| The pools at Hollywood hotels were more than
just places to swim and relax. They became focal points for social gatherings
and casual busine meetings, places to see and to be seen. Visiting dignitaries
and actors who did not make their homes in Hollywood often rented hotel
bungalows for extended stays. The "swimming plunge" at the Ambassador
Hotel was considered the most beautiful pool in the West in its day.
That's MARY PICKFORD standing on the right, behind a row of bathing
beauties. The Ambassador also housed the famous Coconut Grove nightclub
and was near many swank restaurants and night spots. |
(Center) In the heyday of Hollywood, it was common for
studios to sign up hundreds of attractive girls to long- term, low-paying
contracts. Promoted as future stars, these so-called "starlets,"
like the Columbia beauties pictured here, rarely made it to the top.
(Left) Bathing beauties, like these girls at the La Jolla Swim &
Tennis Club, were also hopeful that they might be discovered by the
studios' roving talent scouts.
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