Variety (February 1921)

:irr 1 1 : .t m ■ a . ,'t s FRILLS AND FASHIONS Br ALICE MAC Thing* seemed pretty quiet at the Palace Monday after the ovation cire* MJae Levey last week, but still there was quite some stir with the appearance of Dorothy Jardon and Van Hoven whose reception almost equaled that of Miss Jardon's. The bill got an artistic send off with the "Bird Cabaret," which had cockatoos doing all manner of tricks, such as head-over-heels and back gommersaults. done by a bird, it is claimed, 140 years old. The Marmein gisters with their graceful dancing were charming in their bird dance, In sweet pale blue net dresses, with a deeper shade of velvet worked with brilliants forming the wings. David Schooler, in the same act, was a ^relation with his piano playing, such a relief from the usual. Trii-ie Friganxa. moved from next to closing to fourth, was amusing M ever. Miss Friganam might be getting plumper but she is just as pretty as ever, especially in her cloak of tailless ermine, with its cape collar that had little tails on the edge, and black velvet forming a pattern. Betty Brooks, playing In Sarah Tadden's sketch, deserves praise, although her role is somewhat thankless. Miss Padden goes well but her voice becomes a trifle monotonus after awhile. It doesn't seem to hold light or shade. Miss Brooks is wearing a new frock of pearl grey taffeta, very short, draped at the side, with a huge bow at the back. The soft turned-up hat of green was becoming to her dark locks. Miss Juliet, with her impersonations, has the Mann and Bernard bits as her best. While imitating Francis White, she remarks about being in the show "Jlmmle," and gave brother a boost by saying Harry Detf w a» with that show too. Very amusing was her talk about the Girl from Calahans during a visit to a show, remarking she could have gone on the stage once for the Elks, l>ut they decided to give a clam-bake instead! Miss Juliet wore a pretty frock of silver cloth that was veiled with pink chiffon heavily endowed with the same shade of sequins; trailing down the skirt were roses, while standing out from one side were feathers, which would have been better missing. Then came Miss Jardon, and striking she looked in her draped gown of orange velvet, with the large black satin hat that had p.vradise sweep- ing out each side, while the directoire stick of jet added to the stateli- ness of the gown. Miss Jardon's opening song wiw "Love's Opera," bringing in "Carmen," "Butterfly" and "La Boheme." Her voice did not seem at its best, her high notes a trifle harsh, no doubt due to nervousness, which she ad- sjltted to during "Eli Eli." Which she said she would sing In Yiddish, although she was an Irish Catholic. Towards the finish Miss Jardon ■topped and asked to be forgiven but she couldn't continue as she was suffering from nervous prostration. Miss Jardon's best was a little song she wrote herself. "The World Can't Go Round Without iou." After Van Hoven's furmy act, Miss Jardon again appeared, apologizing for not finishing her act, that she had been unable to eat anything pre- vious to her opening, and hoped they would forgive her.' v *> It seemed just like a Sunday concert at the Colonial this week, with all the acts being announced by James J. Morton, who is as-seriously funny gs ever, still twisting the famous hairpin. "Bubbleland" was contributed by Ollie Young and April, attired in costumes of white satin sort of pierrot style. Their turn consisted of blowing all kinds of different soap bubbles. It was pretty, but is just an idea, and why does the lady sing? "The Creole Fashion Plate" was the hit, with his female impersonation. His gowns are the same as when at the Palace. For an encore Lew Pollock, lately with Chas. King, accompanied Mr. Norman for "Mammy's Kisses," which Mr. Pollock wrote. Buzzel and Parker were as pleasing as ever with their little skit, "A Will and a Way." Miss Parker looked just as sweet as when last seen In '.er widow attire and more daring green velvet wrap. * Davis and Darnell, in "Birdseed," with Mr. Davis as the humorous sales- man, and Miss BarncH's gown the same green chiffon with its sequin trimming. Sammy Lee is surrounded by four dainty maidens, known as "His Lady Friends," with the act titled, "Handle with Care." The opening sox.g shows why it is so-called. The girls are concealed in large wardrobe trunks. When opened they reveal different rooms. Mr. Lee then appears as a "Gob," making love to a girl in every port. Russia, in red and purple velvet, had draperies of gold lace. Honolulu was a dusky Hawaiian maiden in native costume. Then came Sk>aln, and last, U. S. A*, looking trej chic In her frock of black velvet that had grey pleated chiffon show- ing through narrow slits in the skirt. A turban hat was of sliver with black paradise. Thehnost popular tune of the evening, played three times, was "Alice Blue Gown.- 3E33 CABARET. A weekly publication regarded a- a barometer of American public opinion. In an article on "Why Pro- hibition Is Not Enforced." states that rum-selling is listed as the sixth biggest industry fta the United States. The Istest in New York restau- rant, is to be called "The Ship." shortly opening on Sixth avenue, in the 10's. Ths place win havs a layout similar to a ship's, with up- per and lower decks, cabins with portholes, while guests on enter- ing ths place, will walk over a gangplank. Liquor prices havs not advanced, notwithstanding the enforcement agitation of the past week. Scotch. wines and rye hold to their quota- tions of the past three months. They are $100 a case for Scotch, almost for any standard brand, from $55 upwards for rye. and from $110- $140 downward for best cham- pagnes. Along with other Importa- tions of liquor juat now, cordials, absent for a long time, are com- mencing to appear. Some Benedic- tine last week brought $80 a case, with a guarantee of genuineness. Ths drug patrons seem to be fronting a dull season. That ter- rible habit Is mads. more terrible through the high prices banned drugs have advanced to. Opium is now $900 an ounce Not so many years ago It was as cheap as patent medicine. The prjee and the im- possibility of procuring it. have driven the smokers to "sniffing." Sunday night dancing in Albany, N. Y., hotels and restaurants has come under the ban of the police. The New Kenmore cabaret, Hamp- ton and Ten Eyck hotels. Canton, Bell La Napoll and New Savol res- taurants are affected by the police order. There Is a saying that if you can't speak well of anybody, then don't taik about them at alL That Is what one feels like about the bill at the i merican ths first half, with may be the exception of Babe La Tour, who scored perhaps the hit of the bill with ths "Florodora" song sung by Fannie Brice. Miss La Tour dresses it more grotesque than Mils Brlce did, the former appearing with a dirty face and red nose. The latter didn't seem necessary, still, anything to get a laugh. A black jet frock worn for Miss La Tours opening was quite becoming, with the panel effect at the back, and Jade green sash. "Petsgy Arrives," a somewhat amusing sketch, tells of an old Irish aunt who comes to America for the first time to visit her nephew. The woman wore a smart evening gown of black net that veiled silver cloth, and When she wasn't playing the piano waved a green feather fan. Hank Brown doesn't seem to have much control over his tongue, but It made them laugh. Ada Gunther, who helps ths act along with an occasional song, wore black sequins that formed the long-waisted top, while the skirt was rather full of net sprinkled with Jet beads. Brown's Musical Revue consisted of five girls and one man, evidently Mr. Urown, they playing some popular airs on trombones and cornets, with a violin solo contributed by one of the yotmg women in yellow taffeta, with flowing net sleeves. The prettiest frock was worn by one of the trombone players, white, that had bands of colored sequins around the hem and up the sides of the skirt. Very chilly, the audience at the 81st Street Tuesday matinee. The nearest approach to any warmth was for Riggs and Witchie, with their delightful dancing. Their act 1m composed of five dances, each being a ttttle love story of different type. The setting for the gypsy dance was picturesque. While Riggs and Witchie change their different costumes Mack loud rendered solos on his violin. Toto Ut doing practically the :>u.me act as last season except that he has added another scene, that of a miniature bedroom set, in which he ruris Up imI rocs to sleep In ;i doll's bed, and he has a young Japanese girl P-• cards on an easel to announce the different characters. : "'i 11 and l.hinigan have * neat little offering, but would never stop th • show. When thoy have finished you forget they were. on. Quite SLiUl.g was Miss Rudell's last frock of black sequins wired at the hips that were trimmed with padded silk flowers, while hanging at the si<l<^s v '' ' ' i ather plumes of peacock bluet Vim.- \ :.. ; ..■ j_ i,., ( ] i ne nttdience guessing at the Broadway, with her '; ;••-»..„.•• a fellow who weighed ahoui th< name ,i* fatty Arbuckh ' ,;, t h< • but did u«>t succeed. Yuutts is always* enjoyable and her Urcrs was pretty, oi gold i riiitpcrifs of burnt orange chiffon at the sides. ' Ut .■.. i- - a Hover boy in his act who Knows how to put over 'I. ■•• in i young woman who wears a cheeky little costume of >•' i m.tde short to the knee, with pointed pockets on the '''''*■ 'ha: were outlined with silk padded fruits. Reeves Real Estate, lit Lexing- ton avenue, purchased Niblo's Gar- den, 170th street and 3rd avenue, last week and In turn leased the property to Charles Smith. The present structure occupies SO city lots and will be shortly renovated to provide for various forms of amuse- ment. It is the aim of Smith to provide a skfttlng rink, dancing car- nival and If possible movies. For the first time since the road- house opened several years ago, Blossom Heath on the Merrick road Long Island, is now closed to re- open in the spring. It olosed around Jan. 10. There has been an intense watch kept on the Island about sell- ing and this Is believed to have had some Influence In closing the place for the remainder of the winter. Florence Walton and her two partners have been selected as the initial attraction at the Drake, Chi- cago's newest and topplsst hotel, opening this week. GOING SOUTH IN THE V(JEST INDIES Whits Star Line. S8. "Magantic"—Partial Payment for Nics Ca+> Don't KTll—One Dsy Out of Havana— Maans Nothing. By THOMAS J. GRAY (The first of a series of six^articles that Tommy Gray is Uable to wit* voncirning the theatre as seen by an expert where Scotch is openly on sale, t as show business need pay no attention to any of them. Following the receipt regularly of royalty weekly from a couple of shows Tommy could be blamed for, the young author of Joe Lynch's neighborhood decided to travel and look like wealth, even though it felt funny. He's away for at least 60 days, which takes him off anybody's mind for that length of time. With good luck he may remain avvty longer.) Other of the Gray articles will be entitled: CUBA AND .PICTURES. THE PANAMA CANAL—AND WHY. WATER OVER THE SIDE. WATCHING CURRENTS AS THEY ROLL. BO THIS IS YACHTING t Also by ths Same Grsy. Something should be done about the British cruelty to. America. Amer- icans know England is a free country, and it's ships have bars on thorn. That's why Americans travel on them. They favor them. In other words, "Columbia Is Jammed Off the Ocean." \. But something must be done. The Americans all wait until the three- mile limit is reached, and then—it is really cruel. On purpose ths British have narrow doors leading into the barroom. When the bar opened on this ship at the three-mile limit four men were killed in ths rush. Six more fainted when only charged 2S cents for a cocktail. Surely our gov- ernment will do something about that. This is a great trip. The boat has about 360 passengers, ladies and gentlemen and some others who look like vaudeville agents. A tropical trip Is different from an ordinary voyage. You havs to have a special make-up, lots of white trousers and a couple of quarts of car- bons. Right now the deck looks as though it were full of people waiting to go on and do "bench acta." One man has a pair of flannels that look as though some musical com- edy tenor wore them years ago, when tenors were as important to musical shows as dressmakers are now. Corona-Corona cigars at 16 cents and Carolina Perfectos at 10 cents are among the surprises of the season. It hr.lf of the passengers don't smoke themselves to death on account of the cheap price, all will be well. This trip can help a lot of people in show business. Dramatic actors could learn about appearing important on ths stage by watching the ship's officers. Jugglers could learn through observing the deck stewards juggling trays of tea at 4 o'clock, while most of ths passengers are In the smokin,, room. Dancers would do'well to watch the passengers dance. r;e fellow told me he came from a theatrical family, his unolo was a Mong-plugger and he had a grandmother who owned the oandy stand at Tony Pastor's. Great human nature on this boat. One man came out of the bar three times, and three times the bar boy called him back to pay the check. « One fellow on the boat owns a coal mine in Pennsylvania, Hs wants to know if he can put in pictures when the coal gives out. Ou^boat was off the Florida coast this morning. It was easy to tell when .»e were passing Palm Beach, we could hear the theatrical man- agers there talking and see the sparkle of jewelry, also hear the moans of the people as they paid their hotel bills. There Is a man on the boat who Is writing a play. He says It's all fin- ished except for the last three acts. You go away for a rest and try to hide, and someone will discover you. There's a sailor on this boat who told me he helped to hiss ons of my acts off the stage in Haekensack. I haven't slept since, for ths way that roughneck looked at me I know he has nover forgotten It. It's funny how they discovered me. One of the sailors said: "My Lord Cray." I though he said. "My Lord, Gray." I said. "Yes." So it spread over the ship I was Lord Grey of England. The captain came down tb look Lord Grey over, got a flash at me, and yelled, "Throw that guy into irons." Then I explained I was Thomas J. Gray, of New York, and they wore going to throw me overboard for that, but later relented on my promise not to pull any gags that would make the sailors laugh while they were working. The new Loew theatre building. Broadway and 46th street, may house either a new dance palace or restaurant. There swero negotia- tions on to secure the roof, first floor or cellar for the purpose. The roof appears to be the choicest of the locations. It's atop IS stories with the only open air opposition for the summertime being across the way at the Hotel As tor. Whether the floor below the street level would prove suitable for dancing space was looked at skeptically by those interested because of the ven- tilation problem. It was reported a firm that has already established a large dance emporium on Broadway is more than timidly Interested in the idea, and that U>ere will be, somewhere In the new structure, a dance floor Is mor? than a mere possibility at present, though the high rental may have something to do with putting a damper on the project. LEGITS MAKING FILM FANS (Continued from page 11.) his stage picture conform as to depth (from footlights to furthest point upstage) with height of setting. But this has no merit, because the i width of the stage is a fixed and constant factor. He may make his drawing room 10 feet deep and 16 feet high, but he cannot bring the width of. say, 26 feet into conformity by any artificial means, and so his proportions are out of order, for a drawing room or a cottage kitchen cannot be presented in the measurements of a Harlem flat's private hall. There is little enough excuse for this kind of distortion In a room, but when It comes to exterior settings the abuse is even more manifestly ridiculous. "If the faddist producers do not feel able to let us gallery gods see the whole back, I suggest a compromise, say an arrangement which would permit a line of vision under the curtain from the topmost row in ths gallery to a point on a 11ns with a tall man's head along the drop furthest from the foots." I... Msrion Harria, who formerly made records for the Victor anrt Is now associated with the Columbia (records), is at present touring the south accompanied by Yorkes' Co- lumbia Saxophone Sextet. Th<-> have been out of town for about two weeks and will probably remain away for four more. The entertain- ment offered is In the nature of a concert, with Miss Harris singing melodlSi of the popular variety while the boys double on the differ- ent instruments. The running time for the performance is one hour and 4". minutes, Prices scale from 10 • cuts to %2. MONEY AND OLD AGE Brsks and elott It's a gripping fear that has consumed about all think- ing men at ens time or another la their livee, If not unfortunately having been left an Inheritance or burdened with a wealthy and indulgent father or mother. And yet life, as the biggest gamble of the universe, may remove the worry any moment. Like J. Bernard Dyllyn, known to every old-timer in the show business, and whose death was recently reported when asphyx- iatcd in his room. Dyllyn's stage career was honorabls in every way. fie pursued It and a thought pursued him. It was how would he be fixed in his old age, when through with the stags. Dyllyn became obsessed with it. He became frugal for himself, saving every dollar he pottMibly rould save, while traveling and at home, always for ths one object— that when old and helpless he would be Independent, as he was nf*dcath; have enough to take care of himself, and never would be obliged to i.oi row from friends to maintain himself. Dyllyn died worth $60,000, just as he was approaching that period of his life he had prepared against. According to report, Isham Jones' handi heavily advertised to appear at the Ziegfeld Frolic to supply the (Continued on psge 31.) That Dyllyn's death was accidental is no reason why his sat policy of saving should not be followed by all upon the stage, although not necessarily to the extent Dyllyn did. To deprive oneself of proper nour- inhrnent and healthful rest Is only to weaken the faculties and also the physique that would permit one to live long enough to enjoy old ago and the comfort which money placed aside for that time could provide. Various are the ways to save money after earning it. In this country r.f hig money and much noise about wealth, especially in the theatre busi- ness with its asides, It is not the earning capacity that will command as much admiration or attention as the capacity of those In the bus n«-ss being able to save some of what they earn. That Is the flrst lesson, to find out how to save. Some people hoard their money, not trusting anyone. Others use sav- (Continued on Page 10)