Variety (Aug 1932)

' 40 VARIETY TIMES SQUAJRC Tuesday^ Augu8tj3g, 1932 Un€diiimon Chatter By Ruth Morris That Gallant Jessel Norma' Talmadge, In 'Jeasel's liittle Kevue* at. the Paramount, is - vsecure in the knowledge that there are stiil fans who remember her screen successes; that she looks very youne ieind charming; that she ■ has bfeeh given all "the answers to" the questions iired at her by an ex-* pert .comedian, . Mr. Jessel paces his questions for the'laughs that \70uld not otherwise -greet Miss Talmadge's somewhat bored retorts. He stands respect fully downstjage, ' permitting. his ' partner to aim her speeches at dl •rect audience-center. He never 'creeps up-stage to steal advantage, or Interpolatea a laugh-lifting crack ■ Sddle Cantor wouldn't recognize bis ex-partner and comedy rival If he could s$ie Mr. Jessel In this re- BtFaiiied, \irllling to be topped, mood. ' ' Since Miss Talmadge's appearance Is more eye than ear entertainment, she shows poor judgment In her first gown, ah unimaginative turquoise satin with a; atyieless waistline and a strange addition of beige fox at the shoulders. Her second Is simply .fiwell-—a cariefully fitted skirt of long black crepe, an interestingly draped white bodice shot with glimmers of - gold; and metallized scarlet girdle at a high waistline. A white hat is saucy with Its snug outline, sharp; angle, and fr<>u of. fluffy feathers ; at cetiter-back. But what the gown, plus Miss Talmadge and Mr. Jessel, . .are; doing In a black-put' that in> terrupts the beaiity of a Donald Novis B0I6 la something nobody can -Answer; ' • '■ | : : Oracle Allen has found new .con^ yersatlonal topics with which, to. jiienaoe her partner's sanity—and another delicate white moiissellhe that describes "h^ as a dizzy maid, but awfuUy well-meaning. Bennett Moods ahd Modes Constance Bennett calls her style class to order-In 'Two'Against the .World' and continues to instruct the younger set oh'how to. be the belle «f the ball. Of all her gowns—there Is a nice, 'fat collection—her opera costume is most simple and came'ra-wl&e. Made of darkrUghtTreflectlng velvety its long'fullness gatliers at a high /waistlintii. A broad . sequined belt rides up ~ln: front t6 emphasize Mlsis Bennett's modish figure. Insei se- quins punctuate the shoulders with good tone and broadening line, ■. When she.Walks jh. the ra.lri, Miss Behett talces along white oil cloth talptipoat trimmed In black patent leather, 'and a. matching hat, brimmed. She approves of generous quantities of silver fox, blue tox, beige, fox, or Just no fur at ail- when necklines are immaculately fitted. The best hair comb Is Miss Bennett's youthful coif, sweeping oft the brow into full, soft waves. An- other, compressed Into flat waves and plhned closely to the head Is not nearly as young or becoming. Helen Yln30*^'s gowns and Brit- ish accent niake her eligible for the Bennett cinema crowd. She does excellently in an unSIPInpathetIc, second part Clara Blandick has telling mbhients as an habitually shocked and disapproving matron. Hollywood would have given their most tried and triie mascara brushes to get a: chance at the role. None could have Interpreted It more sweetly than Miss Dunne. June Clyde has a chance to shade the part of younger sister with a change from giddy, small-town miss to settled, chatterbox matron. She does it surprisingly w;elL Zasu Pitts gets the tiniest peek at wan comedy and' treats It, ais usual/ with thorough characterlzatioh. Shirley Grey, Doris Lloyd, Arietta Duncan and Maude Turner Gordon are. ade- quate, in unimportant bits. Unlversal's wardrobe department took pains to emphaslzie the chang- ing fashions of the liatst few decades. But the style parade doesn't qiilte come off. All the details are there; feather boas, gored skirts, lace mitts and hipped in waist-line. But they are not merged Into ah authentic period ensemble. Perhaps Its be- cause modern clothes have them- selves grown so quaint and dated that the old-fashioned gowns look like frocks fop a present-day mas- querade ball. club ladles choose In preference to all-over sequins. It's economical and Just as efCectlve, if a good figure igpes along with It, Greta Granstedt's coloring Is more Scahda:navlan than her probably ierenulne but none-the-lesa uncon- vincing accent Buthelma Stevens, screening very nicely In a few good clothes, defies audiences to bellev^ In the selfrconsclous, coolpg charni of her delivery. .Cabbaae Gag Exposed Hollywood has finally discovered that newrborn babies are not fbund In cabbages; After all these years of delicate reticence, Ijfe Begins' boldly announpea that childbirth. Is a blessed, but nohe the leiss obstet- rical event This sudden enlightenment revor lutlonlzes screen motherhood. In the old days, tiny symbolic .garments were filled. In miraculous sequence, with a bouncing, six-months old baby. But ^Ite Begins' will have none of pictorial euphemism. It forces Its actresses to face facts— the doubt and fears, the disfigure- ments, the disappointments or hopes fulfilled, ol. confinement In a hoapi^L tal maternity ward. Loretta Toung Is •aided by . a part that is dewy with sympathy. Pathetically youthfuU frightened, haunted by the knowledge that she must return to prison after iier baby Is. boriv Mias "SToung effects 9, per- formance that surpasses former, prettily Ingeniie parts. Aline MacMahon, the screen's fa- vorite crlsp-cracker, fiavors forthr right speeches with deepest sym- pathy. A head nurse with a level head, a softened sense of humoi^ and a firmly built role, she comets warm audience response. ' .1 'I Chirrups Sad Torches Aileen Stanley, with vocal com- petitijsn before and after her specialty, at the Capitol, registers one of those unimpressive, polite successes^ It .Isn't because she doesn't , look^ well Ih a neat, white satin or because she falls to greet her audience with gracious simplic- ity. It's probably because torch songs are too sad and moody to siiit anyone who sings In blithe,, con- tented monotone. Bernice and Emily, make-ups too pink-ahd-white and costumes an at- tractive, co^nbinatlon of cerise and chartreuse feathers, open - the unit with their dangerous, perfectly per- formed stair dance, before the house has i>eeri warmed to response. 'Back Street's' Quaint Modes Irene Dunne fares. Ijest in parts that have the great sympathy and strength to sweep her int'6 a firm, authoritative performance. 'Cim- arron' did It for her once. 'Back Street' does it again. ,Her latest part-is-rich, with self- sacrifice and those human, under- etanding qualities tliat Miss Diihiie likes to portray. Many actresses In Living Up to a Photo Hollywood takes an awful: chance, when it permits a heroine to see herself, close-up'd In a shimmering hair-hat whose fiattering aura ex tends to the edges of the camera framei Having glimpsed herself en shrined In sheer photographic beauty, the heroine cannot forget the Image that-smiled back at her from the daily ruishes. She tries, thereafter, to translate the charm of a lustrous photograph Into dialog and action. Her smile becomes more fragile, her glance more dewy- eyed. Her voice starts to ripple like a woodland brpok. Jeanhette MacDonald always has had a tendency to over-emphasize charm. The close-up alrea:dy de scribed was her undoing. > Myrna Loy may have been Just as pleased with her reproduction in a black velvet boufCante and a soft, white wig, but she doesn't let on That's her best gow;n. For the rest, she. relies on her cool manner and flip repartee. . Elizabeth Patterson, Blanche Fredricl and Ethel Griffles establish a fluttering mood and a prissy Greek chorus to comment oh M. Cheval ler's musical escapade. Costumes and backgrounds are charming. WARFIELP, FRISCO • (Continued from page 37) 15, previously played Fox's Para- mount for number of Weeks, and only recently had a week ^acrorfs the street at BKO's Golden Gate. So boys are old-timers to this neck of the woods. Stafford Is a personable m.c., working with ease and dis- playing an authority of speech and deportment that should keep him In this berth for somo time. Band did two numbers, 'Three on a Match,' with Charlie Blanc handling lyrics nicely, and novelty a.rrahge- ment of lBugle <3all Rag,' with two of boys tossing In a tap dance. Re-i malnder of. house's stock talent; line of 1(5 girls, were okay in three routines, flashily:costumed. Norman Thomas Quintet was sock of the show. Freddie Crump, agile drummer, and Earl Skanks^ singing 'Why Darkles. Are Born,' got the big palms. Hoofing duo and pianist rounded out the turn. Thomas out of the act resuU of re- cent auto accident In which he suf- fered fractured skull and 'injured arm.' Dick Henderson comiced-'em with his line of. gab and three songs, working hard for results. Jue Fong, Chinese tenor, chanted ah operatic air In Italian, concluding with 'Irish Eyes' and got a good hand.. Doby and Xoii, tall and fat team, did couple of fa?t comedy hanhony tunes and encored; - Metrotone news and Par nov- elty short comttleted; Bock. Wisconsin, Milwaukee Milwaukee, Aug. 29. Making his second appearance here in less than a year, Ted Lewis brought a better show to the Wis- consin than he bad during his first visit. There Is more snap to It,.wlth lettet" coloring ahd a better ar=" rangement of material. The peahut number with large gobs of peanuts for the youngsters made a big hit This show Opens as usual with the band on the stage and Lewis out in front. Several pretty girls dance in and out of the proceedings,, and a colored quartet sings. Lewid sings his songs,.plays the clarinet bows the. acts on and, off, and does his familiar bits in an engaging man- her. Jack Martin at the Wisconsin or-> gan got excellent results with a community singing bee that netted more real volume than, usual. Pos sibly because the houses at the Wis consin have been getting bigger In spite of that heat. It is a popular feature. ,. Glen Welty and his. excellent or chestra did -well with selectlbhs from: 'The Vagabond King* with vocal refrains by Harry Stanton 'Guilty as Hell'. (I^ar) made good. What Nite Club Ladies Wear Mayo Methot, done In by the bite of a nasty looking scorpion, with- draws from 'The Night Club Lady' un-vvept, urihoifered and unsung. The scenarist doesn't show any good reason why she should not be mlir deted and nobody cares. Miss Methot should be grateful for speedy release from an un- gracious part Misiai Methot is a capable actress, but if she "doesn't want to be typed as an out and out menace, she'll need sympathetic parts and more ffattcrlng photog- raphy; Her one gown is the snugly fitted black satin that wise night Get Albert Dean^ to explain cricket rules. Morris Gest. around : the Street Bill Fox has had all his teeth pulled. , Benny Plermont had the. tonsils yanked. Dave Chasen has gag letter en-, velopes. Plenty of' southerners in town during August. Lee Marcus and the missus to Bermuda Sept 10. Mary Hlgglns, of Leblang's, tak- ing another vacation. . Joe Pliicus screen tested Florence Reed for Fox last week. Squawks of other tenants puttliioi damper on penthouse speaks. Gladys Glad and Mark - Helllnger cooing over dinner at Dlnty'Modre's. Joe Cook returned from-Europe on the 'Roma' Saturday evening (27)., ■. ■ : Martha Jannls at Polyclinic hos- pital recuperating from appehdl-. citls. . O. M. Samuel recuperating froni a serious siege of Illness ih New Or- leans. Terry . Turner staying up nights on those Palace and Mayfair house fronts". As many people In theatre and film departmeht of the 'Mirror' (tab) than in the city. room. Bill Norton of the Music: Box Is back. He will handle Sam H. Har- ris''Here Today'tryout. Joey Keith and Sid Harris In se- clusion at Lake Lucerne, N. Y. Braved Saratoga one day. Charles -Bornhaupt. former vaude agent of foreign acts. Is resldihg in Stamford, Conn., and is 111. Leon Spachner around after four painful months with spondllitls. That's Infiammation of the spinel Steve Loewer, of the WB. pub. dept.. Is motoring to the Coast Will work in the same dept there , under George Bllson. Ken Hanson, formerly with Pub- Ux and; now manager of the. Coli- seum, New York; may Join the Re- publican national publicity commit' tee. '■ ' ■■ FOX, FRISCO San Francisco, Aug. 21... P. & M.'s tab Version of 'Follow Thru' opened here after a break-In week In Los Angeles, and picks up entire route, with flock of extra dates In usually straight pix houses. Show, running 86 minutes, is fast, colorful and entertaining, and In any house smaller than the massive 5,000-seat Fox ought to meah a lot. As It Is here size of theatre de tracts from the show.- Joe Penrier and. OlJve Olsen do a good Job with their comedy, roles, Penner establishing Jiimself as one of ace comics to coniic along this rialto. Others of cast are capable, too, and include Madeline Sheifleld. ingenue; William Halllgan, second comedy; Helen Wright, femme lead; Dee Loretta, Pranklyn Parr num, Eddie Tamblyn and Alita Duncan. BiS Fox orchestra added much to show. George McKay con ducted; . 'Thru* staged by Lerby Prinz, With Eddie Prlnz putting on dances.. Walt Roesner and orchestra with vocal chorus of 18 hald a medley of operatic airs, franied as 'Memories of Tivoll Days,' .when TIvoU' Was this town's ace show spot. Biz not so hot with 'Painted Woman' on screen. Plenty of neat added touches about the whole frolic, as added by Herman Kerskeh. Bock. OLYMPIA, PARIS Paris, Aug. 17, Olympla Is In Its last week under Haik bookings before Natan sup- plies attractions. Stage and screen bills are above the average, opening with a mixed newsreel, followed by an animated cartoon. Show, which is generous,. Includes an Ufa edUca tional on animals with screen shots of Lilian Harvey arid Willie Pritch as commentatol-s. Georiges Bailly's orchestra then giVea a good render- CM ATT E Broadway Joe Termini changing hotels. Helen Gray-studying languages •• Charles Gulliver .still on holidaly Kid Berg denies he's retiring from boxing, • . ; Edna May at lost succumbed to a. shingle.' ^ Even Americans complaining it's hot ih Londoh. Louise Henry in conference with Charles Cochran. " Philip Moss Verhon producing 'a flash for Parambunt-Astorlas. Arthur Dent lunching at the Savoy, with. Sam Morris. Buslhess move? John Murray Anderson, Robert Milton and Boris Petroff becoming Inseparable., Dora Maiighan surprised to hear from Reeves, Lamport & Sherek aneht dates, . Laurel and Hardy, over from Paris, spent last fortnight of vaca- tion in England. Charles Wilqox, brother of the mote famous Herbert, with the Pos- ters' Agency as head of the film department. Jimmy Bryson,' one of the pro- motors of 'Fanfare,' now renamed 'Over the Page,' due for revival at AIhambra'Aug.'26, Is out Balllol and Merton; due at the Leicester Sqdare theatre in revival of their dance, did not open, due. to Jessica M«rton being hurt in a minor accident. Hollywood Tay Garnett and George Green cruising off Mexico; ... Ruth 'Battling* Jones back at tf ork iafter a flu siege. George Blldon's schnoz all-swollen up when bis nag champed at the bit • • ■ Ad. Schulberg and Charlie Feld^ man have smartest looklnfir agency offlc.es on the boulevard.. • Harold Cohen, picture editor of Pittsburgli 'Post Dispatch,' here making round of the studios. Finishing at Paramount, Harvey Thew, wife and daughter will drive east for two months' vacation. Margaret Fltzpatrlck, winner of the 'Panther Girl' contest In Bir- mingham, tested by Paramount. Joseph MedlU Patterson flew here from Chicago for Catalina Ashing and started back within a Week. ■ Ed Mozart. regaling boys ' at Pa clflc Coast Showmen's Assh; with yarns about palmy days of show biz. Howard Hughes enters State amateur golf tournament at Del Monte, Sept G-ll. Has a 2 handl cap. Cla^ Gable, Conrad Nagel and Walter Huston all sprouting real whiskers for parts In Metro pic ture. Tom Kllpatrlck. back at U from Spain, where he procured bullfight background stuff for 'Men of Pear.' H!ia.rry Rapf saw his first picture in months when 'Divorce in the Family,' written by his son Mau rice, was projected at his - home. ins of Delibes' 'Sylvia Ballet.' Or chestra. Is booked for several more months and will not be affected by change of management. ,. Contrary to: this, the stage Is going to be entirely Natan con- trolled. He is bringing in Paul Oscard, v/ho has lately been pro- ducing at the Gaumoht, so this is the last Haik stage week, produced by Andre Bay. Presentation Isl titled 'Adolescence,' and Includes Roseray, Capeia and Debell, latter formerly of Debell and Lee; and also the Stella Ballet with girls In a kind of modernistic stiint using the set Mme. Kameroff, their cap tain, carried around Prance with the production. Show is supported by the 12 Mersey girls, formerly jack .3on when at the Polles Bergere,, who since they have gone co-operative have been the Olympla's regular line. GlrlSi though Co-operative, claim tfiat local agents are making as much on them as Jackson used to. Show ends, with ,'Coup de Feu a I'Aube,'. a French Ufa produc- tion from the Harry Jenlcinsi play, and oho of the niost afcceptahle. de- tective mellerig yet filmed. Maii, London Paris Harold Smith back at his desk. .. Alice. Cocea doing a hideaway. ' Mary: Knight with Ellen Guilford. The Douglas Macleans to Blar^ rltz. Jack Hobby glaclh'andlng again In Paris. Osso breaking the bank after the races. Paul Oscard' for Olympla present tatlon. . Nadja's special cheese sand^ wiches. —Film syndicates here after. Val^if. Boothby. Jack Campbell to Stockholm to see Garbo. Ellisabeth Allen for 'Thais' at the Grand Opera. Jack Forrester declining a direct- ing Job at Par, The 'Cliff rischers back in tbeli; Bouglval house. Beatrice Ashley (Cooper) giving private recitals. : Rosa Ponselle islnglng for .charily. In Saint Moritz. The Pattl Scholeflelds . and Paul Sloane at bouquets. ■ Casinos tp open, a tyre facotf with rubber checks. D. J. Regan back to. his first flo6r ofllce at the Embassy. .. 'Wliite Horse Inn* beginning, re- hearsals at the Mogadon Keith Trevor wears hlgh-walsted trousers even in summer; j Pauline Garron giving a party before Hollywooding again. Joe Seldelmann parading In white silk suits on the boulevard. Rosea and forgetmenots . for Laudy Lawrence's birthday.' iSamby to Deauvllle^ races before going to the London Pavilion. ■ Pierre Haguet inviting newsboys to watch the .film, 'King Pausole." Ruth Putnam Mason going to put over her theatre' plans after all. Glen Shannon- and Abe Khan from Montparnasse to the Champs Elysees. Irvln Marks bringing back to Paris a. grand he made at the Deau- vllle races. WlirChevalier's divorce mean the beginning of a screen career for an old legit star. Oliver Hardy and the Mrs. visit- ing the battlefields while Stan Laurel Is loafing In his Clarldge royal suits. Leo Terry joined WIBO as or* ganlst. Leon Bloom out as TlyoU's maestro. I Bob Treastor replaced Clay Bry-. son. at the Blackhawk. Bon Thrllch due for a protracted court siege in Pittsburgh. Gene Austin threw a party Thurs- day to introduce his bride. Joe Burnet, former Morrison man* ager, now at the Sherman. Charley Kurtzman bought a Do Soto and drove to his new Publix job in iDetrolt. Harold Jacobs, manager' of the Indiana., was taken for $300 by a colored bandit. Vinson Haler and Pauline Hop- kins from KOIL,. Omaha,- visiting Chi on vacations. Nina Olivalte's mother, who trav- els with her, returning to California because of poor health. Roxy, Harold Franklin and Martin Beck were . mugged by newspaper l)hotoRraphcr3 and . luncheohed at the Blackstbnc hotel when passing through to coast