Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-15


In other words there is more Holly
wood-as millions of fans think of Hollywood
and residents themselves would like to think
of the film capital
There was a time when the name Holly
wood" meant everything that is make believe
gayety drea MS fame fortune and continual
round of pleasure. But today Hollywood is an
industrial center Just Pittsburgh and Bir-
mingham industrial centers
The glemcur which made Hollywood
the most talked-of city in America has passed
away. Business and business principles now
govern the movie village. Hollywood Boulevard
once famed for its continual parade of stars
now resembles the business section of any
other city. Tall Office buildings, banks, stores
OF all kinds hotels and restaurants now line
this street where Fords have replaced Rolls
RoyceS.
And the city's population, once composed
largely of those whose names glittered brilliantly
in electric lights, consists to great extent
of unknown (to the world at large) employees
of these business firms well as of the gigantic
film factories.
The celebrities have moved QUITO Beverly
Hills, Brentwood, Toluca Lake, Westwood and
other nearby communities Hollywood is the
home of the stars in rame only
THE mammoth motion picture studios, once
the Fairgrounds of many, have been turned
into factories where pictures are turned out
much in the same manner that Henry Ford
turns out his automobiles, except that the film
bosses use three four different patterns in
stead OF
Actors and actresses no longer play in a
picture-they work in it Players now mean
the same thing to a production that the sound
apparatus doee-they are pieces of machinery.
1t is not rare sight at any gatherings of the
movie clan to see few of the old-timers
huddled together in a corner discussing the
Hollywood they knew five, ten or fifteen years
ago. 1t was different in those days. In fact,
the last IL months have brought about a
marked change
One of the most garing differences brought
about by this new era is the passing Of the
brilliant premiere. Sid Grammar, known as the
outstanding Snowman in the West introduced
the premiere to Hollywood nearly 10 years ago
when he opened the Egyptian Theater. That
was the beginning of spectacles that have be-
closely linked with Hollywood the
studios.
Many stories could be told about Holly
woods premieres Never were there less than
500 spectators milling about the entrance to a
theater on an opening night. More often the
crowd would number between 5000 and 10000,
and it has reached the 100000 mark.
Even in a downpour of rain which is not
the least unusual during certain months, fully
500 curious movie fans would be huddled
together outside the theater to see their
favorite stars pass. And there was a time
when the stars didn't disappoint them. Re-
CARELESS, of weather, they arrived in all their
glory-the women beautifully dressed the men
well groomed. They were show people and
they put show
CO big and so consistent were the crowds of
- spectators, who had no intention of going
into the theater, that the Carthay Circle
Theater erected temporary grandstands from
which the movie parade could be viewed more
advantageously. But the throng always ex-
ceeded the stands seating capacity
knowing this some folk brought ladders,
chairs, boxes-anything to stand upon so as to
get better view of all activities. Small boys
reaped harvests at each opening by selling
empty boxes upon which to stand, for IS or SO
cents Nor did any fortunate enough TO
rent one of these boxes consider himself robbed.
The peak in premereS was reached about a
year and half ago when "Hells Angels"
opened at Graumans Chinese Theater APP
proximately 100000 persons lined Hollywood
boulevard from Vine street to the theater, .
distance Of nearly mile, on that night. Am