Film Folk Seek Social Distinction

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 340, 28 April 1928, Page 25

Film Folk Seek Social Distinction

Hollywood Society

I TTOLLYWOOD, like other communities where there is a surplus of this world’s goods, is not without those with social aspirations. An outsider might think that all motion picture actors rated the same socially, but this is far from true.

rpHERE are wheels within wheels in filmdom’s social whirl, and the borders of the different sets, while fairly fixed, have a fringe of those who are acceptable for some functions, writes a correspondent, but are not on the list for the smaller and more exclusive affairs. With different groups rating different altitudes on the social ladder, there are of necessity social climbers. The boundaries of the existing cliques have been made by the success achieved in film roles or bs r power of old association. This is true of the association of Mary Piekford and Mabel Normand, Roscoe Arbuckle and the Talmadges, and others whose professional paths have diverged of later years. Groups At Party A new star, if of sufficient magnitude, is usually welcomed with open arms by all groups, but there are others whose professional standing is not top notch who also desire admittance. An example of this sort took place recently. A feminine luminary who was stirred with social ambition gave a dinner dance, which was meant no doubt as a bid for social eminence. Entering guests at the exclusive club where the affair was given were sorted out at the door into sheep and goats (to quote a guest) by a coloured maid, who inquired if the guest was of M'ss X’s personal party or simply one of the general guests. The seating arrangements placed the personal party of the hostess on a slightly elevated platform at one end of the large room. The other guests were seated at tables on the main floor. The party began at 9 without the hostess. At 10 a grand entrance was made on the platform by the beautiful Miss X and her escort. Guests below who were beginning to wade in on the entrees ceased foraging and stood at attention. Scarcely had this sensation died : down with the seating of the hostess’ j stage party when Gloria Swanson and her husband, the Marquis, entered in a blaze of glory that somewhat shaded the preceding entry. So it ■went, with the hand-picked guests on the platform and the garden variety below looking on.