Sophia Loren dishes with fans at Venetian show
Film icon Sophia Loren charmed fans at The Venetian Theatre on Saturday with memories of her rise from war-torn Italy, personal struggles, two Academy Awards and the leading men in her life.
Loren, 81, shared ups and downs of her life story in front of a packed house that included one of her sons, Carlo Ponti, and his family. The event, with host Bill Harris at her side onstage, was part of a national tour.
Loren, who was 10 when World War II ended, recalled sleepless nights in a railroad tunnel during bombing raids near her hometown outside Naples.
When the war ended, American soldiers often handed out gifts to the Italians. One of those gifts was a Frank Sinatra record. She would, at 23, co-star with Sinatra and Cary Grant in “The Pride and the Passion.”
Grant relentlessly pursued Loren and asked the young star to marry him, Loren wrote in her 2014 memoir “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: My Life.”
But she was involved with Italian film producer Carlo Ponti at the time and chose to stay with him. She was 16 when they met. Ponti was 38.
She and Grant remained friends for a lifetime. She told the story about the night of the Oscars in 1962 when she and Ponti stayed up late to hear if she won for her role in “Two Women.”
Just as they decided to call it a night, the phone rang. It was Grant, with news that she had won the Oscar for best actress.
It was the first time an acting Oscar went to someone in a non-English-speaking role.
Her greatest acting triumph was filled with irony. Italian star Anna Magnani was originally selected for the role Loren landed.
Magnani “made many problems,” said Loren, who was to play Magnani’s daughter.
Loren had little to say about Marlon Brando, who made advances while they filmed “A Countess from Hong Kong” in 1967. She was not a fan.
She brought up the iconic photo of her and Hollywood sex symbol Jayne Mansfield seated at the same table in 1957.
Loren is seen staring at Mansfield’s barely covered bosom. Loren said she has never signed the photo “out of respect” to Mansfield, who died in an automobile accident in 1967.
MEDIA NOTES
Former KSNV-TV, Channel 3 news anchor Sue Manteris has settled her federal discrimination lawsuit with the station, according to her attorney.
An anchor with the NBC affiliate for 22 years, she left in 2011 when her contract was not renewed. Her lawsuit alleged she had been subjected to discrimination on the basis of age, race and gender. KSNV denied the charges.
Her attorney, Gus Flangas, said Manteris, who signed a nondisclosure clause, is “very happy” with the settlement.
In other media news:
■ Kelly Frey has left Caesars Entertainment Corp. after 10 years to handle public relations for Sandbox Entertainment in Nashville, Tennesee. The company represents Little Big Town, Faith Hill and Kacey Musgraves, among others.
■ Former US Weekly writer Mike Doria is returning to KVVU-TV, Channel 5 Monday as a morning reporter. He previously worked at the Fox affiliate from 2006 to 2009.
SIGHTINGS
Celine Dion and her son, Rene Charles Angelil, 15, dining at the Joel Robuchon restaurant (MGM Grand) late Saturday. … Former Nevada Gov. Bob Miller, presented with an honorary Irish consul title on Saturday at Crush (MGM Grand) by Teresa Murphy, the honorary Irish consulate in Las Vegas. The former governor recently received dual U.S. and Ireland citizenship. On hand for the presentation was Miller’s son, Ross Miller, former Nevada secretary of state, and Crush co-owner/bartender John O’Donnell, who was the event’s master of ceremonies. … Ageless comedy star Marty Allen, celebrating with an estimated 1,000 fans and friends in a ballroom at the Rampart Casino on Saturday. … Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds, joining the X Ambassadors during a surprise appearance at The Foundry (SLS) on Saturday. … Business partners Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, who operate nearly 30 restaurants, posing for photos with NFL free agent quarterback Johnny Manziel on Saturday at Tao nightclub (The Venetian).
THE PUNCH LINE
“Obama also spoke in Cuba (Monday) and said that U.S. airlines will start making commercial flights to Cuba this year. But first, Obama said he wants to see a greater respect for human rights — not in Cuba, at LaGuardia.” – Jimmy Fallon
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. On Twitter: @Norm_Clarke
