Man of the Cocktail Hour (Details)
citation: Collier's, September 20, 1952, 130(12):64-66, 68-69
alias: None
teaser: As usual, the irrespressible Tm Ryan had things well in hand. The party was a success. But Eve was a little uneasy as she watched the beautiful actress with Tim, who was the [Man of the Cocktail Hour]
summary: As his wife Eve worries over preparations,
Timberlake Ryan jokes to relieve her tension. Eve's
distressed Tim had The Jukes Family
— a
famous feeble-minded family — mongramed on the napkins and matches. He
also prepared special fortune cookies, replacing the original fortunes with
ones of his own.
When the first guests arrive, Tim pretends the cocktail party was the pevious evening; a joke he plays on subsequent guests as well. As Tim leaves to make drinks, Eve worries about their guests, one of which is Ann Darrow, a young Broadway actress who naturally attracts everyone's attention, including Tim's.
Tim begins parodying a burlesque dancer, embarassing and amusing Eve with his antics. Later, Ann Darrow compliments Tim on his dancing, annoying Eve as being presumptuous.
Again, Tim prods the party to life. Guests read the monogrammed napkins, and funny fortunes. Eve admires her husband as being the handsomest man in the room, and is proud he is her husband.
Tim joins a group discussing the merits of Brooks Brothers' suits, and tells a fantastic story about a brass foundryman from New Jersey who bought a Brooks Brothers' suit that had a mind of its own. The suit was so distressed, it died and was buried. Again, Eve appreciates Tim for being a good host.
As she walks among her guests, Eve sees Ann Darrow join Tim's group. Eve also joins the group, questioning her own motivations.
Al Bergstrom tells a story about using ice cubes to scare away cats. For
another conversation centering on psychiatry, Tim pretends to have an "unconscious
neurosis" that
makes him yell Yipe
uncontrollably. With Tim's arm around
her, Eve joins the joke, pretending to have the same disorder.
Tim and Eve move away from the group, to be joined by Ann Darrow. Ann thanks Eve for inviting her, mentioning she will be staying in the area on week ends during the summer. Tim leaves with another guest.
While Tim referees a political discussion, Ann confides
to Eve she thinks Tim is wonderful. She likes him better than other
men she's met. As the two women watch Tim defuse a heated discussion, Ann
says I think I may take him away from you.
Ann smiles, and
walks into the kitchen.
Upset, Eve tries to calm herself, rationalizing Ann's comments
as a bad joke. But she also knows sometimes
these things actually happened.
She watches Ann laugh at one of Tim's
jokes, looking up at him as he leans against the refrigerator. She sees Ann
insinuate herself in the group around Tim.
To Eve's relief, the party begins to break up, and their guests leave. Ann makes no more provocative comments.
As they sit sit discussing the party, Eve comments how attractive Ann is. Tim agrees, but points out how Eve outshines the girl. He acknowledges Ann's flirtation, but interprets it as Ann wishing she could feel about some man, the way Eve feels about him.
Tim explains how he defused Jack Greer's tirad, and they begin cleaning the apartment.
words: 5,823
genre: Timberlake Ryan, Slice-of-Life
similar: Manhattan Idyl, I'm Mad at You, Breakfast in Bed, Long-Distance Call, The Little Courtesies, Week-End Genius, My Cigarette Loves Your Cigarette, One-Man Show, Sounds in the Night, Tattletale Tape; You Haven't Changed a Bit, Sneak Preview, I Like It This Way, Husband at Home, Legal and Tender, Rainy Sunday, Expression of Love, Vive la Différence, Bedtime Story, Take One Rainy Night, Old Enough for Love, The Sunny Side of the Street, No Time for the Billiard Ballet
people: Timberlake Ryan, Eve Ryan, Alice Mellett, Jerry Mellett, Don Wechsler, Teressa Wechsler, Al Bergstrom, Grace Bergstrom, Ann Darrow, Jack Greer, Fay Greer, Ed Yount, Ruby Weiner, Ted Weiner
places: New York, NY: Saks, Grand Central Station, Westchester, Bronxville; San Francisco, CA; New Jersey
comments: Forthcoming