Growing Older Staying Younger

Here former actress Faye ( Tin Pan Alley ; Alexander's Ragtime Band ), now 74, stresses the continuing importance of the pursuit of youth, or some semblance of it, during her sunset years. In bland recollections of her heyday in Hollywood, written with Kleiner (co-author with Jackie Cooper of Don't Shoot My Dog ), she praises the talents of colleagues (e.g., Rudy Vallee), displays modesty about her own achievements and claims no regrets at cutting short her movie career at age 30 for marriage and motherhood (``Like most women, I believe those years when my daughters were young and totally dependent on me were the happiest, most fulfilling years of my entire life''). She and Kleiner offer no magic formula for remaining young in body or mind, either via diet, exercise, preventive medical care or cosmetic maneuvers, but suggest that an active role in the world of work--such as Faye's speaking tours on behalf of a pharmaceutical company--is essential for all ``young elders.'' Photos not seen by PW. Major ad/promo; author tour. (Apr.)