People and Parties

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19455, 14 October 1937, Page 10

People and Parties

News items intended for publication in this column cannot be accepted unless accompanied by the signature and address of the sender. Notices of engagements require the signatures of both parties, arid a charge of 5s will be made for* such announcement. Victoria League members are looking forward to an enjoyable afternoon to-morrow at Turihaua, Mrs. H. B. Williams having extended an invitation to all members to attend a garden party at her lovely home. For the convenience of intending guests the Victoria League's executive has 'arranged for a bus to leave the Post Office at 2 p.m. to convey members to Turihaua, returning to town later in the day. Those who wish to travel by this bus are asked to communicate with the secretary, Mrs. G. A Nicholls, as soon as possible. Miss Olive Crawford, Stafford street, who has been the guest of Mrs. J. S. Reid, Auckland, is returning via Wellington next week-end. Mrs. A. Clare, Ormond road, has entertained some of her friends recently at charmingly arranged informal tea parties, and on Saturday evening gave an enjoyable bridge party. Flowering cherry blossom and yellbtv brobrii were used with artistic effect for the decoration of the draw-ing-room. . Miss Betty Rutherford, Canterbury, is now the 'guest of Mrs. Eric Loisel. Tolaga Bay, after visiting Napier for the N.Z.L.G.U. tournament. ' Mrs. T. Y. Cuthbert, who is leaving for Melbourne' this month, was the guest of honour at an enjoyable luncheon party yesterday given by Mrs. G. A. Nicholls at her home at Wainui.

Mrs. G. M. Bloomfield, Whatatutu, intends leaving next week-end for Auckland, where she will remain until her departure for England by the s.s. Tainui on November 2, accompanied by Miss J. Bloomfield, her daughter. A 16-year-old London hairdresser, Miss Dora Howey, recently undertook x novel holiday when she signed on as stewardess in her father’s grain ship. Miss Howey was the only woman in the ship, which went from London to South Africa. Poverty Bay Ladies’ Golf Club Perfect weather favoured the Poverty Bay Ladies’ Golf Club on Tuesday afternoon, when a Stableforo oogey match was played. Some excellent cards were returned, Mrs. L. T. Burnard, with 38, being the winner in the A division, and reducing her handicap by one, and Miss .). Blair, 38, bringing in the best score tn the B division. The C grade match in the morning resulted in a win for Mrs. Solvander. The final of the tournament for week-end players resulted in a victory for Miss D. Hawkins, who dereated Miss L. Godfrey by two up and one to play. Flag Five-Hundred Party On Tuesday evening the Mangapapa Guide Committee held a very .successful flag five-hundred party in the Scout and Guide Hall, Mangapapa. Eight tables were required ,0 accommodate .the players, who were under the capable supervision of Mr. Mclvor. The players at the winning table were Mr. and Mrs. Carter, and Mesdames Steed and Sampson. A prize tor securing the most Hags was won by Mrs. C. Maunsell, and a travelling envelope competition was won by Mrs. Newitt, all of whom received a suitable trophy. A dainty home-made supper was served by the committee. Farewell Party at Turihaua Yesterday afternoon Mrs. H. B. Williams entertained Mrs. G. M. Bloomfield, Whatatutu, who is shortly leaving for England, and some of her friends at a delightful “bon voyage” party at Turihaua station. The guests enjoyed a walk round ihe pretty garden before taking their places at the bridge and mah-jong tables indoors, where they spent an enjoyable afternoon playing these popular games. The drawing-room looked charming with its artistic floral decorations, carried out with beautiful irises arranged with bronze foliage, bowls of choice anemones, and bowls of dainty mixed spring flowers. A delicious tea was served in the dining-room, where a bowl of bright flowers adorning the table was much admired. Informal Gathering On Tuesday afternoon Mrs. W. A. Bowie invited a few of her friends to her home in Kaiti esplanade to meet Miss Josephine Sherratt, who has just returned from the United States. A most enjoyable and interesting time was spent in the drawing-room, which was prettily decorated with Iceland poppies and bowls of mixed flowers. Miss Sherratt had brought with her numerous photographs, scenic postcards, and other mementoes of her trip. A dainty tea was served during the afternoon. The hostess was wearing a smartly modelled frock of black and white printed cloque. A smart navy blue and white spotted frock relieved with touches ot scarlet, with a crownless turban toque and handbag to match, was worn by Miss Sherratt. Ellerslie Fashions

Fine weather, though dull and cloudy, favoured the races at Ellerslie on Monday, but women race-goers, .aught by past experiences, took few chances, preparing themselves for the .vorst with coats, furs and wraps of all kinds. Tweed ensembles and suits were much in evidence, as well as frocks of .vool georgette or crepe, and as the afternoon advanced, a nip in the air made furs thoroughly desirable. Some really beautiful silver fox furs were ,o be seen and rivalling them in avour were short fur capes in skunk, dyed squirrel, and the shorter kinds of fur.

Many tailored surts of mixed tweeds were seen, while here and there a warmer note was struck by suits in rust, wine, or a rich brown. Grey worn with navy blue, principally with hats in the latter colour, still retained favour with a number of the younger women, and where grey was worn with yellow or ciel blue, a most attractive result was achieved.

Women of Palemtine “It is not unusual to see an Arab woman bent double under a load ol .aggots on the roads ol Palestine, wnue her ‘lord and master’ rides .Uiead on a donkey," said Mrs. Ariel jension in an address on the country women ol Palestine, at the Victoria _.eague in Auckland. Mrs. Bension said that there were .wo sets of women in Palestine, the Arab and the Jewish. The lot of the Arab woman was not a happy one, .or in spite of British administration and the progress of civilisation, she .iad to work under great disability, living in primitive conditions and working hard in the fields all day, which aged her prematurely. With .he coming of the Jewish women from Eastern Europe, however, the lot ot he Arab woman was becoming easier. Impressions of Hollywood and the U.S.A. While in Hollywood, Miss Josephine Sherratt, Ngatapa, who returned a .evv days ago, was the guest of Mi mid Mrs Hector Dods tor the greatei part of her stay, making their attractive home at Beverly Hills, the famed residential quarter of film-stars, hei Headquarters. Although she was only a young schoolgirl when Mr Dods left UisDorne, me had known him well as a iamii} .neiia ano neighbour at Ngatapa, btn nad not met his young Californian wite, wno nas not yec visited New Zealand, and tneir two cnilaren, Billie, a sturav uve-year-oia Caniorman, and little jane, an adorable iwo-year-oid, very axe ner paternal grandmotner In temperament. Miss cmerratt found in Mrs Hectoi Joqs a most cnarnnng personality win* a dainty and attractive appearance, and one wno always wore pretty aiiKle-iength organaie dresses in the mornings at home, in some ot hen mapsnots ivirs Dods is seen wearing rnese lrocks while in tne pretty garden wun ner children, and ner nusbano arm brother-in-law, “Bobs,” as he wa. ..iways known in Poverty Bay, appear ;o have altered not at all since ieavmg uisborne many years ago. i’ne latter 6 friends are not aware .hat ne irequentiy taxes part in tahues, doubling tor • Herbert Marshall ana others in riding scenes, singing in musical productions, and appearing in many of the scenes in noted pictures, including "Anthony Adverse,’’ in which ne can be seen clearly in a photograpn of one of the spectacular scenes among Miss Sherratt s collection.

He recently was one ot a party on u iO-day cruise with Kay Francis, ana Miss Sherratt tells of a visit witn him .0 a gramophone record making establishment wnere they came across Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy making a record together. In tne daytime in Hollywood the women wear only slacks and shirts, with scandals, but no nats, in the streets, but at night beauciiul evening gowns are worn, lor then tne gaiety Oi me film city begins, with cocktan parties, dinners, dances, or previews and otner entertainments.

Miss Sherratt was tascinated by the attractive appearance oi the shops ana oeautiiul restaurants, the former being so clean and fresh looking and the goods so well displayed, and the lattei being artistically decorated and well conducted, the only drawback being .ne excessive tipping required, both in .hese eating-houses and at the luxurious hotels at which she stayed in other parts of the State. Despite their simple apparel during .he aay, the Americans are always oeautiiuily groomed, and attend beauty parlours ’as regularly as they taxe meir meals, in some cases more regularly, for many are on a strict diet ana nave difficulty in Keeping their figures as slim as required, Joan Crawford, foi instance, having eaten no sweets, cnocoiates or other fattening food for wer two years. All the houses are equipped with every modern convenience, are centrally heated, and have every possiblc-'abour-saving' electrical device. Domestic service is difficult to obtain, as in New Zealand, but in Calitornia the women employ caterers ana other tradespeople to do the cooking and housework, and do not work as mey do here; in fact, they employ 'abour for every trivial tasx ana do nothing for themselves. Most of the hostesses entertain in restaurants or night clubs, only the >ery wealthy peopie entertaining in meir own homes, and then they employ caterers, florists and others to do •hi the menial work. entertaining is carried out on a lavish style, the people being most generous and hospitable. Miss Sher'.•att aescribes the Americans as very <ind, friendly and tolerant, but unlike me British people, they are very emotional and sentimental. She was very favourably impresseo with their kindliness towards one anotner. In Hollywood one never heard unxind or malicious gossip, nor anyonemaking fun of their triends or ridiculing people in any way, the people all being kindly disposed to one another, thus making the atmosphere at every gathering very pleasant. This quality is all the more praiseworthy when it is known that fife in Hollywood is one of nervous strain there being no opportunity for relaxa tion. There is a great deal of unemployment there, as the place is besieged with girls ambitious to enter the moving picture world, and many men have to attend to their homes and children, while their wives keep on with their prenuptial work in order to sustain the standard-.of living to which they have always been accustomed. The Gisborne visitor thinks this is the saddest aspect of Hollywood life, for hundreds of capable young women are working hard in the offices of the various film companies while their husbands cannot find employment. In Los Angeles the car parking problem is simplified by all the shops having a garage built underneath in which customers can leave their cars, by paying a parking fee, while shopping. The usual tipping to the men in charge, however, makes this convenience an expensive item. Sidelights On Film Stars

Patrons of the picture theatres are familiar with numerous film stars through seeing them on the screen and reading of them in movie magazines, but very few people have had the opportunity of meeting them privately, at night-clubs, premiere productions of pictures, cocktail parties and other entertainments, and at pleasure resorts' as Miss Josephine Sherratt has during her recent trip to America. While staving at the luxurious Guest Ranch Hotel at Palm Springs, which is fitted with a radio in each bedroom, and complete with its own stables, tennis courts, swimming baths and orchestra, one of her fellow guests was Adolphe Menjou, considered to be one of the best dressed men in Hollywood, with a car to match each

perfectly tailored suit. The other oest dressed man is Fred Astaire. In the early mornings rides were enjoyed, and bicycle rides, too, were a popular form of exercise, which led to the meeting of other well-known stars at Palm Springs. While cycling Miss Sherratt and her friends often met Franchot Tone, Joan Crawlord, Gene Raymond and Jeanette MacDonald, from the next hotel, all riding bicycles. Bach Sunday a rodeo was held at Palm Springs, and at one of these, much against her will, Miss Sherratt was persuaded to enter for a potato race on horseback, the only other competitors being men. To her surprise she won the race, and consequently attracted much attention by her success as a horsewoman, peopie asking who she was and where she came from.,. Palm Springs is a pleasure resort in the desert with snow-clad mountains near by, noted for its beautiful wild flowers and the exquisite colouring of its scenery. In Hollywood she saw a great deaf of Warner Baxter and Tyrone Powei, Doth great friends of her host, Mr. Hector Dods, the two being keen goll enthusiasts, and Errol Flynn, a friend of Mr. Bobs Dods, also George Brent, whose young Australian wife was a fellow passenger of the Poverty Bay .raveller en route to California 18 months ago. In regard to the marriage and divorce question in film-land, Miss Sherratt says the people concerned just marry without taking serious thought of the matter, and think nothing of having the contract annulled if they feel so inclined. Marriage is not considered as seriously as it is here, although there are numerous very happily married people in Hollywood. In some instances huge spectacular narriages, such as June Lang’s, which lasted only 10 days after the lavish wedding festivities witnessed by thousands, are apparently arranged for publicity and advertisement purposes, fhe majority of film-star marriages ire quietly celebrated. The pleasure of meeting Nola Luxford, the New Zealander who has done so well in the U.S.A. with her pen, stage-craft, and in the radio world, was much appreciated by Miss Sherratt, who found her very charming and interesting. Miss Luxford, though lately back in Hollywood on a short visit, is engaged in New York as mistress of ceremonies at a broadcasting station. At the famous Hollywood Bowl, the vast open air theatre, Miss Sherrattt was often the guest of friends who had a season box. The next box belonged to Grace Moore, who was always most beautifully dressed, wearing exquisite furs on chilly evenings, and very friendly. John Roach was another neighbour at the Bowl, where wonderful orchestral music was heard and beautiful ballets seen. Some interesting comments were made on the film “A Star is Born’ by Miss Sherratt, who said it was typical of Hollywood life, the nightcourt incident being true to type as these courts are held nightly, ana many of the scenes taken in permanent Hollywood settings, such as the racecourse, the Poverty Bay visitor having seen all the places shown in the film. She met Janet Gaynor and May Robson, Margaret Lindsay and Lew Ayres at cocktail parties, ano also Robert Montgomery, Claudette Colbert, Sonia Henie, Bing Crosby, and Humphrey Beaugard, one of the stars of "The Garden of Allah. Among the world-famed women she met were the two she considered the prettiest of the film stars, Madeleine Carroll and Loretta Young. One day walking in the 20th Century “lot” she saw Clark Gable havin' 1 his nails manicured in one of the studio toilet parlours. The studios are well supplied with beauty parlours for make-up, which is done in yellow ,o stand the vivid lighting required by the cameras, and all the actors ana actresses are seen on the “lot with bright yellow complexions. Herbert Marshall was one of the most attractive male stars with whom Miss Sherratt became acquainted, and she told a story of his kindness to a boy of whom he had heard, who was lying in hospital knowing that his leg had to be amputated, and rebelling against such a fate, having said he w'ould rather die than go through life with only one leg. The film star sat and chatted with the unfortunate youth for some time and then told him .hat for many years-since the Great War —he had worn an artificial leg, with the result that the boy suffered his ordeal in a contented frame of mind, comforted by the actors visit and consoling talk. Some of the film stars have the most beautiful homes. Marion Davies, whom the Gisborne girl met at Vainer Brothers’ studio one day, has a luxurious house at Santa Monica containing 37 bedrooms. The lattei look snapshots of this and the lovely residences of Gloria Swanson, and Bing Crosby, whom she also met. One day Miss Sherratt went to the riding-school conducted by Victor McLaglen, who, noticing that she was not clad in the blue uniform worn bv his pupils, asked who she was, and was very thrilled on hearing that she came from New Zealand. He asked her if she knew any people .here called Barns-Graham. She was able to reply in the affirmative, telling him of the strange coincidence .hat they belonged to the same town. He then 'told her that he was once a groom to the Barns-Graham family in the Old Country, and that they had asked him to go to New Zealand with them, but he did not accept the offer, and went to Hollywood, where he made a most successful career. Another star very fond of riding is Leslie Howard, who was most interested in New Zealand and asked numerous questions about the country. Perhaps some day he will visit the Dominion Alice Marr was an actress whom the Gisborne visitor knew very well during her stay, and the youthful Australian, Mary Maguire, a sweet girl, and Bette Davis, very charming and attractive, were other interesting acquaintances. Among the visitor’s treasured possessions is a large souvenir programme covered in autographs which marked the memorial service

at the Hollywood Bov/1 last month m memory of George Gershwin, the famous composer. Among those who autographed Miss Sherratt’s programme were Mary Boland, Meivyn Douglas, Grade Allen, and George Burns, all well known in the talkie world. “Everyone in Hollywood loves Mary Pickford,” said Miss Sherratt, “her popularity never having waned in all he years since the height of her fame, as her charming personality and kindly nature attract all who Know and see her.” Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone have sound proof rooms in their home to allow each to sing and have music without disturbing the other. Hundreds of pre-views were seen by Miss Sherratt, among these being “Lloyds of London,” and several pictures in the making, including “Under Two Flags,” the setting for which was built up all round the studio, “Polo Joe,” one of Joe E. Brown’s films, and “White Fang,” the snow scenes for this being composed of white chalk, while rain and wind were provided by means of pipes. Private cameras are forbidden on the “lots.” Many people have the idea that everyone who goes to Hollywood L ambitious to act in a talkie, with a view to becoming famous as a star. This notion has urged several to ask Miss Sherratt why she did not take part in any of the films when she had such a good chance of joining one of the companies. In reply, Miss Sherratt explained that she had never aspired to be an actress, and did not care for that type of occupation; in fact, she admitted that she had neither talent nor ambition, which was essential to a successful career in filmland, and preferred to take her place among the onlookers. Initials Ag’ain The initial fashion craze, so far from subsiding, has revived at Home, and in most fascinating form, and in most fascinating form. Some smart women are wearing an attractive novelty in the form of a small brooch with their own initials in a frame of real marquisette. The brooch is ljin. wide, and may be worn on hat or cravat. New Idea in Entertaining 1 A new craze in entertaining—the Geographical Ball is to be launched in London ballrooms this year. Less than a decade ago the pageant ball vogue swept Mayfair. A feature of every importance dance was the midnight pageant. Then came the revolt against the inevitable procession of debutantes and their mothers disguised as heroines of history, as inanimate things such as jewels, constellations or even forms of light.

The Cabaret Ball was brought in by the rebels. Amateur pageants lasting from 30 minutes to over an hour gave place to brief turns by professional artists.

The cabaret trend, while still popular, lacks individuality. The quest for novelty has inspired organisers, hosts and hostesses with the idea of the geographical ball. Lady Crewe, who, witli her husband, a former Ambassador in Paris, is among the leading cosmopolitans ol the day, is organising a "place" ball with two other hostesses who know the Continent exceptionally well, Lady (Austen) Chamberlain and Lady Vansittart. Le Touquet at the height of its season is to be rebuilt under their guidance in a London ballroom on December 15. Old Salzburg is another famous continental town that is to grow up for a night in the West End. It is to provide the setting, on December 9, in a Belgrave-square ballroom for the peasant ball at the Austrian Legation, at which Baron Franckenstein, the Minister, and his guests will be in costume. Another “place” ball of the winter dance season will be inspired by Christmastide festivities in Bavaria.