Countdown to 2000: Culture

Noaki Schwartz

Despite the Depression, Newport and Costa Mesa residents still managed to

maintain an active although scaled-down social and cultural scene.

Newport Beach continued to be a popular filmmaking site for the movie

moguls of Hollywood, who converted the seaside resort into various exotic

locations. In 1934, Fox Film Studios turned Newport Harbor Yacht Club

into an English set. The same year, Fox Film Co. shot “Don’t Marry,” a

Spanish movie filmed on Lido Isle. The love story featured Rosita Merene

and Valentine Parera.

The acting bug spread throughout the area and school auditoriums became

venues for many local residents to release their thespian tendencies. For

example, in the mid-1930s, “An Arizona Cowboy” was staged at the Bob

Fuller School auditorium and featured many well-known local players. The

play was produced by Mrs. George Reid, the school’s drama teacher.

In addition to attending plays, locals filled their entertainment

calendars with activities such as ladies’ club meetings, church events,

tea parties and motorboat races. A typical social calendar appearing in

local newspapers featured upcoming weekend events such as:

Fri. 1:30 p.m. dessert and bridge at the club

7:30 p.m. choir at Christ Church by the Sea

Sat. 12:10 p.m. luncheon at the Lions Club

7:30 p.m. lecture on German fascism and war danger

There was a real emphasis on social graces and entertaining at home.

Almost daily, there were columns in local papers on the culinary arts and

how to entertain. This appeared in the Costa Mesa Herald:

“When a woman is entertaining at dinner she should plan her day to

include a half-hour’s rest in the afternoon. If she must decide between

waxing the floors and a nap, the better choice would be the latter.”

Source:

Costa Mesa Herald.