Variety (July 1923)

.'.'i-'^. EDITORIAL Wednesday, July 4, 1989 KIETY Trad* Mark Recl*t<^red rabllabad Weekly bj VAIUETT. lae. 8ime fillvtrmaii. President ll« Weet 4eth Street New York City SUBSCRIUTION: Annual 17 I Foreign M Slnsl* Copies , !• Cent* VOL- LXXL No. 7 On aecount of the holiday Variety went to prewi Tuesday night this week, J. K. Emmett, assistant to JoRrph Vogcl, manager of Loew's State, New Tork, la elated for the position of manager when Vogel leave* to assume the dutlos of general man- ager of the InUr-State Circuit July IS. V Loew's Astoria, Astoria, Long Island, will switch from vaudeville to pictures commencing next week. It Is the first time the house has deviated from its r«:KUI&r policy during the summer. Lynn and Lockwood, rube come- dians, have separated. The J. H. Moore theatre, Seattle, playing the Orpheum circuit book- ings, has dropped that title and will be known as the Orpheum. THE STYLHSH SIDE BY PAM The Academy, Tall River (Shocdy), has reduced Its bills from six to Ave acts for the summer. The Keith office has sent out a notification to acts playing Atlantic City, informing thom of railroad de- lays that have badly held up bag- gage transportation since the sea- son started, the announcement sug- gesting the acts provide against a mix up by sending necessary stuff as far In advance as possible when playing the shore resort. popular songs run in set und de- fined cycles as has been proved time and again. It may be a "rose" song cycle or a "mother" or Dixie cycle with an outstanding hit usually setting the pace. The "nut" or novelty song idea is the popular vogue with practically every pub- lisher currently concentrating on a "gang" song. George Holioway is the manager of Castle, Long licach, L. I., the new B. S. Moss house that opened last Thursday. Mr. Holioway was for- merly at the Lroadway, New York. Nellie Fallon, secretary to Chas. Maddock, will make her initial trip to Europe the latter part of July. Miss Fallon will combine pleasure with business while abroad looking over material for the Mad- dock office with a view to its suit- ability for this side. The Actors', Fund drive for in- creased membership inaugurated by El. F. Albee has borne considerable fruit. Mr. Albee urged the the- atrical profjQsslon to pay more heeJ to its most worthy charitable or- ganization, through enlistment in the Actors' Fund as members at |2 yearly dues. Besides a generous direct response, many receiving the Albee letter solicited subscriptions, securing a number of applications as well In that manner. FORUM Editor Variety: In Variety of June 28 appeared under Artist's Forum a protest by Hughle Diamond (Four Diamond.s). correcting a statement in a review by Ihcc. that the two younger mem- bers of the act are brothers and not the sons of himself and the woman in the act. In Justice to your reviewer I wish to state that a certain lino delivered by Mr. Diamond, Introduting the youngsters, in which ho states he is not endeavoring to imitate Eddie Foy, might lead anyone Into assum- ing the lads are the children of the elder couple. This come.s from one who Is not a member of the profts.siun but a follower of the fino.st tlieatric.il yti- per to be found. I trust Mr. Diamond can see why he was referred to as the dad of those two clever kids and also cor- rect his own opinion of Ihcc. Harry Callaphan. CO Asland Avenue, W. Orange, New Jersey. (This Is not intended to create a controversy). ' A not Yinusual. but attractive, type Is Edith Roberts In "Baek- bone " Her picture clothes show careful selection. One of the prettiest models is pan velvet trimmed at the edge of sleeves and around the hips with gray fox. Her hair is very prettily bobbed. The part she plays In the picture Is a saccharine, unresourceful girl, and does not gain much sympathy. A d*ndy negligee made her look sinous and alluring. A very pretty luminous set Is In "Marry Me." A Du Barryesque voung woman made a most attractive bride In this scene. An ultra design was shown In a periwinkle chiffon gown with an open back. The other dresses were not especially arresting. Dooley and Sales had a peach closing number at Proctor's Mt. Vernon. Miss Sales looked girlish in a checked gingham. The powder s^ie uses Is not the right color for her hair. She giggles through the act In much the same way as formerly. Some smart clothes are In the Clara Kimball Young picture, "Cordelia" What a harrowing enemy adipose tissue is to style! Miss Young's models all missed the mark because of her added weight. It seems a shame she does not endeavor to lose some of Jt. Her beauty Is being threatened. The mysterious butler In the picture is very handsome, and probably will be starring shortly. Two quite remarkable girls are at the Palace this week. The Misses Williams and Vannessl. One Is a decided blonde and the other a dusky brvnet. It Is hard to decide which is the prettierras it depends on which type One prefers. Miss Wiinams, the blonde, has a sweet and ingratiating personality. She is the more versatile. Their clothes are not good, with the exception of the opening dresses. These are of chiffon. The blonde wears orchid trimmed with wistaria, and her dark sister, canary yellow with black-eyed susans. A very worthy dance interi>retatlon Is given by Miss Vannessl. It is almost certain that Miss Williams will find her way into a produc- tion ere long, as she has every qualification. Ben Roberts is a wonder. It Is only natural to have a mistake or two on Monday afternoon, but his Palace orchwati-a seems to be the exception. Quite a boon to the performer. Harry Delf looked snappy and worked with vim. The tan tie is not so good with that suit. A darker shade would be better. The girls In the new "Sunshower" act are not pretty, but work well. The clothes were fair. The best is a salmon chiffon with silver bead trimming. This gown had very graceful lines. Lenora Novaslo danced and sang with her usual precision. This little artist wore a rather good model of orchid and cham- pagne georgette. Not so certain the bobbed hair is as becoming as her former silky tresses. The toe dancer is clever and looked fresh in a white net ballet ^ress. Vincent Lopes and his Pennsylvania orchestra smacked over the hit of the bin. Mr. Lopez has the shiniest hair In captivity; It rivaled the large diamond he wears on his right hand. The dressing of the men Is not correct. White waistcoats do not go with tuxedos and black ties. Black vests should be substituted. Also, Mr. Lopez should wear something that will go with the men's clothes. There is no reason they should be dressed for after 6 o'clock and he tn day dress. Besides the pongee lounge suit tends to make him look heavier. A funny bit Is done by the two saxophone players. They play "O Sole Mio" so realistically one Imme- diately thinks of spaghetti. This act looks as though quite a little ♦bought had been given to It. The Illuminated signs are good, so are the special sets at back of drops. The signs are a respite from the easel and cards. A brilliant metal gown was shown by Elsie Shaw In the William Kent act. A champion Rip Van Winkle was perpetrated by "Everybody's Mag- azine" in "Topics of the Day." Even Joe Miller couldn't be blamed for it. The Newark "Call" sprang the best wheeze. Smartly turned out Is the girl In Seed and Austin's act. A neat silk print with red shoes, pendant, and hat looked extraordinarily attractive. Seed does a funny piece of business with his collar. Some shoes he wears. Jim McWiiUams got the biggest laugh of the performance with his line "She uses a thumb tack to keep her stockings up." This week's bill Is a very fast playing one, with plenty of comedy. Back again this season Is the gingham dress with hat to match. These tub dresses give the wearer a youthful touch and always look cool. A para- sol of the same material gives a complete -effect. A corresponding bag Ig sometimes used. Word comes ffom Paris that no summer wardrobe Is complete without the all-over flowered hat. One bewitching model Is of forget-me-nots. The straplest slipper will be seen a lot this fall. F. B. O. presented Mrs. Wallace Reld In the much heralded film, "Human Wreckage." Neither Mrs. Reid or the picture warranted the suspense experienced by an anticipatory public. The nicest thing that can be said about "Human Wreckage" Is that Mrs. Reld and her conferees desisted tastefully from touching on the '.rngedy of the late Wallle. This picture, fraught with the horrors of a variety of narcotics, teaches one important lesson; a nursing mother should be just as careful during the period she Is feeding her child as she should be prior to Its birth. Mothers would be astonished to know the extent of the effect of their diet, temper, etc., on the nursing child. This mother in the picture, played by the sweet-faced Bessie Love, has become a victim of drugs; and, unwittingly, has made her Infant a slave to her vice. Outside of this cbject lesson there is little to learn from this so-called educational pic- ture. Mrs. Reid showed consietent'taste in her dressing, all her gowns being black. One model of black with rows of black fur finishing sleeves and skirt is pretty. All her hats are close fitting style and allow her eyes fall play. The lobby display of the stills of the picture are the best seen in New York ir some t<me. They whet one's appetite to quite a degree en entering the theatre The Incidenta' musk war. pleasing and got away from the clas.«lcal. When will the producers of "dom" pictures have the courage to show the cause of dope to at least three-quarters of its devotees is due to prohibition. There have been dope pictures in plenty. The youngest patron is conversant with the dangers. Now is the opporturfe moment f<ir pictures to show how narcotics have been substituted for the Innocent Klass of real befr. Victory Bateman Is still wielding her art in a masterful manner in the jart of the mother and grandmother. The scene depleting the horrible tlo.ith of her daughter, a drug addict, is the only scene of the picture tlKit causes a tightening of the throat. They are all wrong In their dressing. Spats ar« not an fait fn summ^ time; not even white plqus spats. The taller member of tha team wtJ3 a watch chain that does not belong with hia clothes. The other bOfll should chang the tuxedo coat and waistcoat for something else ^^ elimlnata the morning trousers. An Ascot tie would go hotter with' monflng suit than the present bow tie. Tho Canslnos have the slowest act of their career. Tho special drc showing El Toro (Spanish for "bull") Is dignified by a spotlight fjcui throughout the act. There does not seem to be any especial reason fog featuring these quadrupeds. The prettiest gown Seno ita Cansino weaM i* of apple gre<^n, a shade delightful with her coloring. Season upo^ season this clever dancer ha: worn the hoop skirt model. It might \m worth taking a chance to appear In a dinging gown that would give m glimpse of her Igurj. ^ Never has there been a season so devoid of good looking bathing sulti^ It is a sad state of affairs when we scour the shops and return hom^ to resurrect last year's creation. The white of egg applied to the eyes and left until It hardens tak«4 away small wrinkles and lines of fatigue. Do not whip before applying^ Mauve or lavender Is taboo. The Parisian modiste declares there never been a season showing less demand for this shade. .!». There Is a new rouge that simply refuses to fade in salt water. the Mandarin shade, and put up by Guerlain, Paris. ItH The latest from Paris is the entire set. Including earrings, neckloo^ ring, cigarette holder, make-up packet and lip stick, of the same materlalr amber, ebony, mother of pearl or JeL Also in any color ..mber. "Trailing African Wild Animals" two hours Ih far too long for th^ Indifferent picture In a pop vaudeville show. The picture claims oa^ can see In two hours what It has taken two years to make. This may be technl:ally speaking. It may have taken even more, but It Is not evident that the Johnsons were present. The first Ii^presslon Is that the producers have collected a raft sf iravelog film and cut it closely. The main stunt of Mrs. Johnson ^hootin|^ a tiger is so badly cut It ij glaringly obvious the producer under estlmatef Intellect of his prospective public. The zebra, gnus and other habitatl of the African .^ungle show a suspicious fear of the adjacent trainer's whiA To sum it alt up there Is too little of the Johnsons and too much of the animals. What could be seen of Mrs. Johnson was soothing to the ey% a large sombrero framing a wholesome countenance. INSDE STUFF ON LEGIT There may be two attractions with the title of "Plain Jane" n«d bfason. Arthur Hammerstein has announced a musical show of i^Sk name, Mary Hay to be featured. Tom Johnstone and Phil Cook wro^ $ musical piece called "Plain Jane" about a year ago and submitted It to Miss Hay. The authors suspect the title was suggested to the manag«f by the actress and Insist on their prior right. Since the show was flir^ written McBlbert Moore has Joined Johnstone and Co^k. Other authort are mentioned in the Hammerstein "Jane." "Little Go-Getter" is a musical comedy which has no relation to a raofw Ing picture of similar name. It has a score by Paul Lannin, with booK and lyrics by Alonzo Price and Sidney Toler. A wealthy Plttsburghep became interested as a backer for the show, and came on to New Yorlj for the special purpose of hearing the score. The Fulton was secured for the private showing and an orchestra of 24 was engaged to play the music. Not long after the Pittsburghe^ reached town he was surrounded by feminine friends. He turned «rt at the Fulton In "the morning after" condition and he hadn't been th«i< long when a girl entered and further distracted his attention. TlH authors could not approach the millionaire because of the girl, and M suddenly went back to Pittsburgh. A telegraphic query brought tM answer: "My physician forbids me to produce any plays this sunomer.^ That meant the end of the authors, and besides they were nicked f«f the price of the orchestra. , ^ Lannin teamed with Vincent Youmans In the score of "Two Little GIrK in Blue" and "For Goodness Sake," the latter show now playing Londoi under the title of "Stop Flirting." Lannin'a father was formerly a Bostof baseball magnate and now controls the Garden City hotel. It seems to be settled just by whom the presentation of "Casanora** m tc be made. It was understood that the production was to be presented by Charles Frohman, Inc., with Lowell Sherman as the star through ai arrangement with A. H. Woods. Sherman, however, balked at this sort of an arrangement, stating that as long as he was a Woods star he wsi going to have Woods present him In "Casanova" or he wouldn't appea* in the play at all. That seemingly settled the question. Now the bllUn^ Is to read: "A. H. Woods presents Lowell In 'Casanova' by arrangement with Gilbert Miller," and therefore the production can go on. The last word from Paris in mid-summer conceits. A bandana Imnd- koichiof wound around the head and faj-toncd by tho fascinating now (1r.iil.lo end pins and an accompanylnr, designed stock or l)andana on ne.-k rr slitiiiifTrr.«T: * This Is a rood style for tennjs, motoring, yachting or any .-•port (lurlii!^' which we with to forget our crowning glory. - Vory "Juney" describes the appearance of the Fifth Ave. lobby. Ro.ie Irclli.ses and a tupid fountair beguile the auditor into thinking ho is at some g.U'ilon paity. Cartniell am Harris ere dancing better than ever. Miss Harris Is af- f<:otinK the combinatior of grey and yellow. It Is not a pretty symphony. With her striking coloring, she Is at a decided disadvantage with It. It is a joy to hear thij dancer's real taps. HurH* and Vogt should he mothered by some authentic haberdasher, Tho rivalry between the Broadway musical comedy producers of th# summertime is growing personal, it seems. Instead of advertising their shows or securing publicity for themselves tho feeling of rancor Is get* ting their competitors into notice with the newspaper men. The White's "Scandals" management for instance thinks It Is moit peculiar that for two successive ThtirsdJly afternoons, Zlegfeld "Follies" has called a rehearsal. The White show at the Globe changed Its matlne# Oay from Wednesday to Thursday. This was done according to the Whlte# for the purpose of catching the professionals in New York who might not be playing ©n Thursday afternoon. George White himself ridicules the impression "Scandals" might havo selected Thurrday for the matlne* mid-week time acjainst "The Passing Show" at the Winter Garden which also gives a periormancs Thursday afternoons. The White people relate how nearly all of the "Follies" crowd had tickets for a "Scandals" Thur.-day matinee when suddenly a call for S 'Follies' rehearsal went forth. "The Follies" of Zlegfeld's Is said to havS been all changed about after tho Monday night opening, A couple of scenes were taken out and several other changes made. The steady decline of Wall street quoiotlons is said to have been a windfall for a well known Broadway producer who in the past Is credited with having cleaned up on tho occasions of bear movements In the stock market. Ho is always known to "bet "em wron;?" downtown, which la i« line with hl« pe>«slmistlc observations in general. The mft»>ager in ques- tion failed to stick over a hit last season or this but the spring W«« financially rosy for him, all because of Wall street, Chicago's twin thoatrea. the Sam H. Harris and the Selwyn. wound I'P their fiscal year two weeks ago. The first season of operation !• Claimed to have been satisfactory, with a healthy profit made, despit* their late start. It wa« reported the twin.s were tou-h business proposl- , tlons because there is no revenue except from the" attractions played,^ ^ . * ^ V (Continued on page 14)