We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
Memory’s magic brings to life the lusty beginnings of the greatest show on earth
^ Clar
1: Baddy Rogers, Mary Piekford, director Sam Taylor. 2; Valentino, Natacha Rambova. 3 s Dixie Lee, Clara Bow. 4; Gloria Swanson. 5: Janet Gaynor in “Seventh Heaven.” 6: Pearl White. 7; Blanche Sweet.
Today, Hollywood, a crossroads of the world, is recognized as a Mecca, not only for screen-struck boys and girls, but for the greatest artists from many pursuits and many countries. Today, a world-wide press keeps 500 correspondents in Hollywood, and newspapers all over the United States and in Europe and Eastern capitals as well, carry a daily Hollywood date line.
What is the history of this Arabian Nights village? It lies not in commerce nor industry but in people. And so, by the same token, it is best told in stories; in Cinderella stories and some tragedies, in tales of lives dedicated to ruthless ambition and lives that, for love, counted a career and even the world well lost.
Ruth Waterbury, the author of “A Gay History of Hollywood,” has observed the scene of which she writes, down through many of its years. Her love and understanding of Hollywood and its people, enriched by her limitless research and Photoplay’s unique and rare photograph files, make this a story you will long remember.
The Editors
Hollywood . . . it’s a word familiar to the tongues of those who speak many languages and everywhere it is a symbol of romance . . . it’s headlines and stories of ambition and love.
If you are one of those who know only today’s Hollywood — if you know nothing of the fabulous lives of matinee idols, silent films or the great screen names of yesteryear you’ll discover on these pages a story as fascinating as the lure of the city itself. If you remember the days of the “nickelodeon” you’ll find delight in reminiscing.
Not many years ago, few people had ever heard of this little town that lies between Los Angeles and the sea. Retired Western farmers rocked on the porches of the little, California mission-type houses and on the piazza of the big Hollywood Hotel, overlooking the main street, now magical Hollywood Boulevard.
Then — ^for a fascinating series of reasons, a few men, interested in a new form of entertainment, decided to work there. Incredibly soon, Hollywood became a word that encircled the earth.
P
31