The following story was excerpted from Desert Dream to Silver Screen: The Story of the Historic Palm Springs Plaza Theatre by Catherine Graham and Jim Cook.
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Dec. 12, 1936. Searchlights swept across the sky two hours before the Hollywood stars’ arrivals — “bright enough to scorch the soul,” according to the Palm Springs Limelight newspaper. A crowd gathered on the sidewalk in front of The Oasis Hotel, pushing and craning their necks for a glimpse of the stars arriving in their chauffeured cars. The most exciting event ever to happen in Palm Springs was about to begin.
It was rare to launch a major Hollywood production outside the key markets of Los Angeles or New York, let alone at an independently owned small-town movie theater. The night’s film was Camille, a hot property for MGM, whose publicity machine was in full swing. MGM and Columbia newsreel cinematographers, along with reporters and photographers from Time magazine and The Associated Press, secured prime spots near the red carpet.
Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck make their entrance.
As limousines glided to the curb, Cal Pearce, a local known for his role in brother Al Pearce’s national NBC radio show, announced the celebrity arrivals on the microphone. Among the first to arrive was Robert Taylor, with Barbara Stanwyck on his arm. Many MGM contract players turned out, including Camille co-stars Lionel Barrymore and Frank Morgan, who would become known as the Wizard of Oz. Billie Burke, also an MGM contract player and future Glinda the Good Witch, arrived separately from her rumored paramour, director Dorothy Arzner. Other stars in attendance included Buster Keaton, Jimmy Stewart, Adolphe Menjou, Tyrone Power, and Shirley Temple.
The question on everyone’s mind: Would Garbo attend? The reclusive star was in town, staying at director Edmund Goulding’s estate in the Mesa neighborhood. Some attendees swore they saw her at the back of the theater, entering after the houselights dimmed.
The crowd soaked in the atmosphere as they settled into the theater’s 850 brand-new old-ivory leather seats. The décor did not disappoint. The starfield twinkled above in the soaring, barrel-vaulted ceiling, and the stage was framed by a proscenium arch stenciled with flowers and Art Deco–inspired geometric figures. Two massive curtains concealed the screen. The main curtain, fondly known as “the shimmering blue curtain,” featured a burro, a prospector, and the mountains painted on the fabric. Behind the main curtain was a “title curtain,” festooned with a cactus motif along the bottom, that opened right before the film began.
As the theater dimmed, emcee Ralph Bellamy stepped onto the stage. “It is my pleasure to be the first to congratulate Palm Springs and Earle Strebe on this beautiful new theater,” he proclaimed to applause. “This opening night is indicative of the ever-increasing importance of Palm Springs as a growing resort and playground that the world premiere of such importance as Camille should be shown here.”
Camille premiered at The Plaza Theatre on its grand opening night, Dec. 12, 1936.
Gossip columnist Louella Parsons, venerable actress May Robson, and an uncharacteristically nervous Nellie Coffman were called to the stage. A reel of film from Camille was ceremoniously placed into a container of newly poured cement, and the trio signed their names into the wet concrete. The ceremonial slab was set to be installed in The Plaza Theatre patio, à la Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
The audience’s response to the film was enthusiastic, especially for Garbo’s performance. She was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar and won the 1937 New York Film Critics Circle Award.
The response to the theater itself was equally positive.
“Palm Springs Goes Hollywood,” trumpeted the Palm Springs Limelight. “By the time this high romance set in Old Paris had reached its tragic close, most of the audience adjourned to The Dunes” — the casino where Julia Carnell allegedly won the money years earlier to make The Plaza Theatre dream come true.
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Discover the full story in Desert Dream to Silver Screen: The Story of the Historic Palm Springs Plaza Theatre by Catherine Graham and Jim Cook. Visit the Palm Springs Life web store to order your copy.
