The Nation of Hollywood was shaken by an earthquake which left several Los Angeles area buildings severely damaged, and scores more in shambles. Plates and books toppled from shelves, and windows shattered into the streets as the shaker rolled across the star-studded landscape.

A number of studio productions were disrupted by the trembling ground, including the latest Lana Cooper film, Queen of the Cockpit. Star Lana Cooper suffered a fractured arm when part of the film's elaborate set fell on her during the quake. "It was very frightening," said Cooper. "But the crew has been wonderful, and very resourceful. By the time I got back from the hospital, the set was back up so we could shoot again. So long as we don't show my arm. I suppose I'll be getting a lot of close ups!"

Director Merle Harlan had only praise for his star as well. "Lana's a real trooper. Broken wing didn't slow her down a bit."

The earthquake was rated as a 6.2 on the scale recently developed by Charles Richter for measuring the strength of earthquakes. The actual center of the earthquake was somewhere to the east of the city, but it was felt throughout the metro area and beyond. A number of fires were started as a result of damaged buildings and ruptured gas pipes, but the Fire Department quickly brought the blazes under control.

President David Dunbar addressed the Nation of Hollywood by radio. "Right now I'm told that there was no loss of life from today's events. I'd like to reassure everyone that the damage appears to be confined to some older buildings. I also want to thank the Hollywood legislature for passing my Earthquake Standards Act, which raised the bar for safety after the tragic Long Beach quake of '33. I'm sure that lives were saved today as a result."

President Dunbar further pledged that Hollywood would be getting back to "business as usual" with all possible speed, and praised the ingenuity of Hollywood engineers, "who have designed some of the best and safest structures in the world."