What do Julie Andrews, Peter Gunn, the Mystery Writers of America, the bolero, and one rather large pink cat have in common? Hollywood director Blake Edwards, of course. Edwards is married to Andrews, ...

LOS ANGELES – Lesley Ann Warren knows a little something about geniuses. She worked with filmmakers Walt Disney and Blake Edwards during her career and saw first-hand why they got the moniker.

Edwards' stepfather, Jack McEdwards (the family name), was an assistant director, and his stepfather's father, J. Gordon Edwards, was a pioneering director of silent films. Though born in Tulsa, Okla.

Several weeks ago, when motion picture academy President Frank Pierson telephoned Blake Edwards with some "good news," the filmmaker said, "Wait -- tell Julie first." He handed the telephone to his ...