It’s hard to believe that money was restricted in the forties. All we were permitted in each port was US $8 and that didn’t go far.

         My father, a man of initiative, had collected some US dollars for me and had also sent me sets of the new NZ Victory stamps. These were readily saleable at any stamp shop, which was common in those days, but very rare today.

         While the cruiser Bellona was in port in San Diego I had a week’s leave.  This was my first experience in the United States.

         In those days Hollywood was a mecca for filmgoers,  a magic place. I was determined to make the pilgrimage and I am pleased I did.

         With a couple of ‘wealthy’ mates, we boarded the Santa Fe train for the three-hour journey to Los Angeles.

         The Santa Fe seemed luxurious and was a memorable trip – especially the food on board after the hard British rations I had been used to.

         We next boarded a tram for a one-hour ride to Hollywood, an outer suburb of Los Angeles.

         One of our first stops was at the Hollywood Canteen, the United Services Organisation (USO Club). This club was set up for servicemen and made famous in a film with the same name. With shows, dances, and free food, it was a most impressive place.

         When we arrived the sights were beyond my greatest dream. We were greeted with the best blaze of coloured lights I had ever seen. It was mid-November, yet all the posts were decorated like Christmas trees.

         During the war in New Zealand, to save power, coloured lights were banned and likewise, Britain was a drab country following their official blackouts. Britain was still having food rationing and things like toilet soap and chocolate were scarce.

         The hospitality of the Americans was remarkable. We had a job to pay for our food and drinks. At that time New Zealand servicemen on the West Coast were a novelty. We met many ex-US Marines who had trained in New Zealand and had pleasant memories of their stay.

         At the USO club, we were given tickets for a ‘Queen for the Day’ national radio broadcast. A strange event sponsored by an antacid powder.

         Women were invited to come forward and tell their sad stories to the nation and to explain why they were the most worthy to be crowned ‘queen for the day‘ and to receive masses of goodies as well as have their wishes come true.  I found this a sad event showing the dark side of commercialism and greed.

         On the way out we met a Scottish family, the MacCorkindales, who invited us to their home for a meal. Their daughter was a film actress whose professional name was Joyce Reeves. She had recently starred in a film titled, “Mine is the Glory”.

         That night Joyce and a friend took us to the famous Earl Carroll’s Theatre, a favourite gathering place for celebrities from stage and screen. Two famous bands were playing and there was a lavish stage review with 60 chorus girls.

         We were given the best seats in the house and dragged up onto the stage to be introduced to a huge audience.

         The following night they took us dancing at the Hollywood Palladium with Tommy Tucker’s Orchestra while he broadcast to the nation.

         The MacCorkindales were very good to us and took us around to meet many of their friends. One man we visited was a car designer.  He designed cars for his client’s needs and desires. He proudly showed us the plans he was drawing up for Mr. Kaiser, the multimillionaire shipbuilder.

         In 1945 Kaiser set up the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation and produced many models for the mass market The Kaiser cars failed. I suspect his cars were too radical for the time.

         Before we left we met Joyce’s film agent, Paul Mahoney from the Mark Herstein Agency. He gave me his card and asked me to return to Hollywood for a film test. While it might have been someone’s dream – it wasn’t mine.

         After the stories, we heard about corruption and vice in the film industry I had no ambitions in that direction. I had no ability at singing and tap dancing and my rote learning wasn’t very good.

         I thanked him and declined his offer, and I never had any regrets.

Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)

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