Rooney to be honored at Thalians ball

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Film, stage and TV star Mickey Rooney will be honored at the upcoming 54th annual Thalians Ball in Beverly Hills, Calif., organizers say.

Rooney will be given the Mr. Wonderful Award and gold statuette, designed by Walt Disney for the Thalians in the 1950s.

Expected to appear at the Nov. 1 charity event are Debbie Reynolds, Ruta Lee, Nancy Sinatra, Shirley Jones, Connie Stevens, Ann Blyth, Mitzi Gaynor and Terry Fator.

Reynolds and Lee will serve as hosts.

Other confirmed guests are Lou and Carla Ferrigno, Dick Van Patten, Alex Trebek, Gloria Allred, Barbie Benton, Tom Hallick, Betty Garrett, Carol Connors, Norm Crosby, Joan Van Ark, Ron Masak, Stella Stevens, Ann Rutherford, Marty Ingels, Terry Moore, Barbara Luna, Jack LaLanne, Elke Sommer and Gary Marshall.

The ball is to benefit the Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars-Sinai.