By TOWNES COATES
Hollywood began—as a subdivision—almost simultaneously with laying out the plans for The Players. Film production began in earnest in the 1910s, and quickly ramped up as a major industry. Even with active east coast film production, New York theatre actors were aggressively recruited for Hollywood productions, and our bicoastal and west coast-based member constituencies grew.
While we never launched a west coast clubhouse, Players in Los Angeles had informal social events among themselves and met for special occasions. For the 50th Anniversary of the club in 1938, a celebratory Players contingent of over six dozen gathered for dinner at the Bel-Air Country Club. With names from behind the scenes and above the title, it was a long-distance toast to the spirits of Gramercy Park.
Townes Coates is a producer and writer. He is Chair of the Managing Committee at The Players. Drop him a line here.