::: George Christy ::: From the Beverly Hills Courier

A band of trumpeting mariachi musicians greeted the 250 invitation-only guests alighting from their luxurious cars onto the yellow carpet, and Fred Hayman, the Grand Seigneur of Beverly Hills, and his wife Betty Endo, arrived in his Rolls-Royce to celebrate his 82nd birthday evening hosted by his beloved city, the city with those two golden words: Beverly Hills. A night richly deserving for a pioneering tastemaker, who modestly pooh-poohs his accomplishments -- not only Californians but prominent global leaders, from Gucci to Hermes in the fashion industry, acknowledge Fred as establishing Rodeo Drive as the magnet for shoppers from around the world, and many other achievements. After immigrating at 16 to the U.S. from his native Switzerland, Fred soon became the food and beverage chief for the now-gone Ambassador Hotel, followed by the Beverly Hilton, upgrading their kitchens and service. And it was Fred who envisioned the glamour of Rodeo Drive, where he opened his infamous GiorgioÕs with its bright yellow awnings (the color becoming his signature) with his primordial concept of a champagne, booze and espresso bar, along with a pool table to entertain men accompanying ladies on shopping forays. And shop they did, time and again, with Fred, born to the purple of retailing, choosing the best of the European and American collections and accessories and guiding his posh clients and celebrities, men and women, onto best-dressed lists. From the Sinatras to Joan Collins, Danielle Steel to Jacqueline Bisset, they were jazzed on the high style that Fred brought into their lives. ÒI canÕt tell you how many marriages he saved, but he always knew what our wives wanted for birthdays and holidays,Ó commented George Schlatter. ÒHe was Santa Claus!Ó He and his then wife Gale created the blockbuster GiorgioÕs fragrance, with a blockbuster party on Ð where else? Ð Rodeo Drive, and he later created the 273 fragrance, another bestseller. As fashion coordinator for numerous Oscarcasts, it was Fred who initially invited designers to dress the stars Ð Òit wasnÕt easy then, todayÕs another story.Ó Yes, he rightfully changed the storeÕs name to Fred Hayman, and today Vuitton leases the valuable space. With the arrangements of yellow roses and yellow table linens, you imagined you were in a California garden party with the black-tie birthday soiree in the open air on Dayton Way attracting the beau monde of Beverly Hills (would that we had space to mention all). Impresario George Schlatter served as master of ceremonies, recalling what Fred has done for the cultural community, especially with the Los Angeles Opera, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Fashion Institute and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in the Beverly Hills Post Office location. The Los Angeles Gospel Choir directed by Eddie Kendricks followed, then lyricist Hal David sang the special lyrics he wrote to his collaborator Burt BacharachÕs music for Close to You, with the refrain: ÒThis is why everyone in town follows him all around/Just like me/They long to say Thank You, Fred.Ó A Robert Graham sculpture, Angel in Flight, was presented to Fred (it was Fred who commissioned the Graham torso that brightens Rodeo Drive), FredÕs sons Charlie, who flew in from Israel, and Robert championed Fred as a dad, and daughter Nicole was acknowledged. Merv Griffin recalled how Fred employed visionary marketing strategy by flying in folks from Gucci and Hermes and other exclusive brands to appear on MervÕs television show that drew huge ratings, and sitting at the piano, Merv sang IsnÕt It Romantic, noting that in two months he, too, will be 82. And then the Beverly Hills City Council and Mayor Jimmy Delshad announced that the walkway where the Grill is located will now and forever be named Fred Hayman Place. The Grill served fresh seafood during drinks, the BelvedereÕs chef Sean Hardy prepared the starters of FredÕs favorite dish of Osetra caviar dolloped on a baked potato, along with a delicious lobster salad, Wolfgang Puck served the main course of Waygu beef and short ribs, and SpagoÕs Sherry Yard dazzled all with her chocolate creation. Garbed in those classic Fred Hayman yellow sweat shirts, Ali KasikciÕs Peninsula staff was outstanding (we lucked into the cheerful 16-year Belvedere veteran Willie Ongpauko as our server), and the nightÕs surprise was Placido Domingo suddenly appearing out of the shadows and singing Happy Birthday as an Eiffel Tower of a birthday cake was wheeled in. We want to thank the Monsignor Strings octet that played nonstop for two hours during the dinner service, and hats off to Katy Sweet, longtime friend and P.R. for Fred, Ali Kasikci and former mayor Vicki Reynolds for masterminding an evening that will be long remembered. Peripatetic that they are, Fred and Betty are off on a five-week sojourn to Europe Ð London, Paris for the couture collections, and in July to Wolfgang PuckÕs wedding to Gelila Assefa on Capri Island. In a later column, weÕll reveal FredÕs favorite restaurant in the world. ÒBoth my mother and father -- and my grandmother and grandfather -- were school teachers.Ó Warren Beatty was offering a heartfelt paean to his family for their commitment to education. ÒAnd my parents and I lived in a $7,500 house, four of us, that is, had one bathroom, and remember this included Shirley MacLaine!Ó Warren Beatty was speaking during the 4th annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation gala at the Beverly Hilton where he and Annette Bening were honored, as were impresario and Emmy-winning producer George Schlatter and KinkoÕs Natalie and Paul Orfalea. All are passionate advocates of stem cell research which will benefit not only diabetes but ParkinsonÕs and Alzheimer diseases Ð Òthis will be as powerful in its technology as gene-splicing was during the Õ70s, and federal policy and support are mandatory,Ó insisted Annette Bening. More than 2l million Americans have diabetes, with 6.2 million undiagnosed, and 104 million people afflicted worldwide. A new case is diagnosed every 30 seconds. Uplifting news is that CaliforniaÕs allotted $3 billion for stem cell research thatÕs anticipated to create miraculous cures. Warren, referring to Annette as Òmy superior half,Ó and Annette were introduced by Shawn and Larry King, with Warren noting that he and Larry are comrades in arms Òwith our belated fatherhoods.Ó (He and Annette are parents of four youngsters.) Roundly applauded was Emmy-winning George Schlatter, whoÕs given us the unforgettable Rowan & MartinÕs Laugh In and scores of comedy shows, as well as producing gazillions of charity events that include the Carousel Ball and George W. BushÕs inaugurations. George has worked with the best and the brightest, including Frank Sinatra and is possibly the only producer who told Frank, ÒCan we take that number again, please?Ó He riveted the crowd with his humor (including a raunchy joke or two), memorable recollections, and bowed to his adored wife Jolene, who heÕd met in Las Vegas. Video clips, mirroring his life and zest for showbusiness, revealed he was born in Birmingham, Alabama, relocated with family to Webster Groves, Missouri, and was an early defender of civil rights. He was introduced by daughter Maria, whoÕs producing a Dr. Seuss musical on Broadway next year, and she nodded to her sister A. J. (Andrea Justine) and husband Kevin Flynn. This week, Liz Smith reported that the indefatigable George, along with HarrodÕs billionaire Mohammad al-Fayed, who owns the Ritz Hotel in Paris, and Conroy Kanter are Òdreaming upÓ a reality series about soccer with Soccerex.