STRANGE CONTRASTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 51, 29 August 1934, Page 15

STRANGE CONTRASTS

COSMOPOLITAN CROWD

Open-air gambling at Monto Carlo with its attractive mixture of natural outdoor and luxurious indoor conditions, induces an equally picturcsquo varioty of clothes, states an English writer. Tho striking contrast of openair skies and roulette tables found a fitting counterpart in the costumes worn on July 15, as on the previous day, tho July 14 gala night, when tho terraces of tho Summer Sporting Club of Monto Carlo were again thronged. Bound tho tables thoro woro to be seen beautifully-gowned women sittiug next to othors in the most informal Eiviera beach attire. At one of the tables was a Japaneso woman, who attracted much attention by the superb diamonds she wore. Next to her was a girl in blue beach pyjamas and rod leather belt.

Near by was a group of American women in the latest Paris gowns, their immediate neighbour being a Frenchwoman in a thin whito silk blouse, grey flannel trousers, bavo ankles, highheeled sandals, and too nails painted a brilliant scarlet.

Tho men, too, showed great variety in their choice of dress. Many, continuing tho formal Casino tradition, wero in evening dress; others, entering in the spirit of the now conditions, wore the roughest of sports clothes. Ono man, a heavy winnor at roulette, woro a silk scarf tucked into a white woollen sweater which in turn was tucked into grey flannel trousers. Others had open-neck shirts and lounge suits. Tho crowd was extremely cosmopolitan. In addition to Japanese and Indian visitors, there were many French, Gorman, Italian, and Scandinavian, but American and English predominated. ■ Looking up from the gaming tables,

ono could sco tho trellis work of the roof garden where dancing and cabaret took place ou an illuminated glass floor. Dinner was served on a lower terrace, also in tho open air. Tbo tables wero grouped around on a second illuminated glass danco floor. As on the opening night, there was a superb fireworks display. Later on in tho month, when a large influx of British visitors is expected, the Monte Carlo Follies of 1934, produced by Felix Ferry, was expected to bo a big added attraction.