READERS ASK CLOSER

Q Was Ingrid Bergman the first choice to star in

For Whom the Bells Tolls?

A She was for author Ernest Hemingway, who wrote to her in her copy of the novel, “For Ingrid Bergman, who is the Maria of the story.” Producers, though, first tapped Vera Zorina for the 1943 adaptation, but after a few weeks on set she got sacked and Ingrid was brought on board.

Q Were Betty Grable’s gams really insured for a million bucks?

A No one’s pulling your leg! In fact, during her WWII pinup days, she was reported to have had them covered for a cool million — around $15 million today. The actress herself was only mildly impressed with her trademark limbs. “They are fine for pushing the foot pedals in my car,” she quipped.