The 1978 pool party was not part of the original entries and similar to
the 77' party the archives from this party had been hidden a bit more
extensively than the others however the events with Mr Corey may explain the
1977 party, its not all too clear why this pool party wasnt more easily
revealed. The 1978 pool party was not extensive in its guest list, but the
regulars were all in attendence. Perhaps the 78 pool party did mark a change in
venue as to the cast of regulars, particularly in the theater. So many of
the originals from the theater and pool party were no longer in attendance,
Stella did manage to make the pool parties but had not done any theater
performances since 1974. Vivian Arnell simply refused to attend any more pool
parties and the Cottingtons chose not to attend as well. To add to the
situation, Pauline Nash as of 77' was only making guest appearances in the
theater and in 1978 Mary Strat announced that she would be leaving the regular
cast also only making guest appearances. Anna had struggled with some health
issues since the last pool party and really wasnt up to par this particular year
but come the 4th of July she managed to get into fun mode. Here's some of the
ladies taking to the pool, suit free of course!
Here's our host Anna Wellington, 20 years of pool party fun and
she's still starting the party off right.
Here's our only picture of daughter Alexa from the party...Alexa
seems to be pre occupied this year....
Barb
returned to the pool party again in 78 and had made a number of theater
appearances and had become quite an attention getter at the pool parties..
Monica Fahey returned to the party again and was a real savior
for the theater with so many other former regulars not around as much, Monica's
versatility really helped the theater
Sybil Danning made a pool party appearance in 1978 at the invite
of her friend Barb....
New Faces New faces (and bodies) would grace the theater and our pool party
as we're first introduced to Dianne Martindale. Dianne had mostly done
modeling but she impressed Anna and Vivian with her intensity for theater and
made a couple appearances over the summer.
Here's Dianne one ore time and I think we'll see more of her in
the future....
Jennifer Lyn makes her first pool party appearance in 78.
Jennifer was already a popular swimsuit model in Los Angeles when noticed by
Stella who invited Jennifer out to consider performing in the theater and
perhaps be a good substitute for Paulines absence.
Perhaps the most intriguing of the newcomers was young Marilyn
Paul, so young that rumor has it she lied about her age originally. Anna and
Stella had an eye for character actors and Anna felt Marilyn was 'another Mary'
in the making. Marilyn was sexy, bubbly, cute and energetic, she had a bit of
everything and could melt people from the moment they saw her... Unfortunately
Marilyn was young and not a very good actress at this time so her theater debut
wouldnt really start until the following year..
Tonya Cortz returned to the theater in the summer of 78 and
returned to the pool party as well. Tonya wasnt doing much in theater by this
time but she was in need of work and the theater was short of help so Tonya
returned for the summer.
No
matter how long they've been away, everyone gets right back into step at Anna's
pool parties
Pauline Nash was at the party looking as hot as ever! Pauline
was based in California by this time and making big money moving ever closer to
prime time yet she still made time to get back to the pool party and worked a
theater show in July as well.
The
beautiful Mary Strat was at the party again and would be heading to New York in
the fall after 16 years as a regular at the theater. Here's Mary taking in
some sun, lets hope she can find time to return for the pool parties.. I dont
think she ever missed one of Anna's pool parties!
Here's a sassy view of the lovely Stella and I think that is
Marilyn Paul in the background.
1978 really underscored the changing taking place in the theater. Shelly
Friedrichs took a leave from the theater during 78.. Lisa Baker left.. Vivian,
Vickie and other regulars would not return and the roles of mainstays Pauline
and Mary had changed as well.... Anna Wellingtons health was becoming more of
an issue as well as she approached age 60! Anna would have ups and downs but
by the summer of 1979 she was in fine form again for yet another pool party.
