Variety (Jan 1927)

VAKIBTY FOREION WHAT MEN ARE WEARING By LONGAQUER f!anes aa I note them alonp Madison avenue. Broadway and mhmt pnrmmnm69B indudiiv Fifth avenue, now almost distinctly ff-minine by the way, are opulenk affairs. In Longaere Square, where tll# ottUkMNT committM dH tiM inuma meeta, weather permlttinf?. th« merelMnta are well abreaat of the ckne styles. Tbey are showing the iww Prlnee of WiUm citKrtai with irenuine «iiak«*MA CO V H a g for the handle. I cannot bMt ttef much even on IfodtooB «venuo» wkere tho intnted Incomes of finance and the pro- fessions do their window shopping. ^ Of an the walking stick stsrtos Voni akieo last holiday season, the finest feature a genuine tortoise shell crook handle. Rhino horn ia oloo Tonr much In tho mode^ The glnliilit handle canes so many of the well-dressed performers are featuring, are better on the stage IjMui off. A lluin who Is aoeuatomcd i» a cane hangs it over his arm or on a rack. It In difficult to park the straight liandle stick. A performtr who weaiw dtauMr or formal clothes on the stage or off should carry a snake-wood or ebony cane. Natural bark walking iileka aro tho thinir for oporto out- fits and for business clothes tho nutlaoca. Metal ornamentation is htcomiikg a tlBlng of tho past, bar- wtm ptimMw a hand of aUvor. OoM handles are in keeping only with tilt flntot of fine evening clothes. Sports Stuff In as much a& it is always fair . woathor Wh^ii tho makors of musical comedy get together some reference to sports wear for men la always in order. No revue is itoipiato wtthoiit a tropioal or ' semi-trbpichl scene. Heroaa in sports Jackets and flannel trousers we have always with us. The latest and hoot in sports coats ealls for o tobacco or cocoa shade. Plain White flannels have the center of the ftage and will be authentic in Palm B4iaoh this 'season. Heayy black stripes on white grounds are In good taste with the brown jackets of off-shade. Brown is no fengwr olilclly - hrowii.' Bono odd Imps have been whelpOd h^ marriage with other colors. An idea that I do not see a great dMi Of oa the atag» and which is now among the latest notions, con- sists of a checked flannel vest worn with soft collar Oxford shirt and l iof to ovtiit. Fancy waist- coats are coming Into favor after an absence of 20 years and the flannel vesjt is one of the approved sports 'wtiir aooeMorios^ Those waistcoats are both single' ^nd double-breasted but the first- mentioned is the safest and best. WM with A dark nodOlo this makes a nice effect to emphasize a sports ensemble. In sports shoes the wing tip ox- ford continues In favor. With plain white flannel trousers tan^ trim- mings are considered Ritzy/ while blaek* Ahoiilft ho worn with bhtck itriped tronoers. In sweaters, pastel color combinations are the ^^l^roper thing. Raucous designs are on the blacklist. The puU-over model still holds the boards. Some- thing odd in a ooinhlnatlon of knickers and golf stockings is solid * isfk coloro to match, stockings and hdrttify alike. Silk's Corner The mufflers and cravats this winter should tickle the gayest songster who ever helped to swell the chorus on Broadway. Silk in a - silken age has crowded out every- thing eleo. Bilk squareo aro shown in the brightest of color combina- tions. Knitted silks arc rather ex- pensive, but they certainly convey hoth warmth and highly attractive qualities. On the staKe and off, tliere is a great deal tu be said for the heavy white silk mufflers that are worn today with dinner and dress clothes. To give .such acces- sories the proper finish, they should hear a cut-out monogram. I like the way English perform- ers wear drrss clothes. They are always careful as to detail, and the dress muffler is a detail that seems to bo something more than a de- tail. I give our theatrical folks of higher rating credit for keeping away from fancy collars 1UAI6A ghirts. If color ia desired, It can be achieved with a cravat, and somr of the cravats these days are super- heated. They are like the torrid •ex drama—nttractlve, but slightly confusing. Inasmuqh as white shirts con- ilnuo to hold the boards, however, tha enml of g thouaand doUghta is permissible with business clothes. Broadway likes its collars soft. The points on soft oollar-attadiod shirts are still hefog worn very long. There is a trend away from this sort of thing» but it will not be apparent for a season yol^ I shoald Judge. Moire silks command re- spect In any company: Moires are known as "the New York necktie.** beeanso they emhraas tho iiseks of Wall street as well aa tho |iM(nlMr veins of Broadway. Aetoro' Rebeo Actors^ more than any other class of men, have served to put the silk robe on the market. In their pri- vate lives and public appearances they snako ameh or tho sUhersto robe. I think it was Noel Coward who first brought out the sleeping suit with rol>e to match, hut this oomhinatlon is a bit too hisarrs for the average performer. Ail the bedroom farces are not enacted on the stage, but tho cos- tuming of many strictly private affairs can be traced to the theatri- cal influence. For the purpose of dressing- np tho asodem stage offer- ing, it is difllcult to improve on dark color combinations in silk robes. Something new would con- sist of tho- recently introduced Oriental ^ects. I have noted, some robes styled like the flowing robes of the Arab and the odd togas of the Jhpaaeoe. ^ Pajamas such as the Chinese geishas wear have also appeared on Fifth avenue, designed for men, but much approTOd hy tho ladies. The performer who wished to sensation- alize his dishabille would have no trouble doing so at the present time. There arw n&twHIm without end adapted to man's chambers. If the color Infusion continues. It would be better perbsps to refer to them as 'TKradoirs." ^* Tho women are vastly plainer ill their tastes todai^ than the man. ' ^ 5 PLAYS ADDED TO PARIS LIST Wide Range from Dmam to Ukmm E TRUTH ABOUT PARIS and being entirely devoid of sug- gestive material or spectacle. Then agsin, the principal artist is Manrloo Chovatlor, tho most popular roiruo star In Paris. It is understood he has an offer of $2,500 a week to star in a play in New Tork under the maaagemeot of A. H. Woods, but he says it is too much ttouble to learn a new play and he would merely want to do a few speeiaKiea, toduding one Which he does In this show with his wife and another man. For this he asks 14,000 per week. Tho particular skit he referred to is a burlesque acrobatic act ac- companied by the humming of one line of "Tennessee." This sort of thing has been done thousands of times before but Chevalier does It a little differently and so much better It would bo certain to be a success in tho states. Whether worth 14,000 a week is not m sub* Ject for discussion here. Having satisfied oneself that there is such a thing as a clean revue In Paris, a visit was made to Chat Noir (Black Cat) in Mont- martre. This Is an alleged cabaret In a cellar In the Boulevard de Cli(hy. A sign at the box office announces the admission is TO franco. A 100-frano note was hand- ed through the window and the In- evitable "short change" stunt at- tempted. (Short change practice on foreigners at all the box offices in Paris). This adjusted and the "duckets" handed to the ticket taker, the latter looked around to see if tho manager wag out of hearinp:. and fS^UiSted a tip for himself. "Whether the show had been on for a little while or not Is unknown, but all this visitor heard was a couple of recitations by an old legit, which was applauded by the manager and the waiters. Then the place was darkened and shado- graph pictures flashed upon a small ssene. The principal scene shown was nothing dirtier than naughty verses to an old folk song, sung hy the mdnager, in which the waiters and tho audience joined, after which the lights were raised and the management announced the first show was over, requesting those of the crowded audience who had already seen the entire show to depart and make room for others. Celleetions for Actors During the week between Christ- mas and Now Yv ir, a collection is taken up In all the theatres for the benefit of the French actors' fund. Momhors of thg company Paris, Jan. 25. Five new productions witlUn tlie last ta« days signallso tho of tho SBldwlnter theatre oeaasB hi the FYench capital. Subjects range all the way from a drama bailed on the labor-capital struggle to a risque doqsBStIc farce. •*L*Avons Nous Tus" .At the Maiaoo de I'Oe^vre we have a modem psgrchologleal drama sponsored by Lugne Fqo called "L'Avons "Nous Tue," the work of a newcomer, M. Datx. It enjoyed an altogether enoouraging roooption. A po^ dreanoer meets a frivolous girl in a public dance halL In his sentimental way he creates the illu- sion in his. own mind that she is the reincamatloii of a beautiful noble- woman of the middle ages, dowered with all the virtues. .His friendship is entirely platonia * The dream is shattered when ho dtoeovoss the girl in a flirtation with his chauffeur and he leaves her. Disappointed she jumps from a window, leaving the poet tomM&tod hsr tiw feeling that he was rsspsfsrihlo for tho little tragedy. "Passy 0g-4V» Alfred Savoir's smart new eooMdy at the Potlnltr% Thisir ft-4B/^ was produced successfully Jan. 21. The title is a telephone number. Anna is a plain telephone girL She falls to lo¥0 with Albert whno ttstsalng in on his wire. She visits hfs flat and confesses her love. They be- come friends and the girl unselfisbly al4s him 1m atraaglng a mitfrlage Ql* wealth. The newlyweds make a family friend of Anna and she is i^resent at their parties, wbsro their friends feto and make love to the simple hello girl. Anna departs disillu- sioned and hearU»roken. Albert fears she wll| commit suicide and CSIlowa her. Hero tho play takes a surprise twist. Anna being re- vealed as a wealthy society author who took the telescope Job to get local color tsr hor now nfrslr The unexpected sequel toek the audience by surprise and contrib- utes to the effectiveness of the play. In tho east are D e hu oon f t, ChaHotto LiSrsis, SImone Deguyse. Mile. Lysis scored n triumph as tho authoress. ''Berlioa" '3erlios," by Charles Mere, deal- ing with tho VfeUBCh oompossr of that name, was successfully staged at the Porte St. Martin, Jan. 22. Jean Perier baa the title role, sup- ported by Joliro, Roger ICaklmo, as Berlioz* son; Colzeau, as Richard Wagner; Bourdel, as Liszt; Oer- maine Dermoz, and Amelie de Pou- ■01% second wife of tho musician. ''La Reins ds Bfarritx" New at the Theatre Antoine Is "La Heine de Biarritz," by Remain Codus and the late Ifaurlce Henne- quln, a moderate suepeas at its pre- miere, Jan. 22. The offering is a risque farce, having to do with the adventures of a father who, desiring to save his son from the schemes of a Spanish woman known as "the Queen of Biarritz," courts the woman and • becfli h i a (Boinproinlsed himself. In the cast are Louis Qauthler, I..egrence, Belieres, Marco Mauge, Augustine Lerlche, Henriette Mar- ion, Marcelle Praince, janino Rpn- ceray and Mireille Seno. ''OeraiUement du T. P. 33" Lugne Poo is producing tempo- rarily at the Folies Dramatiques, also offering "The Wreck of Train No. 33," a four-act social drama by Pierre Hamp dealing with the struggle between capital and labor The story tells of aa unfeeling cor- poration which throws the blame for a railroad accident upon a poor locomotive driver, who must either assume the public disgrace or reveal the truth that the railroad equip- ment was rotten, in which case he will be throwipout of employmen^. pass through the audience with l>askets and solicit coins. At one of the musid halls they turned a bunch of girls loose In the l^by during an interval, clad In some of the costumes worn upoh the stage. These particular costumes consist- ed of short skirts slit* on one side to the hip, with practically nothing above their waists except shoulder straps. AUSTRALIA By ESK GMIRICK Sydney^ Deo. 14. Next week will .see many manage- ments reverting to pantomimo* They will nm ttrteo daily for sot- crai weeks uattt tho kids ffotnai I* schoot WIHIamaon^Tatt' wiU prodi "Aladdin** at the Opera House Dorothy Lena and Roy Reno. The Fullers will have "Jack the Beanstalk" at the St James with' Jimmy Qodden and filsle Prince. Minor Pantog will bo Staged In tho suburbs. '*Rose-Marie" still continues at Her Majesty's. This attraction will soon reach the 250th. "Abie's Irish Rose** is going big guns at the RoyaL It will trans- fer to the Palajce next week, allow- ing Williamson-Tait to preoent a Gilbert and Sullivan' season at tho RojraL Transferancc will not hurt ''Abie** any. as the show is k doelded hit. The Palace is a house troUed by Williamson-Tait. "la Zat 8o?" doing splendidly at the Criterion since changing over from the Palace. American comedy U also one of the lata hits of the 1929 season. Ada Reeve finished at the Opera House after doing but fairly with "Spangles." Miss Reeve will try her luck in Melbourne with i called "Pins and Needles.*' Business Is fairly good at Pullers this week with Nat Hanley Revue featured. Company, excepting iMrin- cipal. not up to standard set by Pul- lers. Will please for a few weeka Vaudevillo flila la first part Wa- halla Bros, good novelty act Two Vagabonds do nicely with musical act Kick Morton gained laughs with songs and stories. Claude Dampier cieanod up with devor foottns. ' LHtlo rich After 2Q Years Business good at Ttvofi this Little TIch featured. It is oy 30 years since the English confloian played Australia for tho lata Barry Rlckards. Tich found the going a litUe stiff at first, but haa speeded up hiMMt, cutting Ota a lot and Is going very well. George Oee made quite a hit with nifty dancing. Three liongflelds did nlc^onopen* ing. with clever athletics. Jean ^ar- rioa, fenialo impersonator, repeat AetM Smiths i^lned h«goly with clever act. Jones and Raine got across with songs and talk. Fran- s sl s 'T^r sss nt od Meg hahUMlag turn. Pietureo WiDlamaon^Talt preoenting the Steinach "Rejuvenation" feature film at Palace for^gao week. Segre- gated audiences. "Beau Geste" opened to huge business at. the Prince Bdward last week. Plotnro has created quite a furore here and should do good business for many weeks. Picture is one of strongest exhibited In this beautiful playhouse. Working strictly on American lines.. Special reatureo prooedo main feature. The Prince Edward Is the elite movie house in Sydney and draws largely from class society for its patronage. Leslie Harvey did nicely at the grand organ with "The Rosary." Win Prior scored hugely with his orchestra In "Raymond Overture" and "Loin Du Bal.". Special prolog staged by Prior gained big applause and got over nicely with olover songs and lighting effects. The present show is ideal enter- tainment for all cla.«=?aes. Owing to it's British nature, "Beau Qe«te" has been highly praised by several offi- cials in high office. Entire entertainment under the management of Hal Carleton. E. J. Tait and: Dan and E. J. Carroll are th^ Ajbroctors of this house. "Wet Paint" 1« the main feature at Hoyt's this week. No act carried here. ' • • **The Son of the Sheik" is still do. Ing splendidly at the Crystal Palace for ITnion Theatres. Lyceum has "The Golden Cocoon" and "Spanpios." Pitcher and X^es- lie appear on stage. Hay market Is featuring *The Rain-Maker" and "The Great De- ception.'* Neapolitan Duo main act thiS'Weok. MELBOURNE 'Kfousin from Nowhere" at His Majesty's, Maude ITalie aad Claude Flemming feat uyad. WIllIamson-Talt showing Demp- sey-Tunney flght at Royal this week. F i r s t tim e fos a pictur e in this house. Ada Reeve will open here next week In new revue. Twice daily. Kenee Kelly is doing nicely with • The Naughty Wi.V at King's for Williamson-Tait. has bean exhibiting pictures fw first time. Theatre dark for some Uttlo while af^er the withdra,wal pf Hugh Ward from the Fullers. When two of Melbourns' main legltimato theatres start in showing pictures one Is fbrcod to sSk If the lnovfes» In ousting legitimate attractions, are at laat coming into their own? < 'Hvoli baa Henry Santrey an4 Ordiestra, Harry and Anna Sey« mour. NMIo Wallace, Moore and Sy, Salerno. Three Bquals, asid Steel and WInslow. Qnito an .soq^snsivo array of talent. Bijou playing GeorgO WallaoOi *^eterans of Variety." — ' W> • "Beau Geste- at Capitol. In for extended seage^r Business big; FaraasoM hm *TOnrhess of Buf • falo^ and nNautttm Bobei*** PftOM ALL 8TATE8 . Judith Anderson in *^obra" next In Sydney, to be staged by William- son-Talt Miss Anderson, an Aus- tralian, left this country an unknbwa Henry Santrey and his band will give a special entertainment New Year's Eve in Sydney. It wlU tako tho form of a midnight revel, con- tlnuinqg until S a. m. The/Valuers will open the Princess next week with panto, "Puss in Boots." Jim Qerald featured. House Haney Dancing Troupe wiU have their opening In Malhoumo aazt week. Act touming Tlv^ droult for Williamson-Tait. George Wallace has passed his 500th performance in revue for tho Fullers. Wkllaco. stIB anUo itlk>y. Is son of George Wallace, doorkeeper at the St. James and a good per- fonnor of a dseado ago. Dempsey-Tunney flght picture did but fairly in Sydney. Feature was exhibited at house away from thea* trc district and not enough publicity. Managements expects big bualness over the Yuletide period. Trossen- dous crowds flock to the cUarAtrnk away "back of beyond" for g " time at the shows. Dick and Edith Barstow, dancers, will return to America shortly after a lengthy tour of Australia under the Fuller management. Although olfered work by othw managementa the dancers must return to port oC sailing as stated In contract. Bad luck befell the Fullers when fire severely danaaged their main playhouse In Audtland, New Zea- land. Theatre was empty at tho time. "Midnight Frolics," playfng the town, lost all their stage mate* rtal to the value of |20.ttl It was opposite this theatf^ that the Ful- lers first began with vaudeville In 189f. The Opera House was then purchased by them and was their second theatre In New Zealand." It Is now about IS years since Sir Ben Fuller and his brother John started In Sydney on the same Sito.ss tMr present vaudeville housSk . "White Cargo" is due for a return visit to Sydney early next year. The show Is at present touring Australia for WIlllamson-Thil^ WlttHieo* Gor- don featured. —^ . • . ; The Australian-made picture. "For the Term of His Natural Life,'* will soon be ready for screening here. Will go In the principal dtles m an extended season. ' - ^> ^ ' "•unnsf^ In Mareh ' The new Empire will open armind March 1 next It is opposite- the Central depot, and will be controlled by Rufe Naylor. with A. Matthews, S. Goldstein and Edgar Forsyth^ as directors. Opening production will be "Sunny." with Wynne Richmond featured. Engagements incjudo Marion and Randall. Fred Helder, Sudworth Frasler, Queenic Ashton, Mfhe. Berry. Allison Stewart. Van Lowe, .ICauriee;^ Diamond. Beatrice Kav and Franklin Tilton. Prices of admission will be |1 top, with 60c. next best. If properly han- dled the new theatre shoiild do well here. Maurice Diamond was out here- several seasons ago with n dancing troupo at the Tivoll. Tt does not look as though there will be any bother between Hujzrh Ward and the Fullers over Ward's resignation. In an Interview Ward stated that he and Sir Ben Fuller parted the very best of friends.and that the entire proceedings i.wero purely business. Nothing fnf.ther has been done In linking yp Wil- liamson-Tait with the Fullers'up to the present, although anything Hkely. ehouM see some r»»«lio«l chgngcs theatrically In this country. Management?? are evidently lying low until the present season finishes. Vera Veronino in Hollywood Iios Angeles. Jan. 26. Vera Veronino. Russian actress, has arrlyed from New York fCT Famous Players-Lasky.