Variety (December 1925)

n^m*^^^K^f n VARIETY WOMAN'S Wednesday, December 2, 1928 AMONG THE WOMEN By THE SKIRT The best dressed woman of the weak VERA KINGSLEY (With Hcrt Gordon—VaiuieviUe) PLENTY OF RUBBERING VANDERBILT MANSION Near-Naked Girls on Hip's Elephants Business not so good at llie lliiipiMlrome Monday matineo. Too much holiday last week maybo. Mildred Mayo (with Lew Murdock) started off amoHK the ladies with a green drens. There was a gold yoke and a band of gold at the hem. She changed to a two-piece grein oloth suit and white vest. Mr. Murdock wore a suit so padded at the shoulders he was perfectly squaro. The Oukrainsky Rallet Is attractive in its youthfullness. In tarleton ballet costumes of the old school the liist nunil er by the entire company wag but mildly received. To the "Ulue Danube Walts," Hvo pretty little misses with long hair and red one-pleco bathing suits did much better. The gypsy finale employed besides the ballet corp the Foster Girls. It did sound Rood to hear the "Dance of the Hours" again, for it was In this very theatre many years ago that this music became famous. Nowhere but at the Hip could so pretentious a setting be given an elephant act. John Robinson's Elephants were ushered in by the Foster Girls in Hagdadian costumes. Throe almost naked Foster Girls rode the animals In a reclining position, and. they were probably an eighth of an inch away from a panic. Happy on the Loew Circuit At the State is an act called Visser and Co. It is a Continental turn. One of the men holds a live duck while singing a song. In perfect time with the man the duck quacks. This could only be possible by pinching the duck which the man undoubtedly does. The woman in the a^t appears first In a transparent dress of black mull. Underneath is a one-piece union suit of red sequins. The skirt is shortly discarded, fol- lowed by a costume of strands of pearls. The girl of Walsh, Daly and Walsh is smartly dressed in a black two-piece suit. The skirt is a fiare and the coat is a short bolero. There la a piping of white and a white satin vest. A hard sailor hat had a side trimming of white coke feathers. White stockin.Jis and black slippers complete the outfit, not forgetting the white gloves and a walking stick. A change was made to a white chiffon sprinkled with crystal. A red rose was at the shoulder and waist, also rod slippers and a string of pearl beads. "Dancing Some" has four boys and one girl. This act could show big time some dandy dancing but as tliey seemed perfectly happy in the environment of this theatre they had better remain on the circuit (Loew's) that seems to make them such cheerful workers. Raymond and Royce were disgusting in their pretense at reading a letter purchased on Broadway recently for $1 (Rhinelander case). Mrs. Frank Tlnney is singing about her marital woes in a dress that looked green In the amber spot. The skirt, of chiffon flared at the bottom and had a crystal elongated waist. It also had long bell sleeves. Ait Sorts Inspect Former Spacious and Elegant 5th Avenue Home "Sliding" Billy Watson's Fast, Snappy Show Congratulations to "Sliding" Billy Watson. He is giving the Columbia Wheel a burlesque show that should make all burlesque producers take notice. A faster, snappier show has not Keen seen at the Columbia theatre in a long, long time. Fred McCloy had his hands full ^handling the hundreds who tried to get into the theatre Monday night. At that it held just four too many sailors who became obstreperou.'j and wero so nicely eased out very few of the audience were aware. Little Anna Prop is in big letters and with her should be Sylvia Moir, who contributes a good share of the entertainment. Also holding up the female end were Alfaretta Symonds and Nita Bernard. These four women change their clothes so often you can become dizzy trying to keep track. Miss Prop is a dancer not five feet tall. Ho'w she remains so hefty doing all that acrobatic dancing is a mystery. Miss Prop is first in a green fringe dress made short and of three layers. A cap was of brilliants with a long plume. Another fringe affair was white with a diamond top. With this she wore a red hat and red gloves. There was a lace dress made with extended sides. A tall hat had a long sweeping veil. Miss Prop made the cunrtingest boy In a full evening dress. Miss Noir is also very well dressed. For a specialty she was in a shaded pink chiffon made with a velvet bodice edged with an iridescent trimming. A red velvet dress had a feather trimming. The chorus was stunningly dressed in all the numbers. The clothes all showed class and spelled money. It looked as though Mr. Watson had taken off the limit. The clothes of the chorus are credited to Mme. Katz and she is to be complimented on her achievement. The materials ran from the new hand-painted silks to the daintiest taffetas and laces. The millinery display was distinctive. -^.^ .: . _ Valentino With Poise "The Eaglo" with Rudolph Valentino is a fair enough picture, inasmuch as It gives Mr. Valentino an opportunity for picturesque dressing of an early Russian period. The star is looking very well. Valentino In his long absence from the screen seems to have developed much more poise. Vilma Banky resembles strongly Marion Davles. All Miss Banky's clothes are of the Empire period. The dresses were the high bodice and long flowing skirt. They were most becoming to Miss Banky's slight girlish flgure. In a banquet scene she had>on her head an elaborate pearl crown with long chains of the same gtm. Louise Dresser was a blonde Catherine, with her hair dressed In a coronet of braids. Her court dre.ss was al.so Empire In design. For riding Miss Dresser wore a two-toned habit made for side saddle. Good Dressing in "Look Us Over" "Look Us Over" (at the Columbia last week) is a bright, entertaining burlesque. Dres.sed far better than most show.s. It takes on the look of a Broadway revue in many instances. Fred Harper and Tommy Levine carry the comedy, while Hazzard and Spellman provide the dancing interest. Evyleen It.imsay. Klla Corbett and Ada King though no', strong vocally arc there with looks. The 18 girls in the opening scene are in rose colored dresses and large hats. A brid.al number was dressed effectively. Four of the ponies acted as flower girls in short bhic drosses. The rest were in white taffeta with a floral embroidery in the waist and skirt. Charles Harris in a iiumlKr ha.l tlm girls behind hini in short tunics worn over bare l.-gs. The l.I.ick velvet and the green velvet with rows of buttons worn by two of the girls stood out. A hula had the girls In black fringe. A .set of niaiivo taffeta dresses were made buffant and painted with a huge floral decoration. The girls also looked well as miniature Uncle Sams In wliilc and red satin. Miss Ramsay changed clothes many times. Among the costumes in her extensive wardrobe is a nd fcatlur oversklrt with a Thinestone lodlce. White tishts and silver fringe formed another change. As a bride, the whito tights played understudy to a side-hopp<d skirt. Black veivet short pants were worn with a white waist and red sash. There was a green dress heavily embroidered. I?lue metallic cloth was used for one short dress with a decoration of pink roses. Ella Corliett. a great looking: red-head, has her hair in long curls. Miss Corbett appeared (Continued on page 1^) Among the artists, architects, and what-nots whoso professional interests took them to the Vander- bilt mansion at 62nd street and Sth avenue, last week, there also floated a curious, critical populace whose obvious motive was lo get a erood view of how the other half lives at home. Standing on the first landing of the hand-carved marble stairway that leads from the foyer up to the second floor were several artists, men and women, sketching a favored motif or outlining a fret- work design before them. The at- mosphere was suffoc;atingly carved and imaged. It was, therefore, especially amusing for three fat and furiously-dressed women to pause at this strategic landing, and to pant their disapproval of the steps. One of them voiced her disgust this way: "Think of it, Lucy, not an elevator in the house!" The Vanderbilt mansion is the only American duplication of the Chateau de Chenonceaux In France. The chateau was erected during the 16th century, and in 18S3 the Vanderbilts made this first effort to introduce Gothic domestic archi- tecture into America. True to the Gothic pattern. It has few windows, broad stairways, wide halls, little secret halls, deep linen closets, and a narrow secret stairway winding Its mysterious way between the darkened walls of the first, second and tWrd floors. The doors of each room are part of the panelled walls. If an embossed satin design forms the upper part of a room's wall, it is also a part of the door. Inlaid, ov.al panels suddenly open. Book shelves move. Not a Home This structure was built pri- marily for entertainment. It is in- stitutional, elegant, and chokingly Impersonal. It reminds one of that naive little aria from "The Bohemian Girl" that begins: "I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls." Ck>ld and unreal like a dream. A library, or art gallery—but not a home. The banquet hall on the first floor is especially pretentious with Ita huge, wooden and carvQd statues. Us double fireplace dec- orated with six life-sized Images; its carved, wooden balcony; its oval panelled Vails. No furniture remains in any room of the house, no pictures, no anything but walls and floors. The Persian tiled smoking room, the Chinese reception room, the brick walls of the former art gallery are also on the first floor. Strangely enough, a small and a large library are on the third floor. The music hall la also on this floor, and complete bedroom suites spread over the second and third floors. The proceeds of entrance to this home last week went into the treasury of the Film Mutual Benefit Bureau of which Elizjibeth Perkins is president, Sophie Smith, secre- tary, and Anne Morgan, director. The bureau not only acts as a sponsor for good films but it co- operates with the City Visiting Committee of the State Charities Aid. This includes co\irses in oc- cupational therapy and music In the free wards of the city's hos- pitals. The mansion was lately sold and will be demolished. It was thrown open last week for rubbernecking purposes at BOc. per. THE DRESSY SIDE By SALLIE -WarwicW-Nash Love 8cenc~ The Nash sisters are giving vent to their temper and temperaniint Iq a play that deals with sex thrills, bored married life, the wron^ Mr, Husband but the vamp finds him the perfect Mr. Lover. Robert War- wick and Florence Nash's love scene in its Intenaeness will put anj| scene on the screen this sea.<?on to sleep. "A Lady's Virtue" sends a message and its theories have held silent analysis for many moon.s. Th» cast give a smooth performance in pretty turroundings and the clothes worn by the women are fascinating. Mary's willowy self is fashion plus. Her tan velvet long waistline with full flare finished with dark fur at bottom, long sleeves and high neck, worn in the first act. Is stunning. Her feet are dressed in hose and pumps in the sanxe shade. Florence Nash's personality, suave manner and good dressing carry her through. Her clothes are smart. Florence's red ensemble velvet one-piece dress with cloth co.at with beaver collar and cuffs is -rery modish. Isabel Irvlng's normal well balanced good mother is splendid. She never looketl better than in a semi-evening black velvet, cut square necked, sleeveless, and fastened to one side with a huge rhinestone ornament. WMth this is a brocade gold and black wrap with black fur collar. "A Lady's Virtue" is a good evening's entertainment. "Glass Slipper," Strictly Budapest "The Glass Slipper," comedy, belongs to Budapest. It is rather me- diocre btit its cast is well assembled. June Walker is a treasure for any production.and gives an altogether sympathetic Interpretation ot the much harrassed slavey in her aunt'd home. Her dressing would create no furore in any night club. Helen Westley looks ungainly in a yellow house dress with black lace ruffle at bottom and sleeves. Her hair is worn slick back and she uses her eyes and voice to advan- tage. She is screamingly funny in the wedding scene as a bride, in white awkward length and a heavy net veil, finished with a coronet ot orange blossoms picked by the road side dangling half way between the crown of her head and neck. The Guild theatre offers much in the way of furnishings in the lounge and a fine soda fountain wtth pretty girls lending a homey atmosphere. At the Horse Show That Turkeys held a preference over horses was evident Thanksgiving night at this year's horse show at the Armory, with the usual buzzing of the debs at the show, as well as at the opera this season, missing. The call of the jazz, cats and movies is strong. The showing of class horses in polished and Jeweled bridles, with grooms in their always colorful red coats, white breeches, patent boots and high hats was far the most attractive feature of the show. The men present outdid the women in grooming, looking wty fit in their last word evening clothes. As for the women, nothing unusually striking was noticed either in the boxes or parading. The inevitable two-piece velvet with long sleeves and high neck or sleeveless with low neck was much in evidence. The boxes were chiefly; occupied with middle aged and eldeirly women wearing modest decol- lette gowns of this season's popular velvet metals and crepe chiffons. With the Horse Show in Its own home next season it may do a real come-back, or should. Meighan's Irish Background From spots in Dublin to the lakes of Killarney is enough Irish back- ground plus comedy and a simple love tale to make Thomas Meighan'a newest, "Irish Luck," a good laugh as well as good entertainment. "A Little spot in Ireland ' sung in the prologue by girls and boys in peasant garb white skirts with green bodices of the girls and green coats and white breeches for the boys is a flne Introduction. Lois Wilson is her usual sympathetic self and wearing an ensemble of one-piece with long sleeves full skirt and a very simple coat with small fur collars and cuffs with the always favorite small hat. Her house frock of chiffon is a becoming white, while her hair and feet are always well dressed. Mary Fay's comedy is good and her dressing consisted of a little dark suit with small hat. "Irish Luck" promise* a big run. Fisk Jubilee Singers The Fisk Jubilee Singers are the result of phllanthrophy and the Fisk University at Nashville ranks with the highest. They are sponsored by Paul D. Cravath. Four men and one woman make up a quintet group of spiritual singers with a blending of tone and coloring seldom heard on any concert stage. The intimacy of Steinway's email new concert hall artistically decorated hung in mirrors with beautiful lights lend an attractive background. 'f^e Thrill of ■ Circus Parade What a thrill is a brass band and street parade on Thanksgiving Day. The Macy department store's street circus really outclassed any former event of its kind. .Three bands, about 20 floats, live elephants, clowni doing stunts and every child from Washington heights to Madison square Jubilant over Santa's return to Toyland. Old Santa came along out of a glorious blue world driven by reindeer and bells. Each float represented another phase of progress from cowboy to radio. . ORGANIZATION PHILLY SUNDAY SHOW (Continued from page 1) day night hereafter, under the auspices of a specially chartered club, with CTitrancc limited to members and guests. It Is said tlie club's inenil>ership, promoted through the t^Wnley Company, is comjiosed of the most exclusive social lights of the city. ' // You Don't Advertise in "VARIETY" Don't Advertise (Continued from page 4) commercial basis undreamed of in the old days, through the intelligent and responsible recognition of the rights of each to each. - Bad Actors and Crooked Managers But, better than all, the unthinking have been educated to the under- standing that organization can never make a bad actor good; can never make a crooked manager more than a crook at heart; can never erase a condition in which a nod of the head can keep an imlividual "out" for life and he will never know why; can never bring sound bleep to a tyrant though he owned the earth; it can never make the public pay for what does not interest them, and it, likewise, can never defeat a man or woman in whom God has placed even a small portion of the real stuff. The 4«esson of 25 Years All this has been learned in the last 25 years, but only by tliose who have lived through those years. It must* be re-learned by eai li ^'enera- tion. and there will be growing discontents and flglits and strikes ana magic panaceas and eventual readjustments again and again, but with the accumulated mass of -precedent we may get to conclusions more quickly. If we <'an weed maudlin sentiment and hales and persecution?" a"" cheap tricks and politics and the smart alec sophistry of ihe Tenderloin out of it next time; if we e;in produce some young men of ability who have that commercial patriotism of business integrity t!\,it s<'es the bu.^iness not in tlie terms of next week or next year, and tea'h them to discern the artistic effort which builds lil;ewise, this present -Moron period f)f our pf>|)Ular public: may be safely passed, and, while the mass of illiter:ile foreigners and native i)ea.sants are Icniiiiifi oj"' w.iys and our laMKuage tlirough the primer of the plr-tures .Mid the Infant class vaudeville and inim.ature id.ays which now engages them, 've ran at ready for the great future th'-atre which shtvH-wir o ly--x.aiati—