JUBILEES : ROMANCE RIGHT OUT OF THE MOVIES.

Byline: - Mary Vose

The 50th wedding anniversary of Roen and Johnny Pasternak was celebrated at a dinner party at Adriano's Ristorante in Bel-Air. The event, hosted by the couple's daughter Susan Pasternak and son-in-law Larry Picus of North Hollywood, was attended by more than 40 family members and friends.

Johnny, the youngest of 10 children, was born in a small town near Budapest, Hungary. In 1937, he came to the United States at the urging of his oldest brother, MGM's musical producer Joseph Pasternak. With Joe's help, Johnny became an assistant camerman, working on major studio feature films, and later, on television shows.

Roen, born in Chicago, moved with her family to Los Angeles as a teen-ager. She began working at MGM as a messenger, and later as a receptionist for producer Dore Schary.

In 1945, Joe, known for his knack in casting, spotted Roen at the studio, and, although he didn't know her name, smiled each time he saw her, saying: ``You're going to marry my brother.''

Johnny, introduced to Roen by Joe with, ``Here she is, meet your wife,'' knew his brother was right after their first date. Roen, however, needed a little more time - two dates.

For nearly two years, their dating had all the makings of a Hollywood movie: boy meets girl, boy dates girl, boy loses girl briefly, boy marries girl.

Johnny, an assistant cameraman for numerous television shows and movies, including ``Room 222,'' ``Doctor Dolittle,'' ``12 O'clock High'' and ``Ben Casey,'' retired in 1977.

In 1988, Roen retired as office manager for Vision Service Plan's Los Angeles regional office.

The Pasternaks, who live in West Los Angeles, enjoy spending time with friends and family members, including 4-year-old grandson Matthew Picus.

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Photo

Photo: Johnny Pasternak and his wife, Roen, met while working at MGM studios and married 50 years ago.