Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1939)

Young Fry Society (Continued from page 24) "Billy Halop," says Leo proudly, "is a born social leader. Now me, I couldn't qualify 'cause I used to be a plumber's assistant when I was a kid. "Anyhow. Billy seems to have more of that manly hero stuff at parties, like the one Miss Gale Page gave for us at La Conga after 'Crime School.' Billy got up and did a swell job master-of-ceremonying. But it's a funny thing about Billy, too. He can't keep a girl. Just too downright chivalrous. When he sees a pal admire his girl, he just naturally gives up. He 'gave up' Judy Garland to Bobby Jordan who admired her and he 'gave up' Alice Preston to Gabriel Dell when Gabriel fell for her. But he's still a grand leader and way out in front." There was a moment, an awful moment, when it seemed the dashing, black-haired Billy would have to relinquish his place of honor to blushing Bobby Jordan. It happened after a preview of a picture. Standing in the midst of the milling after-theater crowd, the car announcer called in a loud voice: "Miss Constance Bennett's car;" and then: "Mr. Bobby Jordan's car," amending it to, "Mr. Robert Jordan's car" and Bobby and Judy Garland stepped into the chauffeur-driven flivver and drove away. Nothing a member of the Dead Enders had ever done surpassed this moment. But Halop cinched his social leadership by instantly purchasing a hemorrhage-colored car that flashed before the astounded eyes of the natives for all the world like a tomato surprise on wheels. Another factor in Bobby's favor as a leader is (and here's where boys elsewhere are liable to drop over) the fact that he still consults his mother concerning his dates — where he's going and with whom. Hollywood mamas dote on decorum; insist on it for their movie daughters. Bonita Granville, for instance, is not permitted to attend a dancing party in a night club, unchaperoned. Nor is Deanna Durbin or Georgiana Young, Loretta's youngest sister. Deanna may go dining with a young man, but no night dancing without mama or papa, or her director, Edward Ludwig. To be honest, the Young Fryers (except occasionally, as when Judy Garland sneaked out for a moment of deviltry at the Victor Hugo) seldom attend night spots unless in a large group. And at least one chaperon accompanies the group. Incidentally, there is little or no public rowdiness among the Young Fryers — an object lesson some of the oldsters could well copy in their rounds of gayety. EQUALLY loyal to their leader are the members of the Jackie Cooper group. A little more sedate, perhaps, than the Dead End socialites, Jackie leads the group that entertains at home parties. To this group belong Deanna Durbin, Marcia Mae Jones, Bonita Granville. Dick Morris (Wayne's kid brother) and Peggy Stuart. Jackie's latest romance. The proof of a good home party," says leader Cooper, "is, first of all. the eats. Deanna's parties are somethin' when it comes to food. Then, of course, there's music. Sometimes we have a real orchestra but most of the time we use the radio or victrola records." The rules and regulations governing dress among Young Fry parties would cause Emily Post many an anxious moment. For instance, formality is strictly taboo among the males, but the girls JULY, 1939 nearly always appear in floor-length dresses and fancy coiffures, with a corsage (tired, maybe, but still a corsage) pinned on the shoulder. The question of a new dress for each new party is a problem between mother and daughter and one we leave strictly to mother and daughter and the tears that are shed and the cries of, "Well, I simply can't wear that old blue taffeta again. Jackie Cooper must be sick of the sight of it and, anyway, Deanna had a new dress last time." NOW, what goes on at these home parties? Well, there's dancing and games and stuffing " 'til you just can't eat another bite — 'cept another sandwich and a piece of chocolate cake and more ice cream. And after that, not one more bite, except—" Charades and games called "Quotations" and "Cartoon" are played for a while, but their first and last love is dancing. Games are something to fill in with until dancing begins. "I've got to admit." says young Cooper, "that the Dead End kids are tops in dancing." When a large group party includes members of all social cliques, the undivided group stands by to admire the terpsichorean ability of Billy Halop's rhumba or Huntz Hall's 'waltzing. Leo is practically the only jitterbug in the group — and can he jitter! "But what about kissing games?" we asked a fifteen-year-old member of Cooper's little band. "Don't you play post office, for instance?" She drew herself up proudly. "Kissing was all right when we were fourteen." she said, "but we've certainly grown beyond that now. Besides, dancing is more dignified." It OT to be overlooked is that other band of Young Fryers, "The Little Tough Guys." who acknowledge as their leader good-looking Frankie Thomas, who vies with all other leaders for top billing. And don't think the struggle for supremacy isn't terrific. Just as the handsome football or basketball star may lead his own high school group in other towns, so do the biggest movie successes, such as Mickey Rooney. Billy Halop. Jackie Cooper and Frankie Thomas, lead their groups. But when these leaders start struggling for the top social rung, look out! Mickey scored with his organized football team and song writing. Jackie Cooper came back with a trump in his own orchestra in which he plays the trap drums. (Recently, the orchestra moved into the Victor Hugo for one glorious night.) Mickey came back at Jackie by beating them all at bowling and Frankie Thomas shows them all up by his prowess as a skater. After the Roller Bowl (a common meeting ground for all cliques, groups and clans), the high spot is Eaton's Drive-in-Stand on Fairfax and Wilshire Boulevard. With horns honking to summon the slack-clad waitresses, the Young Fryers sit in their cars, gorging on root beer, hot dogs and hamburgers with onions. "With onions" is the last -word in Elsa Maxwellish behavior with Young Fry Society in Hollywood. P. S. To prove that you just can't keep up with the Young Fryers . . . word comes, as we go to press, that Leo Gorcey will soon desert Young Fry Society to join the Young Married set with blond Catherine Marvis as his bride. <y?cce (mA& guard against body lovely p< >TS TSle^ES OIRT ^^^^^T^^ ot ^ro9' department ^^^r and ten-cent stores 73