Aaron Tracy

Neil has recently co-starred with Cooper in two movies, almost back to back.

Neil was 21.

Cooper was 46.

It's possible you're having trouble picturing Cooper right now.

Very few of his movies are still talked about today.

Mostly, it's his heroic sheriff in High Noon who refuses to run away from trouble.

But back in mid-century America, Gary Cooper was it.

Cooper is nominated for the Best Actor Oscar five times.

That's the same number as Tom Hanks and Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

Cooper wins twice.

He's also just about the most stylish man in Hollywood, an observation immortalized by Irving Berlin when he revised his song, Puttin' on the Ritz.

Billy Wilder, who once directed Cooper opposite Audrey Hepburn, says, Cooper was the most elegant man that ever lived.

Neil was completely over the top in love with him, despite his being more than twice her age.

And, oh yeah, there was one other problem.

Here's Neil explaining to Arlene Herson again.

A giant understatement.

The relationship nearly kills Neal.

When it ends, she actually asks a friend how to commit suicide.

This is when she meets Roald Dahl.

He can see how tormented she is.