Hollywood at Play

'Round about 70 years, Edgar Bergen - pioneer and, really, sole practitioner of the very odd profession of radio ventriloquist - gave a party. The theme? The Gay '90s. It looks like it was great, if slightly quirky, fun.

The host, of course, entertained, in the company of a blackfaced Charlie McCarthy.

Ray Bolger lent some of his own unique talents to the entertainment;

Which also included a bevy of period-costumed lovelies. Here, Betty Grable and Martha Raye launch into an impromptu can-can competition, which seems to puzzle Mary Martin.

Martha, of course, was always such a shrinking violet.

Miriam Hopkins and a puzzlingly costumed if thoroughly disguised Tyrone Power had a rather more sedate time, although they certainly seem to be enjoying themselves. Miriam Hopkins without her eye makeup, however appropriate to the era, is not necessarily a sight for the faint-hearted.

Norma Shearer was her usual contrary self, turning up sans costume and in the company of the second Mr. Mrs. Thalberg.

But in the end no one had a better time than Dorothy Lamour. And that made it all worthwhile, if you ask me.

Old Acquaintance

Miss Miriam Hopkins, seen here looking rather riper than I imagined Thackeray's heroine, from the poster for her 1935 Technicolor epic Becky Sharp .

The then-new technology was still a tricky thing and did not please all audiences. One critic wrote that it made the performers resemble "boiled salmon dipped in mayonnaise," which may be tasty, but is hardly what one wants from the heroine of a Regency potboiler.