Variety (Feb 1930)

Wednesday, February 26, 1930 W O M E N' S PAGE VARIETY 57,. How Hollywood Lives By Cecelia Ager New Torkera, In Hollywood to break off a piece of that pleasant picture money, must amass nice- olzed nest eegs whether they want to or not. Trained by their asso- ciation with Manhattan to expect to pay heavy for Just the privilege of llvine, here they have no choice but to be thrifty, to join company •with the rishteous who contemplate a rainy day. They can't help them- selves; there's no way to spend here. Hollywood's a cruel town to those who are proud to be Broadway's playboys, who beam at Tex's "Hello Sucker," who go to hit shows only (most often musicals). The pas- toral life of this place has made no provision for the likes of them. No more is "going home" the straight forward process of riding 10 flights in an elevator. No more js "exercise" playing handball in an indoor club gym or dealing cards in the card room. Plunged into a new environment with no semblance to the old varied carefree days, no kindly hand Is raised to help them adjust themselves. There's no cure by tapering off for them. With no instruction they're thrown into these strange Hollywood waters. Let them sink or swim. Hollywood js so busy making pictures it doesn't notice. A $10 Night Try though they do to discover a ticket speculator with his heart Jii his work, all they can pay is 75 cents over box office. And box of- fice Is so slight as to make them ashamed to go Into the theatre. They have a guilty feeling about it. "What would the treasurers at Madison Square think of them if they knew that they were watching local boiita from ringside for $3. The Ambassador, Roosevelt, Bilt- niore, Montmartre. Gouvert charge $1. Maybe a little more special nights. Can they enjoy dancing •when it only costs a dollar and there's, room on the floor? They- who were grateful to the Club Rich- man for squeezing them in at $5.50, who knew the Mirador in its hey- day, and were often at the Lido. They, who 'long about two, would drop in to chuckle over the Schnoz- zles, and later find themselves slithering Harlem way? Now turned out from the local places where orchestras put away their saxo- phones at one (at midnight Satur- days), they can but hie themselves downtown to the Apex with a col- ored floor show, a spot so public it advertises orf billboards. Here a man goes out for a big evening and he's lucky If he can get rid of $10. There's no "selling"; he's got to take his own along, and even the water is. to be had at prices com- parable with drug stores. Easy Leasing Suppose he decides to settle down and rent a house. Does the land- lord demand a three-year lease? No, the old softy! If he's bold, he'll ask for six months. And for what the New Yorker paid for a bare apart- ment he gets a whole house fur- nished in the Hollywood manner with colored bathrooms and lots of ground and sometimes even a foun- tain with water lilies and frogs. If he is here on an option contract, that is irritating enough to mention months, he can live in a Hollywood apartment with modernistic furni- ture (which will undoubtedly be called a Chateau) and ignore the whole business of lease. His ten- ancy is welcome on a month to month basis. He wants to dine out, this no^v thoroughly discomfited New Yorker. .'V lot of good it will do him. He can go to the hotels again or to one of the three class restaurants, two in Hollywood, one in Los Angeles; none with that flair to help him make a ceremony of the pro- cedure. No place to make him feel ju.st an old bon vivant who knows sauces as he knows wines. No place to make him pay enough to capture that illusion. No place to make him dress up. No place where it's really most chic to be seen. All are satisfactory, no one to lift him from the-mob.-—• • Up Ealrly He can't stay out late nights, poor fellow, so he can't sleep late mornings. He's up because the sun is shining. Well, he might as well <lnd out about his golf. There he Irudges, getting healthier every minute, breathing air unmixed with the exhausts from taxis or soft roal smoke, but often fog laden and damp, acquiring a sunburn that looks just like those you get from sun-lamps, when by rights he ought to be sleeping it off. He knows better; he knows it's a strange way for him to behave, but what else can he do, knocking about here in this curious town that disregards everything he's been taught to re- spect. At least In the east it used to be something to belong; to a golf club. It gave one a classification It can't do that for htm in Holly- wood, where everybody belongs for a few hundred apiece. No Speaks In New York there were speaks to pat him on the back and make him a regular fellow. The rowdy ones of the forties if he was feeling hey-hey, the elegant ones of tlie fifties if he wanted to be cheerio for the nonce. He could depend on all of them to present him with checks to convince him he must have enjoyed himself. And the best Italian food in all the world was cooked in those fragrant places. Alas, there are- no speaks in Hollywood, no friendly meeting places with their unique method of addition that Is really multiplica- tion. If he wants spaghetti in Hollywood, he's got to take it straight, minus the chaser. No night clubs, no shows requir- ing a struggle for tickets, no speaks, nothing to be In the know about All the means he loves so well for being a big guy are closed to him. An Income that he himself can't be- lieve sometimes, and it's just hl.s luck to be here in Hollywood. He's dipping into the overflowing pockets of the picture capital, but he's got to stay here to collect. Always a catch somewhere! What's Needed An extravagant salary is a moans for doing extravagant things. What's 'the use of wearing out his brains for the picture industry's payroll if he can't at least get the recrea - tlon he xinderstands for his efforts. Plenty of time to»lead a simple life when he's 80; not now. The only chance he has to put himself right with his creed Is to-go out and buy the most magnificent automobile he van find. And that is why the Auto Show in Los >Angeles always sells its grandest cai-s first. That's why the boulevards of Hollywood are startling with such glorified speci- mens of the coach-builders art. A fellow has to have an outlet some- where. A flossy car can In some slight measure gratify his stifled love for flash. It's his lone,index to high living in Hollywood, until he discovers Agua Caliente. Or he goes too far overboard in the beginning depend- ing on expectation that never ar- rives. But the fellow who is fixed here can fix himself for later on if he has anything besides hair under his hat. •: .... Flaps TeD "Buddy" Hell Find His Love life in Newark-What, No Piccolo? Clothes and Clothes By Mollie Gray Riverside and Woman's Mind The Riverside, which changes Its policy as often as a woman does her mind, is back again to reserve seats and two-a-day. Now it has a fea- ture picture and vaudeville. "Hunt- ing Tigers In India" was warmly applauded "at Its conclusion. Nina De Silva carried all the fem- inine honors in a series of Spanish dances. Costumes pretty, those of the girls becoming flower-like be- cause the very full ruffles of the skirts were dyed deeper on the outer curves, lighter shades only showing when the ruffles spread. On one of Miss De Silva's lace costumes a similar effect was given, with the hem a deep red and spread upward into tongues of orange; Crystal bodice to hips. Her Oriental costume was a flowered lace skirt and' gold spangles in a dotted pattern. Un- der the spot Miss De Silva became purple and various strange things happened to the cost-ume. A variety of drops. After his speech of thanks Ri- cardo Cortez, Introduced from a box, Alma Rubens with many superla- tives and much enthusiasm. elled skirt had a cowl collar. On a black satin frock, coin dots covered the wide throw-scarf collar and part of the lower sleeve. Feature was so short an added Martinelll was necessary to make a two-hour show. More Collegians Harry Carroll's Revue accounted for the major portion of the 81st St. show. Despite the handicap of Mr. Carroll's A. W. O. L. vblcie (absent with old laryngitia) everything was well liked. Maxlne Lewis and Ed- die Bfiuce gave their usual substan- tial support. Maryland collegians bid fair to earn quality with the Callfornians and the Connecticut Yankees and the Pennsylvaniahs, etc. They're going to need encouragement, for evidently their leader Is a pessi- mist. All the boys wear black sus- penders, but he wears a belt as well. "Lilies" Rather Wilted The most constant woman on Broadway is Mme. Mark Strand, who has not changed her affections for 16 years. She still holds the world between her hands and gazes tenderly at the globe spinning: out its newsreels and such. "Lilies of the Field" must have .«!pent these passing years in arid soil. They are distinctly wilted now. Corinne Grif- fith is much better in her silent mo- ments, her voice being rather flat yet not without its fa.scination. Gowns, which ordinarily are Impor- tant items with this star, .seemed to lack distinction. One sa,tin gown drew mo.«it of the trailing length and fullne/s from a godet in the back of--.the- skirt.. Another. ..of darker color, used side trains from the nat- ural wai.st, a satin bow straddling the left shoulder. A chiffon gown, fitting much better around the hip.s, was worn under a light velvet wrap with what could have been .sable bordering the shoulder cape. Negli- gee of transparent velvet was charming with its lace gllet and overlapping folds on the very full .sleeves. Another gown with pan- Girl Musicians Jean Rankin and her Blue Belles, at the 58th Street, have a girls' band which rates among the best. Cos- tumes might have been a pretty blue instead of the green, consider- ing the billirig. These frocks were lined with yellow satin, both colors used in large bows at the hip, skirts dipping at that side. Strange that Chas. "Slim" TImblin should be permitted to continue his mocking burlesque of the Bible. Granted it gets laughs, it outrages the feelings of the greater nun^ber who don't laugh. Costumes Just Covering "The Enchanted Forest," at the Academy, covers a diversity of dancers, gypsy and adagio, a talent- ed violinist, and boy and girl singers. Costumes just so much covering. Casa and Lehn Girls make a good effort at comedy, and the Academy audience gave credit. Costumes pretty, too. Opening Is in sport coats, each a different color with matching tam, frocks in a lighter shade. A quartet of imitators wore fiuttery maline of a delicate pink shade over satin slips, fitted bodices lightly beaded, hemline all edges. A silk moire frock started at the shoulders a pale pink and developed into a rose shade at the pointed hem. These girls even dared to trifle with the dignity of the adagio to" highly amusing results. May Usher wore a black velvet gown which appeared a bit rusty. Made with lace yoke and double flounce at the hem, bodice bloused with narrow belt and jeweled buckle. James Barton had to wait for the customers to understand him, but when they did they were completely .satisfied. Frocks Frocks of flat silk crepe are very popular now. .Some at Franklin Simon's have elbow sleeves with ends tied in bows, batiste collar and cuffs and straight hem. One-piece model used a straight-front skirt, the fullness to the back, with small wing tabs giving a jabot effect to the bodice. Another had white silk collar and cuffs daintily fagotted. Still another with shouldor cape used a narrow collar and tie of con- trasting color sjlk, yoked skirt. In Best'.s, a flat crepe was made with" a tucked ' molded bodice .and lingerie frill. A quaint frock has puff \sleeves and detachable cape. G.aly.'tc (which is a fur, not an auto- mobile polish) is the capelike collar on a pretty coat. Printed taffeta evening frocks In Altman's are lovely colors, one very simple style having a tiny net yoke and .skirt very full below the snug hJpf:. Another puts the net at the Did You Know That Vivienne Segal has leased a Malibu Beach site from the Seemans and will build.. .many people complain that some of the song sequences in "Vaga- bond King" are too loud, that Tibbett technique of leaving the fader up...Ellen Dalossey, of the Metropolitan, is confined to her home with bronchitis... Ed Wy.nn was gracious to Ruth Etting (who jumped into "Sim- ple Simon" overnight) at the premier explaining to the au- dience how difilcult her assign- ment was, though that Uttle lady, was as calm as though she had been in the show for a year... Jack Whiting, like Rudy ValUi, is said to have sex appeal in his voice.. .Helen Menken is ravishing in a black lace and net gown worn with a large maline hat and lace parasol in "The Infinite Shoe- black",. .look out for motor- cycle cops on the road to New Haven.. .Lillian Sloane teaches most of the screen girls to Warble, and enjoys it.. .a song- stress in a breaking In musical has a chorus boy dress her... Ernestine Woolf is letting her . locks grbw... O. P. Heg^l^e is great in talkers.. .Russ l^own has been learning to hoof late- ly... Ginger Rogers has a shorter haircut, cute too... ...Charlie Morrison arrived from Hollywood unharmed... Polly Saxon has a new Frank- lin...it should not be against the law to strangle sales ladles who call you "Dearie.. .Philip Goodipan's in town... Madge Kennedy , Is developing her voice.. .Louis Shurr is still partial to blondes.. .Jean Dixon has the world's smallest wrists .. .Gertie MacDonald is another girl who should not be over- looked by the hosiery adver- tisements ... Harriett Hoctor seems to have reached perfec- tion in her Hunting Ballet... Dick Barthelmess Is the only First National star who owns a yacht. . .BilUe Dove used to ride a bicycle to work in the old Metro days ... Picture chorus girls wear less on the street than they do on the set .. .studio,' hairdresser gave a French poodle a marcel wave for scene in "Mile. Modiste", y. Rod La Rocque and Monte Blue, measuring six feet four, are the tallest leading men In pictures with William Beau- dine, tipping six feet two, the tallest director.. .Bill Goetz has more relatives in the picture business than any other as- sistant director. How can film stars keep from be- ing conceited? "Variety's" sobbie trailed a couple of girl fans to Buddy Rogers' dressing room in the Para- mount theatre. "We must ask him about .l>i.i love life," said the youngsters while fluffing their hair in the elevator mirror. "Oh, we'll ask him all sons of questions. I'm going to ask how he would react if I kissed him." With that they came to the Rog- ers' dressing room, and, giggling and gurgling, burst in upon Buddy. He was all slicked up, but acted sen- sibly. ■ "We think you're just wonderful," the girls cried. "Everybody in our high school is crazy about you. You have 'It'—and how!" the joung things added. "We had our for- tunes told today, and wished that we would see you, because you are the most wonderful lover." One of the girls took the floor and out-tatl# d the other. (_ "I am always the leading lady in the school play," said she. "The last thing I did was 'Merton of the Movies.' " ■ . ' •■ "I'd like to do that in pictures," said Buddy politely. "Well, I'm just a great leading lady, and, of course, I have always wanted to be an actress. How I would like to act with you." • Here the other one burst In: "What i have' wanted to know is how you would react If 1 kissed you." Mr. Rogers smiled limply. "And what Is your love life like,", the other girl cried. "I don't think I have any," .said Buddy. "Well, come over to New- ark and we'll find it for you," they said. The Piccolo "I also would like to know If you can play the piccolo?" one a.sked. Mr. Rogers shook his head. "Oh, you should. I Just love the piccolo. We want your picture, too. Can we give you our names?" "Certalhly. please do. I'll send you a picture." Paul Ash appeared. "I don't envy him a bit," he whispered after watching proceedings.' "Well, you know, you're wonderful, don't you. Buddy, and really we are crazy about you. Maybe we ought to go. But you have our names and don't forget the pictures." "Let me shake hands with you again. Buddy," said one youngster. "Well, then I must shake hands again, too," said the other. Reluct- antly they departed. "I guess we were pretty sensible for being so excited," they said go- ing down in the elevator. straight hem, with big bow at the waist in back where two narrow bands crossed inside the decolletage. And for the woman 'who refuses to be sold on the fluttering frocks, Stern's shows the other extreme— a mannish vest suit with padded shoulders, three patch pockets, notched lapels, candy-striped silk shirt and lining. In fact, everything but a big, black cigar. Daughter of the Cavalry Saved by the U. S. cavalry! "Troopers 3." There are a few laughs, but the entertainment and thrills are supplied by the horsemen of the 11th U. !3. cavalry troop. An enlarged .screen greatly adds to the effect. Of the "Troopers 3," Slim Summerville did all the actual rid- ing. Dorothy Gulliver wore frocks of the'simple style that the daugh- ter of the regiment or the army post or the naval base or the marine corps or the cav.ilry always wears. "Vagabond King" Spectacle "The Vagabond King" makes a groat spectaclo being produced on the grand scale and In excellent technicolor. But it is simply a spec- tacle. It arouses practically no heart interest;-. There.are. .splendid voices, both choral and solo, Jcanette Mac- Doijald and Dennis King doing nobly together. Miss MacDonald photographs ex- quisitely in the trailing velvets of that period. Empire gowns were designed for her'figure. Her hair photographs a reddish blond, and Is worn shoulder-lringfh, curled at the ends. Lillian Roth pl.-iycd^.the MARRIAGES Jane Thurston, daughter of How- ard Thurston, magician, to Harry Harris, non-pro, Feb. 22, in New- port, Ky. Groom Is the son of the late Senator John P. Harris. Cecelia Hoyt dcMllIe, daughter of Cecil B. deMille, to Francis Edgar Calvin, In Hollywood, Feb. 22. Ethlyne Clair, pictures, to Ernest Westmore, makeup artist. In Holly- wood, Feb. 21. June Harding, pictures, to Leon Baldwin Luscher, of Dorcmus & Co., New York, at Hollywood, Feb. 16. Alice Ilartt, Icgit, to Joe. Thomas, of vaude, Feb. 18 In New York. DIVORCES I..OUIS F. Wcrba's daughter, Mrs. I-.lllian Werba Crcange, has gone to Reno and brought suit for di- vorce, charging failure to provide. There are no children. Couple were married about four years airo. Judge Mitchell Erlanger, \mole -C MLss Werba, officiated at the wi-.i- dlng ceremony. girl who didn't win anything but the sympathy of the audience. She is entitled to all the acting honors. Girl ushers were arrayed in the rags 'of the' rabble jn the picture. Rakish hats at least are very be- coming. Ann Codee In Vltaphone's "Imag- ine My Emliarrassment" wore a fiowe.red <-hiffon negligee over her lace-trimmed nightgown. A few laugh.s wfrc doubly welcome on a most laughlcss bJU,