Variety (May 1923)

10 EDITORIALS Thursday, May 24, 1923 KIETY Trad* Mark rteg lateral rablUtaed Weekly by VARIETY. Im. Sim* Silverman. President JI4 We«t 46th Street New York City SUBSCRIPTION: Annual $7 | Foreign fl ■ingle Coplea JO Cent* THE U. S. SUPREME COURT SAYS What? VOL. LXXI. -t'.i »tse No. 1 A straw hat speculator put in an appearance in Central Park, New York, Sunday. Operating in an au- tomobile which contained several boxes of hats, he moved slowly around the park, keeping close to windy corners. When a pedestrian's has or that of some one in an au- tomobile blew off and was crushed by a car the speculator immediately drew up to sell his wares. His hats were of a popular priced brand which he sold at 50 cents above the regular nt-ice. Lamey and Pearson claim an error In that they had been canceled after the first show at the Hempstead theatre, Hempstead, L. I. They say their scenery trunk was lost i transit and the theatre manage, did not want them to work without scenery. Their agent advised them to return to -New York and they stale that they did long: before mat- inee time. The Patchogu* theatre, Patchogue, L. I., erected by Ward & Glynne, was scheduled to open last night (Wednesday) with split-week vaude- ville, booked by Fally Markus. The house will play two three-day splits a week, with straight pictures on Sunday. It will be under the per- sonal direction of Mike Glynne and Is the mo#t pretentious on the south ahore of Long Island. Phil Taylor, former independent vaudeville booker, has organized a vaudeville road show, Including 12 people, for the one-night stands. The show includes five acts and an afterpiece, in which all of the acts double. It was given a tryout last week in Brewster, N. Y. CABARET The Province of Quebec, Canada, that lakes in Montreal and Quebec, appears to be aiming to stamp out rum running over the border more readily than the U. S. has been able to do. In the Quebec province all liquor must be purchased through stores established and operated by the commission. Whisky cannot be aold by any In lots of more than one bottle daily to one person. Montreal may have six commission stores and it Is possible to pur- chase in each daily a bottle of whisky, but the commission has is- sued orders that when an attempt Is made to take over a load of whisky across the border, the possessor of it shall be required to explain how and where he secured it by one bottle daily purchases. The same order is issued against Canadian bootlegging and says when whisky is going over the border from Que- bec into the States and not bearing the official stamp of the commission it shall be seized as illegal. The commission does not seek to prevent legalized liquor from being taken over the border. Its effort seems to be directed against illicit emuggling. No limitations are placed In the commission's stores on sales of wines and no orders affecting the exportation of wine from the Quebec province have been issued. Dancing later than one o'cloek in the morning is illegal in Detroit as a result of an amendment to an or- dinance, passed recently, and which provided that th ee o'clock should be the hour of closing. The three o'clock idea raised such a storm >f protest from reform organizations that the city council heeded it and went back to the old-time closing hour. The one cabaret in the "black belt" of Chicago which WAS felt to be> immune from Interference by authorities —federal, state or city A\ Tesrney's, Is rlo*rrl and M nyp - Dever boasts of his action. It is In line with his campaign pledgee to close up the objectionable cafes. n» Js doing it and with a support from the administration which indicates that the movement is In earnest. Other cabarets wh!< h catered to MaCk-and-tan trade and l >•! the ^Continued on prig' 33> Somehow when the show busineee gets into court on a muddled point, the po'nt keeps on being muddled. In the Max Hart action against big time vaudeville, the lawyers argued before the highest tribunal in the land on interstate commerce snd the decision came out about jurisdiction. * Anyway, the high court has cleared the path for a trial of the action. That's something and may be the eventual definition of what is what. But vaudeville is a bit disappointed on the Hart case opinion. It doesn't tay enough to satisfy vaudeville's craving for "a decision. H Mr. Justice Holmes told the litigants to gotback to the federal district, have their day in court and prove their allegations or denials; show to the court and jury that an act is not the Individual only, but must be surrounded by the implements of* its trade or profession, such as scenery properties and perhaps tools. Then in effect, says the court, after the facts have been properly presented before judge and jury, if you -wish, come up here again and let us hear about It. The doorway seems to be one for that appealing "Exception." It means most likely an appeal from the lower court by either defeated side, much testimony down below and much record up above, more appeals, more arguments and then finally, if the next time it isn't Jurisdiction, what will it be? ; The Hart people, nevertheless, may well claim a victory in securing a reversal of Judge.Mack's dismissal order; they can go Into court, try the issues they have pleaded and bring out just how far the Keith office went in excluding Max Hart as a booking agent, while the Keith office no doubt will attempt to prove just how far Max Hart went as a booking agent. Between the two there should be some Interesting moments. to names that supersede others. Type Is a vast psychological influence, and the many snJMons spent in advertising, year after year, prove that beyond dispute. The ancient system of presenting news in all the same print has passed away and win never come back. Headlines are graded in proportion to their apparent importance. It seemed logical enough when vaudeville items were arranged that way also. As for the time billing, a very small percentage of patrons will pay to see a single, specific act. even On Broadway, where many interests, besides pure entertainment, enter into theatre-going. It is probably a great convenience to agents who have no desire to "catch" any but their own or their^prospective material. But the public, most likely, siill wants a sounrFbill of full entertainment topped by one or two alluring turns that are especially inviting. It would be impossible to calculate how many passers-by, struck by the name of an act they were eager for, that they saw from across a street or in a casual glance, made up their minds then and there to buy tickets. Today one has to scrutinize a vaudeville poster, whereas of old the vaudeville poster came out to meet one. Surely the far-seeing heads of vaudeville have sounded out thia im- portant matter to an issue and have substantial reasons for their radical change of the old method. But it is hard to forego a sigh at contemplating that the headKner Is no more; that this magic word which was so long a thrill, an inspiration, a siren-call of fame and wealth and almost im- mortality, has gone into the discard of the past with so many other of the revered ins itutlon* of yesteryear. VARIETY'S IDENTIFICATION CARD Variety has issued to all of its correspondents for identification a new credential card, carrying the corporate seal of Variety to attest ita genuineness. The new card with seal impressed has been distributed to prevent impostors representing themselves aa of Variety in any of its de- partments. Any one claiming to be a representative of Variety with doubt existing should be requested to produce his credential card. Without the seal upon it it is not genuine. THAT KELLY-LAIT "FEUD" Judge Waltei 1 C. Kelly and Jack Lait are not enemies; they have merely connived to misuse" Variety and Jack Pulaski. While the Remington con- test of the two purveyors to the show business might suggest an ulterior motive in their pen face making at one another, it has been but a means of each finding something else to say betides "That's good.*' The explanation is called for. Many have been the inquiries of why the Kelly-Lait expose, Variety's circulation of 28, gross, all seemingly joining in the general request. The said 28 must have inwardly believed Kelly was trying to bring out that Lait was or has been fooling vaudeville with his acts, while Lait was after Kelly's scalp for not believing the West Is East. And Jack Pulaski, "the man with the iron mask." suffered in near- silence; he apparently being silent only when not near. WOMEN AND CLOTHES "Glimpses of the Moon." In which a galaxy of beautiful women were gathered, must have been turned carte blanche into fhe smartest and most expensive modiste shops in the world. Nita Naldi as the lovely and persistent Ursula Gillow is always magnificently undressed—going in for backless sleeveless gowns, long trains suggestive of the peacock, and earrings that di.ngle to her neck. One lounging robe of ecru lace draped over black satin with black velvet sleeves falling to the ground and a very long train was exceptionally stunning. She wears her slick black hair drawn severely back from her forehead. Bebe Daniels is softer—she has charm and sweetness. A lovely bride she made in a short waisted white satin with a long train—her brides- maids are also dressed in the Empire style. Rubye de Remer as the flirtatious Ellie Vanderlyn is like some exotic bird, with her slim frail beauty. There are pionients when the unflattering camera catches her at unbecoming angles and suggests she is getting too thin. Miss de Remer wears a white lace cape with a dark fur collar at a garden party that is entrancing.' She is always smartly gowned. Judge Kelly and Jack Lait are very good friends when not trying to steal a pot in power from one another. Kelly is said to have gone farther with four spades in blind tiger than any Friar who was ever suspended from the card room, while Lait is known through having the calling habit; he says he can't be bluffed because he always call*. Now that that's settled; back to work! Excepting -neither got space rates froaj Variety—we were that smart anyway. PASSING OF THE HEADLINER "HEADLINER—A performer whose name Is printed In large type on a showbill."— Standard Dictionary. One of Variety's reviewers last week, commenting on a vaudeville bill, admits that he is at a loss to name the "headliner." He needn't worry about it, for on all but the small time that has ceased to be. At least it is so in the East.. Whatever th* policy reason may have been for changing the estab- lished system i of billing to the present program sort, It Is obvious that vaudeville has lost an institution if not an asset In expunging the head- lfner. The headliner was, as famous as vaudeville itself. The dictionary adopts the word as part of the language and other trades and profes- sions had already drafted it. There can be doubt that the headliner sjstem was a help to vaude- ville, even If it has really obsoleted itself and proven more liability than asset It was similar to the .starring idea and more in point. A star may be established after a play opens; a play may work itself Into Immense popular favor and renown without any star. But vaudeville runs one week and the same bill probably never plays again anywhere. Even though the bill be a great combination it can not become known rapidly enough to draw extraordinarily within the week. If it can, it surely must suffer the first day. anyhow, until It is recognized as an exceptional show. But a famous headliner tells his or her own story. Tells it at first glance—even in advance of optning. Of course, the headliners of old can be found on the bills of today and still draw, even though they are not displayed. Hut they may be overlooked by casual eyes, sandwiched in between a meaningless closer and a lukewarm sketah on the time- sheet. An absorbing picture has been made from the 'The Famous Mrs. Fair," that delicious comedy-drama played so successfully by Blanche Bates several seasons ago. It denirt«, a very special phase Of the "new woman's" problem—that of adjusting a life outside her home to the very difficult business of making a. home. Myrtle Stedman, in the tile role, is just right in the trying uniform of major, while the other members of her unit are all wrong in theirs. The tired, lonely Mrs. Fair returns hopefully to her neglected fam- ily in a stunning traveling suit, the coat long and sable-trimmed. Miss Stedman's costumes are all becoming and well chosen—she always looka the well bred, competent woman who can't be annoyed with frills—in short, she dressee her part. Carmel Myers, aa the clinging neighbor widow, who vamp i the lonesome husband, over acts, but she is easy to look at* in her soft, drapy gowns, flowing veile, lacy hats and scarfe. Marguerite de La Motto, as the love-starved child who suddenly develops into a sophisticated flapper, is a skillful pantomimist. As the naive, ex* uberant daughter whe awaits her mother's return from France, she is charming in a simple white frock that, like all those she wears before, the metamorphosis, looks like any dainty, proper juvenile dress that might be seen in the most correct shops. But when she grows up— which she practically does over night, under the guidance of her mother's lecture agen\ she out-vamjps any vamp in Hollywood. She staggers in from a "jazz party" in a backless welvet dinner gown with a train, a tipsy bandeau on her disheveled hair. Among the newly acquired enticements tnat shock her mother is an ankle bracelet and a tempting beauty mark placed under her arm. Norma Talmadge in 'Within the Law" is a moving and sympathetic Mary Turner. The breach of promise profession is apparently a high and rapid-paying one, judging from the luxurious "sets'* and Mary's modish clothes. At the end of her first y*»hr "on the outside - ' the hard pressed Mary is in a gorgeous evening gown with a heavily beaded bodice and a skirt of slit panels hanging considerably beneath the silvercloth under- skirt. She carries a unique black lace fan whose chiffon edge droops over the sticks when closed. She motors (evidently to some smart tea place) with the son of the man who imprisoned her, in a fine lace dress simply made with a festoon of flowers down the left side. Over this is a soft gray cape with fox collar and she wears a fetching tulle turban with tulle wrapped about her throat. She lets her ex-employer knbw she has her sweet revenge as she wears an exquisite house robe. Another trig costume is her coney hip- length jacket with chinchilla collar worn with a silk dress made long on the sides. The "fwightened" little Aggie Lynch ( Eileen Percy) demurely brings in the old roue's love letters wearing a natty little Jersey cloth dress with*plaited chiffon collar and cuffs. For the street she affects jaunty box coats wifh skirts of another shade. But the point that is mure to tlje point is: How about the htadliners of tomorrow? Where will the "names" come from two years from now if they are not worked up and brought to public attention now? Will they be recognized? Will they attain the draft that they would hav had they been conspicuously billed and thus impressed on memories by name, as well as performance? And what about the incentive it gives to perform- ers to work Up to headline position? With many it was a point of pride equally valuable with the financial rise that accompanied it. This is not a plea for the return of the headliner, Variety has no feel- Ing about it. But it is I Rubjecl worth considering from both sides in a ■ ••«-■|.;ip» i .1. v <.♦-.} t.» tb" M><..w-rn theatre , n «n sjre of personal accom- plishment nnd intensive specialization, Being part of an ensemble even a whole-hearted part—is more the .nstin t of the efficient business disposition than the temperament of the artist. The player, as a rule. i« highly individualized and Is keen for honors associated directly with himself or herself rather than with the- ultimate success «.f a broad enterprise, Audiences, too, inhale the si ' \ ,* '. n,< i,- The} n*e unconsi lously Gertrude Astor as the persistent Edith Cortlandt in "The Ne'er-do- well" is smartly groomed. At the dinner to which the lovable "ne'er-do- well" arrives so late, she wears a gown of tan silk with gold lace forming a cape at the back and flowing gracefully over the arms. Miss Astor should be taught to walk. Tier movements are awkward, particularly jn, this scene. She contrives to get young Kirk on a lonely island, looking a Charming siren in an accordion plaited chiffon skirt with a white braided box coat and a large mohair picture hat. An afternoon gown of gray (hift'on with a back panel caught in at the waist and large, puffed peasant s'eeves fastened tightly at the wrist is exceptionally modish. She is at her best in her widow'* we. ds with a white-eilgefi, long-veiled bonnet. Lila Lee is a Joy in an evening gown with a silver cloth basque and a wide. full, stiff lace skirt that barely misses the ground. Miss Lee doe- her hair in a unique and becoming fashion— parted In the middle and drawn down over the ears, Bpanlsh-wise, with a puff across the top after the Japanese style To lovers of Thackeray's "Vanity Pair" the picture dramatisation is disillusioning. As usually so with pictures, the mechanics are admirably handUd, details of costume, sets and photography being most care- fully arranged. It is no slight t.isk to dramatize a story franklv depending little upon dramatics. Mabel Ilaliin is a demure little girl with no evident not ion rrf thr wiry, Scheming rharacter of Becky, who was so piteously and passlonated bent on getting on in the world. Miss Ballln carries the short -waisted. puff-sleeved Empire costumes very well, she it running in her fir^t party drees, when she visits her schoolmate Amelia fledley, the dress being of net with iows of tiny-ruffles around the tight hem. white stockings and black slippered feet peeping sh.\ :y forth. She is a successful coquet at the great ball on the eve of Waterloo in white satin with a pan'l train, jew* Is r.n.i a hjgh, waving feather head dress The best acting 1* done 1> Brlggs, the lachrymose attendant of the Cr.iw )>'« wealth) aunl