FROM HOLLYWOOD.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20648, 24 June 1935, Page 7

FROM HOLLYWOOD.

Dr A. L. Lewis Talks to Businessmen. SIDELIGHTS AND STORIES. Some sidelights on life in the film colony of Hollywood, California, were given by Dr A. L. Lewis of that city, in a luncheon address to the Christchurch Businessmen’s Club today. Dr Lewis started off with a tale against himself. A group of American businessmen were gathered together and were discussing their various businesses in a boastful strain. One said: “ If all my tyres were laid side by side they would reach from the North Pole to the South Pole." Another said: 44 If my toothpicks were laid end to end, they would reach right round the world.” A third man put in: 44 If all after-dinner speeches were laid end to end, face-downwards,—it would be a good idea.” The speaker told a story about Will Rogers, who in response to an inquiry as to what college he had attended replied: "I was educated in the University of Hard-knocks—where the colours are black ana blue, and the cry is 44 ouch . . . ouch . . . ouch." 98 SC 8$ Wallace Beery once took Sam, a novice extra for a ride in an aeroplane and did som# stunting. A crowd gathered below and Beery called back, 44 Thirty per cent of those people down there think we are going to crash." Sam replied: " That's nothing—so per cent of us up here think we is.” When he reached ground again it was remarked to him: “So you have had a ride in an aeroplane, eh?” 44 Boy." said Sam. 44 I’ve had two rides—my first and my la6t.” 98 98 98 There were 6J.000 theatres in the world. New Zealand had 300. said Dr Lewis. Australia had 1250, Great Britain had 5700, Germanv had a similar number. and North America 20,000. Throughout the world 180,000,000 paid for admission to theatres every week. Speaking of motion pictures Dr Lewis urged his listeners not to be too critical. What suited some people did not suit others. "It is difference of opinion that makes the motion picture industry—as it does horse racing," said Dr Lewis.