Howard Hughes and California governor Frank Merriam laughing as they dine together at a banquet for Howard Hughes in Los Angeles, California.

A view of Howard Hughes at a banquet dedicated to him in Los Angeles, California.

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Attending a banquet in honor of Howard Hughes were L to R: Mayor Frank Shaw of Los Angeles, Howard Hughes, Will Hays, and Gov. Frank Merriam."

Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "As Howard Hughes Was Welcomed to Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Cal. -- Mayor Frank L. Shaw of Los Angeles, Howard Hughes, Will Hays, "Czar" of the movies, and Governor Frank Merriam of California (left to right) are pictured at the luncheon in the Biltmore Hotel which followed the wild ovation for Hughes and his four companions on his record-smashing world flight as they arrived in Los Angeles from their triumph from the East. Credit Line (ACME) 8/2/38"

A view of Los Angeles Mayor Frank L. Shaw, Howard Hughes, and California Governor Frank Merriam (left to right) dining together at a banquet for Howard Hughes in Los Angeles, California.

A wide view of a banquet held for Howard Hughes in the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Here, Howard Hughes can be seen via the pointing arrow as he gives a speech.

An up close view of Howard Hughes giving a speech at a banquet held for him in the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.