‘Thanksgiving Gala’ Is Stuffed With Stars

When an event begins with Shirley Temple Black signing copies of her book “Child Star” and ends with George Murphy, Buddy Ebsen and Donald O’Connor doing that old soft shoe, you know you have been to a bash to be thankful for.

And there were enough memories in between at the “Thanksgiving Gala and Auction” in the Irvine Marriott on Sunday night to fill a movie fan’s scrapbook.

Emcee Milton Berle puffed at a “pre-Castro” Cuban cigar and cracked jokes. “Welcome to this Passover dinner for a (Shirley) Temple,” he piped. And then, answered with only a small ripple of laughter, he asked the 1,000-plus crowd: “May I see your library cards, please?”

Glenn Ford talked about the Golden Horse award he received last week from the People’s Republic of China. “I was very touched,” he said. “They are gentle, beautiful people.”

Ruth Berle sold raffle tickets on behalf of the event sponsor, the American Cinema Awards Foundation. “Here, Milton,” she said to her husband. “Buy some.”

“How much?” he asked. “Ten dollars each,” she said. “Give me a half of one,” he said (and sprung for four).

Mr. Blackwell, creator of the Worst Dressed List, held court in a tailored business suit accented with a brooch. “It’s a Cartier,” he said, fingering the sparkler. On his wrist gleamed a diamond bracelet. “It’s very old. Probably the first tennis bracelet.”

Los Angeles Rams owner Georgia Frontiere bid on Shirley Temple memorabilia, a book by Joseph Cotten and a pillow sewn by Irene Dunne and smiled when she talked about the Rams, who had been whomped that day by the San Diego Chargers. “The best is yet to come,” she said, beautiful in a teal green lace gown she had purchased in Germany.

After cocktails and a silent auction, guests settled back for a true Thanksgiving feast--turkey, cranberries, individual pumpkin pies--the whole nine yards.

A live auction followed with such items as John Wayne’s monogrammed cigarette lighter going for $1,200.

Following the voice auction, Donald O’Connor wowed ‘em with a song and dance routine that evoked memories of the old days.

Faces in the crowd: Ed Barth, regional director of American Airlines, event sponsor; Donna and John Crean of Newport Beach, co-chairmen of the $100-per-person affair that will benefit the ACAF’s philanthropic programs; Arvella and the Rev. Robert Schuller; Jade and Ron Higgins; Lois and Buzz Aldrin; Judie and George Argyros; Jim and Nancy Baldwin; Deeann and Al Baldwin; Harry and Diane Rinker; Sheriff Brad Gates and his wife, Deedee; James and Mary Roosevelt, and Lillian Fluor with her son, Bob, and his wife, Martha.

Other members of the starry set: Buddy Ebsen; Martha Raye (who, when Milton Berle cracked she “couldn’t smile too wide or her teeth will fall out,” removed her lower plate and waved it at the crowd); Ruth Warrick; Barbara Rush with her husband, Warren Cowan; Jane Withers; Gale Storm; MacDonald Carey; Margaret O’Brien; Cornel Wilde; Cesar Romero; Jane Greer; Bob Cummings; Penny Singleton, and Charlene Tilton.

Across town the same night the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts was stirring up some excitement at its annual event that recognizes community art supporters. The awards presentation was held at the Newport Harbor Art Museum. Dinner followed at the Ritz restaurant.

Receiving nods for the first time were Latham & Watkins, The Times Orange County Edition, the Kathryn G. Thompson Development Co. and Western Digital Corp.

Return award winners were the Fieldstone Co., First Interstate Bank, Pacific Bell/Pacific Telesis and Vitatech International.

Winning awards for the third time were the Irvine Co., Mission Viejo Co., Pacific Mutual and C.J. Segerstrom & Sons.

A special recognition award went to Deloitte, Haskins & Sells for its 7-year provision of free-lease space to the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts.

A special Arts Award and $1,500 were presented to the Children’s Museum at La Habra, a nonprofit arts organization.

Among guests was Willard Butcher, keynote speaker, chairman of the board and CEO of the Chase Manhattan Bank and chairman of the National Business Committee for the Arts in New York. The dinner at the Ritz was underwritten by Barratt American Inc., the Boston Co. and First American Title Insurance Co. Guests included Jeanne and David Tappan, founder of the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts.