Gossip Friday: It’s a Wonderful Party

From March 1947 (Louella Parsons):

There was something very heartwarming in the dinner given by Frank Capra, George Stevenson, Sam Briskin and William Wyler to launch their hit, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and bring Jimmy Stewart back to his fans and friends.

I say “heartwarming” because the famous hosts had invited all the actors who have EVER appeared in any of their pictures to be present along with the top-notchers of today, and so the whole charming affair at the Ambassador Hotel was a sentimental reunion of old and new stars and old and new friends.

At one table, I saw Viola Dana (she was the darling of her day), Shirley Mason (who was the June Allyson of her time) and still-lovely Claire Windsor who was once called the most beautiful woman in Hollywood. Just a few tables away, Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable, who hit the heights together in Capra’s “It Happened One Night,” had their heads together talking about old times. Sitting next to Clark was Greer Garson. This was really “get together” night! There were many tales of how cool Greer and Clark had been to one another when they were making “Adventure.”