Screenland (Jan–Jun 1948)

Cobina Wright found Diana Lynn, at left above, at the canape table sam , pling a delicious new mushroom dish, described in this article. Diana confides she doesn't plan to marry wealthy young oil man, Bob Neal, ( pictured with her) or anybody else right now. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wanger (Joan Bennett) at right above, sent a note of welcome wrapped around a bottle of champagne to Gene Tierney, center, one informal evening. Hollywood's social circle isn't the vicious circle it is sometimes reported, says Mrs._ Wright, who knows. The distinguished social leader takes you readers along on a gay round of the most amusing parties of the month, and also graciously offers to consider any questions you may care to ask her concerning the colorful, ever-changing Hollywood social scene, from charades to canapes. Inside Hollywood's Social Circle Bv Cobina Wright GOING, going, gone! No, that's not a swan song for the old year, but the cry of auctioneer George Murphy as he called for bidders at the fabulous fashion auction and party held at Harold' Lloyd's beautiful Beverly Hills estate. It was probably the most glamorous auction ever held, and movie celebrities and socialites gladly paid $250 for a hat, $300 for a bathing suit and $8500 for a dinner gown, because the proceeds all went to the building fund for the Nursery School for Visually Handicapped Children. Harold Lloyd turned his whole house and grounds over for the event, and I have never seen any place more beautifully decorated, with great garlands of white flowers stretching overhead and white satin-covered tables dotting the lawn. George Murphy was chairman of the auctioneers and he had a really enthusiastic group of assistant spotters in Spen cer Tracy, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Brian Aherne, Lee Bowman, Buddy Rogers and Walter Wanger. They all got a terrific charge out of it and kept the bidding going at a fast and furious pace. I couldn't help laughing at Spencer Tracy because he pretended not to hear, if he thought a bid was too low, and Lee Bowman almost lost his voice trying to shout out the highest bid. Louis B. Mayer paid $1000 for a brown crepe evening gown modelled by Esther Williams, who really has the figure to sell any dress. Suddenly Esther startled everyone by saying, "I'll make immediate delivery of the dress!" She unzipped and — there she was in a striking two-piece gold lame bathing suit, which Ted Briskin immediately bought for his wife, Betty Hutton. Betty, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra and Dick Haymes helped to keep the interludes gay by singing for the generous-spirited guests, d. when the refreshments were serve When the auction was resumed I found Kay Kyser paying $2000 for a Hattie Carnegie gown, and Mike Romanoff bidding $1500 for a Carrie Munn gown which was being modelled by lovely Frances (Mrs. Edgar) Bergen. To add to all the brilliance, over a million dollars worth of diamonds were loaned to wear as accessories with the dresses. I think the most amusing thing was to find that Spencer Tracy became so enthusiastic that he found himself owner of a very feathered John-Fredericks hat which set him back $250 and which George Murphy made him wear the rest of the afternoon! It was truly a delightfully different affair and one which netted this worthy cause a very substantial sum. That evening many of the guests appeared for the rollicking party for the visiting Larry Rockefellers, which Polly and Leonard (Please turn to page 62) 42