Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, January 1921 · page 14 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #16 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is satirical gossip about 1920s Hollywood excess. The piece mocks film industry parties by contrasting the supposed moral superiority of movie stars against their actual behavior. **The satire:** - Film industry figures claim respectability while hosting multi-day parties with heavy drinking - A wealthy director's lavish bash lasted several days, with guests leaving to change clothes and returning - The host provided chauffeurs to prevent drunk guests from driving—suggesting routine intoxication - Female performers are characterized as either maintaining decorum (one woman sitting still) or openly drunk ("Edna's been stewed for two hours") **Social context:** This reflects 1920s anxiety about Hollywood's perceived immorality and the disconnect between stars' public images and private conduct. The magazine satirizes both the industry's hypocrisy and the era's ambivalence about Prohibition-era drinking culture. The piece presents itself as insider gossip while morally judging the "questionable vices" it describes.
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12 Captain Billy's Whiz Bang tionable vices which beset Movieland are partially off- set by the cleanliness of many really great stars. Reel Three. One of the greatest “parties” yet staged in Los Angeles, was given by a well known director several nights ago. Now it should not be assumed that the picture parties are particularly dif- ferent than some of the pajama and kimono parties tendered in Hollywood and Pasadena. In fact many of the picture ladies “hold out” longer than their more discreet sisters who get their kick out of a monthly party, whereas a picture girl has an invite a night and knows every step and parry of the game. One of the best known girls of the screen sat in one chair throughout a recent party and visitors re- marked upon her serenity and refusal to rush the bar. A wild woman from one of the comedies gave her the once over. “Say, Edna’s been stewed for two hours and can’t stand up. But she’s got sense enough to keep still.” But, referring to the big party. It lasted several days. Some of the guests went home, changed their clothes and came back again. The affair must have cost thousands of dollars. The guests were not numer- ous but well selected. A number of orchestras were employed, one coming on as one went off shift. The host was a man of parts. He employed chauf- feurs with cars ready to grab any guest who wished to stumble home and might possibly not be deemed able to guide his own car had he come without a driver. Most of the drivers who came to the party left uncere-