Shirley MacLaine is in a new movie called “Bernie.” I was pretty sure it would be about my old man, who once lavished attention upon the actress. But, alas, the “Bernie” in this case is based on another true story, of a Texas mortician who murders Shirley's character. Besides, this “Bernie” is played by Jack Black and I wouldn't have picked him to play B.J. McQuaid.

Shirley MacLaine came to New Hampshire to support anti-war candidate George McGovern in the 1972 Presidential Primary. She was invited to a party at the Sheraton Wayfarer for the national press corps. She was an A-list celeb, so flash bulbs were popping as she came up to the reception desk to pick up her ticket.

My late mother-in-law was staffing that table and, no doubt to put Hollywood in its place, gave the actress a cool “Name, please?”

Having gained admittance to the bar, Shirley was swarmed by every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the joint. But she chose to sit in a booth with none other than B.J. McQ.

This was the year that President Nixon went to Red China, upsetting many conservatives. B.J. showed Shirley his new wrist watch, a gag item that featured Mao Tse-Tung and “Tricky Dick” dancing.

Next thing you know, Shirley was wearing the watch.

The following morning, I heard my father roaring from his bedroom.

“Where the hell is my watch?”

I reminded him of the previous night's party.

“Huh,” he said, “I think she took my lighter, too.”

The lighter's whereabouts were never determined, but Shirley did send a nice thank-you note.

“I want you to know how very much I appreciate the funny watch you gave me the other night,” her hand-written note read. “I've worn it every day since, and whenever I shake hands with somebody I get a big laugh!”

My father, now claiming to have remembered his gift-giving all along, responded.

“I so much enjoyed our conversation at the Correspondents Dinner in Manchester. Someone who listened in on us said that if he had had one more hour of your time, he could probably have persuaded you to support Sam Yorty instead of Senator McGovern.”

He enclosed a couple of photos, adding, “The man leaning over to be introduced to you is N.H. Attorney General Warren Rudman, who was indignant that the photographer did not get a more identifiable picture of him.”

I'm not sure where B.J. got that info, but he had his version of a Shirley MacLaine story, and I have mine.

Write to Joe McQuaid at publisher@unionleader.com.