Evening star., 1933-02-05

T.
w YITH the wolf knocking loudly
\A at the Hollywood door-and
wv becoming more and more In
sistent every moment II we
can believe current talk-it
Is interesting to watch the worlds most
extravagant colony IN its first vague at
tempts at retrenchment. Despite the
fact that each contract holder had read
ultimatum after ultimatum issued by
studio heads to the effect that they
will renew very few contracts during
the coming year, the boulevards here
about bristle with super motors OF every
type and color. A peep inside most OF
them reveals q star or q well known
feature player.
Although the gala premiere has been
abandoned by most studios since 1t adds
anywhere from 10 to 20 thousand dol
lars to the company's expenses, such
premieres as are given are well attended.
Every seat available to professional use
Is sold out, Of course. Your good pro-
fessional never sits anywhere but IN
the first IS rows center, where the full
spotlight Of public interest centers upon
him or her.
Going out, for a Hollywood star, Is an
investment in the publicity angle. It
means the purchase Of enough orchids
to make the fans who have been lined
up since early afternoon, gasp. A mere
two or three precious blossoms would
be lost in Hollywood.
Dolores Del Rio once wore Is royal
purple orchids Of rare variety on q
cloth of gold tissue gown. They swung
from her shoulder to her hip and were
worn without fern or ribbon. It was
one of the most dramatic appearances
ever made by a beauty In Hollywood.
In printed comment it brought her
more than its investment hundred
times Overland that Is what the star
must consider these days.
Premiere appearances also mean SUBJ
jecting exquisite ermine and chinchflla
coats, priceless lame evening wraps col
of the mob. Once Norma Shearer had
her ostrich-feather trimmed evening
cloak literally torn to shreds at .
premiere.
But despite the sad hsad- -shaiings
and dismal forebodings the Hollywood
premiere remains the ermtne parade
the orchid men sell out prior to the
event-the coiffeurs are too exhausted
| to even turn on the radio and hear the
success Of their clients and much gold
passes from hand to hand In the
accomplishment of it all.
Luncheon hour with it, gracious
entertaining, goes on apace. Three OF
four popular places are 80 crowded
that one must stand In the mob at the
door interminably II not known to
those head walters who are really the
Almanach de Gotha Of the Hollywood
elite There has been q little discreet
price cutting OF late-a thing the
| restauranteur NAV safely do since SUD-
plies and all food stuffs have suffered
radical drop. Salaries also have
been down for some time 50 food prices
are accordingly.
Hollywood has never been much Of q
dinner town-that Is, dining out is un.
attractive to some one who works al
day under the pressure Of studio exist
ence-the heat Of the arc Ights+the
drive of the director. It Is so nice
even when entertaining friends, to slip
into smart pajamas and relax at 9
comfortable home dinner.
But the night club vogue, for Ions
time non existent, has blossomed with
the depression and the various orches.
tras are having the heyday Of theil
entire Hollywood history. Coconut
Grove is as popular as ever. And II
addition there are an even score o.
places hereabout every one Of which
Is prospering.
It has been suggested that Hollywood
stars find 1t cheaper to 60 out ant
dance with q few friends and know IL
the beginning Just how many they ar
going to have on the check, than II
stay at home and have some Good
Time Charlie arrive In with q dozer
Of his pals to lay the scotch low.