Bill Hersey’s Partyline April 1983

Just about everyone who was here for the Tokyo Music Festival has left. Happy to report it was a big success in every way. The Festival may be over, but entertainment celebs are still coming in.

It’s been a super-busy, people-packed month which included the splendid Fujii-Alexander wedding party at the New Akasaka Prince Hotel, a real lay-back day of shopping and rapping with singer Nancy Wilson, several coffee breaks with Michaela von Habsburg, a star-studded- personality-packed fantabulous VIP opening day at Tokyo Disneyland, a glittering evening at the Tokyo Hilton with Hubert de Givenchy and friends (some 500 including actress Audrey Hepburn) illustrator Joe Eula, artist-sculptor Ron Ferri, French Vogue Director Jean Poniatowski, Christian Dior Parfums Director Francoise de Roussy de Sales and a dynamic disco party for French singer Adamo, his staff and his band. They all helped Givenchy celebrate his 30th anniversary. Here are April’s highlights.

Tokyo Disneyland’s Super Opening Show

You don’t even have to go as far as Narita to have a fun and exciting time visiting such places as Westernland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland and the World Bazaar. I had the privilege of seeing Disneyland with Joan Shepherd and Dolly Baker and was there for the “Night of 1,000 Stars” with special guests Susan Anton, Paul Williams and Pat Boone.

Loved every minute of the show that really did roll back the years. Mickey and Minnie Mouse led the parade, follow¬ed by all the Disney characters including Goofy, Donald Duck, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the Wolf and Three Little Pigs. Japanese talent included Marie Christine and E.H. Erick who did the emcee chores singers Shigeru Matsuzaki, Yukari Ito, Mie Nakao, Hatsumi Shibata and our Joan Shepherd. There were pirate do Shepherd. There were pirates, dancers from Tahiti, “people of the future” on rollerskates, barbershop quartets, dancing by the Nakano Brothers, American Indians, French Can-Can dancers, a Caribbean band, Dixieland Jazz, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Huckleberry Finn and all those other characters that have brought joy and laughter to people all over the world.

The laser beam show was sensational and the fireworks finale breath-taking. It’s a beautiful park with something for everyone, including 30 attractions, 300 entertainers putting on daily shows, parades, etc., 27 restaurants, and 40 shops. Take the family; take yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

Tootsie’ star Dustin Hoffman visits Edo

A smiling Dustin Hoffman is flanked by his brother Ron and his father Harry at Columbia Films’ press conference bally¬hooing the very successful film “Tootsie” which stars Dustin. The film opens tomorrow throughout Japan. More than 400 members of the press and electronic media gathered to quiz Hoffman about his dual male-female role in “Tootsie,” an international smash.

and person­able Dustin Hoffman spent several days here to promote the film “Tootsie” for Columbia Films. He was accompanied by bis brother Ron and father Harry who, at 75, would did! – boogie all night.

ing some really new exciting designs in many things here. Still more talent . . . super talent in the form of actor Dustin Hoffman, here for Columbia Films to promote his film “Tootsie.” (Don’t miss this one.) I had the great privilege of spending some time with Dustin, his brother Ron (who works for the U.S. Treasury in Washington) and his dynamic dad Harry. Even though he had just flown in that day, he was really considerate to everyone he met, smiled a lot and answered questions about the film and his career.

In addition to that, he offered to help one aspiring young Japanese actress I introduced him to by promising to give her some good intro-ductions when she comes to the States. The best part of it is that you know he’s sincere.

During his stay here Columbia held a press conference and over 400 media members attended. Dustin talked in. depth about his role in “Tootsie” and about his work as an actor as well. He said he had been labeled difficult, temperamental and more, but feels that’s because he just doesn’t want to grind out one film after another as fast as he can just to make money. He’s a devoted actor and wants to do the very best he can. You could tell by his emotional delivery of that statement, he meant every word he said.

When asked about the Academy Awards, he told the audience he had a feeling that “Gandhi” (another Columbia pic) would take Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor and

added, “We should have filmed `Tootsie in India.” Whatever, he really was right on with what was about to happen. I really enjoyed the film and really appreciated the chance to meet the man, Dustin, who ranks high among the world’s best actors today. My thanks to the Columbia film staff.

Hubert de Givenchy’s gala dinner at Hilton

Above left: Daimaru President Yaziro Igari, the host famed designer Hubert de Givenchy and special guest of honor, international film favorite Audrey Hepburn. Above, right: French Minister-Counsellor Philippe Le-courtier flanked by his wife Catherine and Michele Sim-art. At left: Takako Shimazu, youngest daughter of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, one of the most fashionable women at any gathering. At right: The delicate and aristocratic Audrey Hepburn. Below, left: Maha Debs, French attorney Jean-Francoise Bretonniere and his wife Ut. Below, right: Noted fashion illustrator Joe Eula, Yogi Nishikawa, Francoise Morechand and sculptor-artist Ron Ferri.

dinner party at the Tokyo Hilton in honor of one of the world’s best-known designers, Hubert de Givency, and his friend, international film super- star Audrey Hepburn. The guest list included Japan’s top designers, diplomats and leading members of both the Japanese and foreign society circles here.

I had not been invited as a “journalist,” but as a friend of one of Givenchy’s closest friends, noted American illustrator Joe Eula. Joe did the marvelous life-sized illustrations of Givenchy fashions (a 30-year retrospective) that decorated the walls of the Hilton’s Pearl Ballroom and were used later in Givenchy’s shows here.

Thought I’d better clear that little item up, as one of our journalist friends told her chums, “I was told I was to be the only journalist invited.” The funny — and a little sad —part of it was that they had the journalist’s name complete¬ly misspelled and relegated to a table as far away from things as possibly could be. Oh, well. Life does go on.

I enjoyed talking to Audrey Hepburn’s son, Sean Ferrer, who just finished co-directing a film in Hollywood. He enjoyed his 10 days of travel around Japan, he told me; unfortunately, after five days of travel, Audrey’s younger son, Luca, caught flu and she had to fly him back to Europe for treatment—and back to school.

President’s brother honors artist Hector Ubertalli

U.S. artist Hector Ubertalli, President Ronald Reagan’s older brother Neil and U.S. Minister-Counsellor William Clark. At the American Embassy reception celebrating Ubertalli’s successful exhibit at Wako Department Store on Ginza.

Hector Ubertalli is an exceptional artist, a nice man and good friend for many years. I really was sorry I wasn’t able to get to the Apr. 9 reception commemorating the first day of his exhibition at Wako. The exhibit shows 20 paintings on his latest work — the second of his “Images Japan” series.