Variety (March 1921)

18 VARIETY Friday, March 25, 1921 FRILLS AND FASHIONS By ALICE MAC Taris says the pretty Parisiennc does not consider the ordinary white- tiled bathroom competent any longer, and In many cases It is tho most decorated suite in the house. •,. -. ■ . ..»„.,.>, .>, ,T?ie 'ycmin^" describes a f«w of Uv>, suites pf Fjench actresses. Ml Sorel has her bathroom walls of Wine and gold mosaic on whfte mai while at the end of the room is a large mirror. Raised on a marble dais, covered with panther skins, stands the bath of whito marble enclosed in antique bas-relief. The hand basin is of Renaissance period and is surmounted by a Venetian mirror. In Mile. Splnelly's bath room is a mas.sive octagonal marble table bear- ing a shell-shaped golden basin. Behind Is a round mirror of great diameter, with a gold and crystal frame containing concealed electric lights. On a background of Chinese gold, coral-colored apple blossoms with black branches form the mural decorations in which Mile. Gabrielle d'Orziat has set the bathing and dressing room suite. Bath and wash- tand are of coral and black mosaic. The two rooms reserved for these are separated from the boudoir by a railing of mahogany-like spears, over which an Eastern tapestry can be drawn. <*" Evans and Perez gave the Palace bill a splendid send off Monday with their clever foot-balancing tricks, against a background of dark blue with a deep yellow border. Then came Jed Dooley with "Miss Co" looking as charming as ever in her short frock of yellow chiffon, with its orange foundation. Dolly Kay in her attractive gown of gold sequins, frilled slightly at the waist and with sprays of black velvet flowers at the sides, found the house in her favor, with popular numbers, heard so often, yet they sounded new from Miss Kay. Masters and Kraft are wearing the same costumes as when last seen, and they appear as effective as ever, especially the short silver fringe dresses with the wine silk hose and shoes. Petite Loretta McDermott, with her dainty figure, was sweet In her frock of black sequins, and satin hat with red cherries, giving it a dash of color, but it was in her little panties of black satin, worn with a white silk blouse, she looked best. Tempest and Sunshine have one of those acts that bring forth the remark "nice little things" and is then forgotten. Miss Sunshine was handicapped with her voice Monday matinee, but struggled through to the finish. She then attired as the bride, while Tempest was the groom. During the act for no reason except perhaps because it was becoming Miss Tempest appears attired in khaki, while Sunshine flaunts around in an ermine cloak that had an edging of chinchilla on the cape collar. Nice wei$ their riding suits of white linen, with the high white kid boots, and black ties, while upon Miss Sunshine's brown locks rested a white tarn. Miss Tempest chose the jockey cap. The Pour Marx Brothers have surrounded themselves with four attrac- tive young damsels especially in Muriel Greel with her dark beauty, well set out In her charming-frock of lavender chiffon, veiled with silver lace filet, while a dolly vardon hat was worn saucily one side. Hattle Darling's gown of iridescent sequins showed good style, the only decora- tion being red roses that encircled the waist line. For the finish they all came forth In a front cloth, as a Jazz band, which not only consisted of the Marx Bros, ana Miss Darling, but Jed Dooley, Harry Masters and Frisco, with a long blcck beard and smoked glasses. This completely stopped the show, making the* next a hard spot for the Yip Yip Yap- hankers. Two bobbed haired misses at the American, first half, OTOeil Sisters, and dainty they looked in their kiddies' frock of net frills, with one having an orango silk bodice, the other blue, both finished off by a huge bow at the back. Theso arc later changed for more elaborate dresses of taffeta that had numerous ribbon rosettes tacked here and there. Skirts were slit at the sides, revealing little panties that matched. Dolly Ward, who made her entrance in an ordinary blue serge suit with a cerise vest, apologizing for her attire as unavoidable (trunk delayed), whereupon expressman comes down aisle with trunk on shoulder, sc she changes into a draped gown of silver cloth. The suit wa-» more becoming. "Little Miss Sunshine" contains four neat looking girls. Two stand out with high kicking and passable voices. This act has some amusing dialog. A black chiffon frock was pretty, with its band of silver for a hem, the silver also forming the bows on the skirt and the bodice. White satin was another dress that attracted. It had small flowers worked in mauve silk for a pattern, with the skirt opening in front, displaying a foundation of lace frills. Boyle and Bennett, who in song Informed the audience they couldn't do anything, proved themselves clever dancers, with the girl in a pretty gown of mauve taffeta that had the skirt made up of .iny ruffles dec- orated with roses. The bodice was plainly made, with the short sleeves puffed. Leigh De Lacy in tho sketch, "One Born Every Minute," meaning, of course, a fool, tells the story of tho hubby who won't pay wlfey'jB poker debts, until she discovers there is another woman in the case. Then hubby not only is willing to pay her debts, but gives her two hundred more, with wlfey exclaiming: "My scheme worked fine, it was a put-up affair, so you'd give me the money." Wifey is an attractive auburn-haired miss, with her dress of pale grey chiffon slightly frilled at the hip line, while around her waist was worn narrow velvet ribbon, slate color. tainment. Miss Nash's pink gown looked as fresh as ever. The feature picture. "The Greatest Love," with Vera Gordon, contributed the tears to tho program. There U a little person at tho Broadway this week who processes not only the daintiest of figures, and brown curly locks, but a charm- ing smile, and pretty features, particularly noticable in her gown of gold cloih, that had panels of blue sequin back and front, the skirt had open- ings at the sldeb, showing a foundation of blue net. Her name is Ona Mimson, with a company of six good looking boys who make their ap- pearance in polor coats with caps to match. Miss Munson's first frock was ner.t, green satin veiled with the sheerest of dark brown net, that had twq bands of taffeta at the hem of the skirt. The taffeta also con- tributed to trie'short"coal that had stitchings' or' silver Vm*ad>~iik/ V WITH MUSIC MEN. Johnny Black, co-writer of "Daxvi danella," has temporarily abandoned the idea of embarking in the musio publishing business for himself and has placed his newest numbers with the Broadway Muslo Corporation. Eventually Black may form a busU nesa partnership with his brother* In-law, Jim Brennan, the pugilist. trimming. Clara Barry displayed two good-looking gowns, the first of cerise, taffeta, that had rows of pipings on the skirt, while the bodice which came to a point in front was perfectly plain, except for a black bow and a bunch of cherries. In he- hand she carried the Mitzi hat of the same shade as the dress, with black cherries bunched at the back. Her .other costume was made up of black sequins and chiffon, lined with burnt orange, \nd a fan of the same color. The woman of Stevens and Brunelle looked far better In her first dress of very pale green with a deeper shade for a sash than her gown of rose pink faintly brocaded in gold, with the girdle tied loosely round the waist line. Miss Townley (Sidney and Townley) is wearing the same costumes as when at the 81st Street theatre. TOMMY'S TATTLES By THOMAS J. GRAY "Jollities of 1920'' is the show at the Columbia this week, but it's far from that. The only "Jolly" thing about it Is tho Intermission. It is lacking in comedy. At one time the comedians occupy the stage for fully 25 minutes without raising a good laugh. Reason, no doubt. Is because the "gags" and pieces of business have been heard or seen so many times. Helen Tarr, a statuesque blonde with a fair voice, made a striking appearance in a gown of orange velvet, tight to the figure, ending in a train, with one side slit to the knee. Grey chiffon formed a loose top, with a small hat to match. Miss Tarr sings a song about being the fashion queen, but her dress didn't prove it; unbecoming of ptirple satin, made long-walsted and high at the neck, from which pheasant feathers spurted out each side. The skirt was made up of draped blue chiffon, from which a train bung at the back, but her gown of royal blue velvet, draped up the front and fastened with a. Giamcnd- buckle, atoned for It. The girls, and there were 24, looked well as maids In dresses of powdered blue chiffon, with the little frilled aprons of whito lace and chiffon. Some of the gala ropfOaentad pages in short panties of pink, with the bodices of blue. Norma Barry's gown of black sequins was effective In the white spot, with the shoes and hose of cerise that matched the rose at the waist. As a "rose" (or was it a "butterfly"?) Miss Barry looked her best in pink satin, with large butterfly wings in silver for a headdress. The dance done by the girls in this scene, as "butterflies and roses," meant little. Lemon and silver made short was becoming to Lillian Norwood, with satin panties coming below the knee, bound with silver ribbon. The bill at the 81st St. theatre this week is made up of the two extremes, laughter and tears. The former is headed by the Dooleys, William and Gordon, in their a;t, "The Vagrants," which they have worked up so well there isn't now a dull moment in it. Helen Patterson is as charming as ever in her grey and pink chiffon frock, also the white satin with its little touches of blue. The speech at tne end fell on the boulders of the ever-serious William, because, as Gordon • remarked: "Willie, you live in this neighborhood, fo it's up to you to thank them." Mang and Snyder followed with their h;.»i<l balancing feats, which gave the Dooleys an opportunity to return for their Rath Bros, imitation, it fitting in splendidly, as Mang and Bnyder do * very similar act. The Transfield Sisters, quite musical, wore neat dresses, one in pink the other blue taffeta, with a panel decorating the front of sequins. Julia Nash and C. H. O'Donnell, in "Almost Single," were good enter- Congressmen seem to think we will have trouble over the Island of Yap. Probably not half as much trouble as some of those "Yap" Congressmen will cause in Congress. You have to rehearse to play all the important parts in life except that of a Congressman. It seems to be an ad lib part that calls for the center of the stage, and has only one exit. If the blue law making smoking a crime should become national, think of all the money would be saved that is now spent for signs reading "No Smoking." Other wasted signs-* "Keep out of this entrance. This means YOU." "The Shimmy dance is strictly barred in this theatre." "The Real place to eat. HOME COOKING." ••Please put your lights out when leaving the room." ••Leave your laundry with the property man. Neatly done." "The words 'hell' and 'damn' are barred In this theatre." "No money advanced." "Silence." Signs you never see— "The stage hands would be VERY GLAD to help the artists/ "The baggage man is sorry if he handled your baggage roughly." ••The stage manager here is VERY CHEERFUL and would like talk to you." "Have a good time with the boys In the orchestra after your opening show." "NO TIPS." to If Hammerstein's Victoria were still open the odds are 1000 to 1 that next week's headliner would be an Indian guide. The head of the Allied Reparations Commission has no sense of humor. He calls for Germany to make a payment of Twelve Billion Marks on May 1. April 1 should have been the date. "There are many bills pertaining to the theatrical business before both houses in Albany, some said to be favored by the actors and some by the managers."—News item. So we submit a reliable incorrect report: Assemblyman Guppy has a bill before the lower house that proposes to make it compulsory for theatrical managers to wear high silk hats at all times, except while eating their breakfast, when a brown derby may be worn. This bill is said to have the backing of the Motion Picture Whistlers Society, Senator Fogg introduced a bill yesterday that would oblige all actors playing in summer flirtation scenes to have their Palm Beach suits trimmed with black braid, so the audience will not think stage folk sleep In their costumes. The managers of the Dry Aquarium Circuit are said to bo behind this bill. Hon. Wred Flannel of the 23d District Introduced a bill today which, if it becomes a law, will compel theatrical managers to furnish all people in their employ with safety razors, hair tonic, shoe laces, chewing gum, cigars, cigarettes, pipes, candy, hair ribbons, toupes, perfume, lip sticks, magazines, and hot water bottles. In case of actors who have been divorced, the managers will have to go fifty-fifty on the alimony. This bill is said to have the backing of the Hoop Rollers Dramatic Club. The representative from Cuckoo county Introduced a bill in the upper house which may have a slight effect on the acting branch of the the- atrical profession. If the bill becomes a law all tenor singers will have to sign their names in a bass voice and all bass singers will have to learn how to dance soprano. The bill also provides that quartets may be mado up of more, or not less than three or eight people. This bill is said to have the backing of the Indoor Air-Dome Managers' Unit. Politicians are greatly excited over a bill to come before the house next week, Introduced by Assemblyman Hootch. Mr. Hootch is well up on theatricals, having two cousins who make paste for the bill posters of the Big Bar & Cells Bros, Circus. If the bill becomes a law theatrical managers wili nut be allowed to see an;."iJ their fa'ttiites- on GLrtotmas, New Year's, Easter Sunday, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, or on any birthday that may fall on a week day or Sunday. It also states that they may not use the telephone without first being vaccinated. This bill Is said to have the backing of the Protective League of Magical Animal Trainers, Inc. The Harrison Music Co. ot XHroit .j^hich, ha%locMpd „tempo,*,., rary New York quarters will re^ move their main offices to New 1 York the latter part of this month with Harry Harrison in active charge. Barrio C. Bloedon, former- ly with the Witmark house, who has" been acting as eastern representa- tive, will be "mechanical" man for the house. Walter Hirsch is pro- fessional manager. Detroit homo office will be given up. Nellie Nelson, formerly in vaude- ville, is now connected with tho Irving Berlin professional staff. E. G. Latham, an officer yf the Emerson Phonograph Co. resigned tp venture into a phonograph-needle exploitation proposition. Joe Lyons of the Imperial Roll Co. of Chicago, is in New York calling on the local music publishers. Charley Straight, vice-president and business manager of the Im- perial expected in New York the 15th of this month. Leroy Phinney has taken Lee S, Robert's song catalog which the lat- ter had exploited through the Q, Schlrmer house. The same exploita- tion channels will be maintained by Mr. Phinney. The new publisher was never before identified with the music business but is the head of a national advertising agency. Bob Harris, recording manager of the Columbia Graphphone Co., has embarked in the publishing business on his own. Mr. Harris' original composition, "I Spoiled You," is tho sole "plug" of the new firm. Martin Fried is back with the Leo Feist professional forces after scverals months' vacation. Jacob Werthan, father of Harry Werthan, general western manager of Remick, died March 1. Deceased was 84 years old. i Al Koppei has joined the Fred Fisher band and orchestra staff as assistant to Irene Llpkln. Lew Brown and Albert Von Tllzetf claim the long distance champion* ■hip for continuous collaboration aa a song writing team. They have, been writing together for 14 years. A vote will be taken tonight on what is known as the Cluck-Gargle bill, which will make it a law for every actor playing a speaking part, to speak with his own mouth. How this will affect ventriloquists' dummies has not yet been decided. A committee from the Organized Ventriloquil Dummies of America called en the Governor yesterday. As there was no one present who could throw its voice to His Excellency, the conversation was silent. The bill is said to be backed by the Associated Managers of Submarlno Roof Gardens. Suzanne V. B. Glllen, wife of Frank J. Gillen has brought an ac- tion for separation against tho lat- ter in the Supreme Court, Brook-* lyn. Mr. Gillen is a song writer connected with the Shapiro-Bern- stein staff. Pending trial of thai separation suit Mrs. Gillen is asking $100 a week alimony and $600 coun- sel fee. alleging Mr. Gillen's income) is $15,000 a year. Decision was re- served. Dave Wohlman Is in charge of Forster's New York office. Walter Donovan is also of Forster's New York staff. Despite that gross sales in 1920 were the greatest in the company's history, the Columbia Graphophono Co. In its annual report shows a reduction in net Income of $1,987,530 on the year. Increased labor and material cost, with higher selling and advertising expense are given at the reason for the deficit. The in- come of the corporation was $5,805.- 514. Len Dolg, professional manager for the L. Wolfe Gilbert Music Cor- poration, is playing an engagement with his Five Syncopators at the Clover Leaf Inn. Maurice Burkhardt has gone into the music publishing business un- der the name of Levison, Burkhardt & Kempner. Joe Kempner, who also appears in Burkhardt's act, collaborated on the Initial publica- tion. , Lew Strauus, formerly a theatri cal. .newspaperman and publicity, agent, has become affiliated with- the professional staff of the Good- man & Rose Music Co, The Sonora Phonograph Co. Is to : go into the recording business, according to George E. Brighton, president of the corporation, and will manufacture lateral cut discs to accompany the Sonora talking machine. Making out an income tax Is the hardest part some people play all year. Mind readers must be In great demand around the revenue collector's office. If they had them there—everybody would maH theirs in. The weather suggests summer home and home brew. May be the home brew will be put "back In the boxf Mrs. Charles H. McG'ue has bought all stock and title in tho New England Music Co.. of Boston. Its business was recently foreclosed by the Metropolitan Trust Co., of that city. Tho Music Publishers Protective Association represents tho New York publishers, creditors to the aggregate total of some $20,000, and is negotiating for afifit/- tlement with Mrs. McGlue. Al Jones, producer of "What's in a Name?'' is defendant in a city court suit begun by Milton Ager. the song writer, to rtcovor $1,139.95 (Continued on page 24)