Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 61

"fFr rarely disagree," says Mary. Cummings family, from left: Bob 10; Bob; Laurel Anne, 1, in mother's arms; Sharon Patricia, 5, and Mary Melinda, S. THE PRESIDENT OF THE CORPORATION SAYS: OB'S STILL THE BOSS By JOHN FINK steady. They were married a year later. Laurel Productions was formed in 1954.

It's the name of the street they live on, Mary's grandmother's name, and the name of their 19 month old daughter. In July of that year Bob shot the pilot of his CBS-TV film series in which he plays the very eligible bachelor photographer, Bob Collins. Seventy-nine shows have been filmed so far, employing the services of some 100 beautiful and previously unknown actresses. Mary has discovered at least a dozen of these, and has been instrumental in casting such subsequently well known starlets as Joi Lansing, Jean Moorehead, Mae Wynn, Maria English, Leigh Snowden, and Mary Costa. As Bob's business partner, she reads many scripts and stories, and the Cummings talk over her synopses at home.

Mary was the first to read and recommend Bob's two Studio One plays Twelve Angry Men later made into a movie and "A Special Announcement." hours a day at work, leaving the rest for their four children, Robert, 10; Melinda, Patricia, 5, and Laurel. They expect their fifth child in March. The children, participate, too. Even Laurel has appeared in the TV series, and young Robert takes part in previews in which a rough cut of the TV film is shown to an audience and a laugh track recorded. "He comes thru the previews pretty well," said Mary.

"After 12 years as partners in business and marriage," said Mary, Bob and I rarely disagree about anything. But Bob's still the boss!" As Mary Elliott, Mrs. Cummings appeared in some 20 movies, including Girl Crazy and As Thousands Cheer." She also played in a short theatrical film, "Heavenly Music," which won an Academy award. She went to Hollywood as a result of her tour in My Sister Eileen in 1942, in which Shelley Winters was her understudy and Steve Cochran played the South American admiral. The drug store clerk in the play was King Donovan, who now appears in the TV series as Bob's old army buddy.

BREAKFAST at the Bob Cummings household in Hollywood is like a board meeting at a major studio. There Bob sits down to his morning refresher with the head of his production company who briefs him on scripts, fan mail, new contracts for personal appearances, prospective guest stars, and new properties. Bob mulls over the details, makes a few quick decisions, and is off to the studio, leaving behind his four youngsters and the president of Laurel Productions company his wife, Mary! Mary Cummings met Bob 12 years ago while she was starring under the name Mary Elliott in "Out of This World for Paramount. A few weeks later, just before she prepared to go overseas to entertain the troops, she was invited to Bob's ranch for a swimming party. In the dressing room, another girl warned her not to pay attention to Bob because they were secretly engaged.

I guess he was intrigued because I hardly looked at him," Mary said. Two months later they had their first date and then began going At home Mary spends about four 21.