Monday, June 04, 2001
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN: ON THE SCENE: Dorothy Huffey

Memphis Belle pilot featured guest at Maloof's party

Moonlight serenade ... Phil Maloof unveiled his home's new music and art gallery at a party held at his Rancho Bel Air home May 26.

As guests alighted from their cars in front of the Maloof tudor-style home, they were greeted by two seven-foot bronze replicas of the classic Rolls-Royce "Winged Lady" gracing the home's walkway. The driveway boasted a few of Maloof's beautifully restored classic cars including a 1937 Packard coupe, a 1931 Cadillac V-12 phaeton four-door convertible, a 1930 Duesenberg and a 1931 Duesenberg two-passenger boattail speedster.

Guests were requested to come dressed in their favorite bygone era for the Albuquerque businessman, world traveler and theater organ enthusiast Phil Maloof's party. The party's special guest was Col. Robert Morgan, pilot of the famed Memphis Belle.

The party room displayed large ice carvings and buffets of hors d'oeuvres by Cristof, the Maloof family's personal chef and chef to their Sacramento Kings basketball team. For this occasion Cristof created a life-size chocolate bust of Morgan.

Among the guests dressing in attire from their favorite bygone era were Susan Houston as a little girl; Dr. Lonnie Hammargren as a Russian general; Dr. Ted Jacobs as F. Scott Fitzgerald, and wife, Dr. Parvin Jacobs, as Zelda; Carolie Swindle wore an authentic Ginger Rogers evening gown studded in rhinestones, and husband, Edward Swindle, was a World War II pilot. Rosie Austin searched and searched for a hairdresser to do a double French twist over one ear to accent here 1940s chic outfit and husband, Larry, came as a Humphrey Bogart look-alike. Christina Starr was a Navy Wave, Betty Bunch and Christine Decorte chose the 1930s look, and Penny France stepped out of the 1940s. Eraine Bromley was a 1920s flapper and David Harris and Peter Barillo wore brightly colored polyester sports jackets of the 1970s. Rusty Meyers appeared in a World War II Marine's uniform.

Midway through the party master of ceremonies and organ aficionado Bob Maes introduced Morgan, pilot of the B-17 Memphis Belle who became a hero when he was the first to complete 25 missions over Germany during World War II. Morgan and his crew then went on a 30-city public relations/war bond tour, and in June 1943 Las Vegas had the thrill of the Memphis Belle making a low pass over Fifth Street. Morgan was fascinated by the new B-29 bomber and he went on to pilot his own B-29 (Dauntless Dotty) and command his own B-29 Superfortress squadron. In November 1944, Morgan made history when he led the first B-29 bombing raid on Tokyo (this was the first time the United States had bombed Tokyo since the '42 Doolittle raid in B-25s). Morgan's mission was successful and after completing 26 B-29 missions, Morgan returned to his hometown of Asheville, N.C., in 1945. He continued to serve his country in the Air Force Reserves and retired in 1965 as a full colonel. The Memphis Belle and her crew were immortalized in a 1943 combat documentary directed and filmed by William Wyler; and again in 1990 by a Warner Bros. Hollywood movie -- both were titled "Memphis Belle."

At age 83, Morgan still works full time in real estate and makes personal appearances around the world. His wife, Linda, accompanied him, also a pilot, and they have five children between them and seven grandchildren. Morgan married Linda in 1992 in front of the Memphis Belle at Memphis Belle Pavilion on Mud Island, and Gen. Paul Tibbets, pilot of the Enola Gay (which dropped the first atomic bomb), gave the bride away. Morgan on this particular evening introduced his new book "The Man who Flew the Memphis Belle."

Another of the evening's highlights was the introduction of the crown jewel to Maloof's many organs -- the famous Chicago Stadium Barton organ console, which made its debut in the new music room played by Walter Stony. It has taken a few years and the talents of many, including Bob Maes and artist Rebecca Conway, to restore the mammoth organ with its 815 stops and 44 rank pipes; needless to say, the Maloof music room has become one of the most talked about party rooms in Las Vegas. Guests who entertained for this Memphis Belle soiree in the adjoining party room included pianist Emilio, country-western singer Peter O'Toole and ballad singer Grant Griffin.

Seen in the crowd were Terry and John Daly, Angie Wallin, Mary and Bill Laub, Jewel Brooks, Susan Sullivan, Jim Starr, Jeri Packe, Rosita Kanes, Eileen Hayes, Denny Weddle, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Peggy Brown, Lia and Joseph Roberts, and Mafalda and Lou Papp. More guests that the congenial host welcomed to his home were Mary Vail, Lynn and Tom Wiesner, Elisa Del Prado, Steve Crespi and Elizabeth Jimenez, Patricia Martinelli Price and daughter Dominic, Judge Donald Mosely, Linda Maes, Toni Hart, Larry Hart, Sandy Hammargren, Barbara Moon, Mimi Williams, Vito Lentini, William Thomas, Sammy Liguori, Delores Fuller, John Pacheo and actress Sally Struthers.

Lalique ... The beautiful French crystal store in the Forum Shops at Caesars under the direction of Sheila Beaton, hosted a "Discover Lalique Spring 2001" luncheon at Forum's Chinois restaurant for invited guests. Before lunch, Peggy Polvino-Brown presented a seasonal display of her lovely original silk floral arrangements, displayed in various new Lalique vases. Chinois' Wolfgang Puck and David Robins prepared Chinese chicken salad with sweet mustard-ginger vinaigrette, candied cashews and wontons followed by Hunan style beef on crisp rice sticks with scallions and Mandarin glaze. Dessert was Chinois cookies with tea. During lunch, models presented a Salvadore Ferragamo fashion show featuring the spring 2001 Lalique accessory collection. Luncheon favors were Lalique perfume and a Ferragamo silk scarf.