“Travel writer attends party saluting hotel”
The Milwaukee Sentinel – May 23, 1980
By: Joseph G. Boyd
In addition to his considerable reputation as a comedy star of movies, TV and the theater, Danny Kaye is famous for his interest in the world’s children and for raising UNICEF funds to help needy children.
In view of that ex officio role as ambassador to the young, how does he get along with his own kid?
The question was put to Dena Kaye at a recent cocktail party saluting the Marc Plaza Hotel as the newest member of the Preferred Hotels Association.
“Well,” said Miss Kaye, a blond, slim and attractive journalist, “I’ve lived in the same house with him for 30 years, so I guess you could say that we get along. Actually, he’s great!”
Miss Kaye, who has written travel articles for “all of the women’s books,” was at the party promoting her new travel book for women, “The Traveling Woman” (Doubleday & Company, Inc.). The Marc Plaza will place copies of it in the rooms of special women guests.
“But there’s a lot in it for men, too,” Dena explained. “The book was written on commission for the Literary Guild, beamed at women, but a lot of things in it affect everyone.”
The book is helpful for any woman venturing forth without a male traveling companion. The book “sort of walks her through the routines of airline terminals and hotels and restaurants,” Dena said. It has seemly advice for a woman who would like to order a drink without being mistaken for a hooker.
One incidental tip Dena gave was inspection before registration. “Ask to see your room before you check in,” she advised. “That’s the time to ask for changes. And don’t be afraid to ask. People are there to help you, but it’s a professional service. You have to ask, and you can do it in a pleasant way.”
Ben Marcus, chairman of the board of the Marcus Corp., owners of the Marc Plaza, joined Dena’s group. “Did you know Danny visited Usinger’s when he was here?” he asked.
Danny Kaye, according to his daughter, is into making his own sausages. His interest in Usinger’s sausages, she said, is in line with his “interest in anything local that’s good wherever he goes.”
Her book, Dena said with satisfaction, went over well with Danny Kaye and with her mother, writer Sylvia Fine. “He said that it was a great book for men, and she said that it read like a novel; she couldn’t put it down. That’s pretty good, coming from dear old Ma.”