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| Tom Lyle Williams, Jane Allen, Emery Shaver, Annette Williams, Arnold Anderson, 1940 at the Villa Valentino. |
Wednesday June 13, 1940
Excerpt from Jane Allen's diary while visiting her uncle at the Villa Valentino.
This has been one grand
day. Annette and I were up at a quarter of ten for an appointment at
the hair dressers.
Emery picked us up in time for breakfast at one.
At 4:14 we went to Max Factors for make-up. Glamour girls no less.
The big affair of attending the world premier of “All This and
Heaven Too,” started about eight o'clock
when a limousine picked
up Annette, Arnold, Emery, Tom Lyle and me, and drove over to get
Emery's friend, Lona Woolsey.
The whole party were certainly dressed
up, all the boys in tuxedos and the girls in formals.
The premiere
was at Carthay Circle. The crowds simply jammed the streets as we
arrived. The police, both on foot and mounted, were trying to hold
the people back, but each person was trying to get a glimpse of the
Stars.
The limousine stopped to let us out amid hundreds of lights
and lots of cameramen. An announcer with a microphone was in front
to announce the different stars as they arrive. They stared at us
too, but we fooled them. We were just ordinary people. The long
pass way from the front to the entrance of the theater seemed miles,
with thousands of people staring, hoping each would be a Star. The
walkway was lined with large gorgeous bouquets of flowers. These I
didn't see as I walked in because I was so excited and nervous.
After we were inside the theater, we stood around to see as many stars
as possible. We saw Jimmy Stewart with Olivia de Haviland,
Jeffry
Lynn,
Andrea Leeds,
Ann Miller,
Preston Foster,
Stewart Erwin,
and
Don Ameche.
After walking around for a while we went into the
Theater. Carthay Circle Theater is not very large but very beautiful.
Furnished without consideration for cost. Carpet was beautiful red
velvet and gold curtains.
At intermission we were in the lobby
again.
Edgar Bergen,
Charles Boyer,
and more that I just can't remember now. The picture was very good. Was over about Twelve midnight. We had our long walk from the entrance to the driveway again, with lots of spectators looking for stars.
On our way out, we saw Gene Lockhart,
Elsa Maxwell
and Hedda Hopper.
The announcer gave us a thrill calling Mr. TL Williams' car waiting. We were just like the big shots.
From Carthay Circle we drove to Ciros, the swankiest nightclub in Hollywood. Certainly couldn't have gotten into the place without reservations, as the club was jammed. Ciros is a beautiful place, very modern and very colorful.
Just as we entered we saw Robert Taylor,
Barbara Stanwick,
Jack Benny, Mary Livingston,
Edward Arnold and his wife,
Andrea Leeds and her husband,
Bette Davis and her party sat right next to our table. In fact her chair was bumped right up next to my chair.
Constance Bennett and her party was a table on the other side next to our table.
William Powell and his wife Diana Lewis, had a table behind us.
Across the way was Norma Shearer and her party.
Also saw Geraldine Fitzgerald,
George Jessel with his sixteen year old bride, Lois Andrew,
and Louise Fazenda.
Most of the stars we saw at the Premiere were also at Circos. Never in my life have I ever seen, heard of or expected to attend such a gala affair It was the height of formality and considered the social occasion of the season in Hollywood. After several drinks, frosted daiquiris, we had something to eat and got home about 3:30 am. Believe our party was the last to leave Ciros. Don't think I ever enjoyed any activity so much in my life. The memory will be something to go over again and again.
See this article in Niche Magazine...
Visit my hilarious 1964 Saffrons Rule blog at http://saffronsrule.com/
