John and Yoko Are a Hit (1971)

 

John and Yoko are a Hit

From Women's Wear Daily 

The Houston Post

May 31, 1971

    There was a private party in Cannes for French director Louis Malle, but John Lennon and Yoko Ono showed up and stole most of the spotlight. Malle's new film, Le Souffle au Coeur, was the big flick of the day at the festival.

     But when John and Yoko walked in, he was nearly lost in the rush of photographers. John's 16-minute short feature, Apotheosis, and Yoko's The Fly were shown later in the evening, and the couple was promoting them. 

    John, not one to be shy about finances, wore a big placard around his neck advertising their book, Grapefruit. Yoko looked a bit plump in a very tight black hot pants with a black turtleneck and boots. She hid behind her huge brown shades, and John peered out with his best bored expression from behind his yellow granny glasses. He was regally attired in faded blue jeans and jacket. 

    He, Yoko, and Malle talked while the cameras clicked. About half the crowd were young students and journalists dressed in scruffy hippie garb, while the establishment crowd showed up in dinner clothes. Buck Henry, promoting the official American entry in which he stars, Taking Off, was in his navy blazer with a red lining and his new reddish beard. The ubiquitous Rex Reed wore little blue sneakers, a red-and-white bandanna shirt, and his shoulder bag.

     Some little French urchin girls sneaked past the guard and wandered through the crowd, selling plastic dolls for a franc. They crushed barefoot over broken wine glasses without a change of tired expression. 

    Jenne Moreau was nearly mobbed when she arrived in a red Citroen to call for her old friend Malle. She stepped out on the boulevard in a long, brightly flowered dress, and the delighted crowd rushed toward her. The police got her and Malle safely into the car and away, along with Yoko and John, while the crowd finished off the free wine and food.