"Let's do Lunch..."

“Let’s Do Lunch…”



As a self-professed foodie & film(ie), I love to go out for lunch. ‘Fess up…we all do. It’s that precious time in the middle of our busy work days to actually settle down and spend time with friends, family, business associates, clubs or even by yourself, and enjoy a nice meal and a much needed break.

When you’re out with a friend for lunch does it ever cross your mind who might “see” you? Do you dress a certain way on the off chance that you’re “seen”? Do you order a certain type of entrée that will photograph better than others? Let’s turn back the hands of time and visit a typical Hollywood lunch hour in 1940...



Believe it or not, there once was a time when we didn’t have internet access or social media. Yes, Virginia, there was no Face book or Twitter to be found. Oh, yes there was social media, it consisted on how “sociable” you wanted to get with the corner news stand attendant who sold you your copy of the LA Times for a nickel. The stars of Hollywood’s golden age had to dress the part and make their mark whether it was in a film or at lunch. Photogs would scramble for a glimpse of a real movie star dining just like the rest of the working class public. Jockeying for positions at the entrance, or outside by the windows, of the eateries, extra film and flashbulbs in hand. “Google” up flashbulbs, you youngsters.

First you had to pick the perfect lunch spot. The favorites included The Brown Derby, which was actually a chain of three restaurants in the LA area with the most famous being the one located on Wilshire Blvd. The location which saw the most “star packed” atmosphere was actually the one located on North Vine St. in Hollywood. This was in large part due to its proximity to major studios. As mentioned in an earlier posting, the famous cobb salad was created here and the recipe is still just as delicious.

Next there was Musso & Frank’s on Hollywood Blvd., notorious for entertaining a literary set of our famous writers, as well as, our early silent film actors. There has always been stories of Chaplin and Valentino

racing horses down Hollywood Blvd and the winner treating for dinner.

Then we have Chasen’s on Beverly Blvd. Known primarily as the early home of the Academy Awards and for its world-famous chili recipe. Once you had the restaurant chosen, you started pulling in your favors with the matre’d for your prime lunching and viewing booth. Now you carefully select your lunch entrée that wouldn’t make a mess on your designer ensemble or hand tailored suit, all the while making sure you tilt your head or laugh in just the right direction to gain the much needed attention that would keep those photo-mags selling. You were your own best publicist. Agents of the time had a full time job juggling various clients and spinning tales to keep the bad press out of print. It was the much maligned “studio system” that ran the film lots and they only doled out so much cash for their stable of stars.



Unfortunately, now all we have to do is pick up a copy of any weekly rag and see what mischief our so-called stars of today have gotten themselves into. Paparazzi are everywhere, hounding celebs of all levels. I don’t defend the photogs in the least, but maybe the celebs should wise up a bit when they’re out in public? They have chosen this lifestyle and they should be prepared for the attention. They thrive on it. If not, there wouldn’t be anyone on Twitter.

I can’t recall when I last saw a headline stating where an Oscar winner had lunched, or with whom they dined, let alone what they wore or what they ate. No, no that would be way too tame and “normal”.

The publicity de jour seems to be embarrassing press, and that’s what sells papes, mister. Its also a sad testimony of old Hollywood to know that the legendary hashery hideaways and watering holes to the stars have all gone by the wayside. Chasen’s is now a grocery store and the dome of the Brown Derby has been converted into the roof of a Korean strip mall. It seems fashionable nowadays for the current Hollywood hang-outs seem to be owned by the stars themselves…and I’ll leave that topic alone for now.

All things come to an end, even a long lunch with a silver screen star dining in refinement and sipping on an afternoon martini. Just like we wanted to be able to do in Anytown America in 1940...


That’s a wrap!


- Hollie Wood