequently drive out to the homes of their parents for dinner. "You know then where Eydie learned her cooking," Steve says. "Her mother is a great cook. Of course, mine is, too. They are both the kind of mothers who are not happy unless you get up from the table with heartburn." Their days are very busy with rehearsals, business meetings, fittings for Eydie, interviews and recording sessions. Both have had great success as recording artists. Eydie's current album for ABC-Paramount, "Eydie Gorme Vamps the Roaring 20's," is not only novel but again replete with the kind of vocal thrills that identify her. Steve's new Coral Album, "Here's Steve Lawrence," is his best to date. He ranges from swing to sentimental, with brilliant arrangements by Jack Kane. "Jack is Canada's top orchestra leader," Steve notes. "He's as big on CBC as Lawrence Welk is here. And he's one of the reasons that we are so enthusiastic about our television show - Jack has come down for the summer as our musical director." Despite differences in temperament, Steve and Eydie are seldom in disagreement on the production of the show. As Eydie says, "We think alike musically and have the same tastes in performance and production." Steve admits the pressure is on, at times. "But I just can't get upset. I'm happy. I mean, how lucky can you be? At our age and so early in our careers, we were in the fantastic position of having our pick of replacing the best summer shows. We've had luck with our recordings. We haven't wanted for club work and we've been booked at the best. All this and love, too. What more could you ask for?" It's corny but apt - Mr. and Mrs. Steve Lawrence make beautiful music together. |
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