Publix Opinion (Dec 31, 1927)

PUBLIX OPINION, DECEMBER 3lsr, 1927 " | TO SIR t t think of three of Sir Harry Lauder’s cou fact, however. . The cousins of the great Scot sh comedian are none other an the three Ormond Sisters te ) are appearing in the Publix ie production, “Russian ReIs.” And not only are the ters really cousins of Sir Jarry, but they’re just as Scotch s a bowl of haggis. They were’ laying in vaudeville for three ears and for some time were eatured with Ed Wynn in “The zrab Bag” before they ever reealed the fact of their relation hip to one of stageland’s great st characters. | Only after a great deal of peruasion did they admit that they vere “kinfolk wi’ heem.” Oh res, the delightful burr with vhich they talk and sing is enirely natural and did not have to e cultivated. In fact, it is so atural that, upon the occasion f their first appearance in this ountry, they took special lessons n diction to soften the burr for \merican ears. But to get back to the three ittle lassies and the cousin, Sir Tarry. It is on their mother’s ide of the family that they are | elated, although their father, oseph Ormond, was the close riend of Sir Harry Lauder vhen they were boys in school ogether in Scotland. Mr. Ormond and Sir Harry ised to be dancing partners when he latter knew more about coal nining than he did about the » Three-Ormond Sisters, Nora, Carrie and Daisy, appearing in “Revels,” are close relatives of Sir Harry Lauder, but i to succeed on Own merits and kept fact ai secret. REE BONNIE LASSIES _ AN’ RELATED TO LAUDER <EE OF FAMOUS COMEDIAN’S KIN _ KEPT SECRET RELATIONSHIP the cele HOOT MON!-THEYRE HARRY’S _ ||| Omaha Man Wins dl HARRY stage. It was at times when work was over that they used to appear as a dancing team at a little outdoor amusement place near Glasgow, known as “The Moss.” . Later Mr. Ormond went into trade in Glasgow, opening there the first store in Scotland where Sir. Thomas Lipton’s teas were sold. Daisy, Nora and Carrie are the first names of .these agile dancers and tuneful singers in’ “Russian Revels.” They have been an outstanding feature in not only “The Grab Bag,” but in “Make It Snappy,” with Eddie Cantor, “The Greenwich Village Follies,” “The Music Box Reyue” and numerous other Broadway musical hits. Their theatrical education began in Scotland at an early age, with dancing instruction from their father, and lessons in singing from their mother, who had won renown on the concert stage under the name of Mary Gray. They first attracted attention abroad as the John Tiller Baby Troupe when they appeared at the Alhambra Theatre in Paris in the concert company of their cousin, Sir Harry Lauder. Since their first appearance in this country they have been an unequivocal success. And that they have inherited the true Scottish instinct for thrift is evidenced by the fact that they recently purchased a $35,000 home on Long Island, New York, for their parents, with whom they live when not on_tour. Asked why they waited so long to make known their relationship to Sir Harry Lauder, the Ormonds said they did not desire to trade on ‘his reputation, preferring to succeed on their own merits, or not at all. If anyone doubts that they have succeeded, let them drop in at the Theatre and see these three bonnie lassies sing and dance ir “Russian Revels.” see ee ee eee |spread publicity to the event | Pickford in MY BEST GIRL. Pickford Prize (Continued from Page 6) . ported Korach’s plan. Miss Pickford-sponsored the party by a wire which contained a special message of urge and welcome to the oc-| casion. The newspapers gave wide of.| course, including mention of Mary | Mer. Korach started his regular ) advertising two weeks in advance, | and in addition to the Christmas | party just mentioned, was ‘successful in getting the BeeNews to} inaugurate a MY BEST GIRL | eontest such as that described in the Manual and press material. Other important angles to the campaign included broadcasting a_ Radio announcement of the picture every day for two weeks, the arrangement of 3 major displays with 3 department stores, the cooperation of book stores, the ’5 | and 10’, and some special advertising in the German, Italian and Swedish newspapers. The scope of his campaign, the resourcefulness, and imaginative qualities of the work of Mer. Korach would on the basis of comparisons have entitled him to this Mary Pickford prize, to say nothing of the fact that he got record-breaking results too, in competition with the de luxe Publix attractions this year at his chief opposition the new Riviera Theatre, Omaha. Berkoff Girls Well Trained The eight Berkoff Girls whose sensational dance routines are one of the outstanding’ features of “Russian Revels,” are making their first appearahce as a unit in this Publix stage production. These girls, ranging in age from sixteen to twenty, are all products of Hollywood, California, and underwent a rigorous six months course of training under the direction of Louis and Frieda Berkoff before they were sent out as a troupe. Each one-of. the girls has enough talent to appear as a specialty dancer in any musical production now playing on Broadway. girls in the troupe are Buddy Bushman, Jean Joice, Joy Rich, Shirley Faire, Dorothy Lyons, Billie Toy, Buddy La Vonne and Ivy Carnette. | DADDY, BU The | Y ME: TRA A bevy of Spanish beauties who will appear in the forthcoming Publix show, ‘‘Havana,’’ pose with expensive drape. BEAUTY IN “HAVANA” WITH $25,000 SHAWL DOROTHY BERKE WILL WEAR DRAPE TWO CENTURIES OLD AND INSURED FOR $20,000 A $25,000 Spanish shawl, made by hand nearly two cen‘turies ago, is one of the stage properties to be seen in Jack Partington’s “Havana” which will soon tour the Publix Circuit. The shawl will be worn by Miss Dorothy Berke (who has. conducted dancing: classes in Cleveland, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver and Memphis with her husband, Boris Petroff) in a wild, modern ballroom dance called “Jai Alia Tango.” This dance is now the rage of the Cuban capitol. It is inspired by the swift indoor game of “Jai Ali” which, after becoming a Spanish national sport replacing bull fighting, captured Mexico, Cuba and South American countries, and swept its way across to Florida, and even into several northern American cities. The “Jai Ali Tango” bids fair to become as popular as the sport. The shawl which Miss Berke wears was presented by King Alphonse of Spain to Maria Monterro, famous spanish _ballerina. Senorita Monterro loaned the precious drape to Miss Berke, who is her closest friend. Miss Berke has had it insured for $20,000 by Lloyds, and each night has it locked in the theatre vault for safe keeping. The shawl is made of silk nearly a sixteenth of an inch thick. It is figured with peacocks, and romantic scenes in a dozen brilliant. colors. “Havana,” in which Miss Berke will appear, will be a swift, colorful glimpse of Cuba at play in the brilliant society cafes and casinos of Havana. A score of beauties, ‘in native dances and songs, with a number of famous Broadway stars and acts in various roles, build up the show in support of Miss Berke. It was originally intended that Boris Petroff in person would be in “Havana” as dancing partner of Miss Berke, but the Loew-Publix production department tieup makes it impossible for Mr. Petroff to make the tour. TRAINED FOR MONTHS TO PERFECT STEPPING Second Lasky Check The Berkoff Dancers highly speci alized dancing troupe of beauties, whose unison in terpsichorean routines is a big feature of “Russian Revels.” J. P. Harrison Wins (Continued from Page 3) He had to kill a couple of windows on the building which were to ‘‘hold” the shadow, by covering them and _ then white-washing the front. He had a boy operate the spot light. This boy would throw the shadow of a hand on the street below the building. Then this grotesque shadow was made to travel slowlyup a white banner until the long tappering finger of the shadow pointed to the title UNDERWORLD. We wish space would permit us to describe the entire campaign in detail. But suffice to say the other items which entered into this forceful UNDERWORLD campaign of Harrison’s were as imaginative as the one just deseribed. And Harrison got results that approached a record.