Hands of Hollywood (1929)

Hands of Hollywood unwashed dishes to pile up in the sink while they pore over sensa' tional filth in the newspapers. The reputable "fan" magazines have capable representatives living in Hollywood who are in daily touch with the motion picture people; whereas the average newspaper writer has only sketchy knowledge of real conditions. When he writes, he draws upon his imagination. With heartbreaking frequency the newspapers run headlines such as: "HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS COMMITS SUICIDE" "MOTION PICTURE DIRECTOR SHOOTS actress" "WILD HOLLYWOOD CAFE ORGY ENDS IN TRAGEDY" But when the names of those involved are read, it is found that the suiciding actress was in reality some "floater" who worked two or three days as an extra before going back to the lunch counter or the department store from which she came; the motion picture director who shot the actress was some "hanger'On" who, ten years ago, directed a two-reeler on "Poverty Row," and the actress was someone who played as an extra in a mob scene of "THE BIRTH OF A NATION" or Bill Hart's first Western; the wild Hollywood cafe orgy in which someone was stabbed took place in a cheap restau' rant on the fringes of Hollywood, and the studio people involved were prizefighters and their friends who once worked in the fight scenes of pictures. Why do the newspapers write such headlines? Because the heading — waitress commits suicide — does not interest the public, but Hollywood actress commits suicide — ah! how the dear public will feast its eyes! Furthermore, nearly every petty crook, lowclass brawler, in' mate of a fortydollar a month love-nest, and cheap gin party dis' turber of the peace, when arrested, blandly gives his or her profession as "Pictures." They hope to receive transitory prestige and much publicity by this subterfuge. They do! And the public says: "My! those picture people — ain't they disgraceful! — no, Johnny, I can't mend your shirt tonight, I've got to finish this piece about the Hollywood scandal." [104]