Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1938)

In a race-mad town, the new Hollywood Turf Club offers the last word in track luxury Cal York's Gossip of Hollywood (Continued jrom page 51) Gable's Private Club "WHERE did you get that hat?" The old cry is ringing around the M-G-M lot these days louder than ever since an assistant director, a wardrobe lad, a sound man, an electrician and a bit player all appeared one morning in bright straw hats with flaming hatbands. "Gable's cupboard," came a simultaneous answer from the five. There was an immediate stampede from all directions to the famous Gable clothes closet. You see, Clark is a collector of hats. Can't resist buying a half-dozen every time he hits a shop. One look in his studio mirror, however, convinces Clark the hats were never made for him and up on the shelf they go. Twice each year, when the shelf can hold no more, Clark simply sticks his head out the window and yells: "Come and get them!" and the rush is on. The lucky lads who wear his size haven't bought a hat since Gable became a star. Oh, about the initial C. G. inside. They merely explain that by calling themselves the "Chapeau Grabbers." What a club to belong to, eh? Behind the Rainer-Odets Divorce HOLLYWOOD was torn pro and con when the Rainer-Odets divorce made front-page news. Cal gives you a thumbnail sketch of both principals and you can draw your own conclusions. Louise: A girl, talented, nervous, unhappy over her career. A stay-at-home who likes to eat only when and if she's hungry. She seldom is. Shy, entertaining notions of genius at bay. A minor Garbo, hiding her face from her fellow workers in public — "No, no, don't speak to me off the set, please. Know me only as an artist." Odets: A Leftist politically, working at it feverishly. A man impatient with failure. A man shy of illness who doesn't visit sickbeds. A force — a voice crying out — a cause in spectacles. How could marriage win? Why Janet Sulked I HE thing that brings on that awkward pause in the romance of a Hollywood star is no different from your own little love spats. For instance, Hollywood wondered when Tyrone Power and Janet Gaynor were no longer seen in each other's company. It couldn't understand the sudden termination of a romance that had all the earmarks of being a true one — a lasting combination. But now, since the two have obviously made up their quarrel, the reason for the spat can be told. Janet was miffed at Tyrone's constant praise of the beauty and charm of the star of "Marie Antoinette," Norma Shearer. It seems even after the picture was finished Tyrone continued to sing the praises of the beautiful woman in whose picture he had played. Barbara Stanwyck, movie star and horsewoman, presents Jockey Basil James with a wellearned trophy on opening day Feeling Tyrone found her less desirable in contrast, Janet terminated the romance. An explanation on Tyrone's part soon brought them together again. Love, it seems, is the same the world over from Hollywood to Hicktown. Those Important Young People w ARNERS are just a mite worried over their giant baby star, Wayne Morris. It seems Wayne has been taking himself a bit big lately and none of his friends like it. "It's a case of a youngster rattling around in his importance," one lad explained. "Give the boy time. He'll soon grow up to his success." "No," another argued, "Wayne hasn't yet realized he's the luckiest guy in the world; that he accidentally possesses a grin that photographs like a million. When Wayne realizes that Lady Luck (and not genius and unusual talent) are responsible for his success, he'll grow humble and maybe a little scared. Then will begin the real career of Wayne Morris." At least, everyone holds out hope for the likeable kid who has achieved success just a bit too fast. Joan Bennett Facts: — I HERE are four puppies in Joan's new dog kennels which she started because of her love for blond cocker spaniels. By a series of elimination she has finally hit on "Bemeldi," a contraction of Bennett and the names of her two children, Melinda and Diddy, as a name for her kennels. Merle Oberon was her very first customer, buying the cutest of the puppies. Joan has thought out a fashion hint that should interest all blondes. "I've made the mistake for years," Joan says, "of dressing, more or less, in frilly clothes. Now I realize all blondes should dress in tailored clothes. The lightness of hair and skin becomes too pronounced in frills. It's tailor-mades for me from now on." Street Scene— Off Screen I HEY met just around the rather abrupt corner of Stage 5 on the M-G-M lot. They paused a moment and then spoke gently, eyes filled with blessings for each other. Lionel Barrymore and his former wife, Doris Rankin, now in Hollywood for pictures, looking back together, in one brief moment, over a long span of years to other times and other places. A Different View of Filmtown H OLLYWOOD is a condition existing in mind. One's opinion of the town all depends on whose thoughts, ideas, and intents one contacts. Take Ruby Keeler and you take Hollywood at its beautiful best. Ruby is one of that rare little band of people who would just as soon not act before a camera. Fate pushed her there and circumstances keep her there. Circumstances labeled love. Love of a girl for a family. In order that mother, brother, sister may have all the things Ruby, as Al Jolson's wife, has, she continues to act on, though acting makes her nervous and sometimes even frightens her. Oh, yes, Al Jolson would take all those responsibilities willingly, gladly, but you see Ruby loves Al, too, and feels it's her job, her problem, her privilege. And there, friends, is a glimpse of Hollywood through the right end of the telescope for a change. How do you like it? Glamour Is as Glamour Does— Maybe! Gene Raymond is stumped— but definitely. Crestfallen at his sudden comedown off the glamour bench. It came about this way. A fan from Warren, Pennsylvania, writes the blond star to ask Gene to contribute a bit of money to fatten up a pig for a Ladies' Aid raffle. "Dear Mr. Raymond," she writes. "I'd just love to be able to get up in meeting and say, 'Mr. Gene Raymond helped fatten my pig.' " To the hysterical amusement of his wife, Jeanette MacDonald, Gene is fit to be tied. Garbo Checks Up On Herself I HE cable was delivered to the publicity department at M-G-M Studio by a fresh young studio messenger, cap aslant and a smile on his face. "Don't tell me we're hearing from Garbo," he joked as he trotted off. "Boy, if he knew it really was from Garbo wouldn't he grin out of the other side of his face?" one publicist later asked another. For the cable was from Garbo, asking for a copy of the local trade paper that carried that startling ad that Garbo, Dietrich, Crawford, and a few others were poison at the box office. "Please send me a copy," the cable read. "I would see it for myself." Hollywood is beginning to believe the lady is not quite so indifferent as she seems. "Who knows?" a little stenographer grinned. "Maybe she'll even act human when she gets back. They usually do when they're jolted a good one." Good for a Chuckle HERE'S one "fish story" Charles Ruggles is soft pedalling. Seems that, while on location with the "Breaking The Ice" company, Ruggles decided to do a bit of fishing. So, equipped with some $31.00 worth of Izaak Walton odds and ends, he went back to the lovely lake where the company had been working and started to fish. Hours passed (in fact, the entire morning went by) — and suddenly Ruggles was filled with a terrible suspicion. So, taking off his shoes and socks, he started wading — and he kept on wading, all the way across the lake. Sad, but true — it was just another "prop" and Ruggles had been fishing all morning in about eight inches of water! Sam Goldwyn drops in for a hot tip from Mr. and Mrs. Chairman of the Board (the Jack Warners) 76 PHOTOPLAY