A STAR’S DAY OFF

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 November 1935, Page 8

A STAR’S DAY OFF

SUNDAY IN HOLLYWOOD NO WEEK-END HILARITY

The day between the end of one hectic week of picture-making and the beginning of another does not necessarily mean the exertion of extensive entertaining or week-end hilarity—unless a dip in the surf, an exciting set; of tennis, or a closely-contested game, of bridge is considered as such. An invitation by Joan Crawford to “come over- to my house oh Sunday at four” does not mean a party. Sunday is an informal “at home” day with Joan (by invitation only). In the afternoon there is always a select group of her friends, among whom one may possibly see Francis Lederer and, of course, Franchot Tone. The long table in the dining-room is crowded with good things, from hors d’oeuvres to ice cream. Everyone is invited to help himself. Rood is usually welcome after a swim in her new blue-and-white pool.

Ramon Navarro, a confirmed bachelor, enjoys his modern hillside homo and entertains his friends at Sunday dinner parties and 1 musieales. Robert Montgomery rings up Jhis friends on Sunday mornings and says, ‘ ‘ Come over and play tennis —at two.'*’ Tennis continues throughout the afternoon, and often well into the evening, for tho tennis court is well-equipped with lights. Dinner is served when the game ends, but good-night always comes fairly early. Norma Shearer’s Sunday parties are by invitation only. Dinner is served at six and pictures are shown later in one of the large rooms of her SantaMonica home.

Una Merkel loves to do her Sunday entertaining in her garden. Her party usually consists of her own immediate family, Madge Evans (her greatest friend), and the Robert Youngs. Everyone is invited to see the new roasting pit and given a lesson on liow to cook steaks out-of-doors. At dusk the party adjourns to the living-room for friendly chatter. The younger set of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer players —Henry Wadsworth, William Henry, Betty Furness and Cecilia Parker —can always be found at polo games or watching exciting tennis matches. After the games come refreshments at one of' their homes, followed by ping-pong or a run to the beach. Jackie Cooper entertains his “club” on Sundays. Only members are allowed to swim in his pool or inspect his specially-built, aeroplane (constructed by himself out of boxes), and later all are taken by Jackie’s mother to a picture house close by. Hollywood has its own groups and individual ways of entertaining. But usually the parties finish early. Monday is a busy day at the studios, and' the players must be ready for a new week’s strenuous work.