The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-12
In New York
BY PAUL HARRIsON

New York--Among the optional
 activities of a reported of the tendance upon seuch memorabil-
 ia as ice-sitting contests, kissing
 marathons, spaghetti-eating races
 and jumping-bean sweepstakes.
 The other day 1t was callipyg-
 word in good standing, of Greek derivation, and means shapely- I-at-hips. Vel, not exactly hips,
 but the region where ladies used
 to wear bustles.
 Recently some etymologist
 among the corset people discov-
 cred "callipygian," and they have
 been employing 1t profitably ever
 since as a descriptive of what cor
 sets do to the feminine form. They
 have, however, corrupted the def
 milton to fiat rear profile" =
 liberty which probably would
 have distressed the ancient
 Measuring Up
 Anyway, there was a contest, with sixteen showgirl participants
 who had only the vaguest idea of
 the meaning of callipygian, and with three judges who had opin-
 ions if not definite standards of
 measurements. As soon as the
 young ladies appeared in their | one-piece bathing suits, the pho- tographers present lost all concern with the true purpose of the af- fair, and spent their time delight- edly snapping front views of the
 chorines. The rest of us, as mere
 spectators, sat around and simu-
 lated cool and academic inter- est.
 It was an afternoon affair, held on the stage of the Paradise cab aret. With creditable restraint the
 management had entered only one
 lass from the Paradise chorus. But Sally Rand, who dances there
 in the evenings, was present in the role of hostess. She wore four
 teen pounds of clothes, which ip- cluded (she told mel five petti-
 coats. a steel-staved corset and g gown of the 'nineties.. Her waist
 was constricted to a mere 22 inch | es. wanted to say that I never
 had seen her look so charming,
 but refrained for fear she might
 not consider 1t a compliment. After all. Miss Rand earns $3,000 week by. looking charming in q costume of talcum powder. Margery Gayle Hoffmann, an
 Ames, Ia., girl who has made good in several Broadway musical com edies, was the callipygian winner. Later she confessed to woman
 reported that she never has worn corset.
 Spain I'm Astoria Those tireless talent-dlscoverer
 Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur
 have been at 1t again--this time
 with the help of Noel Coward. MT. Coward Is a -MacArthur
 employe just now, acting in a pie
 ture which will be caller Miracle
 in Forty-Ninth Street." Produc-
 tion has been slowed down lately.
 though, because they couldn't find
 to play one of the leads.
 The trio dropped into Para
 mount projection room the other
 day to see some of their own rush es, and saw a bit of another pie
 ture being made on the Astoria lot. A sleek senorita was doing
 some able emoting. "There," cho-
 rused Messrs. Hecht, MacArthur and Coward, lis the girl we've
 been looking for!" It wasn't, however, what could be called a, discovery of new tal- ent. For although the girl, RosIta
 Moreno, is little known to Ameri- can audiences, she's the Greta Garbo of all Spanish-speaking countries. Her films are made in
 Hollywood and New York, but are
 released in Spain. Mexico and points south. She was born in
 Mexico City of Spanish parents. and her real name Is Gabriella Carmen Victoria Vissolas - which
 would look very imposing in lights She's auburn -haired, and in or der to appear typically Spanish her hair must be heavily oiled
 before she goes before camera. Looks vampish according . to American film standards, and
 that's the way our producers have
 wanted to cast her. But Rosita
 would rather sing and dance than play emotional parts, so she has
 been sticking to Spanish movies. She has, however, consented to appear with Noel Coward. Wealthy now, she travels with q. tremendous eptourage, and lives
 like any movie queen. Has three
 dogs, Persian cat, an aviary full
 of birds and 2 parrot named Joe that talks with a Jewish accent. Oh, yes-Rosita is engaged, too.
 to Melville Shauer, Paramount
 executive.
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