Star-dust in Hollywood (1930)

Hollywood — First 'Days on the 3fovie Lot statement: "Whatever you want you can't do it. I've seen dozens of your sort before. Don't think you are going to fool me into letting you past." On the red plush bench at one side sat two good-looking girls, their faces already a little drawn with holding up the expectant expression, their silk-sheened legs primly parallel with muted anxiety. The one-headed Cerberus scowled at our friend. " Wadjer want ?"he grunted ungraciously. " Mr Ornitz," said our friend distinctly. "Whadsay?" " Mr Ornitz. He's expecting me. My name is Brown, Lewis Brown." "Wad name?" " Lewis Brown." Reluctantly the youth picked up a telephone. " Thad Mr Ornitz ? Somebody named Brown . . . says you . . . Oh ! All right, then." Grudgingly he filled in three pink slips on which were printed in prominent letters : " Only valid for person indicated. Does not allow bearer on sets." He fumbled under the desk. A harsh buzzer clattered an accompaniment as the left-hand door slowly opened ; no chance of any sly dog slipping by that entrance unsuspectedly. No doubt, in view of the unsnubbable impudence of the genuine go-getter or journalist, the studios had been obliged to erect such defences. The two girls watched us enviously through the magic portal. Each time we passed, as we did often in the future, one or two persons were usually waiting thus, girls who had met some employe at a party, men with portfolios or rolls of paper. Each day there were a few trying by some excuse to slip through that buzzing door, trying to break into the movie lot, convinced that fame and fortune awaited them on the other side. That sleek young [69]