Variety (April 1926)

Wednesday, April 7, WOMEN'S PAGE VARIETY AMONG THE WOMEN BY THE SKIRT Th« BMt Dr«M«d Woman of tho Wook 80PHIE TUCKER Palaco Thoatro (Guo«t-SUr) 8 Womon in 3 Hours Bophie Tucker nover lookfHl better than when ahe stepped out on th»^ n^co a* Monday afternoon an the )?aest-iitar of the N. V. A. day or wMk* When Nora BajFes frot one Aa^h at Sophie ahe laid d»wn aitd then paased out. A murmur of disappointment went through the large holiday audience when Bob Keane made the niinounocment that "our Nora" (as she wa* bflto<l) refused to follow Bophle. "Our Sophie" infltead It will probably be for the rent of the week. Soph appeared in a chinchilla cont that was some flash. The model was long and stmlght and carried a fl.-ire hem. The liiiinK was \^iHtarla and fold brocade. IHe dre!4M was the last word in the dressmaker's art On a Rieen foundation was an elaborate bc^ad denlpn in cryiital and green b»'ad.s. Goodee Montgomery (with Brooke Johns) is a pretty little miss. As SB ISton boy and then in a dress that has become known as thn Marie Saxon model, that of blue accordion skirt and velvet jacket Mius Mont- gomery shoired quite some ability an a dancer. Claire Whitney (with Robert Kmmet Keane) in the amusing sketch **Room •09," appeared first In a blue velvet cloak having squirrel sls a trimming. Underneath was a mald'R outfit of grrey. An^ that is present day big time vaudeville; three women in tliret^ hours. Wiso Women I Paul Whltenian just before ho sailed last week said' It was his am- bition to own a burlesQue show. That is what burleNque need.H. New blood. The present burlesque show8 are depcndint; upon discarded stuff fpom the musical cometly and revue fields. Take the show at the Columbia last v/eek. "Bathing BuauUeH." Cvery Joke and scene had seen better days on Broa^lway. Dorsey Biron. Vlnnto Phillips and Bessie Brookes make up the female continuant. The curtain reveals the chorus in white tights with cutaway skirts of gold ruffles and rose and blue over drapes. The three principals are in in- different sport costumes. A quick change is made by the girls to blue velvet union suits having a side drape of mauve .<filk. Anna Trotman not programed with the Citst doen a "I.ovin*" song in a simple blue silk frock having tiny lace ruffles. The girls behind her arc In orange .silk made with a petal effect ending in a black pom-pom. Vinuie Phillips with an artoclous haircomb, that of a boy l:ob on one side and a huge knot over one car wears,for a Cecelia song a white satin ed^ed with a brilliant trimming, tho skrlt carrying two rows of pink feathers. The girls are In gold costumes, the skirts of which are cut In square .scalIop.<< and faced with rose. Bessie Brookes wore a simple summer frock with a faint embroidery. Behind her are the chorus in white blouses and striped pants. Miss Phillips with extra large limbs looked even larger in flsh net tights. Miss Phillips' best looking outfit was ?>f pale blue short pants with an even shorter skirt. Of all the changes by the chorus the best looking were of black velvet, maile extremely short. Thfi long waists ended In three ruffles. Lace was around the neck and wrist.s. The most Irritating feature of "The Bathing Hcautio."?" Is the spot- light man, who keeps switching the ^ipot In circles finaly furuslng It at the climax of every joke or son^r- (Thoughtless women writ^»rs! And Variety seems to be flooded with them. This one says in the first sentenoo Pai.l WhIteman mentioned he would like to own a burlesque sliow and In her second sentence that that is the trouble with hurl«*flque. What? Paul WhIteman or his ambition? And If Paul owMed a burlf*r.qne show who would produce It? Not Paul. And Paul WhIteman couldn't appear In a burlesque Hhow charg- ing 75c to $1 top. And Proadway musical comedy never charged 75c or |1 top. Nor did Broadway muslcil comedy or revues for the past five years charge 76c or $1 top for all of their gags and comedy busine.<*s with skits and scenes stol'?n from burlesque. These wise women (I)—Ed.) LADIES OF THE ENSEMBLE By R08E ADAIRE An uproar In the dressing rot»m at the Liberty theatre when the only carllng iron possessed by Flora Wai.son disappeared. Everyone el.<«c niade more fuss than Flora. A re- ward is offered. Flora doesn't mins It much as it was never there when she wanted It, anyway. Ethel Maye got a new anklet, and as the fashion goes, wanted htr sweetheart's name on tt. Kihel is no bashful Teddy Dauer bad to take it to the engravers. THE DRESSY SIDE By SALLIE Marcia Bell. **Tlp To«." ent r- tained Betty Richardson, a nol<><l pianii^t and oboe player from H ».»^ ton. as her guest over Easter. Blanche O'Donohue la taking vocal, acrobatic and buck lessons. She has routined the remainder of her op»;n time. The girls claim Ann Woi»d in "Song of the Flame" is trying to impersonate Harold Lloyd with her new goggles. But Ann says they are really a necessity. Lillian McKenzIe has been ntade a principal in "No, No, Nanette." Teddy Dauer Is giving an Easter party to the girls in **TIp Toes." Dyed eggs and everything will be there, but that's no reflection on the girls. Norma Shoaror in Tights Anything pertaining to a circus makes interesting picturizatlon and Norma Shearer In tights makes It doubly so. "The Devil's Circus" will go a long way in movie circles. The only siiot showing the circus pa.SH- ing in the night is worthy of special mention. All the circus scenes were especially well done. Miss Shearer as the lone country mi.ss is prettier than ever with her hair hanging. In a ballet with hundrjds of girls Miss Shearer held her own In the bare costiimo of the day. On a trapeze well shaped limbs Were discloHcd. Carmel Myers added to this picture a.ti a lady villain. "Her circus costumes were unique and b»*comlng, especially a Russian affair of white with high hat and boots. n^tty Wright, Jr., has moved. She now lives In the same hou.*4e with Bobby Breslau, who is also appear- ing in "Sweetheart Time." Just think how they can double up on taxi fares. Diana Hunt claims she has lost 10 ponn Is. hut Is terribly upset be- cause no one has recognized it. *'Ditf«rence in Gods" Weird The "DifTereiuo in <;(h1s ' at tlie Hr:inihall is a m'olrd. morbid aifair. Kva n:iv»'npoi t Si ynu.iir (ni«'« e of Fanny I)aveni' >ri» ard Beatrice U. ridriclx.^on do H\itl.r l);i\ fuport hi.; w. itttn t'-i.it U needed thr»?e generations to break the will of Anirl (piaycd by L>»i\eniM)rt) an-l ri>M- vince him that another spirit Uvea within, where fear in unknown -ind truth la holy. M1.«*M HendrloksuM. tiie bed-riddfn lauKhttr. finally walks in n very pretty negligee of white. Again in thr la.-^t act »h» is nice In a three flmince tan crepe with long waist, gold belt and tan i»mtuph and hose. .Ml.Hii Seymour as the 1 ;ii J worked and wcrn wi'»» h>i.-t a tryinu rola Hfr dres.slnff bas a tU-pie."--ir^i effect on her a'jJlence. e^^pevlaliy tin* drab motiritlng outflt. lOdith Newton '..s splendid as the .naid ard her now and then hiimor .saved many a situution. [jittlf lX)rothy Diu l»an«lt is a peach and promlse.s to be a real actress \\hen she grows up. Her liiile simple white frock pleased her hut tho black one was the CHii.«*e of a cute ncr.ip with her tlady and she won. The lUanihrill is ufilque, Mr. Davenport ha.M surroiinded him.solf with I wi-rih whihi es.st and his efforts are de*'ervlng of recognition, Pola Looks Best In Hor Worst Picture "The Ciown of Lies'" is I'ola Negri's woi.st, but nuver has she ap- peared more beautiful than in her ref^al Quoen outtll. In a blaek and white soft flowing erepe witlj her head wwlrled in while she louked like a (Grecian goddess. While the stury is improbable and drags tt> ex- tr< nie monotony It Is n«>od photograpliy. Miss Negri Is backed by a large cast who do their level best to add iri)|V)rtanire to tho picture, the set for the c( ronntlon is lavish and tills court scene with itn costly wall decor itlons. <'rystal lights and ••ourt cu.stumes of the ladles in waiting, etc., oC velvets, furs and elaborate lu Mddre.sBes .'•atisfy the eyo. Miss Negri as the poor girl la appealing and human, and s\\m is deserving of a picture that sends a thrill and entertains. Bori Drew Capacity Wednesday uight the Met haw the tlnal performance of "Trax lata" and always tho reason when Borl !s sinping the lead, for a capacity houoe. Miss Borl looked fascinating in her costumes, of the Sixteenth century. Miss Bori's white taffeta siiot with retl Ls her most stunning outfit. The chorus wear colorful bouffant tatfetas of the period. They were in splendid voice and did this tuneful oi>era much credit. The house was i-adiant with society's smartest. Pansy Maness is back in New York. Gloria Glennon, Betty Chai-'v Edith Flynn, Pauline Bartlet and Louise Barret are strutting in the "Twin Oaks Revue." Doris Wilson is back from Florida. Yes, they all come back. She is sporting a sunburn and »prii»K wardrobe. The tiv.sdes of Viola Boles In the Silver Slipper Revue are brighten- ing up the.se day.s. It's all right, but not too light, Viola. Lilliiin Mlchell handed the girls in "Tip Toes" a laugh "when she ap- peared with curls after the flrst number one night. 8ba said she .spied Mr. Browning in the audience. The club formed by T«ddy Dauer and Betty Wright, Jr^ has found no name but the "Hea CIttb.** They will ride on the bridal path on Fri- da>s. AU chorines are welcome. They do have lots of fiiB. Trudy Lake, after returning from Florida, left for Boston fee a rest. FOR WOMEN ONLY By DOROTHY PADDACK Sett Insulter Helen Broderlck seemed to be the favorite of the f»/w women enter- tainers at the 81st Street theatre Monday. Her dry and droll manner, her glacial expression, her keen eyes caused the audience to de- mand several bows. Her trick of keeping several Insults ahead of her partner amu.scd the Monday nighters. Miss Broderlck not only wears a purple gown but she also has a purple voice. It makes any retort to hor sharp sallies colorless. Ann Lo.;khart, In the Wesley Rarry company, is the moat con- vincing member of the cast. This power of conviction Is a gift which the other inembers seem to lack, or at least fail to use. As a small town woman whose husband was a 'criminal from whom she had al- ways shloidert her son, Miss Lock- hart speaks her lines with strength ■ind a (lf;,'rrn of suffering. Pungent Ending Tho f M.lini: of "Dancing Mothers.' "'/n. is the most pungent portion ine m..iher^ determination to to Europe and thus leave her selfish husband and daughter to work out their own problems Is much more logical than a maudlin reconcilia- tion would be. Alice Joyce, as the stay-at-home -nether, Anally dlsi'lusionod Into drastic action, does some excellent work. Clara Bow, as the headstrong flapper. Is at her meanest, while Leila Hyams (daughter of Hyams and Mclntyre) plays a friend of the flap. Klflle Lawson is cast as the beguiling "Irma" whose whims cauied the Westcourt husband to leave home frequently. Dorothy Cummings does her usual good work as Mrs. Mezzarene, a friend of the unhappy wife. SO Billie BIythe Goes Home Billie BIythe, a chorus girl at tho Texas Ouinan Club, has heen taken to her home In Springfield, Mass., by her parents. Miss BIythe had pone through a rouple of nervous breakdowns, with the reaction app.irently nv ntally. She was thought to have reeoverefl (luring a visit to PMorlda in tho winter but upon returning to tlie (luinarj Club, extravagant and * Xi\K- ^'erated remarks led to a .suusc' stlon that her folks l»e cali»d in. The girls In "Tip Toea* presented Winnie Beck with a key. Winnie asked what It was for and the reply was "stay on that when you sing around here." Florence Ward, Dolly Day. Ruth Royce, Margie Miller. Margit De- Fest. Hanna Dunner, fldna May PYench, Imogens Phllbin and Helen Howe are new to "VanlUea." p:ieanor Brooks la back In "Vani- ties" after a rest In the mountains. She has a new pinky ring of dia- monds and sapphires. Some people like to suffer. Eileen Adair gave her dog to a friend and then cried so much she couldn't do the show. (iori\e Young Is doing a wre.MtUng bit In "Vanities" and the result Is a lovely black eye. It is so artis- tically shaped one would think it had been painted there. Muriel Seaman Is engag<^d t\< Rohort Cralk. Both are In "The Vagii)ond King." Dorothy Roy in "The Olrl Friend" spent Kaster with som^ friends at • ireit Neck. I'otile Ciray, in the ><,inie j4hf)W, Is taking voca' lessonn. PeKKV .Sliannon is envied by many Ifn sf fl;iy9. She hav Just uhat sli».- trieii to ;ret, a syli»)i-like form. It ' r-.i;r?i:'<> >)Ut it's worth it Good Daneers and Lookers In Chorus of "Cocoanuts** Nearly all the i;lrls are good danc- <'ri in the chorus of "Cocoanuts" at the T^yric. The girls' average Is good looking. The opening is a song with the show girls in pretty fluffy after- noon dresses and picture hats in rainbow colors. The 16 daneers arc adorable In blue velvet bell hop cos- tumes and hnts tilted t(» an angle ..f 93 degrees. They do a peppy dance and get a chance to display some personality, which they have, "Family Rcputati»»n" Is led by f'hyllis Cleveland. The show girls idle around in their c.olorfid cos- tunu'S. They indulge In a little ball- room »lanclng with thp chorus boys. "Why Am I a Hit With the Ladies?" is just a number for laughs, when tho girls muss up Groucho Marx who lends It. The lancern are sweet in pink rufllled gowns. The mediums wnar flowered chiffon dresses with green bodices. The girls look smart in sport outflts in the Florida scene. The two in white riding attire are especially attractive. "Monkey Doodle Doo" has lots of dancing, done well and with much pep. The glrle had lots of fun walking around like monkeys and even climbed trees. Their costumes are black trimmed with black and white feathers. An auction scene Is the last appearance of the choristers as Miss Cleveland has the stage at the close of the flrst act. Chorus 8pells Tea •Tlve O'clock Tea" opens act two. Eight girls In maid costumes do a tea dance. It Is effective. The cho- risters fall Into line forming the word tea. Some of the girls are In green and others are In peach taf- feta. Show girls are pretty la or- chid. "They're Blaming the Charleston" Is led by Prances Williams. Here the girls work great and as though they enjoy It which helps others to do so. They come on the stage for "Minstrel Days" and don pink high hats. Eight girls do a splendid soft shoe routlno. Gladys Pender stands out In this number for gracefuln*»ss. The chorus Is well trained In the tambourine number done In perfect unison. Some pretty lighting effects added conslderabe. "Tango Melody" is a spectacular number with the girls In gorgeous costum»»s. The dancers are In orange and blue. The mediums in ; costumes with lilack predominating. The show girls arc In t.-xguisito in- dividual creations. The company Is on the "(ta^* as the audience while (WO of the Marx Brothers pi.ay solo.s whirh lejids into a sln>fing finale. I>aneers are flrace ('arrol, MIlHred ! Kelly, filadys Pen.Jer, Kvelyn Ker- ' rriln. N' ^^ha Me«lwln, NT i.xIrie Mar- 'slinll. Virginia McC'une. Jevsie I'lij ni rieatrl' e ConiiT .M iU'I* l.y- Burlesque's Chorus Giris Are Best as Singers The chorus with Rube Bern- stein's "Bathing Beauties" (at tho Columbia) sing better than they dance, very unusual. The opening has the girls In cute gold di-esses trimmed with green. Business la done to several numbers sung hj the principals. "Cot Ko Time" is a brief version of the Charleston. In "Kins Isat King Anymore" they wear blue vel* vet cosiinneH. The number Is short with lit fie dsnclng. "Want a Llttl<^ Lovin'" is led by Anna Trotman. Orange costume* with the only trimming a few black pom poms. Kight girls In rotation come out and sing a line or two of the aong In good voice. The third and fourth girls are very protty. Thej do » good soft shoe routlna. "Cecilia" followed and tho chor- isters do a Tiller routlno fairly. Gold costumes. The principal takes the spot for a flnlsh leaylnff tho chorines In darkneeo. They look aweet In "Southland.* straw hats, a white blouse and striped panta complete the outflt In which they elng "Swanee River." The glrla leavo the stare for tho flnale which Is effective due to ra- dium coBtumeo. Second act opens with a banquet scene and the girls in lace costumes with a touch of blue. Eight of tho girls do several meaningless num* bers on a miniature stage In back and above the banquet tables Tho others are seated at the tablOb Then a walk around number. Tho costumes are green and yellow, and, appropriate for the sons, green sailor hata. The next costume Is of black toI* vet with tame and those ever flat* terlng black chiffon stockings that add considerably to the glrla' ap* pearance. The number started out like a free for all but ended up well. After a singing chorus (and thank goodness they could sing) four girls are left on the stage for a short dance routine. The en* core Is a walk across stage whllo singing. Bathing suits of every conceivable color are worn In tho singing flnale that is rather dull. Tho girls are good hK)king but not much as dancera diate, Sybil Stewart, Franees Mal- lory, Eleanor Meeker, Justine Welch, Llane .'Vfamet, Xela Edwards. Mediums arc Jane Lane, M^^duIIue Jnnis, Hazel Patterson, Billy DaviH, Hoberfi Tfalneyi, Helen Martin, < h o Culllris. Virginia ll.i A'i<inM. I.etcinon ll'.fi.i. . •Show »<lrls are Klsie l'i<'(l»>rirk, Maxine Itobin.-^on. Bella Harrison, I onr i' M l'ray. Ir-.-n<- .foyn»-, M.-iriTle '.Miirr iy. Adej.. M<-Ha»t'm. Dolla H.ir- i kliiH