FIRST STOP: DENVER, COLO. It was a shudderingly cold morning. Heavy fog billowed in off the Pacific Ocean sweeping across the Los Angeles International Airport. High above, a half dozen planes droned patiently, waiting for the overcast to lift, and below, a dozen huge four motor planes taxied to their positions, impatient to rise.
At exactly 6:38 A.M. the doors to United Airlines burst open. In rushed Tony Curtis, hair uncombed, tie askew, the cuff of one of his shirts hanging out of a brand new leather traveling case. "Where is everybody?" he shouted. "Am I late?" Early morning passengers seated in neat rows looked up and those who weren't asleep, laughed out loud. "If you're looking for your girl," a tall Texan boomed, "I'll bet that's her, over there!"
Tony swung around, and sure enough, there was Piper Laurie, especially tousle-headed, standing in front of an automatic insurance machine. In two jumps, Tony was by her side. He grabbed her by an elbow and tugged. "Come on, honey," he exclaimed "We're going to miss our plane." Piper wouldn't budge. She pounded on the machine, furiously. "I don't care," she said stubbornly. "My dad told me never to travel on land or air or sea without insurance. Now I've put three quarters in this machine- that's $15,000 worth of insurance, and know what?"
Tony put down his traveling cae impatiently. "No Piper, what?" "Tony," Piper wailed, "I've got a tilt!" That was that. The insurance papers wouldn't jump out, the way they do 99 times out of a hundred. So Tony went for help. They shoved some papers at him. He shoved the papers at Piper. She signed. She put in more quarters. The sweep hand of the big airport clock kept circling off the precious seconds, Piper signed the insurance papers, put them in an envelope, borrowed a stamp from Tony, who swears he's never carried a stamp in his life before, and handed her valuable papers to a total stranger. "Please," she begged, with a melting look. "Drop these in a mailbox".
Then her feet left the ground as Tony grabbed her by one hand, and sailed her through the underground camp, up to the take-off gate. Their giant United Airlines Mercury plane, Flight 606, was slowly swinging around. "Hey!" Tony yelled, "We're on that plane!: A courteous but firm attendant, in the act of closing the gate, exclaimed, "Oh no you're not- that plane is full!" He gestured his flight manifesto board in Tony's direction. "Please," Piper said. "We're with the MODERN SCREEN photographers. If they go without us it will be terrible!" As though in answer to Piper's plea, the big plane paused, a door opened, and out peered the anxious face of Bert Parry, MODERN SCREEN photographer. Instantly, the big automatic ramp slid toward the plane, and Piper and Tony scrambled aboard. At exactly 7:15 A.M., the very special Flight Number 606 was airborne.
Inside, confused but happy, the MODERN SCREEN found itself pointed toward Denver, Colorado, the home of Mrs. Alice Bankert, first prize winner of the big MODERN SCREEN, "Universal-International, Pepsi-Cola" 'bring a star to your home' contest.
As the big plane found its cruising level, Piper and Tony retired to the club room accomodations at the rear, and Piper looked out at the world above. "Look, Tony" she explained, "We're flying above a huge stack of pillows." They were traveling at 273 air speed miles per hour and the earth couldn't be seen through the fleecy clouds. While the other passengers looked on, Piper straightened Tony's tie. They seemed like honeymooners which they weren't, as they settled down to a breakfast of suberb United Airlines fare. Stewardess Mary Wallace laughed as Piper's and Tony's eyes popped at the sight of fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, warm toast, coffee and two kinds of fruit.
"I should eat like this at home," Tony exclaimed, gulping his second cup of coffee. Afterward he went forward to take the morning shave he'd missed. He never got that shave, for he spotted a pretty girl with a pair of blue eyes that would stop a man dead in his tracks at 50 paces. "Bless your heart, little girl," Tony said. "Haven't we met somewhere before?" It was doubtful, although that honey-haired charmer, Julie Anne Grant didn't say so. She simply threw him an angelic smile, followed by a big kiss. Julie Anne, a debutante from Castle Rock, Colorado, has probably forgotten about that kiss by now, even though Tony promised he'd write to her, and that someday they might even get married. Julie Anne is an extremely fickle little two-year old.
Might just as well be factual. Mr. Tony curtis has a way with women. And as for Piper Laurie. Well! By the time the plane was winging past Las Vegas, Piper had fascinated every man in the plane, even if she did kick off her shoes, curl up and go to sleep with her hair-do still uncombed. Blame all this giddy excitement on the altitude if you want to. But the effect these two enchanting young people had on those aboard Flight 606 was small potatoes compared to the arrival at Denver. United Airlines Captain Eddie Brooks taxied the plane to a halt at the Denver airport, Tony peered out and exclaimed, "Hey- brass band stuff!" And it was almost that. There were people crowded fast against the heavy steel gates, and inside, close to the big ship as it came to rest were all manner of jeeps and other military vehicles. This was a reception committee of Korean War veterans, and another group of handsome soldiers, on hand to name Piper "Miss Flame Thrower of 1951".
Contest winner, Mrs. Alice Bankert was there, too, glowing with pride in behalf of her city and the movie-goers there, for having brought Piper and Tony to her home town. Now the feverish round of activity started. There was an open air broadcast over the Columbia Broadcasting System, with Piper and Tony being wlcomed by Mrs. Bankert against a background of roaring military planes. Then, the 50-people-party was rushed into a cavalcade of army cars and along the route to downtown Denver, with banners flying. First stop- the famous Brown-Palace Hotel in Denver. While Frank McFadden and Cliff Brown of Universal-International checked on their reservations, Piper and Tony strolled around the huge lobby, the ceiling of which extends clear to the very top floor of the old building.
In a few moments, they were whisked up to their rooms, 535 for Piper's cute suite decorated in shades of soft green, and 735 for Tony's room, done in knotty pine. They both felt every bit as important as the visiting Presidents and cattle barons, who have made the Brown-Palace a Denver boast for more than 50 years. But that feeling of luxury lasted only a few minutes, for the military summoned Piper again. She was called for by a handsome top sergeant and rushed off to the army base to be christened "Miss Flame Thrower of 1951." The situation was so filled with excitement that Piper nearly fainted when nearly 1,000 fighting men paraded by in salute to their visitor. Then, with an actual flame thrower tossing a blaze a half block long for a background, Piper received her high honors. It was an impressive moment, relieved only when a flustered Lieutenant rushed up to her and said, "Gosh, it was wonderful of you to come out here, Miss Piper CUB."
Meantime, Tony was having an experience never matched before in his young life. Alone, he dared to accept an invitation to pay a visit to Loretta Heights College. While it is one of the educational prides of the State of Colorado, Tony's visit was something that has rarely happened in the history of Loretta Heights, for it is an all-girl college. I've had some wonderful experiences since I've been in Hollywood," Tony said, "but nothing quite as impressive as the sight of those dozens of attractive girls on horseback, riding out with their school colors to bid me welcome." Sounds a little formal for a guy like Tony? Well, he can make a pretty good speech when he means it, and wants to, as the sisters and the students all agreed. But they'd hardly agree that having Tony present at classes would help them all concentrate on the studies at hand.
Hardly had Piper and Tony arrived back at the Brown-Palce than their telephones were ringing again- This time they were reminded that if they didn't hurry they'd miss the big event of the day- the party being given by the Denver Post and the Pepsi-Cola folks at the gib new Pepsi plant. This was the high-fever point of the day, for the fans of both Piper and Tony had written special letters, and the winners were invited to the party. More than 300 of them had gathered for the welcome. Wisely, the studio limousine was driven in a side entrance, and Piper and Tony were smuggled to the party room. For the better part of an hour, the Tony Curtis Fan Club took over, and in their enthusiasm, lamost took their favorite apart. So many of the boys and girls wanted to dance with the co-stars of The Prince Who Was a Thief that arrangements finally were made to select the dancers by applause. Then the Denver Post awarded war bonds by the writers of winning letters, refreshments were served, and the stars signed autographs for almost two hours. When they left, Piper had to be hurried out an emergency exit, while a flying wedge was formed to get Tony to the car. The wedge miss-fired, somehow, and when the door was finally slammed after him. Tony was covered with lipstick form ear to ear. Not only that, he was minus his tie, and a pair of cuff links- something he said he'd have a hard time explaining to Janet Leigh, later.
"But don't get me wrong," he enthused, "I love every second of this. Where else could an ex-sailor get such kicks?" There was no denying it. Piper and Tony were completely exhausted. Although they danced together at dinner that night, they were yawning widely, and they retired early in preparation for the next day's big events. It was Sunday morning when they emerged on the streets of Denver to have a look at the city. First they mingled with the church-going crowds, and later they went to see the State Capitol building climbing to the mile high step, where they posed for their pictures. Here they met Dick Peuser, a Californian from Redondo Beach, stationed at Lorring Filed, and a few minutes later were on their way to the huge Fitzimmons General Hospital. Welcoming them were Major William F. Shutt, and First Lieutenant Jamkochian, Chief of the Welfare Division. Piper and Tony broadcast over Fitzimmons' own radio station KFG, to all the patients of almost 7,000 inhabitants. And afterwards, requesting that no pictures be made, they went visiting the more than 900 wounded Korean war veterans there. As they left, late in the afternoon, Tony said: "This has been a remarkable experience. I wish that the parents of these fighting men could see how well they are being taken care of in this great hospital. Some of the finest medical minds in the world are here, and I was surprised to learn that at Fitzimmons, some of the greatest discoveries in medical history have been made."
Next morning, Piper was wakened at seven A.M. by a telephone call, and a pompous voice which said, "Miss Laurie, this is a general major domo factotum of the Brown-Palace Hotel." "Yes, Mr. Factotum," Piper said, a little puzzled. "What can I do for you?" "Well," the voice went on, "we endeavor to make all our guests happy, and we understand that your lifelong ambition has been to have breakfast in bed..." Piper gasped. "Why, yes, but it was only a joke." "A joke?" Tony's voice turned back to normal. "Well, joke or not- you climb into a robe, because I'm on my way down with that breakfast right now. And he was, properly chaperoned by a waiter, of course.
Right here is a good place to explain to peoople who don't know Tony Curtis that he may have soared to stardom almost over-night but he's strictly a down-to-earth fun guy. That's why, when they returned to the State Capitol at 10 A.M the next morning to meet Governor Dan Thornton, Piper squeezed his hand as they walked into his private offices, and whispered, "See if you can behave yourself, you big lug." Tony could, and did. Matter of fact, before Governor Thornton knew it, he was being subtely interviewed by one Mr. Curtis. Also, before he knew it, he had put on his big hat and was climbing the sharply turning 97 steel steps which lead to the breathless top of the gold domed capitol building. As they stepped out on the cement balcony, Piper and Tony confessed to being completely winded. But the Governor grinned broadly and said he guessed he was in pretty good condition from winning the race for his postion. Then the conversation took a serious turn. With his broad arms around both these young people, Governor Thornton of Colorado which they could see spread out for many miles before them.
"I'll never forget those few moments, Piper told Tony later. "It proves that there is still great opportunity in our country. Just think, Governor Thornton was born the son of share-cropper ancestors, and today he is Governor of Colorado. "Yeah," Tony agreed solemnly. Then he grinned and winked at Piper. "Not only that, but from a plain Texas cowboy, Dan Thornton worked his way up to become one of the biggest ranchers in Colorado. And without an enemy in the world. He's not only a big man, but he's rich- why he has as much money as Bing Crosby. And maybe that's why people love him so much. They know he's not like most other politicians- he has enough money that they'll never have to worry aobut him dipping into the cash register." For an answer, Piper kicked Tony in the shins.
At noon that day, Piper and Tony were guests at a luncheon of Denver's most oustanding high school journalists. A group of fine reporters and editors, they fired questions at the pair for a couple of hours, before MODERN SCREEN'S stars were removed, almost bodily, back to the hotel to rest in preparation for that night's big preview-premiere of The Prince Who Was a Thief. First came a gala dinner for mr. and Mrs. George Bankert and their friends, followed by a visit to the Bankert home, where all the neighbors had come to see Mrs. Bankert's prize guests. On hand to broadcast the reaction of those present was Dale Morgan, whose "Where's Morgan?" program is must listening all over Denver.
The most amusing moment of the evening came when Dale asked one charming girl whether she was related to Mrs. Bankert. "Oh no," she gasped. "Nobody knows me. I just slipped in because I had to see Tony Curtis and ask him something.!" "All right, honey," Morgan said. "You go right ahead and ask him." "Oh, I couldn't!" "Come on," Tony broke in. "You can ask me anything you want." "Well," the girl exclaimed, blushing deeply, "I just want to know- Do you know Peter Lawford?" Tony gulped. He admitted that he knew Pete, all right, and that he was a nice guy. Later, he said, "That'll teach me not to get the big head- also not to open my big mouth." An hour later, Piper and Tony were sneaked backstage in to the Fox Denver Theater, where The Prince Who Was a Thief was nearing its climax. Quietly they slipped into a dark aisle and over the shoulder of a husky usher, watched themselves in the final big love scene. As the lights went up, applause roared through the house. And then they came out together from the wings to thank the people in that packed theater- people who by now were their old friends.
The ovation, timed by a stop watch, lasted exactly 11 minutes and 28 seconds before Piper could make herself heard. She didn't have the slightest idea what she would say before she faced that crowd, but her words of simple gratitude set off another hurricane of applause. As for Tony, every time he opened his mouth, there were yells of approval, so he finally picked up Piper, in his arms, kissed her soundly , and raced off the stage. It's difficult for any reporter to try and effectively set down in words the reactions of two young people, who have worked hard in their profession, when they are suddenly confronted with the fact of their instantaneous success. Perhaps it's enough to say that all of the editors of MODERN SCREEN are proud that their "Bring a Star to Your Home" idea made it possible to record this big event. As for this particular reporter, he had coffee at six A.M. the next morning in the drug store across from the Brown-Palace Hotel with Piper.
She was tousled, sleepy, but game and ready to catch the plane for their next stop Terre Haute, Indiana. And even a hardened newsman, who has seen celebrities by the dozen, come and go, had to admit to himself that here was a really fine girl- somebody he'd like to have for a kid sister. But let's not get emotional- on to Terre Haute, where third prize winner, Mrs. Elizabeth Denehie, a veteran educator, welcomed our stars. "I've never met a more wonderful person in my life," Tony exclaimed, later. "Why everybody, from taxi drivers to bank presidents in Terre Haute, have learned English from Mrs. Denehie, and everybody in town loves her." Piper added fervently to that. "It's just like I keep repeating, Tony," she said. "These people we've been meeting didn't win the contest We really won it because we've had a chance to meet them!"
It would take a complete issue of MODERN SCREEN to fully relate the further adventures in detail. The entire party fell in love with Columbus, Ohio, prize winner, Donna Morrison, a high school sophomore. And then came teh climactic last visit to the home town of Miss Clara Hobbs of Charlotte, North Carolina. "We had a great beginning, on this trip," Tony said. "And like a successful play, a second act, that didn't sag in the middle, but we never expected such a whirlwind finish. That Clara Hobbs! Piper and I just grabbed her and put her in the act. She was terrific! "You know, it was our first trip into the South. And when we heard Miss Hobbs talk, we couldn't believe it. I'm not polishing an apple when I say everybody was so wonderful it was hard to believe. We made a radio transcription togeher. Then, when we got together later at the hotel and played it back, out came that same, rich, wonderful, slow Southern voice. And Miss Hobbs, her eyes opened real wide, said "Who- is that me- bless me, Ah din no Ah had such uh Sothrn accent!"
When Piper and Tony left for teh airport that day, they were followed by a 20-car escort of cheering fans. And just before their plane took off, Tony grabbed pretty little Miss Hobbs and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. "That did it!" said Miss Hobbs and acted as if she were fainting dead away. And as we go to press, MODERN SCREEN adds to its archives, the following telegram: MR. CHARLES SAXON, MODERN SCREEN, 261 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CIY. DEAR CHUCK. WE'VE OFTEN HEARD THAT MOST OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WOULD LOVED TO VISIT HOLLYWOOD AND GET A PASS TO SEE THE MOVIE STARS. WE THINK THAT"S SILLY. AFTER WHAT WE'VE JUST BEEN THROUGH, WE THINK THAT MOVIE STARS SHOULD TRY TO USE THEIR INFLUENCE, IF ANY WHATEVER, TO GET A PASS TO SEE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, LOVE AND IF WE'VE LEFT ANY LAUNDRY BILLS IN DENVER, COLUMBUS, TERRE HAUTE, OR ATLANTA, JUST CHARGE THEM TO MODERN SCREEN.
PIPER AND TONY
The End.

The article is accompanied by many black and white photos with the following captions:
Tony and Piper left L.A. at 7:15 A.M.; were met at the Denver, Colorado, airport by first prize winner, Mrs. Alice Bakert, KLZ annoucer, Matt McEniry, interviewed them; Crowds of eager Denverites, including a contingent of wounded Korean war veterans, were on hand to greet the young stars. They drove into Denver with a 50-car party.; Before the gala premiere of The Prince Who Was a Thief, Mrs. Bankert gave a dinner for Tony and Piper. Neighbors jammed her house until the walls bulged. Denver's Dale Morgan was on hand to describe events for the radio audience; AN ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE GAVE TONY AND PIPER AN 11-MINUTE OVATION AFTER THE PREMIERE. TONY HAD TO CARRY PIPER OFFSTAGE.; Denver's most outstanding high school journalists got a special close-up of Tony and Piper and a chance to interview them at a banquet held for teh stars on the third day of their Denver visit; Piper was selected as Miss Flame Thrower of 1951 by the Headquarters, Colorado Millitary District.; Tony throws flames in an entirely different manner. The heat was terrific when he got together with his fan club in Denver. They really poured it on.; In cooperation with the Denver Post, the Pepsi-Cola company gave a big party for Piper and Tony at their new Pepsi plant.; GOVERNOR DAN THORNTON SHOWED PIPER AND TONY THE MAGNIFICENT VIEW FROM THE CAPITOL. "THE CITY IS AT YOUR FEET," HE TOLD THEM.; The prize was a $25 bond and teen-ager Georgia Laudermilk won a kiss from Tony too, for her letter about the Post party.; "And promenade all!" The Rocky Mountain motion picture exhibitors and their wives held a square dance for Piper and Tony at the Variety Club.; "So who's a square now?" shouts Piper as she whisks merrily around the floor at the Variety Club dance.; Piper and Tony visited Korean veterans at Fitzimmons General Hospital. Tony, once hospitalized himself, said "I wish each parent could see the way his sons are treated here."; "Nothing like a day with your fans," says Tony. The lipstick's not bad- but it looked better on the girls. And how am I going to explain losing those cuff-links to Janet Leigh?"; SECOND STOP: TERRE HAUTE, IND. Mrs. Elizabeth Denebie, beloved English teacher of Terre Haute, didn't care whether school kept or not the evening she entertained Piper and Tony at dinner in the Terre Haute House (above). Tony hated to tell her goodbye. "I've never met a more wonderful person in my life," he said. "Why, everybody loves her." "Including me," said Piper.; THIRD STOP: COLUMBUS, OHIO Two pretty ladies shake hands, as Donna Morrison proudly introduces Piper and Tony to her family (above). Not only Donna's sophomore class, but practically the whole high school turned out when Tony and Piper offered to sign all the autographs anybody wanted. Tony got cornered against one window- while Piper and Donna were surrounded on the other side of the lawn.; FOURTH STOP: CHARLOTTE, N.C. Tony said, "It sure is true what they say about the South. Never had such a warm welcome as from Clara Hobbs and her family in Charlotte (right). Clara joined the stars on WAYS broadcast with Gladys Lawton and Lindsay Brooks (above). Her deep soth'n accent surprised her when she heard a playback. It tickled Tony, and Piper went around enjoying it for days.