It’s a Magic Moment for a Purveyor of Theater Magic

--For once in her 84-year career, actress Lillian Gish was at a loss for words. “After this,” she said, choking with emotion, “what do you do?” Then she fell into the arms of Helen Hayes, who had just presented her with the second annual Star Award of the Friends of the Theater Collection of the Museum of the City of New York. The lunch was highlighted by tributes to Gish, 89, by such friends as Tony Randall and Lily Tomlin, fresh from her Tony triumph as best actress of the Broadway season. Hayes, 85, summed up Gish’s stage, screen and television personality as that of “a purveyor of magic.” Said Hayes, first recipient of the Star award: “The nicest thing about Lillian is that she is one of my idols who became my best friend.” Gish was escorted to the lunch by actor James MacArthur, Hayes’ son and Gish’s godson.

--Painter Andrew Wyeth was praised as “one of Pennsylvania’s true living treasures” by Gov. Dick Thornburgh in ceremonies at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. Wyeth was presented with the 1986 Distinguished Pennsylvania Artist award. A native of Chadds Ford, Chester County, Wyeth, 69, said: “I’m deeply moved by this award coming from my home state.” Previous award winners were actor James Stewart, author James Michener, opera contralto Marian Anderson, author John Updike, actor-comedian Bill Cosby and pianist Byron Janis. Among Wyeth’s best-known works are “Christina’s World” (1948), “Ground Hog Day” (1959) and “Her Room” (1963).

--American actress Patricia Neal launched an appeal in London for $3 million to help stroke victims return to normal life. Neal, 60, who won an Oscar for her role in “Hud,” recovered from three strokes when she was pregnant with her daughter, Lucy, 21 years ago. She made the appeal for Britain’s Chest, Heart and Stroke Assn.

--French entertainer Yves Montand arrived in Israel, promising to work for a rapprochement between Israel and Jordan and for the rights of Jews to leave the Soviet Union. Montand also said he would be ready to run for the French presidency, even if he had no chance of winning. “There are things I want to say, important things, such as the plight of Soviet Jewry and the freedom of men,” he said. Montand was scheduled to participate in a Jerusalem rally on behalf of Soviet Jews, along with freed Soviet dissident Anatoly Shcharansky, Prime Minister Shimon Peres and other Israeli leaders.