Evening star., 1946-08-25
HOLLYWOOD.

HOLLY WOOD.
Premieres are once more the big
gala events of Hollywood's social
and professional life. Blacked out
during the war, they're back, and
more abundantly than ever before.
But the cut and dried pattern of the
big show hasn't changed over the
years. They're still colorful and
bizarre spectacle and they still sup
ply an amazingly mystifying study
of mass psychology.
It's 8 pm. on Hollywood boule-
ward and it's typical premiere
night. The weather is hot and
sticky-one of the most uncom-
Portable evenings of a torrid sum-
mer-but since 10 am. the crowds
have been gathering. All day, under
the blistering sun, mothers and chill
dren, boys and girls have been sit
ting on rough wooden seats waiting
for the carnival to begin Most have
brought lunches, but vendors offer
hot dogs and coffee up and down
the line. The board seats have been
erected bleacher-style across from
the theater.
The city government has Coop
Grated, as it always does, in every
thing that Hollywood wishes in a
ballyhoo way. The bleachers have
been slapped up against store build
ings, forcing pedestrians out into
the street. From overhead wires for
blocks and blocks, hang canvas
banners "a definite fire hazard
recognized by almost every commu-
nifty in the Nation. 1t looks like a
county fair.
Here we are felix's, It's show time
and the master of ceremonies, tall
handsome gent, resplendent in a
brand new tux steps out to the mic
rophone. The apparatus is in front
of the box Office window, right at
the curb, making it easy for the
man who knows all the stars to
snare them as they slip out of their
sleek limousines. He rocks on his
heels excitedly, awaiting the first
car to drive up. He's on the air,
too, so it's up to him to keep the
patter going, even if the personal
tiles are little laggard.
Another Triumph.
"Ah, ha," be cries suddenly as a
man in need of haircut steps out
OF car. Here he is folks, let me
introduce Peter Godfrey, that IA
nous director. Come UP here, Peter,
and say few words to these nice
people" (This was a dismal start
Even Hollywood crowds don't know
directors. And with all due respect
to Mr.. Godfrey, he does not have a
record emitting him to be termed
famous
Greetings everybody. l am happy
to be here. l know this picture will
be another great triumph
Peter passes along and there is
a great shout among the bleache1
fans as the lovely blond siren star
Abigail Appleby. comes bouncing
out of a beautiful green convertible
The master of ceremonies goes into
ecstacies. He describes her hair
ner gown and offers a running list
of her latest pictures. The m. c
then turns to Abigail, puts an arm
around her shoulder and says: "Anc
now, my dear, won't you please
say something about the picture?'
Now, what Miss Appleby know.
about that picture Is strictly moth.
ing. She hasn't seen a foot of film
on it. She has not read the book
IN tact it is doubtful If Miss Ap.
Ipleby has ever read any book. But
that won't get this great star down
She doesn't hang her head in shame
and say, Listen, folks, I DOM
know--I just amt seen the pitcher.
No, sir, Miss Appleby does no such
thing. She leaps eagerly for tht
mike, gazes at it as though it were
Gable and reading from her little
slip of paper explodes with this
TT is with great pride that I an
here tonight for know I am abou
to witness one of the outstanding
film documents of our time. I an
certain it will mark an epic--I NEAR
epoch-in the great art Of motion