Variety (May 1923)

10 EDITORIALS Wednesday, May 30, 192& i : KIETY Tradt Mark R»glat*r«d Pabllabtd Weekly by VARIETY, 1m. Slro* Silverman. Prwidtnt J64 West 46th Street New York City SUBSCRIPTION: annual 17 I foreign $» Single Cciplea 10 Cente VOL. LXXI. No. 3 SPORTS Again this year a fight to end the practice of employing deputy sher- iffs at the Saratoga racetrack in August was started and again it failed. Pomona Orange of Saratoga county unanimously adopted a reso- lution protesting against the prac- tice and appointed a special com- mittee to communicate its views to the board of supervisors. The letter of the committee declared that the hiring of deputy sheriffs was an "injustice to the taxpayers of the county" and called on the super- visors to stop it. The board of su- pervisors, at a meeting last week, refused to take any action restrain- ing the district attorney from em- ploying deputy sheriffs at the track. A resolution asking the sheriff and the district attorney to refrain from appointing as many deputies as they had in the past, and calling for close scrutiny of all accounts for that purpose, was laid on the table by a vote of 9 to 4. The Crange communication was referred to the county attorney for reply and explanation of the Jaw regarding the appointment of such deputies. It is claimed by the Grange that 28 men were employed last year at a cost of about $3,000 and that there Is no necessity for the expenditure of the money, as the track is pa- trolled by the state police and special detectives. A big part of the thing is political pap, members say. Early this week it was virtually certain the Red Sox (Boston Ameri- can League) would pass into new hands, the reported price being $1,000,000. For the past several years the Boston outfit has been owned by H. H. Frazee, with Sport Hermann, of Chicago, also heavily interested. That Frazee will con- tinue in baseball was a Broadway re"p"ort recently, and It. would not surprise insiders if he'became part owner of the Yankees (New York American League champions), which was taken over by Col. Jacob Ruppert last week. Col. Til Huston selling his interest to Ruppert, fol- lowing a scries of disagreements. Ruppert said he hoped to have as his new partner soma. on* whom he eould g^t along with, and ho and Frazee,have been close friends for years. Frazee immediately after taking over the Boston ball tossers got himself disliked in Beantown by welling Babe Ruth to the Yanks for $125,000. The Bambino had Just finished a season wherein he clout- ed 29 home runs, and when he made a record of 64 circuit wallops soon after coming to New York Boston hked Frazee less. Other .-mart to.ll players were either sold or traded, and the Sox descended to the cel- lar position in the league and is still there. INSIDE STUFF ON VAUDEVILLE The Chicago notice on the Majestic in Variety last week spoke of Hap Farnall as possibly being a coming comglian. He is of th© act of Hap Farnall and Florence, which had a try out last fall at the Academy, in Chicago, and failed to Impress the bookers. The act was squeexed In to some unimportant place booked by Dick Hoffman on a pinch. It made so good that it was tried In a Junior Orpheum house out west. The report there gave it an Orpheum date. On reports alone the act played the cntiro Orpheum Circuit and last week returned to the Majestic. Which may show that sometimes the public likes acts which the bookers Can't praise. m ■ Hany Greene returned from London several weeks ago with Lord Northesk end it was arth© latter's invitation to act as best man at the titled Englishman's wedding to Jeslsca Brown, Greene says. The dale for the marriage has not been set, and Northesk is stopping at the Ritz. New York, meantime. Greene had no idea of coming over, but was with Northesk at the Embassy Club. London, one afternoon with Johnny Ogle, a wealthy British youth. The result was that Ogle and Greene boarded the "Olympic" with the bride-groom-to-be. On the way over there were several olacussions between Greene and Ogle as who would act as best man. They have decided to settle the question by the tosa of a coin. Maurice (The Great) Raymond, magician, disabled in the big war, is drawing $100 a month compensation pay from the Government fund for that purpose. Recently he received contracts to play in vaudeville. Notifying the military authorities, Raymond waa advised if he accepted his disability pay would be forfeited. As the latter ia for life, he post- poned the dates, but ha,s taken the matter up with Senator Copeland of New York. Raymond was in the Aviation Corps. During a reconnoitering flight he was shot down by the Germans, receiving injuries from which he has not fully recovered. William D. Eccleston, owner and manager of the National, Linden- hurst, Long Island, became a blue law advocate last week when he filed a complaint with the Town Board against the Sunday vaudeville per- formances at Washington hall an opposition to his. The Board refused to take action on the complaint, setting forth that the performances at the Washington were meeting with the approval of the residents of Lindenhurst, and that it had .no jurisdiction to stop them. Eccelston's blue law attitude is alleged to be due to the failure of his house to make money with vaudeville which was withdrawn and straight pictures installed. Washington hall is the only other house in town, and is reported securing the greater patronage with its vaudeville policy Sunday. WOMEN AND CLOTHES The astonishing selfishness and lack of consideration illustrated nightly by our women of the stage, especially in musical shows, toward their male fellow members should be severely criticized. When it is just as easy to buy whitening that won't come off on the men's clothes why do they not do it. Such preparations as Plexo and a quantity of others too num- erous to mention on the market at almost the same price, are to be had, and how much nicer to see a man after a. love scene or dancing, emerge from the fray just as black or blue as he was to begin with. It must be very embarrassing as well as expensive for our actors to keep a neat appearance due to the thoughtlessness of most of our actresses. Juliet, at the Palace, looked fresh and sweet this week in a white satin crepe-satin studded with rhinestones designed in a fan-like design on the front and carrying a panel effect as to skirt. A single red poppy adorned the waist line. This is a conceit affected by Premet this spring. Premet has declared war on the long waist line, and there is a general leaning of all the leading dress artists of Paris to modify if not exile this rathe- overdone fashion. Miss Juliet gave her very clever impressions with her usual calm poise that stamps the artist. The cunningest little Teter Thompson suit of a striking shade of ox- blood was well worn by Blanch Evans (MeLoughlin and Evans). It was made with an accordion pleated skirt. A tarn of the same shade was most becoming, and looked well on her jet black hair. Very well gowned is Bert Savoy (Savoy and Brannan). A Mary Tudor picture hat was the first thing that caught the eye. and after having exhausted admiration of that, next to be admired was the Directoire dress of white georgette hung with vermilion jet pendants. The entire color scheme was vermilion and white. The largest ostrich-feather of the season crowned the entire costume and Savoy carried a white fatigue cane. All the men in the Joe Fejer Hungarian Orchestra were nicely tailored, and the standing winged collars were much better than the turned down collar so commonly affected by men wearing tuxedos. Harry Wardell claims to have won $17,000 on the races at Jamaica. <»ne day he started betting out of his class, going in the box "five- grand" up to the last race of the <Jay and deciding to plunge an equal sum, also figuring on taking the fence if his choice failed to cop. There were two favorites at about the same price. Harry caught sight of AI Jolson laughing in a box and picked "Comic Song" to carry the dough, and it won. lie remained away from the track several days to cool his head. Wardell admits he never would have chanced big money jf it was a case of putting up the cash. But writing down figures with a lead pencil i* easy, too easy, he says. hat and scarf, which become* sadly bedraggled in the all-night fight against the raging mountain fire. > ^ It is difficult to imagine any woman so case-hardened at tht lovely Lady Feo, so decoratively played by Anna Q. Nileson in "The Rustle ol Silk." Miss Nilsson is a spoiled darling in a negligee with a short silver cloth jacket and chiffon underdress with a long train, the wide sleeve* fur-trimmed. t „ , Later, when her lover presents her with an anklet, she is sllroiy, exquisite in a decollete, black spangled evening gown. She scorn* be* husband's modest floral gift, wearing a gorgeous evening wrap oU brocade with a panel train, a collar and wide sleeves of fur. Betty Compson, with her long lashes and baby stare does the Cinderella-at- the-ball act, making the grave and worried Fallaway 'hear the rustle of silk" in a demure chiffon gown and an enveloping evening wrap of soft chiffon velvet with a becoming collar of gray fox. She is beguiling in her maid's costume with frilled lace cap and other felicitous trappings. In the "rut backs'' of Lola's dreams there are some neat pastorals, show- ing Miss Compson in the dainty panniered dresse« of Watteau design. CABARETS The Club Deauville orchestra at i est of 25 per cent, of what he be- 59th I lleved it worth, or 25 per cent, of the Club Deauville, 110 East street, is a striking example of what may be accomplished in the way of the best dance musical combina- tion without taking a "name" or- chestra, or one already formed. Percy Elkeles put the band together about 10 days before the club, in which he is interested, opened. Each man was signed under an individual contract and Elkeles appointed the leader of it. The result is that the Club Deau- ville orchestra for dance music ranks with any in New York, no exception, and the music there is a matter of continuous comment by dancers. The difference saved the house through the cost of a recog- nized band (had one been engaged) may be imagined. Another point is that Elkeles keeps control of the combination with the contracted privilege of releasing and substitut- ing anyone of the players. It's probably the single instance amongst the higher class New York dance cabarets where the house management has what might be called its own band. The 4C0 C»ub or "Tut Club," as it is known, was pinched for a liquor violation within fox r days after it opened. That seemed peculiar. Judge Douras in the 57th street court dismissed all of the defend- ants when arraigned before him the following morning. The Salvins are in on the management of the Tut Club, also John Wagner, who is said to have 25 per cent, of it. Wagner was in the pinch, as of the management. Just before the violation case came up before the magistrate Judge Douras had fcent a repeater as a disorderly person to the Island for CO days. This set the restaurant people shaking, thinking they were before a "tough judge," but Judge Douras in their hearing went after the police for unwarranted entrance and seizure, scoring them and discharging the cabaret bunch without further cere- mony. The liquor violation charge had been based upon a small flask alleged to have been found in the pocket of one of the guests at the Club. what an appraisal might say it was worth. As a matter of fact he couldn't give away some of the placet, through no one caring to assume the expense with the drab prospects. The only bright light in the res- taurant gloom of New York Just at present is an inside report that Governor Smith wi!£ sign the Mai- Ian-Gage repealer. A hearing is set for it May 31 before the governor at Albany. The same inside sources say that the governor has never changed his attitude on the wet question. When the newspapers get to arguing over whether be would or wouldn't he let it go, per- haps helping it on, as the talk had no effect upon his decision, reached when the bill was passed. While the New York police say they will continue to assist in the enforcement of prohibition whether or not the repealer is signed, there is a great deal about Federal su- pervision the metropolitan cops have yet to find out. Heretofore, they have found out only things they wanted to, for themselves. The Cslifornia Ramblers have not purchased the Shanley Road House on I'clham Parkway, but they are operating it under a percentage ar- rangement with Fete Shanley. As far as the Ramblere are concerned it's about the same thing and it lets them in without risking coin, while it should prove beneficial to Shanley. His place needed something like the boys. One of the best located along the Farkway (that leads to the Bos- ton Road) Shanley's may set back a bit too far from the road to at- tract transient business, though Ha actual location behind the extensive lawn la splendid, right on the verge ol the sound's beach. Larry Doy>, old Giant star, has signed three Holy Cross varsity players for his Gleni Falls, N. Y., ham. They are Edmund llurke Of Boston, pitcher; Timothy Re- gan of Pittsfleld, catcher, an<l Harry McMahon of Torrington, Vt . third baseman. Manager John McGraw of the world's champions, has ttnt Kelly, a first baseman, who has been plajing in the International league, to Doyle for training. The youngster is the son of Joe Kelly, famous star on the old Baltimore Orioles. He received a try-out with the Giants. Do\ 1< signed lb* Holy (Continued on i-;» 19) Probably the two prettiest d ret set seen this year are being worn by Vivienne Segal in 'Adrienne" at the Cohan. A white harem costume made with a pinned up harem skirt and trimmed only with a silver girdle which clasped her waist loosely, and fell within about 10 inches of the bottom of the skirt, topped with a charming turban to which a long veil was secured at the back that reached to the end of her skirt, and a veil- like arrangement which passed beneath her chin and held the turban in place, was the seductive and at the same time simple costume. This dress w;is especially good with Miss Segal's ethereal type of auburn beauty. This was worn in the latter part of the second act. Her gown in the first part of the act was a white chiffon encrusted with rhinestones, with skirt c miing to about six inches of the floor, made with six silver panels about two inches wide and merging irito a faint pink. This pink and white effect was enhanced by the pink-slippers worn and White stockings. This creation showed Mi'.s Segal's lovely figure off to good advantage. Another very quaint dress and sniling Mabel Ferri's chestnut brown beauty was a yellow georgette made with cross stripes of yellow ribbon and eVicrusted with rhinestones* Jean Newcomb wore a black net trimmed with silver panels ,*«nel a silver and black lace coat made with a monk collar, very regally. Mi* 1 - Xewcomb gave th« impression of ■.« ing beautifully groomed, but then, she always doi *, A billowy pink and white dance frock was very fetching as worn by .Mary Cory Kitchen, a beautiful girl ..nd a beautiful danger. The chorus in th< second act w.«s the mott undressed chorus *>f quite a spei] and it is to be wonder* d if th«\v >.ad to don fleshings Tuesday night; 'Adrienne" has a very pretty chorus. The Salvins arc reported about disgusted with the present condi- tion of the Broadway restaurant business. After having closed or disposed of several of their cab- arets, their leader, the Palais Royal, is due to shut for the summer next week. While the Palais has closed down each summer for a spell as a rule, yet the story around that the Palais Royal has been operating at a daily loss of not less than 9500 for several, weeks, lends credence to the story the Salvins may be thinking of stopping that leak. Others are interested with the Sal- vins m their restaurant enterprises. One man whose name has never been mentioned in connection with ,the restaurant business holds a large share with the Salvins. It is said he is the insistent one on the proposition it is better to close than carry along at continuous loss. Chateau Laurier at City Island., witn Bill Werner in charge is again.. the gay summer place for the Broadway bunch, of whom Bill probably knows more than arty road . restaurant man. The Chateau de- pends wholly upon food and never . falls down upon it, although Bill it a pergonal attraction. It has a $3 ; table d'hote shore dinner that those i eating it say beats anything around New York in the summertime, and that takes in Shecpshead Bay. Dinty Moore is another attraction at the Chateau with his orchestra. The way Dinty can slam a band together and make it stand up is a matter of wonder among the cabaret' musicians His present combination is a peach, with a couple of the boys from last summer again at the Chateau with Dinty, while the oth- ers are new for this summer. Dinty ■ has another etrong card, his music, always up to date, and often the • Moore orchestra at the Chateau, plays new melodies before the down, town bands know they are out. Dinty is a digger in that respect, and it has helped his rep. The high scaled main street cab- aret! appear to be of the universal opinion it's impossible to keep up their overhead gait without selling For some reacon it looks as though there it going to he a deluge of road houses. Up north in New York city there are at least eight new or.es proposed, s-ome now building Just What inside info they may have is not known, but if A place with a tloor show now runs | they are working on a safety, it's to $6,000 or $7,000 a week with the orchestra, although there is no more of that kind of entertainment. But it made necessary that the house pet the fixed overhead be for* "Scars of Jealotu .-!•• 'lally to nny one who knowf the South, is quite within the realm of probability. Bur the scenario lacks force, and it is Impossible to guess 'he reason for the title— unless considered a box office catch, Lloyd Hughes ii a lovable Coddy Jakes. Marguerite do la Motto Is a spirited, lovely daughter e>f tht South who first appears in a trig Cloth riding habit with open neck and tri-corriered silk plush hat. She dei ides and falls' for the handsome Coddy (adopted by the old colonel) In fl dainty white afternoon frock with a high, puffed bertha, tight bodice . • .! '.mi •« straw i • I with streamers, T„- ter she retcues the same moun- m M.e. jail wearing a slick iweed sport *uit with becoming it eoulel look for any money for Jt- se If. At any time with failing business that became a worry. Another loss is the loss in values of cabarets, or good will. Under the current situation no cabaret man can well h^t a price on his estab- lishment. One of the largest ol Broadway cabaret holders recently si.id bt would sell his entire inler* something the erther road men know nothing about. Some of the road placet won't tell at all and others are extremes discreet through the federal Injunction rm i.:o c. The lat- ter has sinif e.ff *-■< Ihng In several downtown places formerly selling fi • e ;y. The Venetian Gardens is now the olast dancing eabaitt of Montreal and the only one. A vast change has come over tli.it resort. "When opening it looked hk< the lobby ot , iContinued on page 27)