To the Editor:
I am at work on a book about Bayonne’s own, actress Sandra Dee, who was born Alexandra Zuck to John and Mary (Cymboliak) in 1942. When Sandra’s parents divorced, Mary married businessman Eugene Douvan and changed Sandra’s last name from Zuck to Douvan.
Sandra and Mary later moved to New York City with Eugene, where the photogenic young girl was discovered and became an overnight teen model, debuting on the cover of The American Girl, a magazine for Girl Scouts in 1955. Sandra’s modeling continued by appearing in advertising for Lipton Tea and Ivory Soap, and began working in television appearing on The Vaughn Monroe Show, Coke Time with Eddie Fisher, The G.E. Theater, hosted by Ronald Reagan, and Studio One during the “Golden Age of Television.”
In September 1956, Eugene died during heart surgery. A week after his death, Sandra’s modeling agency sent her on a casting call to audition for Hollywood producer, Ross Hunter. Sandra was one of 200 girls who auditioned for the role in Universal Picture’s upcoming film, The Restless Years. Hunter chose Sandra and brought her to Hollywood for a screen test. The studio liked what they saw and signed her on as their resident ingénue. Sandra Douvan officially became “Sandra Dee” and made her first film, Until They Sail, released in 1957 with Jean Simmons and Paul Newman.
On March 22, 1960, the now popular movie star returned to Bayonne, which was declared “Sandra Dee Day” by the mayor. It was a huge event as school children and fans flocked to get a glimpse of the girl from their hometown who appeared in person on stage at the DeWitt theater on 25th Street and Broadway. Sandra posed for photos for school and city officials along with her grandmother, grandfather and great grandfather who still lived in Bayonne. It was a happy but emotional time for Alexandra Zuck when she returned home.
During the filming of Come September in Italy Sandra met co-star Bobby Darin. They fell in love and on December 1, 1960, Sandra and Bobby made newspaper headlines around the world as she eloped with Bobby in Elizabeth, New Jersey at 3 in the morning.
I am looking to connect with Bayonne residents who knew Sandra or her family who would like to share their memories with me. My book, titled Sandra Dee & Me: A Historical Memoir, will be a loving tribute to this underrated and sometimes overlooked actress giving Sandra a well-earned place in Hollywood history. For more information, email georgecarpinone@aol.com.
GEORGE CARPINONE