Variety (July 1919)

■•'.-" ■.-.".■. '-'.v ■■'- .^^ "■■ ■.''-■ .■'■ '■■■?■-.. AMONG THE WOMEN By PATSY SMITH * Eg e )■•*• : .rr Pi EfisXi- JjM; 1SS i <-■■*< ■ "Sahara" reflects much credit on the director and photographer in the del- icate and dignified handling of material in hand. Louise Glaum as Mignon is sympathetically appealing. Closeaps of women mounted on Rock of Gibral- tar pedestals show most so unattrac- tive and unresponsive that red cor- puscled beings pass them shoulder to shoulder without recognizing their presence. A flash of Miss Glaum (cut back in story) as the Opera Comique star shows her in real Parisian look- ing apparel from the exaggerated head- dress to the tips of her high heeled boots. A black sequin gown, tight at bottom and with side pocket or hip drapery all in one piece, topped with a high girdle bodice of same, was effec- tive. Velvet and fur wraps, although spectacular photographically, seemed out of place on the sands of Sahara, even in her Sand Palace, but then Sa- hara is a big place and the locale was indefinite. For an elaborate fete in a spacious Peacock room, in honor of her friend the Prince, she was gowned in loose net drapery, embroidered in great peacocks over a gold foundation •—only the tight long sleeves of the metallic cloth showing. Long peacock feathers adorned her nicely coiffured head, and she carried a large peacock fan. A lace negligee robe and a satin toga sort of garment and Arabic tur- ban, were especially becoming. For the feminine admirers of Elsie Ferguson, "The Avalanche" will prove a gold min,e, for there is a wealth of gowns, and the clever actress is seen in three distinctly different roles. The < theme is the curse of heredity—the sec- ond story of this sort which Miss Fer- guson has been seen in. The other was the taint of liquor—this is the in- herent, gambling instinct. First as Chichita, daughter of a gambler, she shows a born love for the spirit of chance. Only a peasant girl in simple but gay attire, she so fascinates a sporting Englishman that he marries her and for five years with their com- mon love of gambling they drift Then the deluge—bankrupt and suicide of husband and, fearing child will be tainted with their awful curse, the mother puts her in a convent. As the wife of the Englishman, Miss Ferguson was a handsome picture in long lace mantilla and lace and jet trailing cling- ing gown. Later as Mrs. Delano, the wife of an American gaming house keeper, she parades some effective cre- ations, sticking to the intense Spanish type throughout—black wig, dressed high, and long clinging robes, enhanced with lace, jet or sequins. As Helene she was frocked in the checked ging- ham of the convent and in youthful suit and shirt waist. As Mrs. Price Ruyler she was a young matron of ex- ceeding charm, always delightfully cos- tumed, even to her intimate boudoir things. The Palace bill this week is replete with novel offerings and artists of abil- ity. May Boley, with the "Overseas Re- vue," wore a new lilac silk dress. A scalloped ruffle at bottom was drawn in tight about ankles with a cord shir- ring. There were two ruffles just be- low hips, put on apron fashion, and smart little short sleeves. A leghorn hat, faced with the violet tint, had a green satin bandeau tied in front and a jet necklace and large cameo brooch served further to break the solid color. Elizabeth Brice is now wearing a black buster wig for the splendid "Gob" number. Mrs. LeVolos (The LeVolos) was in a blue silk gold bro- cade soubret dress, the bottom turned up in an Oriental puff hem. Florence Ames (Winthrop and-Ames) has put more comedy falls in* their Roman dance number and her opening cos- tume (which she terms a modest violet) is a petal effect in blended shades with a green bodice and small brimmed hat carrying out the stem effect Then besides Bessie Clifford's artis- tic posings, Aleen Bronson's chatter and Jack Norworth's "leading lady" (colored baby), there was that clever dancing pair, the Ford Sisters. New artistic and beautiful were the cos- tumes they wore for their waltz num- ber. A lovely soft quality of silver cloth was the material. The long skirts made in a double puff about the hips, split at sides, showing under- skirts of accordion plaited orchid geogette, side panel trains faced with the orchid, fell over opening when the lithe bodies .were not. swaying in the movements of the waltz. The bodices built high in front and low in back, a la Ford, had scarfs of white tulle float- ing from shoulders and they carried sapphire blue ostrich feather fans. Ernest Evans and his fair associates contributed a goodly share of the en- tertainment at the Riverside Monday night. Estelle McNeal, Gertrude Zo- bel and Mildred Rife have been added to the act since at the Fifth Ave., with that charming little dancer, Ora Deane, still retained. All of the costumes were fresh and pretty. Miss McNeal wore a lovely silk lace flounced affair and 'an orchid net with broad silver embroidered band running serpentine fashion about top flounces. The lower skirt was appliqued with satin bow knots and there was a silver girdle en- circling the slender orchid bodice. The violinist wore a lavender net over self- toned silk and the pianist flashed sham- rock chiffon drapery over white satin. The most effective of all Miss Deane's good-looking apparel, was a transpar- ent rose georgette veiled in spangled net, which" blended with the rose silk draped setting. The women in the Marx Bros, act- there is one new one—were, freshly arrayed in the River Villa Fete scene, •but their opening appearance is still incongruous. A pink velvet jacket' and tarn with a pearl gray velvet skirt is hardly in keeping with mother's rain coat and tight blue velvet fez. The baby vamp now wears a plum satin cherry lined cape with the white satin sport suit she "lands" in. The little dancer looked well in a chocolate col- ored net that seemed to just match her hair. There was a full-pointed overskirt and a drop that showed a border of pink roses, faintly through it, all over a pink foundation. Florenz Tempest impersonated two lovely boys and one adorable girl. She was a fussy yet charming picture in a silver cloth wrap the bottom, top and armholes bordered with seal and the lining pink chiffon. A gown of silver and iridescent embroidered blue net, over charteuse chiffon skirt with lace inserting and edging, was girdled* in a single row of large rhinestones. The same brilliant stones were encrusted about the top of decolletage. Miss Norton (Norton and Nicholson) wore her black sales ladies' dress and trench hat, and Ruth Roye her burnt orange trimmed with the blue green ribbon. ■ t -, Oscar Aptel has started his third production under his contract with World Films, using as a vehicle "The Oakd&le Affair." Evelyn Greelev will he the star. It will be released In August- Motion Picture Operators' Union, Local 806, covering the New York and Brooklyn territory, held an election of officers Wednesday morning. Sam Kaplan, President; Bam Ooldtarb, Busi- ness Agent; Harry Sherman, Secy.-Treas., were re-elected without opposition. ^TTT ' tT | ] "ft | i ir A mast bizarre, amai- 1ns and nnnanal story is unfolded. Your audi- ences will be mystified, thrilled, and then given the surprise of their llres at the end. Not one out of fifty who see the picture will ever guns the finish. William Russell will win thousands of new friends for himself by bis splendid work in this production. William Russell Pro* dnetlons Now Arailable: "Hobbs In a Hurry" "All the World to Nothing" "Whan • Man Ride* Alont" "Where the West Begins" "Bnu Buttoni" • "Some Llsf WILLIAM RUSSELL BY STEPHEN FOX OIRECTED BY HENRY KINO WILLIAM RUSSELL PRODUCTIONS Distributed by PATHE' "NO" MEN ORGANIZED. Los Angeles, July 1. Film City humorists have just banded a bunch of strong jawed film players and directors into a secret society that has a surface purpose of fun but. an undercurrent of seriousness. The new body calls itself the "No" men, and have been organized in con- tradistinction to the subservient and often sycophantic followers, employes and others, of most of the big stars, who are privately known here as "Yes" men. These "Yes" men get their affirmative handle through their readiness to ac- quiesce instantly with any suggestion made by any of the stars or directors in power. „ It is a tradition here that if a di- rector or a star: of any account should ask any. group of these affirmatives whether the said director or the said star could swim Niagara Falls, the an- swer would be a vociferous chorus ot "Yes." The "No" men have agreed in their by-laws that cost what it may, they will at all times express their convic- tions when approached by their em- Eloyers. The "Yes" men are said to e responsible for much of the picture junk that finds its way to the world's market from this film factory town. FORGED FOR HER SWEETIE. Portland, Ore., July 1. Helen Mannin, actress, aged 19, is in jail for forgery. She admits passing many bad checks. Though she faces a term in the penitentiary, she still says "Move him" The next two paragraphs is the story taken in'an interview with her. One day, aboufsix weeks ago, Helen was at the Strand Theatre when Ham- mond and Hayes, comedians, were playing. Hammond flirted with' her from the stage,-she says. She liked his appearance and so met him after the show. For about four weeks he remained in Portland. Then he left, promising to write. He wrote ask- ing for money. She had no money, having stopped in Portland while on her way to Los Angeles to meet Pearl White, film star, whom, she says, she knows well. Helen took the easiest way; she wrote a' check, cashed it and sent the money to her sweetie. Hammond then wired for $40. She cashed some more checks and was arrested • Police take little stock in her story, other than admitting that she is ap- parently a guileless girl. They say she is one of the cleverest forgers they ever had to deal with. BOOKINGS RESULT IN WARRANT. A warrant was issued for H. H. Moss through the instance of Abraham Cros- ney, attorney for the backers of "The Spreading Evil," a film which was ex- hibited at the Harris Theatre, and be- cause of the mixed booking of a play called "Who Did It," resulted in legal action. The picture people were required" to put up the sum of $1,200 guranteeing the exhibition of the picture for a month, and it is this money that is sought. '• A civil suit was started to recover the alleged conversion, but with no prospect of the case being heard until fall, the picture men decided to protect themselves. The defendant in such actions is usu- ally sent to Ludlow street jail, where $1,000 bail must be supplied to secure a release until the action is heard.' Where judgment is obtained the de- fendant must supply bail to twice the amount of such judgment. The Moss warrant was secured to insure his presence within the jurisdiction of the court when the case will be called. He was arrested Tuesday but immediately released on bail. ,