July 14, 1937
May Hobart
Hollywood Citizen News
Attracting an impressive array of filmland notables, the formal opening of the Beverly Hills Tennis Club on N. Maple Dr. began Saturday night and didn’t end until Sunday evening, although the activity wasn’t quite continuous. The return from Europe of Fred Perry and Ellsworth Vines, two of the club’s directors, was celebrated at the invitational dinner-dance Saturday evening, which was held out-of-doors, with tables placed around the swimming pool.
In addition to the orchestra which played for dancing, Benny Goodman, with a trio, was present to entertain the throng. Impromptu entertainment was offered by Groucho Marx, Charles Lederer, Oscar Levant and others.
Those who dined and danced included Mssrs. and Mmes. Harpo Marx, Arthur Sheekman (Gloria Stuart), Basil Rathbone, John McCormack, Zeppo Marx, Robert Riskin, Donald Woods, Gordon Jones; Misses Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Bennett, Eleanore Whitney, Paula Stone, Paulette Goddard, Mary Brian; Messrs. Robert Taylor, Richard Rodgers, Johnny Downs, Charlie Chaplin, Eddie Buzzell, Ernest Pascal, Walter Kane, Arnold Kunody, William Wyler and Charles Butterworth.
The membership returned Sunday afternoon to pack the gallery for the official opening matches.
…
Beverly Hills Tennis Club 1938
Errol at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club, 1945
Fred Perry, Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx and Ellsworth Vines at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club, 1937
And here’s how astonishingly hot Benny Goodman was in 1937, the very year he and Gene Krupa soared with Sing, Sing, Sing in Hollywood Hotel!
— Tim
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