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Lana: Live at Town Hall, 1975:

LT: Lana Turner

JS: John Springer

<Applause, yelling of "LANA" and whistles..>

LT: It's getting a little teary eyed around here. Thank You so much. I'm so glad they shipped part of California here, whatever it is. Ha-ha. Well so this is the night.

JS: This is it Lana

LT: Oh John!

Angry Audience Members: PHOTOGRAPHERS SIT DOWN!

LT: Oh Dear! I hope you're all friends. <laughter>

JS: Photographers you'll have a chance later .Would you kind of cool it after now please.

LT: Can you imagine saying that to them? No way!

JS: I wish I could whistle 'cause that's what called for in that outfit.

whistle from the audience

LT: One of those- ha-ha. Thanks!

LT: Whoever you are, thank you. ha-ha. oh

JS: Who designed that dress for you Lana? I know you had it tonight.

LT: Yes. My dear friend Mr. Dan Whirly. <applause>. Yeah I'm gonna give him a hand too! But you would not believe, that Friday afternoon,  and of course we flew in Friday evening, I was still fitting. I was having a fit. Ha-ha you know and uh you I don't know the meter? went on strike or whatever they did. They were tired from the academy awards or what ever. And finally I said fellas, you're gonna screw up the whole night. One for me. You're going to ruin the whole Sunday evening if you don't get this dress ready. <laughter>. So here we are.

JS: So here we are

JS: Lana lets start with the very start Were you really discovered drinking a soda a Schwab's drugstore?

LT: My dear John, now let's see. For the uh- Well It should be for the uh the 800th time now.

JS: Could the photographers please at this point. Can't you stop till later! Please, I really think you got enough for now and you really are disturbing us.

LT: I'll make a change later.< applause>. No John. That is not the true story.

 JS: Well let's hear the true story. Ha-ha

LT: I mean I lived that story for 30 sum odd years. I wish I had stock in their company. But no the true story is  it was a little we call em' malt shops, uh I think they have 'em around most high schools... Where the kids went for lunch after school in my time. In my time it was different. I cut class, 'cause it was boring. It was a typing class and I still don't know how to type.

JS: You don't need to.

LT: Not as long as I have long nails I don't need to. Anyway that is the true story it was not Schwab's, and I don't know how much you want me to go into it . I mean that's where it really happened.

JS: Uh- I might mention Mervyn Leroy's daughter is in the audience tonight and uh he was very important-

LT: Linda?

JS: Linda, she's here.  Mervyn Leroy was very important to your career. Wasn't he?

LT: Yes, he really started it, and um put me under personal contract and gave me my first chance, well after what you all saw, was quite a lot of things. <applause>

JS: You were the sweater girl, and that was kind of an immediate glamour thing. <laughter> Wasn't that tough to take?

LT: What dear? They're still mine. <laughter>

JS:  Was that a lot of stuff for a kid to take, being a glamour symbol right away?

LT: For me? Yes. Because um well I had never been accustomed to uh any parts of the anatomy being so important and uh actually I was terribly embarrassed because now when we did that shot, face it I didn't know anything. So Mr. Leroy said now you walk from there to here. I don't know whether they had cow bells goin' or whatever you know, boom boom boom. But I didn't know that at the time so I walked my normal walk and when I saw the first preview with my mother beside me and we both slunk down and down and down and it was like oh, how can I you know just dissolve, kind of thing. To this day I do not know who created that title, The Sweater Girl but if I ever I find em'... I mean what's mine is mine. But um I was terribly embarrassed by it and it took me years and years of fighting with Metro. You know so many things to say listen, I'm trying to be a sort of good actress please don't keep me stuck with the title. Of course we had dear Anne Sheridan, bless her, oomph girls. It seemed that every kid of sexy lookin' broad had to have a title. I finally got rid of mine. . I mean the title! <laughter> My mouth is so dry. May I have some water?

JS: Well certainly. You were Judy turner then. Who named you Lana?

LT: I did! <applause>

JS:  How did you pick it?  Just you liked it?

LT: I'd never heard it before. However Mr. Leroy said now Judy Turner. No. I love this. It sounds too much like a chorine. I didn't even know what a chorine meant . But I figured well ok if he doesn't like it he has his reasons and we literally started down the alphabet, Anne, Anita, you figure it out. We got to the "L's", Louise? A Louise I am not! And the whole office was terribly quiet and everyone was thinking. And then I opened my dear unknowledgeable little mouth and said what about Lana? And Mr. Leroy looked me and said how would you spell it?  I said I dunno L-A-N-A. You know simple. He went around his office, Lana Turner? Lana Turner? Lana Turner? That's it! And that's how it happened! Very truthfully. <applause>.

JS: You and uh Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland were all in school together, at the uh-

LT: What happened?

JS:  I dunno.

LT: I'm sorry. What dear?.

JS: You and Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland were school together. Was it fun going to school growing up you know in a studio with those people-

LT: Now you see John that's another fallacy. Believe me. They did have the little red schoolhouse but it's not necessarily that we went to school every day together. Either Mickey was working in a film or Judy or I and when we were on the actual sets, they put up some black flats or something. Try to make a room, and they'd pull us in and say there's the next study. I am trying to learn my lines what do I know about history. But when not working yes we were required to go to the little red schoolhouse- D-U-L. But it's not that we were together all the time.

JS: I see.

JS: You were the classic example of the star created by the studio system. Now did they tell you what to do, did they develop a personality for you? Did you ever rebel? <laughter>.

LT: No um. You see, first of all I was very very fortunate, the fact that being under personal contract to Mr. Leroy  for one year when he was at Warner Bros and then he left there and went to MGM and he took me and this other uh project properties with him. But still for the first year at Metro I stayed under personal contract, and it was only when Mr. Leroy you know wanted to move ahead himself, he signed over everything that he had brought, including me and that's when I became under contract to MGM. But again mine was so wonderfully different because they knew this young person coming in but like under the wings of Mr. Leroy and um I wasn't part of the thing that uh- like they used to sign up beautiful beautiful young girls for six months and um they whatever and put them through the dancing paces or singing lessons or things like that- But I never had to go through that because once I was at MGM, I was sorta special comin' in with a great gentleman that um I was under contract to. So I was never treated like the others.

JS: You didn't have to go through all the regimentation?

LT: No. No. No. No. No.

JS: Who had sense enough to know that you were-  I mean we've seen some great performances from you tonight-Who was smart enough to know that you were capable of those meaty roles? For instance Bette Davis told me that she fought to get The Postman Always Rings Twice.

LT: WHAT?! WHO?!

JS: She wanted it. She tried to get it.

LT: And she's a good friend wait till' I talk to her.

JS: Well she didn't get it. You beat her and she still likes you. But who-

LT: For instance it really all started, even though we call the B films, or the smaller films, which were really the bread and butter films of MGM. I mean those things we cranked em' out, and they made the money for the boo-boos on the big things. <applause> You know what I mean. So uh then finally I was given a role in Ziegfeld Girl <applause> which, which actually started out as just a show girl, uh a few little scenes, but to try to make this more concise. We had this wonderful director Robert Z. Leonard, that everybody in the world has always called Pop. And suddenly I noticed that I was getting new pages, added scenes for Sheila. And you know I didn't know all that much but I knew somebody was giving me more scenes than the original and I truly truly believe that Mr. Leonard felt there was something within me, some kind of talent that he insisted upon all these new scenes. Including you know the little yellow fuzzy ducks??? And all of that stuff. So that is when, actually the first time I realized good lord I am really being called upon to do an acting job.

JS: Well We're grateful to Mr. Leonard..<applause>

LT: Oh yes.

JS:  Lana I know you were not very happy with your TV series. Would you ever consider doing another TV?

LT:  Hmm- Well  the sad part really is that the initial idea of the thing called The Survivors. Thank God I survived. But um it was really going to be quite exciting but then when you get too many cooks with the spoons and the hats on. You know nobody's- Who's producing today? Who's directing this morning? Who's this afternoon-

JS: It was a lavish looking series

LT: - And it was not for lack of money, nor thought. But they just went all cuckoo. And we were signed for a full 26 weeks and we barely squeaked through, thanks to a very important man, a very intelligent man at universal, who is noted for his- getting bits and pieces of film, splicing them together, whatever. We squeaked through the 15th episode and WHACK!  But would I consider, yes I would, but not under those situations- I would want to know straight out what it is, who I'm dealing with. So I'm not saying no. Ha-ha long way to get around not say no.

JS: Lana I think of all stars, you've probably taken more of a beating from the press. Do you resent the press? <laughter>.

LT: Um there are some very honestly that I do resent. I have often wondered how they sleep at night and how they get up and face themselves the next day.. Do they not see the vultures that they are? <applause>. But again there's always a certain element, no matter what stride of life, there are some that I respect very very much and not necessarily- I don't have to admire them. If I respect them that's enough, um some had better not come in one 1000 feet of me. Others I would say come have a cocktail, you know sit down and just chat. Those are very few, but I've had my hatchet jobs, unfortunately.

JS: Lana what has happened to your daughter Cheryl Crane?

LT: Oh my lovely daughter. Well I'm so happy to say that she is quite well, fine and quite a business woman. Um I tease her calling her Ms. Executive, because she is that. And she's with her father in the restaurant business, and she's really, you know, right on top of everything, leading a lovely life. And um- God! I'm so proud of her! <applause>

JS: If you had  it all to do again, do you think you would like to have it the same way?

LT: Hmm, ha-ha. Well lets see I've had so many interviewers, ask me now Ms. Turner, if you were not what you are today what do you figure would you have been, and I wanna say ok dear lady or dear sir turn it around, if you were not doing- what would you be? I mean it's incredible to try to answer a question like that but yours is different.

JS: Ha-ha. Alright- <laughter>

LT: I know a friend when I've got one ha-ha. Would I do it all again? Yes yes yes because I am not finished. One more sentence. Because my life is truly blessed. I don't know it is so ordained it is so controlled. Yes I deeply do believe in el destino, destiny, the fates. If I could have changed some things yes I would have tried to change them. But I don't believe that way, every part, valleys, dark tunnels, up's and down's, beautiful lights, the heights, everything has been planned for me, so therefore I would not change it.<applause> I think I have some very understanding people out there out there.

JS: Of course they are.

JS:  Lana we have questions from the audience. And uh I'm gonna turn it over. This lady says your entrance in The Postman Always Rings Twice, is generally considered to be the most striking first shot of an actress ever filmed

LT:  Yeah! From the feet up! Ha-ha! You know an actresses thinks oh my face will show first but I'll be darned feet first. And I thought thank God I have small feet, you know, and then went it up and up and up. I think that was rather fascinating.

JS: She asks what do you think about John Garfield as a leading man, did you enjoy working with him?

LT: Oh yes. And I know that I am not the first one to say what I am going to say. But truly John Garfield was so ahead of any actor, including all of your greats because he-he was of a new medium that women aren't accustomed to. And the fact that I was fortunate enough to do this film with him because the chemistry was just there and you'd do a scene and boy he'd bang it back to you and you'd bang it back to him, you know so it became something not to just say your lines say your lines. He was really really vibrant and so gentle and terribly intelligent, a very shy man. I wish we had him back.

JS: I wish we had him back

JS: Here's a question I keep reading about your fear of live audiences. After 10 weeks of Forty Carats, how come? Surely you realize you're well thought of? Tonight is just one example of this love. How was your experience in Forty Carats and would you do it again-

LT: Well yes I am very nervous doing.... I'm nervous right now.

Audience Member: I LOVE YOU LANA!

LT: I LOVE YOU! But you know the few hours ahead when you say oh god is my head screwed on right? Will I be able to speak. Um, because of my training or my years, my career, what ever you want to call it on the soundstage, I mean it's total total silence. And sometimes it's a terribly dramatic scene and this is such a wonderful thing to experience, when your own crew-.  Now we worked- Well we used to work much longer, but now everyone's watching the clock but we're all a family. When your own crew realizes that  you have a very heavy dramatic scene coming up, where they're the ones holding the key light or shading you to make pookalore shots they call 'em.. They are so sensitive, that they will turn away. In other words you have almost privacy, other than the cameraman and the director and of course your fellow actor. It's very silent and then when the director says cut, everyone says oh fine I think I'll light up a cigarette, go grab a cup of coffee or whatever. So I've not had enough experience with wonderful live people. I don't know how to say it!

JS: Well you were tryin'. Would you like to do again, would you like to do another stage play?

LT: I have an answer for that. Yes, but please god the next one not in the round! OH!

JS: Lana, here's a question from Liz smith, who's a very fine film critic for Cosmopolitan Magazine. She says dear wonderful Ms. Turner, when you did love scenes in films did you approach love scenes as work or throw yourself into them. And she asks did anything amusing ever happen during a love scene?

LT: Well as far as throwing myself into it depended on how much a clinch it needed. But other than that it was strictly business. But I do have a funny story.  I was doing Homecoming with dear Mr. Clark Gable and directed by the wonderful beloved Mr. Leroy. I'll get to the story.  At that time, mind you since that time I've learned not to do that- at that time I chewed gum.

Audience Member: WANT A PIECE?

LT:  I'd adore a piece but later! Thank you! When you hear my story... I dunno anyway so um, I had a sort of  little pocket that I would tuck it up into you see , I'd do the scene my lines were clear and all  of that. And nobody knew the difference. And after this scene, chew away.. But This one time, I wanted the earth to open. I was so embarrassed. And Mr. Gable and I were doing a love scene..  And He kissed me, ooh la la. Mind you I've done four films with him, this was our last film together (She forgot about Betrayed). And I don't know what happened but the gum moved from where it was tucked in here and we're just kissing away like crazy and the next thing we know, the timing- in those days they had timing on a kiss, now it goes on forever someplace, uh uh, did I make a funny? Ok I'll finish my story. So we broke from a very beautiful kiss and I looked and I looked and I looked, and I see my gum, mind you up this way, well! It got- I think it's a bit of common knowledge that Mr. Gable had the caps you know. I don't think you're supposed to chew gum with caps, well now I know your not supposed to. But can you imagine after a kiss and he's backin' away and I won't tell you the words he said as he's trying to peel this stuff off of his lips. But I did notice him go right over to Mr. Leroy. I can't imagine what happened, what he said. But again whenever Mr. Gable and I did have a love scene Mr. Leroy would come to me and say "ok". He did! its true! ha-ha!

JS: Here's a question that asks if a movie were made of your life story, which actress would you like to portray you.?

LT: She hasn't been born yet... <applause>.

JS: Syro Bryant. Syro Bryant asks are you sorry that you turned down Anatomy of a Murder?

LT: Not at all! God forbid that I should ever or my family should ever be so hungry, I'd even think of working with Mr. Preminger. <laughter> You're getting it right from the horses mouth tonight!

JS: This is a question from a lady named Jeanine Bassinger, who I happen to know, she's a well known a film professor at Wesleyan . If you would comment on working with Douglas Sirk and Vincent Minnelli. PS: You're wonderful.

LT: Thanks for the PS. What? <laughter>. I just heard the last part.

JS: She asks if you would comment on working with Douglas Sirk and Vincent Minnelli.

LT: Oh yes. I certainly shall. Douglas Sirk again, such a gentle man, very quiet. The wheels were going all the time but when he would give you direction, it wasn't like sitting back in a chair. As some have done to some people, they didn't last long mind you, "hey babe do this that and the other thing"- Uh no. Mr. Sirk would say may I speak with you? Please sit down. Do you feel this should be done this way. How do you feel about it? Do you see it that way?  And everyone had the most marvelous respect for him.  He was a true craftsman, he didn't throw his weight around, yell. He was marvelous. Now Mr. Minnelli. I love so. I really do. And it was the one and only time I have worked with him. But again I  have been blessed working with sensitive directors. Um the only thing that threw me, about dear Vincent Minnelli, was that we had finished The Bad and the Beautiful. Ok. And everyone took off to parts unknown or parts known wherever they went. And I was in- Maybe I went to Mexico- I don't know.  Two months after he finished the film I got the call back. (Lana must have dropped something) Your gonna do that aren't you..  Just a moment now .Thank you.. no no no. I think you understand. Yeah I'll get it later. But so. We had all been away from the film for two months. The only scene that was left to do while they were editing and everything was the last scene that  you saw, the car. Ok the reason for that tremendous delay, was well might as well tell it like it is, like it was, uh they had to build this strange platform that would not only turn but would spin to give the effect of the car spinning on a rain slicked street and rain and everything. Well it took them that long to get this thing were they thought it was right. Then I get a call to come back ok. Now I had to get up my makeup man and hairdresser and costumer and we come back to do the scene. And I said ok. And I went out and I looked at this mock up. "I'll go get into my gown now Vincent"? He said yes please, we're ready when you are. So I came out  and I said now Vincent um what am I gonna do? Tell me, what do you want me to do? And with the straightest face he looked at me and said, my dear I haven't a clue. <laughter>. Go in and do whatever you feel. Now if you don't think that you've been handed a basket of broken eggs, say how do I put them together, you know-. That's  really the way honestly that that scene was done. Left up to my crazy imagination. You know I get wound up If I'm talking too long shut me up. It's all right

JS: Here's a question, I think will intrigue you. Do you remember the lavish star studded benefit in Hollywood when we did Stand In. And I played the lover, we embraced and I dumped us on our duffs, you smiled, called me a bastard and everybody roared. Can you ah forgive Your old abba dabba honeymooner Carlton Carpenter?

LT: Carlton?! Carlton's out there. Wherever you are hunny- Hi. Hi Babe. Ha-ha. Sure I remember him. He's a wonderful person. We miss you. We need more of you.

JS: He's a writer now you know. He writes mystery novels and very successfully

LT: I'm very good in mystery novels. Write one.

JS: A man named Abe Fonda says in a recent interview you were quoted as saying there are few or no scripts for women Where does one submit a script?

LT: What does he want? My address? I'll be happy to give it to him Well. ha-ha.  I'll tell you the truth. I have searched and searched and I have read things. You read them  But you're holding your tongue at the same time. because they are so- I think you get the idea- Junk. Worse than junk. I've even put adds in what we call our Trade papers, Reporter, Variety. Please sends scripts to PO box and all that. No porno. Uh well I mean why get a bunch of stuff-well anyway so.- And some very nice people sent me the script but they were just not it. And to tell you it is a constant search. Right now I have one very fine producer, who dropped me a note just last week, saying I'm still looking and after reading through 86 terrible scripts I still haven't given up hope. We're still going to work together. But where it really comes down to is the writers, then it comes down to the producers, they truly are intertwined. Because well at least the last 15 to 17 years the best scripts have been for men and bully for them- but we still have some rather fine actresses, around who are not you know- daughtering, not on crutches and all of that, who are starving for good scripts. Now until till the writers turn their heads around and start writing for women, and a producer to give him, the writer the go-ahead, there's nothing any of us can do. I wish I knew how to write. I don't know how to type we know that way up front. But you see that is not my craft. But it is up to the writers, to start thinking about the few of us left. Or even the new ones coming up you know..

Audience Member: What happened to Persecution?

LT: Ha-ha. You had to bring that up? I could have gone through the whole night without that question. Well to tell you it has been out, not in New York thank God, not in LA, thank the lord.  By this time, I hope they have buried it  I mean burned it. It bombed.  You ready for that. It really did and I'm terribly sorry about it. We made a good film in England with a marvelous director Don Chaffy and we all felt so right about it because we knew what we going for. And of course that was, I guess we started November of '73- October of 73. But um Mr. Chaffy um edited it as we were shooting. I did not- I must say I am very sorry about it-  but it was totally physically impossible to see the rushes every night. Normally I do. Uh so when he finally put it all together, with scenes missing. The roughest roughest cut but I believed in this man so much. He  did his editing and I flew home. I got home Christmas Eve. I got here.  Mr. Chaffy flew to Africa to do a film. And then some other people got into it and re-edited it to the point that I hope nobody ever sees it. I have never said that about a film of mine but, this is one.

JS: Here are couple of interesting questions: An Anthony Pakula asks: May I have an old pair of shoes to put under my bed?

LT: Well um who's shoes?! Ha-ha. <laughter>

JS: And someone who's anonymous asks are you busy this evening.

LT: Happily yes, right here.

JS:  With whom would you have like to have appeared in a film that did not appear with ever.

LT: Good lord. I've worked with the greatest. Brando. Honestly I can not- there'd be such a thing there. Well I mean those are all wonderful names. Um I don't get a charge out of them, <laughter> again when you've had the best or worked with the best, you know. <laughter>

JS: Somebody asks, in the early 40's did you actually do any shooting on The Sun is My Undoing? if so why did production shut down?

LT: I've never heard of it. No true John. Did they ever make it?

JS: No. No Production shut down.

LT: Ha! No wonder. It didn't get started.

JS:  This person asks about your feeling about Tyrone Power. You were very fond of Tyrone Power and they ask if the studio broke up your romance.

LT: Oh no. I read that story recently, that supposedly Mr. Daryl F. Zanuck and Mr. Louis B. Mayer, got together and said oh no, these two big stars... No way. Split it up. That's is not the truth. At least to my knowledge it's not. Yes I felt- I cared about Tyrone very deeply. Um we had a wonderful year and a half together. Um there was of course no thought of marriage because he was still married to Annabella and uh so that's the answer to that. To my knowledge no studio broke it up.

JS: This person says do you remember April 1952 in the south of France aboard the aircraft carrier The Midway. I was the sailor who interviewed you before 4500 men on our ship, Martin Second Rows. We love you and still do. I don't think that needs an answer. Just someone here interviewed you on the midway.

LT: How wonderful that you remembered!

JS: Joe Bernard asks what was it like working with Judy Garland? America is waiting for you to make another movie.

LT: I've got to travel way up high to get to Judy. Which is not bad. Um Did I enjoy working with her? I adored her, she is the most- she was-no, she IS the most wonderful human being.

Unintelligible question from the audience.

JS: Did you once tell Judy- <laughter>

LT: I heard the question. Darling, I don't know where you read or heard that but no I did not.  I just wish I had her talent with what I got, but however.

JS: There have been no stories of your having had difficulties with any of your male co-stars.  Did you ever have a feud with any of them, other than Otto Preminger, who wasn't a co-star.

LT: He was a nothin'! No I truly never did because, we when were doing all those really good films, we were a were all very business like, and  you came in and you know your lines, you know have energy be on top of it. And you just worked. Sometimes the days would go bad. I mean that happens in anybody's life. Uh sometimes it was an exhilarating day.  But no I never worked with anyone that I had a problem with. Lucky me.

JS: Someone named Carlos asks, did you know that there are Puerto Ricans that adore you. Have you been or will you visit our beautiful island someday?

LT: I'm certainly lookin' forward to it! <laughter>

JS: What did you think of the unauthorized biography that was written on you- written about you a couple of years ago?

LT: Well I will be again be very honest. It was the lousiest piece of no nothin. You can't even call it a work. Now I have such a giant eraser in my head, that I can not and mind you and I have no desire to even remember the two gentleman's names. But I'll tell you what they did, which is the most rotten thing in the world no- for any reporter, or anyone who's going to write a biography or scandal sheet or whatever. These so and sos ,all they did was go back to what we call the morgue, and just, you know- go back over pages and pages of old rotten magazine stories, everything out of context and blew it up. But I still have the fun of it because it didn't sell. Wait! Here's the punch. It seems that they were interviewed.  I saw the interview. They said well, How come Turner isn't screamin'? How come she's not making a suit out of it? One of them said, you know we really wish she would. If  she would only scream. We'd have more publicity, maybe we can sell a book! Not me baby. <applause>

JS: This person asks how do you maintain your fantastic face and figure? <applause>

LT: Well I do everything in moderation. No, for instance. Ok. Food right? Most people eat so fast. They don't even taste it. Now in my case  I am very blessed. I eat slowly, but I eat small portions. Uh drinking? I have- you know over the years you better learn something. And I've learned now wait a minute enough is enough and you don't need anymore.  And then exercise? But very mild, light exercise. Not with the weights and the jogging. God not the jogging! But again It's just being sensible. Because I don't want to put it on my hip so why should I swallow- eat the junk. Does that cover it? My face is all sweaty but it's mine. Ha-ha

JS: Did you desire to become a nun before becoming an actress? <laughter>

LT: Hey you can laugh. I don't mind. My lips are quivering. Yes actually and again it's the situation. And I was going to a parochial school. and I was about 13 1/2 or 14 and I think all of the young people who haven't really- they don't know who they are at that point. At least in those years they didn't. Now they're really sharp. But to me I felt a comfort, I felt a kind of  a security so I had given that out in interviews long long ago. It was quite obvious god had something else planned for me. <applause>

JS: W.R. Howell doesn't ask a question he just makes a comment.

LT: What does he want?!

JS: He just says no other actress could walk or answer a phone like you could.

LT: Particularly at the same time? That's lovely. I must practice it...

JS: Um, a screenwriter says if there's any justice, the next 30 years will be even better.  Would you rather play Our first lady president, Collete Cherie or Carrie Nation, which ever one you prefer? I guess he's going to write which ever one you prefer.

LT: Well I don't like hatchets. Ok.. Who are the others? Number one thirty years, honey,  I can't plan tomorrow. Can you?

JS: Tony Hamoffa says I wouldn't mind being called Mr. Turner. Will you marry me? I love you. <applause>

LT: That's very kind, but...

JS: Ms Turner in retrospect what would you consider in your career to be the high and low spots. 

LT: The point in my career- The high and low spots? Oh well to me the low spots are when I'm not working. I dunno you feel yourself getting into this rut , and your juices aren't working properly so that would be a low spot. The high spot would bee when I'm doing something that I'm excited about, interested in. That's a dumb answer but its true.

JS: There's a lady who says I'm in New York for a few days only luckily at this time, I am the former secretary of the San Antonio Texas Lana Turner fan club. Best wishes Marguerite Stanley. I have 12 scrapbooks and photos, one photo and letter from you.

LT:  Well Thank you very much.

JS: And uh someone named Martin says dear Lana we all love you and wish you all the luck and love and happiness in the world. And Marion Mail says thank you for all the pleasure you've given us always. She says aren't you grateful you had the era to perform in movies that you had? It's so different now. I wish you well always but I'm so glad to have you as my idols you and Ginger Rogers, love Mary Mail.

LT: That would make a good team, a little tap here and there--

<Unintelligible from Audience>

LT: What now? Yes . Um well ok Tuesday I'm going to be on The Mike Douglas Show <applause> and Mr. Springer's going to be with me, you know to sort of boast me up, then I fly home. Home is LA, ha-ha, city of the angels. Uh Then um I will be seeing a second treatment of a very, very exciting two hour movie of the week. Yeah, yeah that-um there is no name yet. Who's in it? ME! I have to ok the treatment before they start casting. You know but that is supposed to go towards the end of May, an it's really an exciting drama. Ooh I'm so thrilled about it  Thank you. So dear lady, those are my plans right now.

JS: Lana it's been wonderful and you've been wonderful. And all I can say is thank you so much from all of us. <applause>.

LT: I always wanted to do this. But please Just let me thank you so much for this evening because. this is the first time in my life- and I've experienced some lovely lovely happenings, but this is the first time in my life that I've had a tribute all my own!  And thank you! I will never forget!

<Loud Applause as Lana exits>

Lana on The Phil Donahue Show in 1982:

Lana greets the audience with handshakes and she blows kisses to those in the back. She is very tiny and is probably the smallest adult in the room.

Phil: Uh you recognize Lana and Clark Gable, um a man that you admired, truly admired but there was no fooling around with you guys .

Lana: Oh no.

Phil: But as a matter of fact, that was- was,  jealously is usually over something that doesn't exist. is it- Did Carole think that-?

Lana: I have been told that Ms. Lombard- or Mrs. Gable- had heard some rather- well rumors, you know. Nothing that were definite because nothing really happened, I adored Mr. Gable. But I-we were friends. But when six o'clock came, he went his way and I went mine. But truly she had nothing to worry about at all.

Phil: Well, the irony, the tragedy, you were filming Somewhere I'll Find You with Clark and Carole was out on the  bond tour right, selling bonds?

Lana: She evidently was  supposed to take a train back because she had been taking a train for various stops. Now again I've only been told this, and certainly not by Mr. Gable, but from this rumor she decided to fly-

Phil: - Come back and rescue Clark from Lana?

Lana: Well decided to fly, to hurry up and get back.

Phil: And then the terrible tragedy happened, killing Carole Lombard, one of the big stars-

Lana: Then we had- We closed production. Three weeks went by and we weren't sure that Mr. Gable would be coming back. But at the end of the fifth week he pulled himself together enough, that he did come back and we finished it. It was most trying, everyone- you try to give condolences. And yet- after you've said I'm sorry, what other words can you say? And you try to be gentle, they wanted us to keep him laughing. So it was a trying situation but he came through it.

Phil: Let us see how much information we can get out here 'cause this audience is clearly not only  in great admiration of you. And there is a lot of curiosity about-. Talk about a name in Hollywood. Uh you were born in Wallace Idaho. Uh here is a photo of you at aged five in Wallace Idaho. There is she is. God love her.

Lana: Yes. Posing.

Phil:  And uh, followed by a photo of you and your mom.

Lana: Oh yes. My beloved mother.

Phil: You and your mom, you and were 16 there in that shot.

Lana: No I was 17 there .

Phil:  Oh ok. Here's the next photo. You were 16 in your first movie. They Won't Forget it's title.

Phil: You earned the sweater girl tag in that movie.

Lana: Unfortunately yes, and it took me years to get out from under that tag.

Phil: But why would you want to in the age of the mammary gland.<laughter>

Lana: It's still with us you know.

Phil: Yes it is. It truly is. yes. yes.

Lana: They're all mine!

Phil: There all mine, you wouldn't have to say that in 1941-.

Lana: But you see something interesting and we were discussing it with other people, I was just coming into an era that was just coming out of the smaller bosom woman, like even Jean Harlow, most of the actors had very small bosoms. Well I was a normal 16 year old and I knew I had a body but I was never made aware of it until that damn walk down the street in They Won't Forget. And that's when I saw the sneak preview with my mother and I kept slinking down down down in the seat. I wanted the earth to open.

Phil: You didn't know you looked like that?

Lana: Well, I'd never seen myself walking before! That'd be a neat trick wouldn't it? I can stand out there and watch- It doesn't work yet.

Phil: -But obviously the producer, director...

Lana: But I did have a brassiere on. People have sworn I didn't. Then they didn't have the firm ones. <laughter> You know what I mean. You know.

Phil: You know this sounds like the world's first jiggling. <laughter>

Lana: Well they bounced, but it was just a silk bra, and- but it was a bra.

Phil: But without going too far with this, it sounds to me like we had a 16 year old you- you were 16 at the time? We had a 16 year old child. You're not insulted by the fact that you're a kid at 16?

Lana: Very much so.

Phil: Here were these moguls out there with the blue suits and the money and the cameras, they knew what they were doing but you didn't know what they were doing.

Lana: Not until I saw the sneak preview and then I was embarrassed, well the first time to be conscious of my body.

Phil: That has to goof up your head.

Lana: It was really- it was shocking. It took me weeks- well it me years to get over it, thanks to Mr. Walter Winchell at least he claimed that, that he tagged me America's Sweater Sweetheart. Why did I try to get rid of the tag? I was going into dramatic work-

Phil: You wanted to be respected as a performer?

Lana: Yes I did and not just for the boobs.<laughter>

Phil: You like that huh?  Alright. A couple of photographs from Ms. Turner's biography. The Postman Always Rings Twice, with John Garfield, you know what fascinates me- was that an absorbing film? Wow! But you know the remake was awful.

Lana: Oh don't-.

Phil: It was awful. If I'm talking to much just shut me up here. The remake, Postman two, measured up against one, is to me the embodiment of what happened to the entertainment industry. <applause>.

Lana: Exactly. Because what I resented so, certainly I have no control over it, was the fact that they took what had become a classic between Garfield and myself and turned it into such pornographic trash.

Phil: And mean. It was mean.

Lana: It was vicious. Now in our film we didn't say the word damn. The closet we came to nudity was a two piece white bathing suit that I wore. And he wore swim trunks, like boxers. Not even the little bikinis that the fellas wear now . So-  And yet our picture had so much sex coming from the screen just by innuendo, and by looks. I mean- I did not see the remake but I saw enough of the blurbs on TV that made me so sick. And when they told me what they did on the kitchen table and I said, my kitchen table. <laughter> I mean really.

Phil: Here's a photograph of one the grimmest darkest moments of your life. A reminder of it- this is Johnny Stompanato.

Lana: No that's Tyrone Power.

Phil:  We skipped-What happened to 6-319? That certainly is Tyrone Power.

Lana: There he is. There is Mr. Stompanato.

Phil: How do we wanna?- We better dismiss this at the top. It's ok we talk to you about it. Your daughter interrupted what she perceived to be  a situation in her own house which was threatening to her mother.

Lana: Yes.

Phil:  She stabs Johnny, he dies, she is subsequently acquitted. And I hope you'll bear up for how can a nice girl like you get involved with a guy like that.

Lana: Well he was very tricky. Number one he introduced himself not with own name. It was much later, that I learned, a dear friend came to me and said just a minute young lady, you better hear who you've been dating and seeing. And I said well  John Steele.  And he said no no no that is  Johnny Stompanato. Well I had heard the name thrown around in Hollywood and he was a hood, a mobster. So I accused my friend of lying, which I should not have done. And he brought me definite proof. So by that time I was a little far into the affair, that's what it was. And I was fascinated by the man, he was generous, he wooed me. He- I was afraid to mention something that I saw in the window that I liked because it would show up the next day. But when I accosted him-

Phil: -He was diamonds, he was sugar daddy you're saying?

Lana: Oh yes but records and pieces of jewelry and things like that and I would say I can't accept that right off. Because I'm used to buying my own things that if I like-. But as I say when, as I said when I learned the truth and I accosted him with it. I said you can not deny, I have proof. And then he blew up and said ok I am.  I said why didn't you tell me the truth. And he said because I didn't think you wouldn't see me, and therefore become involved with me. And was damn right I would not have. But I was hooked by then.

Phil: More positively Tyrone, whom you identify as the number one love of your life. Is that accurate?

Lana: We had a lovely lovely beautiful love affair. It was truly beautiful. And he was such a dear loving man, very very sensitive, as beautiful as he was outside, he was even more so inside and very intelligent. People didn't give him much credit for that.

Phil: You became pregnant by Tyrone power?

Lana: Unfortunately yes. And I was determined to have the baby until I was really convinced that I would not only be ruining my life, my career, but Tyrone's also. Because in that era- Today it's much different, they have babies without wedlock and the public says so what- you know. But in the forties you just didn't do that. Also if you were madly in love you did not live together. You fell in love, you married. And that's how I happened- my plan was to have one husband and seven children but it turned out the other way.<laughter> I didn't plan seven husbands.

Phil: Did you go to the studio and tell them you were pregnant?

Lana: No. He suggested the wife of a very well known executive, who was our mutual friend and the only woman I could trust because I didn't want to give it up. He didn't ask me to, but he didn't say keep it either. He left it right up to me to go talk to this lovely lady. So of course she convinced me and said Lana you're kidding yourself. I said I'll go away to an island and I'll have it and I'll come back and say I've adopted it. She said fine, looking exactly like Tyrone power, that'll be interesting.  So no. I had no way.

Phil: So you had an abortion? What year was this?

Lana: The beginning of 1947.

Phil: Where does a woman in 1947 get an abortion?

Lana: Well at that time there was a very wonderful woman doctor who had her own clinic and it was all done sterilized, everything. Not the- You know not the dark street, the butcher alley, that kind of thing. So I was able to find her. She was very gentle with me she pulled me through it and watched me afterwards. 

Phil: When did you tell Tyrone that you made that decision?

Lana: Well we rigged up some kind of a code because he was on a flying trip throughout South America and Europe. And even though it's in the book, you want me to answer? If I decided to keep the baby I would- we went to a friends ham- he had a ham station, that's what I should have said first- to his home. It had all been arranged what day, what hour and all that. You'd get on the radio. So the code was If I decided to keep the baby I would say I haven't found the house yet. If I decided that I would abort I would I found the house today and that's what I said. 'Cause you never know who's listening in on those things.

Phil: Did you see him after that? Was there a tearful farewell? How did you terminate this thing?

Lana: Very sadly. I was waiting  in New York for him. That was the plan. And he would fly back and refuel and pick me up and I would fly back to California with him. So I waited and waited about almost 3 weeks. I hadn't heard from him.  I couldn't imagine where he was. Then I heard that he was in Rome. So finally the telephone rang,  and It was Tyrone and I said where are you? And he said I'm in Palm Springs. I said but you were supposed to pick me up here in New York, I've been waiting. He said well Daryl Zanuck said I had to come right back.. I said well, I'll be on the next plane. So I was still in shock what had happened. Of course later I found out that he had met another woman, but when I did fly home and we did have our discussion- woman's intuition. I said I feel something is wrong. And he said like what? Is there another woman? He said yes. I said I see. Now did he expect me to ask who? I mean once he said yes I just caved in. I didn't want to know who it was, where it happened, how it happened. Of course much later I found out it was Ms. Linda Christian who had been sent to Rome, 'cause they were trying to break us up anyway. Two studios, Twentieth and MGM. 

Phil: So the studios decided who got pregnant and when?-

Lana: Well I don't know about the pregnancy, but they were trying to break up our romance.

Phil: But It was really very paternalistic, I mean the fact that a grown man would fly to Palm Spring because Mr. Zanuck told him to. It really was a  juvenilization of the  stars, wasn't it?

Lana: Yes.

Phil: I think you know, that there have been sort of suggestions, posthumous suggestions that Tyrone power was gay. I assume you are here to put that to rest forever huh?.

Lana: I can only say this, naturally I only heard about it after his death. I think some terrible person wrote a book- but all the time I knew him there was never a sign of it. Believe me he was all man. <laughter>  <applause>

Phil: Here is a photo of your daughter Cheryl um about whom you speak very proudly in your book, and you were also candid to tell us that this was a rough childhood for her. I mean I assume it was no picnic having somebody of your fame and the responsibility-.

Lana: Only in retrospect do I realize how difficult it was, I mean- forgetting the tragedy at the moment, just growing up. I didn't exactly think that I was stupid at the time. And of course my friends had children ,and they seemed perfectly normal. My child was normal. But again fate- All of this was preordained. Like when I've been asked Ms. Turner, would you change anything if you could-  Well sure I'd like to change a lot of things, false steps, mistakes that I made, but you didn't know it at the time. It's only in retrospect that you realize. I think that all of us would react the same way.

Phil: Here's a photo of Lana in all of her sultry personhood.

Lana: Oh dear. Where? Oh yeah. Ha-ha.

Phil: Aren't you good looking. Now I watched you on the Today Show with Bryant Gumbel and I was totally absorbed by the way you reviewed the men to whom you were married.

Lana: Oh that was so funny! May I tell it? Forgive me for interrupting. Some people- Oh I just finished a Falcon Crest-.

Phil: With whom you star with Jane Wyman-

Lana: - My second one. So I rented a portable TV to take to the set because it came on at 6: 30 LA time. 6:30 to 9. Well by that time I was in putting my makeup on and getting my hair curled and all of that. So that day- and he announced it, the day before that that would be the day that I talked about my seven husbands. So after the show some other people came on to the set and said did you know that Lana talked about her seven husbands in five minutes! And then they said how? Because I zipped right through them!

Phil: Well I wanna see if I can put that lightening back in a bottle here-.

Lana: Ha-ha!

Phil: -With apologies to Bryant, I'm gonna to try to copy what he did.  Would you try to do this for us here? Because we don't have much time, we have an audience who wants to chat with you. Artie Shaw husband number one.

Lana: I knew it was over the third day. <laughter> Oh yes. With that one I did. You see I didn't like the man when I married him, I didn't love him. He painted a lovely picture, the little cottage, the picket fence, the children...

Phil: How many times did you date him before-

Lana: Never! That was the first night that he asked me to dinner.

Phil :How old were you?

Lana: Nineteen. I just- Four days I'd turned nineteen.

Phil: Husband number two, Stephen Crane.

Lana: Well Of course I speak kindly of him because he's the father of my child.

Phil: And he was also not divorced from the wife-

Lana: Well that I found out after I'd announced to the world that I was pregnant, then I find out he's not legally not divorced, then I have to go to court to get an annulment otherwise I could've been sued for bigamy- still the baby is growing inside. So I got the annulment, now I have an illegitimate child. So I mean that was a mess.

Phil: Sounds like Falcon Crest.

Lana: Ha-ha! I know!

Phil: Bob Topping, husband number three.

Lana: He knew from the beginning that I did not love him, and he said you you will learn to, I will treat you so well. As it happened I did learn to love him but then his drinking got in the way and that was a bad scene.

Phil: Lex Barker, number four.

Lana: Well again he was very attractive, very- a wonderful sense of humor. And I happen to like beauty, happiness- handsomeness I should say. And um he was most attractive.  But then his career wasn't doing well. When two careers collide. So then that fell apart.

Phil: Husband number five, Fred May-

Lana- Are we up to five minutes yet?  <laughter>

Phil: -No.

Lana: Not that was truly a wonderful man. He's still my dearest friend. He still handles my real estate and some other business. We still have a wonderful deep love and respect for each other, more more than when were married it seems. He has since remarried to a lovely lady. I adore her, she likes me. And I'm blessed that I still have his friendship. 

Phil: Ronald- Robert Eaton. Number six

Lana: Well, again he was around, handsome, attractive, attentive. and he was the- Well I said in on Bryant, so I have to say it here. It's in the book. He was the man who for the first time introduced me to what beautiful sex was and could be.

Phil: How old were you then? 

Lana: I was in my 40's. He was ten years younger than I and I hesitated about that because I had never gone with a younger man, much less married him. But he was everything to me.

Phil: Number seven, Ronald Dante.

Lana: That I wish we could forget. <laughter> You know I said on Bryant, I wish to goodness I could prove he had hypnotized me. Because then I would have an excuse to why I did such a dumb thing

Phil: He was a good hypnotist.

Lana: Oh yes, he was a fine one. Back here I'd still like to think that he did it, but I have no proof

Phil: We're long here, but I just have to get this in.  I don't think you mind if we say it.  You said this in the book. You are sixty-one? 

Lana: Sixty-one and very happy for it. <applause>

Phil: I promise I'll go to break-

Lana: -But I feel like 30. <applause>

Phil: You also- here's the point. You clearly are taking wonderful care of yourself. You look wonderful, your body's gorgeous. You are taking care of yourself. You are clearly educated, together. You are not goofy, you know what I mean.

Lana: Thank you.

Phil:  How could you possibly marry these guys? I don't understand-

Lana: Now I must clear that up. You speak of me as I am today. I am different woman today then I was then. I have matured finally- it's about time. But also the last ten years, well the last two and now going on two and a half years when I gave up drinking, I mean a whole new woman came out, through the help of god and a fine doctor. Before that I was miserable, I was unhappy, I was confused, I couldn't make decisions. And people were manipulating me and instead of saying that's wrong, I don't want to do that, I would say well, what ever you think and sit and sip.  But one good thing I have learned, I was not and am not an alcoholic. And the reason for that, and I've talked monsignors and bishops, also the finest doctors .The fact that I went cold turkey because the doctor said to me, Ms. Turner are you willing to give up alcohol to get your health back? And I swear to you it was like a light coming straight from God. And there wasn't a moments hesitation I said you've got a deal. And I stopped just like that, also I never went through withdrawal. My bar is fully stocked. I would make drinks for my friends. It was as though god took the memory of drinking, of liquor, away. So I could be around it and it was like it wasn't even there.  I can make drinks for friends. Now if desire I can have a glass of wine with dinner or something. Or some juice with some vodka in it- but it just sits there. You see I have it with no ice.

Phil: I understand.  How old were you when that happened?

Lana: Well two and a half years ago. What would that be, fifty-eight?

Phil: So you've been dry two and a half years?

Lana: Oh yes.  Until the last four months. Now I know I can take a sip if I want it. Or it just sits there. That's how I know I'm not an alcoholic. You couldn't have one drink and not want five or ten more. That's what the doctor's told me.

Phil: You wouldn't want to imply that it would be that way for everyone.

Lana: I'm a miracle. I know it.

Phil: The Lady, The Legend, The Truth. This is Lana Turner.

Phil: I wonder what the year is, this is Ronald Regan in a military uniform, starring in something-

Lana: No no no. We were both under contract- he was under contract to Warner's and I was under contract to Mr. Leroy at Warner's. And with the new players, they would take you out. That was out to Warner's Ranch. They got us all done up in riding togs. We never did get on a horse, not even Mr. Regan.  And so they just posed us together, they would take the new people. And I think we said then how do you do. I never dated the gentleman. But that's a famous photo from Warner Bros.

Audience Member: I forget which husband you said you maintain a friendship with, I think it was Bob May?

Lana:  No Fred. Fred May.

Audience Member: Why did you get divorced if you're still such wonderful friends?

Lana: Well it was my fault. He did something I didn't understand and I blew up and flew to Juarez and got a divorce and it was very stupid on my part.

Audience Member: I was wondering if your mother had pushed you into show business?

Lana: No on the contrary, my mother was not a stage mother. I would have to beg and plead with her to please mama come to the set, It's a beautiful day, or whatever. She was a very reticent, very, very shy lady. Maybe she came to see three of the films. Particularly The Merry Widow with the beautiful waltzes and things.

Phil: There's Mama. You were not discovered in Schwab's but you were noticed in a drug store?

Lana: No sir. No I have since found it was a little cafe, sort of kitty corner, catty corner, across from Hollywood High, which was on Sunset and Highland. And I cut a typing class and went across because I hated typing and I still don't know how to type. Not with these nails. But now I can afford to have people type for me. Yes?

Audience Member: Now that you have become a new woman and have found a new identity, um are you looking for and have you found a new man?

Lana: No maim and I am not looking.

Phil: Why? Why the finality of that Lana? That's disappointing. Get an independent man!

Lana: I love this new independence that I have. I like my life the way it is. I do not want any more emotional involvements. 

Phil: How about Saturday night?

Lana: Marlo would hit you so, or me. <laughter>. I happen to like your wife!

Audience Member:  Uh something you said earlier didn't make much sense to me. You said Tyrone was wonderful man and you were really appreciated him? How could you say it when you had an abortion, he knew it and he picked up with another woman right away?

Lana: How can I still say it? Because I have the memory of the love. But I'm not embittered. That was fate. It was not meant to be. I can't hate the man.

Phil: I think she wishes you would just have left each other alone since he was married.

Lana: Oh you mean to Annabella? They were separated.

Audience Member: No I don't say you should be bitter right now. But how did you feel when you knew that a studio set him up with another woman and he took off and left you like that? I wouldn't appreciate-

Lana: But dear it took time to learn that. I was heartbroken just because of the breakup.

Audience Member: But all  of the years have settled that for you?

Lana: Time is still the healer.

Audience Member: Lana you were so wonderful in Falcon Crest, but I'm very curious about the sweater you wore, a sweater that you wore in Falcon Crest. It was so beautiful. Was it handmade?

Lana: Yes. From Italy. May I mention Falcon Crest?

Phil: By all means.

Lana: This is fun. Because um I did it last January, then it was shown in February, at least in California it was, so I'm assuming all over the world. And then they approached me to do this second one ,which I have just finished. Now, after I finish this book tour and go home and try to get a few days rest- I'm doing three more, starting in October 8 through November 5. Then I'm doing a fifth one starting January 31  ending February 7. And I said to the producers, I said wait a minute fellas, what are you tryin' to do to me? I've just been a drop off and take off character. But no, the plans they have for Jacqueline! Whew! 

Phil: We'll be back with Lana Turner in just a moment.

Audience Member: I read in the paper about Jane Wyman being hostile to you on Falcon Crest? Is there any truth to it?

Lana: Being what to me?

Audience Members: Hostile!

Lana: A hassle to me?

Audience Members and Phil: Hostile!

Lana: Oh! Hostile! Oh a hassle is something else, of course. No may I share something with you?

Phil: Briefly. <laughter>

Lana: Ay-ay sir. Ok we'll get right to it. It's all a bunch of bull. It is all publicity trying to drum up a feud between us. I adore miss Wyman. I respect her as a lady and an artist and there is no feud! <applause>

Audience Member: Yes Lana I'd like to ask you about you daughter. Is she following in your footsteps?

Lana: Oh no, my daughter's a very successful business woman in real estate in Honolulu.

Audience Member: Lana, you know I watch all the award shows and no one walks down the steps like you do.

Lana: Oh thank you.

Audience Member: You said that that one husband taught you how to love. Was your first just sex? I just feel like I really fell in love with my husband this past year. 

Phil: How long have you been married?

Audience Member: Thirty years this fall..

Lana: Now that's interesting. I find that very interesting. You've been married to the same man for thirty years. So obviously the two of you have found new facets of yourself that have brought you closer together emotionally, therefore with the sexual act, the making love is what I like to call it.  

Phil: You won't be upset if I were to manifest some public expression of hope that it wouldn't take all of that long. <laughter>

Lana: Ha-Ha! That's funny!

Phil: Yes maim. 

Audience Member: I'd just like to ask, how do you stay in shape, you look just great?

Phil: What are you doing here? You don't jog you tell me-

Lana:- The one thing I don't do is jog. Because I- It's only my belief- but I don't think it is good for woman.  I don't think our bosoms, our innards, our ovaries, were meant to be jumping up and down. And I can say for the gentleman I don't think it's  so damn good for your innards also. I believe in walking.

Phil: Right, but some of the things you do. You drink distilled water you tell us, you are a vitamin person, you take vitamins. What else?  How about sugar?

Lana: No, I  have honey. I cut out red meat, which I found I was eating too much of. Then again all of this new lady. And I like chicken and fowl-fish, vegetables.

Phil: No dessert?

Lana: I am so blessed  I don't have a sweet tooth.

Phil: Really? Do you drink coffee Lana?

Lana: No, I gave up coffee about twenty years ago. I drink herbal tea- with honey. So, I'm just healthy, that's all. 

Lana: -Nothing too strenuous. But I do believe in stretching.

Audience Member : Ms. Turner, You mention monsignors and bishops in helping you? Have you ever been roman catholic?

Lana: I am. I was converted when I was 7 years old. And just last December my mother became a catholic in Honolulu. My daughter's a catholic also.

Audience Member: You are such a beautiful lady. I was wondering, are you in the Mary Kay skin care program.

Lana: No I've never used her products!

Audience Member: I'm interested in knowing- you said you were converted when you were seven. What was your background? 

Lana: Well, my mother couldn't remember whether we were Baptist, Presbyterian or what.

Phil: And your father was a murder victim. There is some confusion about exactly what happened. You tell us that it may have followed up a card game? You were a very little girl when that happened

Lana: He won too much money. I was nine. It was December. Two weeks before Christmas. I would have been ten in February.

Audience Member: After hearing about your seven marriages. I was interested- I am interested in knowing how you feel in the idea of marriage nowadays. Easy come, easy out ,east in, easy go. This living together, no marriage. What is your idea? We just celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary yesterday-. <applause>

Lana: God bless you! 

Audience Member: -I feel- I really feel, the real reason for success in marriage is a common love for God and fellow man. And take it from there but when I hear of all of this, I just wonder what your thought is of the concept of  marriage as it is today.

Lana: I will very very honest with you, and try to be  concise. Had it been in my era, as it is today, believe me I would have lived awhile with these mean and therefore not have married them. Now getting to today, and the young people who are living together. I think they are saving themselves a lot of heartache with what I call paper work. It's too damn easy to get married and it's hell to get divorced. So this is just my feeling. I agree, let them live together first, hopefully they do not have children. And if they do, then marry, but find out. Don't rush into marriage so fast. But again our morals have changed so drastically. And I hope mothers don't hate me in the audience. But if the daughter wants to live with the man, try it out. Because you do not know a person till you live under the same roof <applause>. Right?

Phil: There are some Catholics out here who presume you haven't discussed this with the bishop. <laughter>

Lana: With the Monsignor? No.

Audience Member: I get to go to California quite a lot and it's so beautiful in Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills, why did you make your home in Honolulu?

Lana: Well I have two homes. I live in Century City. I have a beautiful condominium twenty floors up and then because my mother was living in Honolulu- I lost her last February- and my daughter were living in Honolulu, then I bought a penthouse there. Because I was going to sell my one in LA, because my family was there, my only family. Now I have two places, I have to sell one or the other. But I'd love to be near my daughter when I'm not working. 

Phil: We'll be back in just a moment.

Phil: Lana, here you were, the glamour queen of the Hollywood screen, the idol of so many- the fantasy of men, the idol of women, all those things. You had to be miserable. This couldn't have been any fun, seven of these guys, and the divorce-

Lana: -But wait just don't get stuck on the husbands. There was  a lot of unhappiness in work...

Phil: Lana you had it all. Fame, money, glamour.

Lana: The bed of roses. No way. You work and you work damn hard. Really.

Phil:  And here you were a sex symbol. and you weren't having any fun- <laughter>

Lana: -Because I was touted as a sex symbol, which was a complete turn off to me. I got so sick of the word "sex symbol", that subconsciously it was a turn off. Now sensuous that I am. I am a sensual woman. There is a great difference between a sexy hotsy totsy and a deeply sensual woman. The fact that I am now celibate is my own choice.<applause>

Phil: You're gonna give that a hand? What is happening to this country?

Lana: Well it shows you Phil, It shows you that a woman can look good ,be healthy and so happy, and independent, without having to go to bed.

Phil: Yeah but why don't you be good looking, happy, healthy, independent and go to bed?

Lana: Because I don't want to be emotionally involved with anyone!

Phil:  Alright, alright, alright. So you know, you're not surprised then about what happened to Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland? You have to understand that?

Lana: I know the heartache and desperation they went through and uh yeah but. 

Phil: But the next question has to be, can you be Lana turner? (Phil pronounced Lana's name wrong)

Lana: What?

Phil: Can you be Lana Turner? 

Lana: Thank you sir!

Phil: I'm just wondering, can this kind of fame can possibly co exist with a reasonably well balanced, happy, fulfilling, life?

Lana:  Let's go back. I was on my way down, with that damn drinking. Now I've never ever touched dope of any kind. I've never had any curiosity about it. Whether it's pot or anything. So that's one thing in my favor. But I could have really hit the skids badly. But I feel that God wouldn't let me go down that far. He just, reached back up and therefore gave me the courage and strength to become a New Woman. In retrospect they didn't pull out of it.  They were heading down, down, down. Whether it because they did not believe in God, that's not for me to say. And that god pulled me up and still guides my every step. 

Audience Member: Excuse me. If you had to change one thing in your life what would it be?

Lana: Hmm. Well as I tried to say earlier, people have asked me if you could try to change something- how can I answer that? I lived through it. I survived it. So it was preordained. I was destined to go through all that, the highs, the lows, everything. No I couldn't change it. Only if I could have had more children. That I'd want.

Audience Member: When you decided to write your book, was it difficult to go over so many years, to dredge up unpleasant memories?

Lana: Thank you for asking that. I've never allowed myself to lived in the past. So coming up with this book- less than a minute , ok-, well anyway um it was very very painful, yes to go back and dredge up on things of forty, fifty years ago, most painful, and it took over two years. And now here I am talking about it.

Audience Member: You're so very, very beautiful, I was wondering most embarrassing experience on a movie set?

Lana: I think that first walk down the street!

Audience Member: You I'm sure went through a lot under contract to a big studio. What do you think of the new generation of stars? Are they being molded or controlled by the studios?

Lana: No, unfortunately they need the studios behind them. They're left on their own. TV is devouring them. They call them a star the first day shooting, and they burn out too quickly. No one is protecting them like the big studios used to. Is that your answer?  

Phil: We'll be back

Phil: Yes maim. Yes.

Audience Member: Lana you gave up coffee, you gave up sugar, you gave up men, marriage, sex? What's left?

Lana: Oh darling I have so many wonderful things going on in my life. I'm going onward and upward, I'm finding new plateaus-.

Phil: The book is titled Lana, the Lady, the Legend, the Truth. This is Lana Turner's autobiography. I'm about out of time.

Audience Member: How old is your daughter now?

Lana: Dear I couldn't answer that! <laughter>

Fade Out

Cheryl Crane on Larry King Live, August 2001: