Evening star., 1942-01-31
Thousands Honor Roosevelt
At Gala Birthday Balls Here
Movie Stors Amuse Capacity Crowds
At Goth Anniversary Celebration

After her introduction by Com
missioner John Russell Young, Mrs.
Roosevelt started cutting the cake.
Miss Russell got the first piece and
Mrs. Roosevelt went right on cut
ting until every star was chewing
enthusiastically before the capacity
crowd Young Rooney slipped his
first piece behind his back and
promptly asked for a second.
They're all eating it, aren't
they?" exclaimed the man who
baked the huge cake. Il didn't
think she was going to cut so much. !"
From Uline's Arena. the stars
went to the White House for the
Presidents broadcast. At the White
House gate secret service men
checked the cars.
1t. Douglas Fairbanks, jr., was
held up at the gate because, for
some reason, he wasn't on the guest
list. A similar fate awaited Mrs.
Gene Autry. Several studio escorts
also cooled their heels until some
body inside vouched for them.
Because of the delay at Uline's
Arena, it was after midnight before
the stars really got started making
their rounds.
Some of the stars had different
story to tell or song to sing at each
stop. Veteran Singers Carol Bruce
and Dinah Shore never repeated,
and whoever followed Mr.. OBrien
might hear him singing "Notre
Dame" telling a horse story, de-
uvering a bit from "Knute Rockne"
or impressing his audience with a
recitation of America" At his
last stop Mr.. OBrien stayed on the
stage of the Capitol Theater for 20
minutes, winding up with an Irish
jig.
Fun With "Hot Seat"
At the Capitol Theater Mickey
Rooney gave a photographer hot
seat"-a metal plate rigged up with
electric wires by the theater's elec-
tricians. The photographer, moth
ing loath, gave the same treatment
to Pat O'Brien, who Immediately
sought out Ensign Wayne Morris for
a repeat performance. For the elec-
tricians it was the high point of the
evening.
Romance seemed to be in bloom
all over the place. Bonita Gran
vile, Jackie Cooper's almost
fiancee," carried a pair Of drumsticks
all evening for Jackie's turn at the
drums. Dorothy Lamour was ac-
companied by Greg Bautzer, whom
she referred to as her "ex-boy
friend" and Betty Cradle stopped
at her hotel about ! am. to phone
George Raft in New York, explain
ing, Hes my fella."
Most of the stars were guests at
the Willard where a toast to the
President with wateD and the sing
ing of THE Star Spangled Banner"
opened the banquet. Conrad Thi-
bault led the singing Of the national
anthem. Miss Lucy Monroe, known
as "the star spangled soprano" for
her many renditions of the anthem,
sang it at her various appearances.
Defense Leader Arrives.
AS the guests enjoyed filet mignon
or lobster, Miss Mary Mason. civilian
defense chairman OF emergency
feeding, arrived in uniform. Just
making an inspection" she ex-
planned.
1t was about that time that Miss
Cradle, graphing with the frozen
peach dessert, managed to slide it
into her lap. Ever gallant, Mr..
Rooney tried to pick up with his
fingers and stained his dinner
clothes.
Again and again, the audience
rose to honor those introduced by
Brig. Gen. Albert L. Cox, who pre-
sided at the dinner. Rising tribute
was paid to Viscount Halifax, the
Ambassador; Gen. George G. Mar
shall. chief of staff Of the Army;
Admiral Harold Stark, chief OF
naval operations; Donald Nelson,
chairman of the War Production
Board, and Mrs. Henry Wallace,
wife of the Vice President.
Closing the banquet, Edward
Arnold, president of the Screen
Actors Guild, said:
"We are grateful to the President
because he is what he is"