Magnetic, Gentle Woman

HAPPY RECOLLECTION for Miss Irene Dunne was when she was awarded the Lateran Cross in 1951 from Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York. She was honored for "exemplary life and service to the Roman Catholic Church." In 1949 she received the Laetare Medal as the year's outstanding Catholic layman.

 It is true that you meet a lot of interesting people in the newspaper business. However, you meet an Irene Dunne just once in a lifetime.

 Talking to her yesterday, a fresh impression was gained that she is no age - whatever it is, it does not matter.

 Today for this woman is practically always tomorrow. She dwells on the future. The past? That was yesterday.

 Her gentle magnetism has nothing to do, really, with her size, shape or beauty. She is infinitely towering in capacity.

 Notably young and in attractive in appearance, with ash-blond hair and eyes that change from green to blue to violet to gray, she is svelte with a Dunne grouping of elegance and spicy elan.

 Upon examining her photographic and clippings file at The Times, before going to the interview, this actress who is always in the news, the scenes of her life flashed by richly trailing her special brand of moonglow.

 As the recorded picture-and-word "show" went on, the scenes began to merge. The realization came that this successful woman is all of a piece whether it be actress, singer, wife, mother, humanitarian, civic worker, devout Roman Catholic, Republican layman campaigner or Presedential appointee to special posts.

 It all wraps up in "The Irene Dunne Story."

 Hollywood is crowded with gum-chewing, loud and luscious cuties. Irene Dunne stands almost alone on her pinnacle as successful actress with an exemplary personal and professional life. 

 She is - old-fashioned word - a gentlewoman. Lovely, with fine bones, a light step and generations of breeding. Her voice is soft yet clear, her manner polite, natural and appealing.

Courage to Believe in Her Principles

 Great inner strength is evident. So is tough-fibered courage. This woman would burn a stake for a principle or belief if need be.

 Miss Dunne denied any "secret formula" for living.

 "I have certain times for meditation. It is important to have a strong foundation," she explained economically.

 She is that rara avis - a well-integrated person.

 Her great personal and professional sucess was never achieved with a display of semi-nudity, bizarre and raucous conduct, treacherous action or sensational behaving to bring sensational headlines.

 She has a deep, quiet claim to fame. This is a woman who is one.

 She lives in a comfortable, well-ordered white house in Holmby Hills with her husband, Dr. Francis Griffin, retired dentist.

 Their daughter, Mrs. Richard Lee Shinnick, and grandson, Mark Francis, live not too far away with Mr. Shinnick.  

President's Photo also to be seen

 In the Griffin house are fireplaces and bookcases and photographs of family members and friends over the world. Everywhere there are roses.

 President Eisenhower's picture with a warmly personal inscription is side by side with that of her grandson. There is a wonderful old German-made Bluthner grand piano in a prominent place. Its tone is as sweet as Miss Dunne's singing voice.

 As the saying goes, good looks, good books and good works know no national boundaries.

 That fairly well sums up Irene Dunne.

 Many awards and honors have come to her for her success as one of the great motion picture actresses.

 The Los Angeles Times paid tribute to her in 1951 as one of the Women of the Year for another achievement - her leadership in charities benefiting many thousands of people.

Served in Heart, Cancer Campaigns

 Irene Dunne is many things to many people. But the facts that she was one of the first women in the United States to sponsor the National Heart Committee and served on a national board of this organization; that she has worked just as hard with the Cancer Society; that she was an active member of the Sister Kenny Foundation; that her work for St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica is held as "tops" in all such efforts of leadership - these are among the things that made her a Woman of the Year.

 It would take a book to put it all down.

 A few high points: She was the recipient of the Laetare Medal from Notre Dame as the outstanding Catholic layman ("she has never subordinated her conscience to her art..."); she served as United States delegate to the United Nations 12th General Assembly; she has been a delegate to several Republican conventions, including the last one in San Francisco.

Eyes Nixon as GOP Candidate

 Of the 1960 Republican and Democratic national conventions and candidates, Miss Dunne had this to say yesterday:

 "There is no doubt that Mr. Nixon will be a Presidential candidate. I think he has acquitted himself so well. I feel there is no one, up to now, to be preferred in his place.

 "As to the Democrats - I am personally fond of the Kennedy family. I have known them a long time. That is all I can say about this."

 Miss Dunne admitted it would be "interesting to be an observer" at the Democratic convention to be held here "if I were permitted and if I am here at the time.

 "It remains to be seen if I'll attend the Republican convention. I was a delegate at the last one."

Would Not Accept Political Appointment

 The actress "doubts very much" if she would accept a political appointment if offered one, in answer to a direct question.

 "I never think of the U.N. as 'political,' strangely enough. I liked working my capacity as a delegate. I would always work with and for the needy and suffering of the world, officially or unofficially."

 Commenting on the recent Russian and European tour of the Vice-President and his wife she called them "very exceptional as ambassadors-at-large." 

 The spell cast by this woman of many facets is such that the obvious is almost overlooked ... that she is a famous actress.

 "I suppose my favorite role is that of Sabra in 'Cimarron' because it was an Epic. I could not name a favorite leading man. So many. So many fine men as well as fine actors."

 They include Cary Grant, Rex Harrison, William Powell, Melvyn Douglas, Richard Dix, John Boles, Richard Deaning, Conway Tearle and Philip Holmes. 

 Who can forget Miss Dunne in "Anna and the King of Siam"? - in "I Remember Mama"? - in "Life With Father"? - in "The Mudlark"?

 Who, having ever encountered her in any way, could ever forget Miss Irene Dunne herself?

(Los Angeles Times, Aug 11, 1959)  

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