SECRETS OF BEAUTY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18618, 14 July 1930, Page 12

SECRETS OF BEAUTY

GYMNASTICS FOR STARS. RIGID CARE OF HEALTH. How do Hollywood beauties stay beautiful through the years? At last the secret of the film star’s enduring beauty has been revealed. Healthful diets and regular exercise are the two genii who work the miracle of beauty in Hollywood. Not more than three or four years ago, warned by the necessary dismissing of popular screen stars from their roles because of increasing avoirdupois or ill-health, several of the studios realised that with the investments of millions at stake they could not allow their stars to neglect their physical condition. Paramount was one of the first to install a gymnasium and to require that their personnel undergo rigid health regulation. “The Barn,” as it is known in Hollywood, has an interesting history, and it is quite fitting that it should stand to-day on the lot as a constant reminder of the progress of the film industry. In 1913 Jesse Lasky sent a company out to look for a suitable spot for a studio. It was bad weather and tnfc crowd took refuge in an old stable in a small town called Hollywood, Cal. They discovered that the “barn” was the only spot which could be used as a studio. It was leased. That planted the little* acorn of Hollywood, and as time went on the “barn” was transformed to a shipping department. In 1926, when the old Famous Players— Lasky-Paramount moved over to its present location the little old “barn” was jacked up on wheels and moved along. Then it was this old structure blossomed forth into a gymnasium, and A 1 Kaufman, former pugilist, was placed in charge. The edict went cut to all players on the lot that they must put in their daily dozen in the gymnasium. Weight Restriction. One of the studios still holds what is called a “weight clause” in contracts for all women stars. If a star reaches 129 pounds, she begins to worry. For the limit is 130—and no leading lady may exceed that poundage. When ]Vlolly O’Neill (Sally’s little sister) burst into Hollywood, she was acclaimed as a coming star. She w*as given feature roles—and then starred. She was working with Richard Barthelmess, when she received her first warning. Molly was told that she would have to watch the sweets and double up on the daily dozen. Molly smiled—and that was all. Then came the sad day when Molly lost out on a big starring role because she had gained too much weight. Her big chance in Hollywood had come—and she lost it.

Other stars benefiting by Molly's experience began to take their gymnastics more seriously. Tennis courts, handball courts and bicycles sprouted like mushrooms in the spring. The stars began hiring special trainers. They started to take athletics and physical culture very seriously indeed. It became the fashion to go out for some sport. And the movie companies discovered that some of I their most vampish stars could make sweet swan dives or place a mean tennis serve. Who would suspect that Dorothy Mackaill, whose beautiful blonde beauty can vamp any screen hero, and whose fan mail is large, could ride an aquaplane behind a speedboat? But Dorothy can, and does. But when it comes to tennis, fragile looking Corrine Griffiths and Billie Dove take the honours. Billie has a mean serve, they will tell you, and Corrine’s game is steady and smooth. Richard Barthelmess, who is something of an all-round sportsman, is good on the tennis court, too. Voice Rest Periods. All sets have their “voice rest” periods. During these periods the players must adhere to complete silence and relax. Many go to their dressing rooms for a few moments’ complete relaxation. Barbara Kent did a lot to make bicycle riding popular. It exercises all the muscles of the body and keeps the ankles thin and comely. There is a crowd of the junior featured players Who can be found every day on the sports field, and what they don’t know about acrobatics and gymnastics just isn’t known. Every year there is a new fight on as to who has the most perfect figure on the silver screen. Two or three years ago, when the boyish figure was leading fashion in all its glory, the slim silhouette of Greta Garbo was the envy of every woman all over the world. The screen is unrelenting in its picturisation, and every tiny variation shows up, exaggerated a hundred fold. This year, with the rounded feminine silhouette in vogue, the girls with curves have their special innings. There’s Clara Bow, billed as the “it” girl. Clara has many a tussle with the weight scale. For be it said that Clara Bow is inclined to be plump. But with her daily workout under rigid discipline, she keeps the curves in control. The stars are beginning to recognise that exercise is necessary. They have found that it really is the “Fountain of Youth.”