Bob Pranga and Debi Staron of Dr. Christmas partner with Donelle Dadigan and Steve Nyckelmoe of the Hollywood Museum in support of Friends of the Greystone; Photo Courtesy of Friend of the Family Photography
Quick! What do Star Trek, Donna Reed’s evening gown, Christmas, and the Super Moon have in common—A festive and aesthetically pleasing celebration like no other: Greystone Mansion’s After Dark Holiday Cocktail Party. Sponsored by Donelle Dadigan, president and founder of The Hollywood Museum, in support of Friends of Greystone, the event was decked out via more than just the halls! Yes, as the fat full moon beamed down like the sexy clean-shaven head of Jean Luc Picard, the mansion made famous in Star Trek, and a host of other noted films, was awash in starry-eyed and skyed glow as denizens of screens, mega and minute, (copping all manner of enthusiasm of children big and small) along with privileged members of the press, sauntered down the majestic flowing staircase letting out on to the black and white ballroom-style floor below like Cinderella greeting her prince—or in our case–the buffet table.
(L-R) Dee Wallace, Donelle Dadigan and Don Most; Photo Courtesy of Friend of the Family Photography
From the ballroom to the breakfast room the manor was decked out with the most ambient of lighting from red to green, to silver, up to and including a special nook for The Hollywood Museum and some of its legendary display pieces. Moreover, the reflecting pool looked absolutely magical basking in the glow of the aforementioned Super Moon. The Bowling Alley and Bar/Pool room were open as well; though they possessed no exposure to the Super Moon’s glow, evinced a beautiful waxed floor finish to rival that of the brightness of any celestial body.
The 46,000+ square foot manor which inhabits 12.58 acres, high aloft Beverly Hills, and boasts appearances in hundreds of movies and television shows, unlocked its doors to the general public the first Sunday in December. Fittingly held on the self-same night as the Super Moon, many a terrestrial star came out in conjunction to ring in the most festive month of the year! Included in the mix: Swing singer and former Happy Days sitcom star Don Most signing copies of his latest CD Swinging Down the Christmas Tree along with most famous (and not quite so terrestrial) Sci-Fi mom Dee Wallace, aka “Mary” from E.T., signing books in relation to her legendary creation Buppalapaloo Bear (Buppa for Short): An adorable stuffed animal inciting self-esteem in children via recorded messages of inspiration!
(L-R) Doug Beeson, Debi Staron, Donelle Dadigan, Bob Pranga, Susan Rosen, Friends of Greystone President, Steve NYckelmoe, Marsha Tauber Sallai, Event Chair Friends of Greystone; Photo Courtesy of Friend of Family Photography
The mansion itself, built by the oil-affluent Doheny family in 1927, has appeared in almost too many films and television shows to cite. But we will mention some of the most notable: Star Trek, The Muppets, Spider-Man, Stigmata, Air Force One, Batman & Robin, Marvin’s Room, The Bodyguard, Indecent Proposal, Ghostbusters II, Jumping Jack Flash, The Last Ship, Castle, Entourage, ER, Dark Shadows, Dynasty, National Treasure, The Day Mars Invaded Earth, All of Me, Flowers in the Attic, Mercury Rising, What Women Want, The Big Lebowski…and this article would go on ten more pages should we continue…
According to one anonymous guest: “As I was walking around, I kept thinking to myself…’I’ve been here…but when?’ It wasn’t until I was descending the grand staircase that I turned and realized why …I was standing in Professor Charles Francis Xavier’s home and school for gifted youngsters. This is where X-Men was shot!”
“We had such a wonderful time Sunday night at the Greystone Mansion for their ‘Greystone After Dark Holiday Cocktail Party’”, exclaimed event sponsor and president and founder of the Hollywood Museum Donelle Dadigan. “We loved helping the Friends of Greystone decorate for their first after dark Holiday Kick Off Celebration, with some of our gowns from The Hollywood Museum’s collection. We selected holiday films and fan favorites from Cyd Charisse, Sonja Henie, Vera-Ellen, Donna Reed, Judy Garland, Jayne Mansfield, Dinah Shore, Cybill Shepherd, Sofia Vergara, Sharon Stone, Doris Robers, Barbara Stanwyk and Lana Turner.”
All in all, a night of style, and splendor!
