Evening star., 1953-04-12
Hollywood
Beauty
Beauty Not q Gift,
But Habit Worth
CuItivoting
Washington, D. c.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1853
By Lydio Lone

0y Lyoio Lone
HOLLYWOOD.-Dinah Shore
is one Of the best-loved per-
sonalities in Hollywood and her
popularity with the public is
rapidly earning her the title of
MRS. Music"
What is your formula for
success?" I asked Dinah one day
as we were lunching in the Brown
Derby.
II have no special formula"
she said, "but I feel that all
successful people have a few
fundamentals in common. De-
sire or ambition isn't enough
you have to have something to
sell and this has to be able to
stand up against the competition
in your field. But getting to the
top and staying on top are two
different things"
What has been most valuable
In keeping you out in front?" I
asked.
Dinah considered this thought
fully before she said, 1.-TWO things
come to my mind. The first is
an ability to accept criticism.
You can't listen to just the
things you want to hear. You
must be able to examine what
you are doing effectively in
order to develop. I've been
fortunate in having people
around me who have told me
what I most needed to hear.
II think good manners play
an important part in success. I
mean by that-consideration of
others. It may sound corny, but
I don't think you can do better
than follow the golden rule.
You are bound to have clashes
with people-differences Of opin-
ion. But if you always listen
to the other persons side and
try to understand his point Of
view, you will be easy to work
with and be well liked"
you've said nothing about
the Importance Of appearance.
I commented.
Appearance certainly cannot
be neglected" Dinah confessed
that she had learned this the
hard way.
II was auditioning to sing with
Tommy Dorsey's band. This was
my big opportunity, but I lost
out to Peggy Lee. They said
they liked my voice but they
wanted more glamour. I had
made the mistake Of wearing
saddle shoes and a sweater"
I asked what had made her
dress that way.
"I never considered getting all
dressed up in high heels and a
low-cut gown because the audi
ton was early in the morning.
But it taught me a lesson" Di-
nah began to laugh. I'm fact, I
let the pendulum swing too far
in the other direction. I remem-
Der I had an appearance sched-
uled with Bing and Bob and
wore a gold sequin dress with a
black feather. They gave me a
rough time, and that costume
was the end of my 'dressy' era"
A group of tourists came over
to Dinah's table to ask for her
autograph. Dinah chatted with |
each one individually. Ten min |
utes later she said: I'm sorry,
but when I was in school I made |
a trip to Hollywood and I've never |
forgotten the stars who were po-
lite to me and those who were |
rude"
What compliment do you
value the moSt?"
II am so pleased when people |
tell me how natural I am be-
cause I think there is nothing |
more unattractive than afecta-
ton"
noticed Dinah was avoiding
bread and butter, and I asked |
# she had a weight problem.
II used to-" Dinah conflded, |
"but never seem to gain any,
more since I have trained myself |
not to eat too much. It helps a
lot to leave the table always feel |
ing that you could have eaten a
little bit more. And, when there |
is something you're especially |
fond of but that is terribly fat
tening, allow yourself one spoon
full of it."
That's good psychology" I |
commented. especially if you
pretend that it's the last spoon
full"
asked Dinah what she con-
sidered the top beauty secret she |
had learned in Hollywood.
"How completely possible it is
Tor people to make themselves
over. The studios experiment un-
til they have you as photogenic |
as possible. I had no talent for |
doing my hair. It was straight |
as a poker and my permanents |