Radio mirror (May-Oct 1936)

RADIO M IRROR "this is your house" conforming to an old Spanish custom, she means just that. Even distinguished guests like to be themselves once in a while. Just recently Lady Mendl, wife of Sir Charles Mendl, of the British Embassy, was Mary Pickford's house guest. For almost a week they hardly saw one another. Both were busy. Both let t notes telling where they could be _ reached, but neither imposed on the other's time. Famous people know, when they stop at Pickfair, that they are in no danger of being paraded by their hostess. Mary Pickford has no social debts to pay by inflicting show off parties on her guests. They do what they like while they're at Pickfair— and they usually like it. Lady Millicent 1 1 awes, who has been a guest at Pickfair with her noble husband, the Duke of Sutherland, once stayed eight weeks. Lady Millicent was probably the most beautiful woman ever to stay at Pickfair. She confessed to Mary that she had never been a guest at anyone's home for longer than two weeks before. But at Pickfair, she felt so at home that thoughts of leaving seemed entirely out of place. That's pretty much of a tribute to Mary Pickford's talents as a hostess. If there's any secret to it, it's simply consideration of her guests, making them feel at home, helping them do the things they want to do and see the things they want to see. WTSUALLY she tries to find out what U they like before they arrive. Pickfair has a cosmopolitan menu, and a cosmopolitan servant staff. From butler to gardener, Hungary, France, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Japan, Russia, Germany and England are represented. Stored away somewhere at Pickfair are two hard — very hard — beds, mute witnesses to Mary Pickford's thoughtfulness. No one has used them except the mother and father of the former Queen of Siam. They were built especially for their visit. In Siam, it seems, soft beds are out of the question. It's too hot. So Mary, to please her royal visitors, had the board numbers constructed. Entertainment for Pickfair's guests is always a small problem. Practically every noted foreigner who has checked in at Pickfair has had the same idea of entertainment—seeing Hollywood and meeting his favorite star. Mary has learned that seldom are _ they interested in meeting other local titles. Prince William of Sweden asked timidly if it would be possible for him to meet Will Rogers. It was. The prince was very concerned because Mona Mortensen, a home girl from Sweden, hadn't had much to do in the movies. Mrs. Calvin Coolidge wanted all the latest facts about the Harold Lloyd babies. The then Prince and Princess Prajadhipok of Siam, who later became the absolute rulers of that Oriental realm, surprised Mary by being much more up on their Hollywood than she was. They knew all the latest news and gossip and, to her dismay, expected her to top it all. Prince Prajadhipok, divine and untouchable in his own land, was a zealous modern, and his favorite country was America. His two sons were past masters at American slang. Like many another visitor to Pickfair. the Oriental potentate was initiated into the game which has been a trademark of the place for years — "Doug" — practically the same thing as badminton. And in the fury of one match, the princess took a tumble and tore her clothes. Mary had to lend her a dress and stockings until new ones could arrive. The royal Siamese couple never forgot art. ''What! Go to bed? . . . Well, that's a dirty trick! We let you get us dressed up, and we did stunts for your old company . . . and now your dinner's ready, you pack us off to bed!" "We won't lie down and go to sleep! ISot one eye will we close all night long . . . you'll see how much noise twins can make! Our feelings are hurt— and we're prickly and cross!" 'Ah-h . . . ! She's getting the Johnson's Baby Powder! (Good teamwork, eh?) When we get rubbed with that silky-slick powder, we'll purr like kittens. Mother— ive forgive you!" "I'm Johnson's Baby Poivder—the comfort and joy of millions of babies, because I soothe away prickly heat and all the little chafes and irritations that make them cross. The talc I'm made of is the finest, rarest Italian kind— no gritty particles and no orrisroot. And I have three helpers in taking care of babies' skins— Johnson's Baby Soap, Baby Cream and Baby Oil. Try them, too!" A „ * » 59