The June 16, 1938 issue of The Planters’ Press announced:
“Lock the doors and come to town.”
“The Planters’ Press’ Motion Picture Cooking School, entitled ‘Star in My Kitchen,’ will be the real community attraction for three days at the Southland Theatre.”
“This fascinating and different cooking school is open entirely free to every woman in town, and The Planters’ Press as well as Bossier City merchants, extends this last invitation to join in the home-making lessons and jolly entertainment for at least one day.”
The motion picture cooking school will be a practical rally of home-makers to contribute fresh perspecti[v]e for the ‘same old job’—the monotonous day-in-and-day-out job, yet the most important business in the world. Just as men have their annual conventions, where they listen to lectures from specialists, Bossier Parish women will have their convention to consider home-making problems.”
“No ‘false-front’ camera-beautiful kitchens satisfied these specialists. They insisted on working in complete, compact, modern kitchens, which actually reflects more scientific ingenuity and careful planning than any living room.”
“Recognizing the demands of home experts, the producers of ‘Star in My Kitchen’ signed all-star kitchens, with an all-star cast adding a continual procession of close-ups so that every seat in the Southland Theatre is a good seat for this amazingly-pictured home-making course.”
“Everyday happenings have been dramatized in the plot of ‘Star in My Kitchen.’ Behind the sparkling humor and suspense, that are so necessary to screen stories, was a deliberate plan—an ambitious determination to carry instruction, inspiration and worthwhile home news to women in every community.”
“The camera took its time and took its close-ups, so that every person in the Southland Theatre will have a ‘large as life and twice as natural’ view of each operation. There will be no ‘orchestra circle’ at this entertainment, since the back row guests of The Planters’ Press will have an equal chance to peer into the busy mixing bowl, watching the deft steps of measuring, creaming, sifting and thorough mixing, not overlooking the final work of baking, roasting, French-frying or freezing.”
“Not only does this picture show new dishes, styles and interesting ways to serve everyday meals and party feats, but it demonstrates how to make intelligent use of the ingenious mechanical servants that take the guess work out of house work.
“What about recipes. Naturally every guest of The Planters’ Press will want to test those tantalizing cures for menu monotony. Free recipe sheets will be distributed daily. And other things will be given away—valuable gifts that will find long and useful life in many a home.”
“Guests at the school will want to meet and remember the friendly local firms and nationally known products that are helping The Planters’ Press in this community undertaking. Be sure to read their advertisements in this and next week’s issue.”
“Does your house run you? If so, why not accept The Planters’ Press’ invitation to join the neighborly cooking school party?”
And, be sure to read next week’s column to find out how Bossier folks responded. Or visit the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center to get the attendance results.
Ann Middleton is Director of the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center. She can be reached at (318) 746-7717 or by e-mail at amiddlet@state.lib.la.us
