The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-25
Styles Do
Change, But
Heart? No!
BY MINOTT
NEA Service Writer

PARIS, Teb. 25.-Standards of
beauty may change, methods OF So
ciety and fashions of dress may
change, but m ever will live for
love, in the opinion of La. Belle
Otero," the famous Spanish gypsy
girl who thirty years ago was the
toast of Monte Carlo and an en-
chantress who broke hearts and
men.
In the twilight Of her spectacular
career, Caroline Otero is able to
smile indulgently, philosophically, at
the changes in women's ways and
dress which the last few seasons
have brought about.
She doesn't believe that an i'm
presario, a Hollywood director or a
dressmaker can change a woman
fundamentally. She is not impressed
by women's return to gracious fem
ininity.
Shapes Our Destiny
Otero thinks that the so-called
1T" in woman always will shape
her destiny, whether it shines in
a platinum blonde or an exotic
brunette.
Il feel sure that few women have
loved love as I have" she said.
From earliest childhood I was
accustomed to have men look at me
everywhere 1 went. Women who
become indignant at this are hypo-
critical; I had the weakness per-
haps to consider this homage"
In her great days La Belle Otero
was laced in so that her tiny waist
was considered as one Of her great
est charms. She was very full
bosomed, according to present-day
standards.
But she was the style, both in
dress and physical womanhood, and
brilliant and wealthy men fell for
her in a way that was a scandal
perhaps, but remains history.
Change But Little
Still Otero doesn't believe that
women have greatly changed within
themselves, or that men have, for
that matter.
The once belle Otero now is adj
vancing TRANQUILITY along her sixties,
and, of course, judges her sex from
her own broad and vivid experiences
in life.
Her modern sisters probably
would tell her, with no little scorn,
that she doesn't know much about
the present era.
But Oetero claims to know wom-
en-, for she has known triumph.
Her hair is black as ever and her
dark complexion, which once proved
so bewitching, is still apparent.
Needless to say, it would be useless
to ask her if gentlemen preferred
blondes.
Gambled Away Fortune
This remarkable woman who has
lived for love still has her other
great obsession-gambling She has
lost her fortune and most of her
famous jewels at the tables.
She still may be seen playing in
the casinos of Nice and Monte Car
10, quite resigned to the loss Of
wealth and beauty, but with the old
game still in her blood.
Before she was always the center
of attraction, but now she often
goes unrecognized. When she was
asked not long ago if she had not
learned the futility of trying to
beat the play, she said:
Real players do not play to win.
When you become a prey to the
table, it holds you as profoundly,
as surely as morphine exercises its
influence on a drug fiend. The most
costly and definite experiences have
served me in vain"
Turns Down Contract
La Belle Otero was offered a
music hall contract in Berlin at big
money, but she turned it down.
1t has been suggested to her of
late thai she replenish her fortune
by going into the movies, but she
said she wished "a happy life with
out deception"
In her home is a cabinet filled
with letters from old loves, which
probably would create a sensation if
they were ever circulated, but she
is respectful of the past.
She lives in the atmosphere of her
great days, without regret or melan-
choly,