Variety (September 1919)

B U Y B O N D S THE SKIRT” SAYS— (Speaking of Women—mostly) By THE I Lew Kelly at the Columbia this week may carry his show through on the strength of his interesting experiences while, on the other side, which Mr. Kell^ tells about during the second act. Thc^show is so bad, it wasn't sur- prising to see a potatoe thrown over the footlights Tuesday matinee, while one these awful .burlesque French- men was on. Only the splendid discipline of the house saved the sit- uationthem Mr. Kelly is always funny, but he is using only the old stuff. The really popular feature Tuesday at the Columbia was the orchestra's playing all the important bugle calls named in turn by the drummer. Lucille Manion is utterly wasted in this show. She deserves something better. Brunet in type with an abun- dance of personality and a splendid voice, Miss Manion also possesses that rare gift-of clothing herself becoming- ly. A..^)ink silk heavily embroidered in silver was prettily draped with no trimming. As an aviator a dull blue tunic and pants had white leggings and helmet. There was a blue brocade cape with mole collar arid cuffs. A white lace dress had aq emerald green overdress. ... . .. , The chorus, working hard with little material, wore one costume of note. As aviators the tights were of tan with closely fittings Jerseys of a light shade. Leggings, helmets and gloves were of leather. The Palais Royal restaurant has a floor show which wiii please no maUer what the mood. You remember pretty girls- and a riot of color and expensive mssterials. The girls in the large type are Rita Lee, Tulle Lindahl, Helen Herenden, Venita Fitzugh and many others. There seemed no end of girls. All the costumes were worth mention- ing, but they were too numerous. -One set of silver and gold, used for a patriotic finale, is too handsome to overlook. “For I remember stopping by the way To watch a Potter thumping his wet And with its all obliterated Tongue It murmured, ‘Gently, Brother,r gently pray.'" Those few lines hang over the little stage of the Martinique Omar Khayam Room, where Gus Edwards’ new revue holds forth. Mr. Edwards has put on too good a show for any one to “pan." When numbers make you forget the nice, long, cool drink before you they must be good. Mercedes Lorenz, one of the four principal women, loo^ well, and puts over her songs in . splendid style. Of the several cos- tumes worn by Miss Lorenz a deep blue net, made short and trimmed with tiny ruffles edged in silver, made the best impression. In a “Parcel Post” number short pants were covered hy a tiny skirt in two shades of blue, with coral velvet ribbons used on the edges. An Irish number was done in pale green net, made in points with darker green velvet for the jacket. There was also the inevitable high hat. Kathleen Hichens, Irene Martin and Eleanor Pierce also liven things along, and are beautifully gowned. The eight girls in a camouflage song are uniquely dressed in chiffon of many shades. Evtit “the stockings look=^ battleships lying over in the Hudson. For a cabaret show in dressing it lacks nothing. At the Palace this week the Morton Family held forth. After intermission in three -separate acts the Mortons show they are still there. Clara Mort, SKIRT when doing what she calls a "Solo Songologue,” changes her clothes three • times. Her first costume was rather eccentric in as much as the short skirt was • wori}. over long trousers that fitted the calves closely. The skirt . bounded in four rows of brilliants' was faced in green. A tammie made in points decorated her long curls. An Indian costume was in gold cloth with black poppies. There was also a fan- tastic soldier suit in blue satin. Naomi Glass (with Paul Morton) was prettily dressed in the palest of green satins mide full of skirts and a baby waist. A white lace dress made on the same lines hid a short dancing, frock of blue chiffon. Of the Mortons (four) the mother (Kitty) wore a blue tailored suif with a black velvet hat trimmed with osprey. Little Martha Morton, although not very little but rather tall, with a wealth of auburn curls was sensibly dressed in a brown plaid cloth dress. The skirt wSb made double and pleated and had white revers. Young Joe . Morton is a well- set up boy of the smaller type. His tuxedo fitted perfectly. At the con- clusion of the turn when the entire family appeared for the finale it was a picture to see father, mother and four dandy children. The Gardiner Trio opening the Pal- ace show, do a patriotic finish in white satin. Frances Renault, dressing as well as ever, appeared first in a short fur cape over a dress of bronze se- quins and lace. His huge hat was trimmed in osprey. An clJ fashioned dress was carried out in blue brocade with a gold lace ruffle. A huge bon- net was made of tulle. His dress that drew applause from the huge audience was of fish scales of silver with a black velvet mantle. The large hat was trimmed with yellow para- dise. Lucille Cavanagh, in a pretty danc- ing act,, was most elaborately gowned. Her first dress was lovely in its simplicity. The first skirt was ankle length and tight. There was an over dress. of white net with tiny ruffles • and the bodice was a short coatlike effect in white satin. The hat was of red, turban in shape and trimmed with feathers of the same shade. An Indian costume was of silver made in one straight piece. It was edged at every seam in black points. For her last gown Miss Cavanagh choosed yel- low. The skirt very short was caught up at one side revealing black lace trunks. The skirt edged in green had an orange poppy at the belt. There was a mauve hat with a blue chin strap. It was a dress' of many colors but well blended. Anna Chandler has come all the way from the Metropolitan, Brooklyn, to the American, New York, in the same - mauve taffeta dress. , Lily, of George and Lily Gardner, was' in red net over white, A good- looking dress on a large woman was of a heavy lace made in two flounces, vyith bodice and side draperies of pink crystals. The wearer was of Holden and Herron. . . , The girl of McDonald and Cleveland was in black satin, with front and back panels of black sequins. A wide red sash was worn well over the hips. Dainty little Marie Doro, according to her own statement, is not the Marie Doro of old. She claims to have been reborn about two years ago—a sort of reincarnation, as it were. Just how it affects her daily life makes an in- teresting little tale. Get her to tell it to you. It's most interesting. THE AMERICAN ON LEAVE By SERGT. EDWARD HARTMAN •(Now with the American E. F. *« France, attached to Headquarters Services of Supply. Before enlisting, Sergt. Hartman was on the New York staff of VARIETY.} France, Aug. 29. Four months in France, then what? Oh, la;' lal A seven-day leave. Sure, there’s the grouch who says he’s been over for nine months and hasn’t had one yet. He’s out of luck. They take off the privilege every how and then when they think there is too much work to be* done and you can’t be spared, but be up and awake and when the time is ripe get in the old document and get away while the getting is good and enjoy one whole week at Aix Les Bains, the hub of the Savoie leave area for A. E. F. troops in France. It’s the biggest hand-out of trip to France, and Uncle himself is doing the trick. He has a representative at the station* to meet you, and within half an hour after arrival you are ittstalled in a real “three squares” a day hotel, with a room for you and your Buddy (you always want to have Bud along to share in the fun), with real beds with sheets and everything. “Good- night I This layout will put the bank- roll in the morgue,” flashes through your mind. But,-fto, the old bankroll of Uncle Sam is there to prevent-this, and for seven delicious nights you slumber between sheets and eat break- fast at the hour you desire. What could be sweeter in a soldier’s life? Not a bugle is sounded and not a' formation to be stood. And do you eat those meals? ' Well, now, ask the doughboy from the line or the_ mule- skinner from the S. O. S. (Services of Supply). They are French, but then there is plenty to them, and the lack of neces- sity for a mess kit with no washing after is one joyous thrill. “What are we going to find to do for seven days?" is a question that crops up that first morning after the old clock has crept around to ten and you are devouring your eufs sur le plat (fried eggs), avec chocolate et du pain (bread). There’s a fellow there whose time is about up and.he is going back toute de suite. He knows the ropes, and the first advice given is to visit the Y. M. C. A. Aw, say, is that all we get in this place? Take his advice anyway even if you have spent many a night in the Y. M. C. A. hut back in camp. It’s the surprise of your life when you strike this one. Sure, you look for a hut, but none is to be found. Say, bo, where is this Y. M_. C. ^A. they talk about? “There it is in front of you, greeny.” Wow! No? That swell joint? Gee, look at _me hobs (hob-n^il shoes at present in vogue with the younger men in France). Did you get a flash at the J[ane who just went in? She was talking American, too. Let’s take a chance. This very building, which has been taken 'over by the Y. M. C. A., is the •famous Casino of Aix Les Bains, far famed as a second Monte Carlo. It is one the most beautiful buildings of its kind on the continent and easily one of the most complete in every detail. It has a theatre, ball, lounging and billiard rooms, with numerous little ins and outs. What is the soldier to do in the day- time? That’s the Y.^ M. C. A.’s job, and they have taken it in hand in the right way; -There is never a moment. Innumerable places of in- terest around Aix and trips are on tap for those that wish to go. Then there is that light amber fluid so appealing in long glasses, which, although not sold in the Y. M. C. A., abounds in the many attractive French cafes. Although said fluid is tres cher pur les soldates it is tres necessaire to make a vaca-- tion complete. After you hatf^e climbed the heights to the Cat’s Tooth, taken a swim in Lac Bourget or visited Mount Revard via the cog railway you are ready for (Continued on page 21.) LETTERS FrM ENTERTAINERS. The extracts below are from letters received at the Little Theatre head- quarters of America’s Over There The- atre League. . The entertainers are with units sent over by the League to entertain our boys in France: Margaret Mayo and Amparito Far- rar, writing for the entertainers, and Sergeant H. E. Vermilye, expressing the appreciation of the American fight- ing men for the. work which is being done for them, emphasize the need for volunteers from the stage in even- greater numbers than before. “Already two of the units have vis- ited us,” writes Sergeant Vermilye, attached to S. S. .If, 650, U. S. A. Am? bulance Service with the A. E. F. “The first was Will Cresspr’s outfit, and they went over- big—particularly little Helen Davis. Billy Gould’s company was the other, and they too made an enormous hit. Perhaps Renee Dietrich (Wright and Dietrich) walked away with most of the honors; the men simply couldn't get enough of her. Each member of both units, however, received a mighty storm of applause. "Probably you good people at home don’t quite know what a boon this sort of thing is. You would though, had you listened, for months to ambitious and well-meaning people who love to recite “Verdun’ and other cheerful morsels, and whose idea of a rare treat is to sing consecutively the na- tional anthems of the United States, Great Britain and-France—which, as you realize* does pall a bit. The only thing that saved us from the Italian’s hymn is that it’s too difficult for most singers to attack. ' “When Mr. Cressy told us that they were the advance guard of a mighty army of real American actors and ex- plained about the meeting at the Pal- ace theatre, New York, the men yelled.” Miss Farrar, the celebrated concert' soprano, insists that American enter- (Continued on page 21, Col. 4.) AN M.P. IN FRANCE. ■ ^ France, Aug. 6. Dear Harry: Received your lengthy and very in- teresting letter of July ISth and was very glad indeed to hear from you. It certainly is a great pleasure to get a letter from home. The mail nowa- days is a little better than it has been in the past, but even so it does not come often enough for us. .Each and every one of us look anxiously every day for mail of some sort*. All I have done in the past two weeks is two hours gas alarm duty. This is strenuous work. A fellow must be on the alert every minute. In the daytime we have bunk fatigue. You ask in your letter why I could not tel! you more in my letters. If you will look on the outside of the envelope containing this letter, you will understand just why I cannot write more. You will find the-follow- ing words plainly printed: “I certify on my honor that the contents of this envelope refer to nothing but private and family matters.” Being put on -my honor, you can readily see that I cannot do otherwise than abide by the terms and conditions of the Army (Continued on page 21, Col. 3.)