The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 24

-mm page 12 the people Star-crossed Celebrity Peppard finds the limelight too bright i Staff Photo by Dan Dry at Thursday's next day. Pegasus Parade. He left town the From his convertible perch as honorary grand marshal, actor George Peppard acknowledges the crowd The WAVE-TV reporter asks if this is his first time in Kentucky. WHAS wants to know if he has met Col. Sanders.

WKLO asks him if he has picked a horse for the Derby. The Courier-Journal wants to know how many cigarettes he smokes in a day. WHAS asks him why he came. "It's a chance to meet people. There are so many people in Hollywood who have no idea of what people are like in places like Kentucky and Maryland is such an insular place." Peppard mentions that Art Buchwald told him the Derby is a cross between Mardi Gras and the Bulls of Pamplona.

In a special interview after the press conference, WAVE-TV asks him what he thinks of Kentucky women and Kentucky horses so far. The press satisfied, Al Schneider, builder and owner of the Gait House, asks Peppard why he gave up the construction business for acting. Construction sure is tough business, Schneider says. You have to put up with people like the mayor. Schneidei takes Peppard over and shows him the Elk head hanging on the wall, telling him all about the elk it once belonged to.

Then Schneider and Peppard and the Derby officials go for lunch in Schneider's hotel. When last seen they were discussing the problems of fitting a 1200-pound elk's antlers into a hotel conference room. 2:30. The mayor's office. Peppard enters and signs autographs for staff members who ask.

He waits for the mayor. It is about a two-minute wait. Peppard asks, "Why don't we come back some other time?" He says that about three times and then the mayor is ready. The Derby officials look relieved. The two men talk pleasantly.

Peppard tells Mayor Harvey Sloane that it's his first time in Louisville but that he has been in Kentucky before. The two discuss Jimmy Carter. Peppard campaigned for him and was just visiting with him the other day. The mayor tells Peppard about his meeting with Mr. Carter.

They exchange observations about the President, then Peppard asks Sloane if he has enjoyed being a mayor. "We had a few strikes, busing, we had the coldest winter in years, our sewers are messed up. has really been a fantastic experience," says Sloane. "Well, I don't want to take up any more of your time," says Peppard. "I know you're a busy man," and he's shaking the mayor's hand, saying good-by.

"He really didn't seem to enjoy talking with the people," one of the mayor's assistants said later. "I wonder why he came?" 2:45. A visit with the county judge. Todd Hollenbach bursts into the room By MIKE WINERIP Courier-Journal Staff Writer Tuesday. 10:30 a.m.

Dressed in official Derby outfits, the welcoming committee moved through the airport as one, set off from the others by a tingly sense of mission, an unmistakable comprehension of the larger issues and canary-colored slacks. They had worked hard on getting the Derby festival together (all big believers in the virtue of Derby) and now they were excited, ready for a bit of the frosting, the privilege of being insiders. Charles Smith, president of the Derby festival and a banker in normal times, said softly, "You know this is really quite an opportunity for my wife and me. We don't get to meet many celebrities." Everyone fussed about who should give the celebrity's wife the roses. Ellen Greenwell, president of the Fillies, said it would look too fruity if Mr.

Smith were walking around with roses. Mrs. Smith should give the roses, they decided. Then Jack Guthrie, executive vice president of the festival, decided who could go upstairs to meet the celebrity when he stepped off the plane and who had to wait until he came downstairs. 10:55.

Eastern Air Lines flight 370 landed and off stepped George Peppard "Banacek," "Home From the Hill," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "The Blue Max" handsome Peppard, ruddy Peppard, mysterious Peppard, outfitted smartly in beige, smoking a cigarette, looking irreverent, tough, worldly, detached, projecting a definite sense of seen-it-all, done-it-all very cool. Festival president Smith said, "We're pleased to have you here as honorary grand marshal, Mr. Peppard." Mr. Peppard said thank you. Smith waited for more, but that's all there was, so everyone went downstairs.

Mrs. Smith got to keep the roses because Mrs. Peppard didn't come. Downstairs the honorary grand marshal for Thursday's Pegasus parade had lvs first interview, with the Louisville Times. The reporter had only five minutes his editor had to have the latest Peppard news for the afternoon deadline.

The reporter had time to confirm that Peppard was in town and that Scat-tie Slew looked like a good bet to win. Then everyone got into the Derby festival committee's borrowed limousine and drove downtown. 1111:20. (On the road to the Gait House.) During the limousine ride a few of the Derby festival insiders had a chance to get acquainted with their celebrity. Peppard said that he was just with Art Buchwald, who told him that the Derby is a cross between Mardi Gras and the Bulls of Pamplona.

They talk about what a cold winter it was, about whether Peppard had ever been in Louisville before (no), about whether Peppard had ever been in Kentucky before (yes, Paducah), about mint juleps. Then Mrs. Smith (holding the roses) said that when a lot of people think of Kentucky they think of Appala-chia and there really is so much more. Peppard said, "No, when I think of Kentucky I have a sense of history. I think of Kentucky as a very strong state." Everyone was pleased.

Smith was graduated from Indiana University, and Peppard had attended rival Purdue, which seemed like a point worth making, so Smith did. Peppard said, "Indeed." They waited for more, but that's all there was. Then Peppard said, "I'm really looking forward to getting to know some people here. very important when you live in Hollywood to get the chance to speak to real Americans where they live. Hollywood is such an insular experience.

Noon. (Press conference on the 25lh floor of the Gait House.) Derby officials and representatives of 10 newspapers, radio and television stations mingle, waiting for Peppard. One woman says she likes Peppard's bottom, and a WAVE-TV reporter whispers, "Who's George Peppard?" Peppard walks in. "Needless to say, you all know the gentleman who just walked in," says Guthrie. Smith presents Peppard a mint julep, which turns out to be sweeter than Peppard expected.

The stars Anyone interested in finding out who the famous and the near-famous at the Derby were yesterday should ask John A. Celletti for the shirt off his back. Not that the former Shively mayor has any inside track to the stars. Au contraire. Despite having been a mayor, Celletti is just plain folk.

But he has worn the same shirt to the Derby for the past 12 years, and it is full of autographs. When Celletti judges someone to be of celebrity caliber, they get to sign the shirt. He then sends the shirt to Rcgina Stark, a friend in Philadelphia, who embroiders the autographs. There were plenty of potential candidates on hand for Celletti's shirt yesterday. Several of them had never been to a Derby before.

In the past, Cornelia Wallace has had to ride in the pace car for an Alabama "Blue Max was his best," says Cpl. Gary Stahlhut, holding his signed cap. Peppard leaves halfway through the Navy Steel Band's performance. 9. Peppard skips scheduled dinner with Al Schneider and Derby staff.

Wednesday. 11 a.m. A day at the Churchill Downs clubhouse. Peppard sits at the head table and buries his head in a racing form, speaking when spoken to, signing autographs when asked. After lunch the chairman introduces the celebrities at the head table.

There's Queen Robin Marie Clore and Princesses Childers, Palmer-Ball, Wagner and Weyland. There's Becky Reid, Miss Teenage America. There's Wolfman Jack. There's Art Linklelter. There are the judges for the Miss Derby Queen contest.

And last he introduces George Peppard. Peppard tries to bury his head in the racing form, but the rich and beautiful in the clubhouse turn out to be as passionate about autographs as the young soldiers who want their hats signed. A middle-aged woman asks for an autograph for her daughter. A young woman asks for her mother. An elderly woman tells him to write his autograph clearly so she can read "I'll write it the way I write," says Blue Max, "and you learn to readit." Then princesses Palmer-Ball, Wagner and Weyland ask Peppard for his autograph.

A waitress wants three autographs for three little blind children she knows. When he goes out to watch the first race, a woman says she has to have an autograph for her brother-in-law. "He's a dead ringer for you, Mr. Peppard. The stewardesses on his recent trip to Europe wouldn't believe he wasn't you." Peppard smiles, says, "Yes Ma'am," and signs his autograph.

Nearby Miss Teenage America keeps saying, "I can't believe I'm here." More than once Peppard threatens to leave if all the autograph business keeps up. He departs after the third race. 5. (Aboard the Belle of Louisville with Peppard.) Art Linkletter smiles and talks about anything with anybody who gets within striking distance. Linkletter says that his business is people, that he feels comfortable with people.

Most actors don't, he says, they aren't people-oriented. "I think most are shy, uncomfortable with themselves, and that's part of the reason they're actors. They feel more comfortable hiding behind a mask. They aren't used to the public." i 7:45. Honorary grand marshal Peppard has disappeared somewhere into the night.

When last seen he was part of an attractive, happy-looking foursome. Most of the steamboat crowd is gone. Under the Ninth Street overpass grand marshal Col. Sanders is handing out signed pictures to whomever passes close by. The Blue Max flew out of Louisville Friday morning.

He said he had an appointment he didn't want to miss. tive and former Brooklyn Dodger star, was with Musial. Actress Mario Thomas was running around too much to be interviewed. Her efforts to get lunch looked like something straight from her old television series "That Girl." An onlooker said she hoped Miss Thomas got lunch, she looked so skinny. Politicians and former politicians abounded at the 103rd Derby.

Among the many were Gov. Julian Carroll, Tennessee Gov. Ray Rlanton, former Kentucky governor Edward Breathitt, and Rep. Romano Mazzoli. They were all fair game for Celletti.

John Wayne is the only person who has ever refused to sign Celletti's shirt. "He wasn't anvwhere near as big a man as I thought he was," Celletti said. tain of the Belle of Louisville. Peppard tells him that Art Buchwald told him that the Derby is a cross between the Mardi Gras and the Bulls of Pamplona. 3:30.

Over to WHAS to do a tape for the Omelet show. They talk about Peppard's frequent visits on the Johnny Carson show, about appearing on talk shows, then Faith Lyles asks, "George, do you ever reveal more of yourself than you want to?" The Blue Max stares right through sweet Faith's teddy bear eyes and smiles: "No, I don't." "Will you today?" "I don't think so." Everyone laughs. Milton Metz asks him what movie actresses Candy Bergen and Raquel Welch are like on a one-to-one basis. The Blue Max smiles and says it would be very un-gallant to reply. Metz says, "You can't tell us anything?" The Blue Max can't.

Everyone laughs. 4:15. Over to the Derby office to visit with the staffers who have done most of the leg work for the festival. Often they are at the office until midnight during Derby week. "This won't take long?" Peppard asks.

He is reassured it won't. At the office he smiles, signs autographs upon request, speaks when spoken to and leaves for his hotel room after five minutes. "Why did he come?" someone asks. 7. The field at the Naval Ordnance Station in south Louisville is sloggy.

Families with lawn chairs slosh through the wet grass to get a good seat for the military bands. It is July Fourth in May. Peppard sits in a folding chair front row center. The VIP section has been roped off to separate it from the area full of people who brought their own folding chairs. The master of ceremonies introduces the Derby queen, Robin Marie Clore, and her court, Princesses Childers, Palmer-Ball, Wagner and Wey-land.

Next he introduces Lewis C. Ting-Icy, chairman of the board of the Derby Festival. And last he introduces Peppard. The Marine Drum and Bugle Corps plays and then the Navy Steel Band comes on. A little girl goes up to Peppard and ask for his autograph.

Then a teen-ager. Then three little girls, who all kiss him. Then Cathreen Beasley makes her husband Ronald get one for "the tall blonde woman who lives down the street." Then the tall blonde woman from down the street gets one for herself. Michael Wright, 19, wants to know who everybody is crowding around. "Peppard? No one else here? I saw Robert Redford at 'Day of the The girl I was with got his autograph.

It was in the papers. I just shook his hand. That was good enough." More people crowd around for Peppard's autograph. Cpl. William Zoellick gets Peppard to autograph the inside of his dress cap, and then several soldiers are getting their dress caps signed.

worth of tickets from the second race. The nationally known disc jockey was counting on Sir Sir to place in the Derby. Refusing to sign any autographs was Jim Nabors. probably most famous for his television series "Gomer Pyle, Nabors kissed anyone who asked for an autograph. Former St.

Louis Cardinal Hall of Famer Stan Musial was putting place bets on Western Wind and Run Dusty Run. Musial, now a Cardinal vice president, owns hotels in Clearwater and Miami, as well as St. Louis. He said his main function as vice president of the Cards is showing up at spring training, the All Star game and the World Series. Pee Wee Reese, a Louisville na like a jet-propelled bus.

"All my life I've wanted to meet a Polish investigator, tl's a real privilege, George the county judge's position is unlike any in government. I have administrative duties. I'm the judicial officer. .1 have a legislative function as a member of the fiscal court. I'm on the energy commission, the planning commission, the human relations commission.

"I'm very interested in this," says Peppard, "Ive never heard of your position." "Busing has been a real problem here, George," Hollenbach says. "The people in this county are really good people, solid people, fine people, George. But this busing thing has torn them apart. gone out and hired some of the best constitutional minds in this country to draw up an alternative plan to busing, George. I brought in first-rate minds.

I conducted forums in eight spots all over the county. has to be a better way than busing, George. There has to be." Hollenbach then describes the heritage weekends on the Belvedere, when different ethnic groups put on cultural festivals. "They're really great, George; they give people pride in themselves That is my idea of meaningful integration, George." "I don't want to take up any more of your time, I know you're a busy man," says Peppard. Hollenbach gives Peppard a plaque making him an honorary cap- is the surest Way to pick winners, he said.

Reasoner had been to Churchill Downs three times before, as a CBS television reporter. But each time he was doing precedes and had to leave before the Derby. He said he was enjoying being with ABC. Derby fans were almost treated to a little daredevil action by Evel Knievel. Knievel, who is famous for jumping over lines of cars and fizzling out over the Snake River, was going to jump out of the grandstand into the seats below.

The crowd yelled "jump, jump," but racing-car driver A. J. Foyt kept pulling him back. Foyt, who owns race horses, skipped the first day of practice for the Indianapolis 500 to attend the Derby. Wolfman Jack said he had won $1,800 at the track going into today's Derby.

As he said it, he was tearing up $100 Staff Photo by Melissa Farlow Jefferson County Judge Todd Hollenbach and Peppard get a windy ride back from Six Mile Island aboard the Belle of Louisville Wednesday. The Belle lost the Great Steamboat Race to the Delta Queen. shine bright at Churchill Downs stock car race on Derby weekend. But the race was held last weekend, and Gov. George Wallace's wife was free to bet on For the Moment.

She said she based her pick on women's intuition and lady luck. Bowie Kuhn, commissioner of baseball, made his first visit to Hillerich Bradsby Co. and the Derby in one day. Kuhn said he hadn't been involved in any controversial events lately. He said he would be betting on Sanhedrin and Steve's Friend because they are owned by baseball men (John W.

Galbreath Pittsburgh Pirates owner and G. M. Steinbrenner, III, New York Yankees owner.) Harry Beasoner was going with Seattle Slew. The ABC television news anchorman said he had talked to the horse and it told him that it would win. This 1.