The Washington times., 1938-07-12

without an automobile you
simply can't get anywhere. No
matter where you wish to 90 it's
undoubtedly 10 miles from your
point of origin. This never fails.
And if you're a taxi habitue
you'll find playing the races
more profitable. The meters
are geared, I think, on the prom
Use that initiation is just around
the corner, and that they've got
to get their money before its
worth less. OF course, you can
both solve and eliminate the
transportation headache by sit
ting on the hotel veranda and
watching the stars 60 by. But
its Gable against ZaSu Pitts and
the gorgeous Goldwyn gals that
the rain will force you indoors.
And then, the stars simply
don't go by.
EAO EON ANAOA AAA ~
"I've read until gastric envy
called a halt of the glories of
those famed meeting and eating
places where the stars shine
brightest. 1 tried the niteries
and the eateries but ran only
into two head walters instead of
the customary one. The sole
difference between the Troca-
dero and our own Hot Shoppes
is one syllable and formal dress.
There's also a slight matter Of
cost.
We're still in the horse and
buggy era here if it's our traffic
that we compare to Hollywood's.
It's much easier for a CIO Or
ganizer to gain Mayor Hague's
hearty endorsement than it is to
cross a Hollywood street in
safety. Motorists there are
more numerous than job appli-
cants in a senatorial office, and
they're as speedy as the change
in taste for popular songs.
When you accost a familiar
face. on a Hollywood boulevard
you find that a cheerful greet
ing doesn't accompany a sudden
meeting. The possessor of the
familiar face will casually greet
you and determine (a) if you're
there looking for work, or (b) if
you've just come out with a nice
contract. If it's the former he'll
hastily find that he's late for an
appointment. If the latter is
true you'll be lavished with
warmth which will terminate
with you paying the dinner
check.
The most interesting place on
the studio lots are the commits
saries. That's where you're most
certain to see everyone from
the head mans shoeshine boy to
the ga-ga boys and girls them
selves. There's neither fun nor
glamour in visiting the sets to
watch the actual shooting. It's
much, too much, like manual
labor.
THE HOLLYWOOD PEOPLE
Surely there's little fun to be
gained watching others work.
I'd rather heave lengthy signs
watching magnificent Myrna
cast her spell on the silver
screen than to see this favorite
labor before devastating lights
and cameras. The movies, bless
them, and I'll always feel
they're the grandest things in
the world, should and must
create happy illusions. 1 like to
preserve my illusions. A visit to
Hollywood doesn't help one do
that.
Hollywood people aren't any
different than Washingtonians.
They're easily more provincial
than citizens of our average
small town. Sure it's invigora-
ting to stick your head out of a
two-family stucco and breathe
mountain air. But mountain air
doesn't make the California las
sic any prettier than those Wal
ter Winchell learned were right
here in abundance.
The movie people work mir
acles. The movies, to my mind,
do as much to alleviate human
distress as any medium. The
screen is today a vital source Of
education, culture and under
standing. I love the movies, and
probably always shall. But that
still doesn't alter my conviction
that Hollywood, itself, isn't a
glamorous place. Call it heresy.
Andy. Throw me, if you wish,
to Sec. 77B of the Bankruptcy
act. But I'll be thrown out shout
Ho11vwood inst isn't coloSSalo