Variety (Feb 1927)

''•dnetday, February 8» \Wt 'V tf SI I' WOMETfS PAGE AMONG THE WOMEN BY THE SKIRT Th« OrMMd Woman of th« Wok NORA BAYE8 •tot« Th#«tr« What Nora Bayea Is going to do to Loev/a State theatre this week! Her gown waa beau tit ul and must have been collected during her lone •lay abroad. Tba robo was of silver sequins in an exquisite design. Tha bottom of the akirt flared Just a trifle and waa cut in scallops Upon which an embroidery of treen beads was carried out matching two long graen ends hanging from eacli shoulder. A large fan of feathers ' Was In pink with a border effect of several wliadcs. ' The Four Dan( ing Covans are a dancing act of merit. A neater com- bination would be difficult to find. Two boys and the same number of girla are dreaaed alike in long trouaera and white iatln skirts. A Rus* •ian dance had them In pink satin blouses. KIrby and Drevil are an act consisting of a tall man and a girl with the giggles. She wore a white cloth dress with a green top flrst and then a blue aatin with rhineatonea. Tlie Shaw Siatera (with Eddie Cook) have a clever way of showing several changes of costumes. They are undordressed at all times and spend a good part of the time discarding one costume for another. The lining has them in velvet dresses trimmed with maribeau at the hem gttd around the capes. One is in pink and the other green. They next Show pale blue velvet shoi t pants with a lace blouse and bolero jacket. ^Sequin dresses that carried a wide sash at the hips were discarded for ' aryatal dresses heavily fringed. Nazimova in Woolfs Sketch Nazimova i.s at the Palace this week with an Kdsar Allen Woolf sketch tailed "A Woman of the Earth." Mr. Woolf has written a sketch that fthould keep Nazimova engaged for aome time to come. The atar la a gypsy maid in the colorful garb of her tribe. The sketch wag en- thusiastically received by the huge Monday matinee crowd. Another act that fared well was Burton Brown and his singing partner, Charles Derickson. This act deserved a better position than No. 2. Newell and Most have now become Billy and Rlsa Newell. . Here is an act that could remain for weeks on one bill. The audience went wild over their new turn and well they sliould. The first comedy make-up of Miss Newell was a scream^ An <xld fashioned dreaa had a hifatle that caused much laughter. A black and red checked skirt was worn with a white blouse. A red shawl and white frlnga iifikg draped around the figure for the final number. Peggy (Cortez and Peggy), danced first In a sllveir dress having a tinsel hem. A white wig covered the dark liair of the dancer while wen ring a silver and black dress. Red velvet and diamonds made very full was spoiled by a badly matched pair of slippers. A tall girl in this tame act was very much like Denlshawn. v "Saturday's Children** Is Sunshine After the rain comes the sunshine. So after the slush comes "Satur- day's Children." The Booth theatre is fortunate in housing the ssaaons best bet. Written by Maxwell Anderson, it is a far, far cry from Kia Collaboration of "What Price Glory" and "Outside I^ooking In." There are but seven characters with three outstanding parts. Ruth Gordon, Frederick Perry and Roger Pryor carry these. , It is impossible to put in to words the exquisiteness of Ruth Gordon as the child-Wifs. Tou must go and hear t^|^«»i!!i^ UU|« ditcli ii| hsr voice. Not very often is poor old father given a part other than a HM^tAn, but Frederick Perry as father Is a Joy. Alsa * sistSr, mother and house- keeper but they are really fillers. Miss Gordon weafs three jumper dresses and 9. plnk chiCton party frock. .-^ • "Oh Kay"—Corking Show It must be happine&:8 for the Imperial theatre management to hear that ever welcome sound of Standing Room Only, especially at Wednes- day matinees. Gertrude Lawrence, Oscar Shaw and Vtelor llcfors are packing them in. "Oh Kay" is a corking show. Mr. Moore has the role of a lifetime. Every line he utters is a laugh, liiss Lawrence Is lovely in the two acts. In blue satin ptjamas with a chiffon coat trimmed with flowers. It is needless to say Miss Lawrence looked well. A flowered chiffon of fuschia shades was worn with a large bat to match. A heavy diamond head dress rather apoiled a lovely evening frock of heavy fringe. Best of all was the slavry, a real cockney as done by Miss Lawrence. 'Th^^ serse of comedy possessed by this miss must havo MiiiriiSd fvsii liOr admirers. Betty Compton led the flrst chorus with every one In fringe cos- tumes. Nothing more graceful than a lot of fringe. GMorinifs wore rose and purple. Miss Compton was In red and Constance Carpenter in white. The Fairbanks Twins were in green trimmed with many tassels topped w^ith diamond ornaments. Sasch* Beaumont of the flaming locks was In a platd eoat eoviering a gold and brown :u)pper dress. She changed to grO#ii iMkyfpg feathers as trimmlrg. Sport clotiu-3 were shown by tlie chorus lead, Miss Compton, in a blue ^nipor frock. A gir] iir brown as a specialty danc er t th e othc r dancers look Silly. Nearly for^^olten was Miss Lawrence In a peach colored 1 icc jacket edged with sable and an aci urdion skirt of chiffon. An important dance was executed In this dress. The second act livtd up to the flrst as far as dressing was concerned Brookes, who did the gowns and costumes, also the men's outfittm.f,', were at tlicir best. Oscar Shaw probably wanted to go Harry Rich man one better eo his outiiig costume consisted of grey Irowsers Und a red cnat with brass luttons. Apparently well satisfied with that'iSiiNttl^lAfitipn, a green coat an l t rvss buttons followed. .. "Tursndot" and Jeritaa ••Tnrandot," Puccini's new opera, a colorful, extravagantly mounted spectacle with the gorgeous Jerit/.a never more regal and cor.inianding than in the sumptious robes of the Chinese Trincess at the Metropolitan. Musically it is of the general trend of Puccini, though it possesses no outstanding melodic areas which so characterize his other operas. Nevertheless it is a glorious .^core. It Is remarkable to note how he caught the flavor of the Chinese. Mme. Jeritza. gifted with divine coordination, Is a great actress, aside from her golden throat. Never in this age has a woman combined so many graces. Making lier height a decided nss^t by her beauty of bearing, her most bea\Jtiful effect was a black and gold se<|uln robe with long Chinese sleeves, and tht largest train on record. Her manipillation of draperies is an art an ner own. Anomer rdbe 6r similar cut was all gold eni>)rf>i(U ry worn with a heavy brilliant head- dress. The bkick wig is distinctly becoming. Lauri-Volpi as the I'rince was enormously ronvin« iug, vocally and dramatically, and Martha Attwood as the slave girl, sang earnestly and well. Observing Vivienne Seg.'il in the Friday matinee audienrp bi<>iii,'ht to mind the wonder why more musical <omcdy people do not avail themselves of the opera matinees an a study of vocal technique—and. ^ In the case of JeMiza, fauliieSK ^tafce deportment. PMuro Prow ft Hip Tuesday. Dear Ifasie: What a house at the Hippo- drome last night, Mazl Seemed like old times. The cause, maybe, was the Iison Errol picture "The Lunatic At Large." The Three Abbey Sisters, who look like trip- lets, were there. They warbled prettily. Wore good-looking gowns of white satin, which were trim- med with rhinestones. Spoiled their whole appearance when they don- ned rose color cloaks tHmmed with ostrich. Gee, Hon, they looked like those negligees that are the rage of the moment. Every time I see Miss Hasoutra in her act "High Art" I have noticed that the six Adelaide and Hughes girls have Improved In their work. How they oan step, these janes! They are not still a minute. I got plenty of laughs watching Leon Errol. He is the whole works. Some i|S0p1e don't care to see one person grab all the honors. Got every opportunity to do his fall, and he worked it overtime, believe me. Porothy Mackaill In it also. From the little she had to do. you would think she was an extra. Wore two costumes throughout the whole fllm. I bet that made her mad. One was a Peter Pan. and she certainly looked nifty in It. The Other was a georgette simply made, with'a capo collar. Marjerie's Spring Styles Monday. Dear Maze: This afternoon at the 81st Street theatre with the show opened by the Four Lamonts, wire walkers. One of the girls besides being excep- tionally clever, Is mighty pretty. She had her blonde hair cropped most blaming. "What a time the second act, Mills and Hunter, had getting started. Didn't know what all the excite- ment was aboilt. Vliought that they had a load of scenery. Finally they appeared with a lone bench. The jane, ^on, Is an odd type and when She wore an up-to-date costume 15 years dropped right off. If I were her I would warble my stuff without those old-fashioned bonnets. 0inr Marjorlo Rambeau, and let me tell you. Marge looks like a mil- lion dollars. She showed us what we would wear this spring. Her coal of brown trimmed with leopard skin was stunning. At flrst glance thought It a suit on account of the cape back. Her gown was brown also with an sccordion pleated skirt and wide sash. TVIth it she wore green beads which was just enough color and brought out the color of her hair. The little girl playing her daugh- ter was dressed In very poor taste. Her gown of green with wide sleeves ombrOldorod was terrible. As for the rest of the show, you have heard about it before. Chao. Rar Unrteognised Leatrlce Joy, in "Nobody's Widow," had plenty of chance in this to be a merry widow and wear gorgeous creations. Her tight fltting turban with a spray of aigrettes from the center of the crown brought gasps from the ladies. It eorlalnly will bo copied. With It she wore a gown of black and white, loose fitting with a high neck with a bow tied at the side. Can you Imagine, Hon, they didn't recognize Charles Ray? He could have had any other nnme. The rea- son no doubt Is that he has gained so much weight. And forgot his coy tlicks. As for David Butler, whnt a sloppy dresser he is. All his suits looked miles too big for him. Mildrsds Kisssble Make-up Dear Maz: Saturday. Saw the well known Mildred Har- ris In a picture called "The Show Girl." You can judge from the name what it is like. She Is pretty, Hon. and puts on the best make-up as far as the lips are concerned of any of the film dames. Makes u.se of an old *'Pollies" trick of using a little cold cream over the lips rouge. It gives a soft expres.«ion and as a guy sitting next to me exclaimed: wnat Kismble ll^s Had a great chanco in this fllm to sport a snappy lookint,' w.inln.he but the only thing worthy of njeii- tlon was her dancing costume, of white satin which was trimmed with marabou. VARIETY in 37 GRAY MATTER ByMOLLIEGRAY (TOMMY ailAY't tltTER) The New York Strand's prolog to "The Night Of Love" is a fine ono with the banquet .st cne especially impressive. When Edna Burhans sang ' Love Preanis" while .standing half way up a stately staircase with her train of white satin covering most of the part below her, she was both good to see and hear. "The Oypsies" by the ballet and MJle. Klemova and M. Daks was deliRhtfiil. The outdoor scenes of "Tlie Ni^hi (>f Love' are truly beautiful. Since Baron and banquet are syntuiymous in the movies it was necessary to Stage one of those with the tray-bearers looking like Cook*s tourists, rushing all aioimd and carrying so little. Tlic rest was a series of close- ups by Vilma Kanky and the ideal opposite for her fairness llonald Coleman. Some people still don't understand film heroes—one girl al« most jumped out of her seat in her anxiety for his safety. Gorilla's Doing "Black Bottom" "The Gorilla Hunt" should have added to its titlo "and tlio <.i i^in Of the Black Bottom'' since almost as much of that is shown as of the gorillas. What some men will do for the movies while others have to have a double for almost e\*erything but the collection of the pay chock. Gorillas arc not as thrilling to thealrcKoers as other wild animals—thO audience keeps expecting tliem to tal<e off their masks. Four Girls in Street Costumey The four girls with Bobby O'Xeil at the Broadway this week are attractive types and in tlie final scene wear a wide variety of street costumes. Ono ensemble was of peach satin trimmed with brown velvet r.nd matching small hat, another was of green silk and black velvet and black hat and a third a rather fancy frock of violet with a double skirt with the liems of both cut in points set against a light background. These points were carried out in the high crown of the hat._ The wido girdle of the lighter shade swathing the hips made It a little't«>o fiissy. In one of the earlier scenes a smart two-piece frock of crepe de chine with plain yellow blouse and printed skirt and collar was worn. The Ryan Sisters wear nice white georgette frocks with the uneven hem-line outlined In rhinestones and a simple pattern of the same trim- ming the skirt. The large flower and trailing leaves of aprotty shade of blue worn at the waist make a nice bit of color. The ghi with Charlie Hill appears first in a robo de style of scarlet taffeta decorated with roses of gold and again in a queer gown of silver lace. The skirt was a little longer than usual but open on sides show- ing only extremely short bloomers of silver. The lace was handsome and With the tight bodice seemed to be an evening gown until she turned when it b«<^o>no a Question^ And the Moon Shone On Bob Custer is "Tlie Dude Cowboy," so kind hearted that beside rescu- ing children and stopping runaways, he just can't deny the girls tfST^ sight of his Barrymore profile. And he was brave as he was fair, tosw rapturing the gang of crooks, while the moon shODO On tho SlNcayiag fountains as well as on other things. "Ladies Prefer Qrsy Hsir-On Men" "The Blonde Saint" Is the kind that only the movies could cannonlas. The Saint resented Lewis Stone's preference at first but a plague later, she decided that "ladies prefer grey hair—on men" and dashed madly into the ruined temple, to tell him so. In the excitement aAiie stepped on the mysterious rock and contrary to the usual way, was saved by the grip but it was in tho hero's arms. Doris Kenyon was the fair saint but only a fair one and Ann Hoi k was fine as tlie Sicilian girl. The villagers were tho most natural ever noticed and if they were by chance extras, somebody deserves honor* able mention for working wonders. Handsome Hero Minus Sympathy Judging by the few women at the Embai^y theatre they must bo afraid to be pre.sent when they "Tell It to the Marines" but only an expert lip-reader would feel any uneasiness. This Is one time the hand- some hero doesn't get the sympathy. Of course women know just how deep beauty is, so the one who protested, refejrring to Lon Chaney and the girl. "Why couldn't she be nice to him4-tho Other fellow is too fresh," had listeners agreeing with her. . Lon is great as Sergeant O'liara, whose face was the worst part of him. Eleanor Boardman, simple and natural and with hair that way too. Is a real pleasure. At times the picture seemed almost like a news- reel between its battleships in action and the scenes in China also becoming almost weekly. But it's a dandy picture. Though the Marines ean*t get any recruits from the >\onicn patrons, the Navy can and anyway tho men ishouldn't monopolize the fun of seeing it. •3 "J "Chinese Jade" Worth •eeing The JParamount's iMesentation "Chinese Jade" last week was some- thing worth seeinK. Sliort on voices it was long on beautiful settings, dances and costumes. The Jade riaguc lowered against black velvet looked 80 perfect it was a surprise, when the dancers stepped from it, while the Jade Gods, of giant size, bending over to lower a dancer who was almost lost in its clasr>od hands was a real thrill. The Jade Pyramid was com- posed of "The Six Paslias" who only for their beautiful green satin costumes could have been the Yip Yap Vaphankers. And the wonder and delight of the audience could only moan they had never seen much Arab tumbling before. The Chantal .Sisters, in elaborate silk taffeta Spanish costumes, made a very good "Spanish Impression." A short film called "We Must Be Thrilled" gave some fair samples. Public Property Plot It can't be said that ."Stolen I'Jeasures" has a stolen plot because that plot has been public property for years. It starts oft with a* de- pressin?^ nnnouneetnent about "jealousy that destroys the thing It loves," etc., and nothing happens to disiM 11 ihe gloom. Helena Chadwlck and Dorothy Ttevler are two roses wasted on a desert plot. have thought that he was tloiu}; n posing act. Not that l)e isn't good to look at with his broad shoulders and slender waist, but you know^. Won, there are a few mo>e In this world as good as he. Then so many closc>ups to see the wonderful dimple In his chin. Do you like men with a dimple In their chin, Mas? Men With Dimples ' Jack iloxit in iiiUdtn Looi.' mubt •uggestron for Afite Terry Kritlay. D<'ai Maze: Spent a week one day at the 1 Academy of MU)iti?7ttOw the people at thl« liouse enjoy nnisi Th* \ ; sit forward in their sr.it*;. tlinll« d. \ .Mostly foreign* IS in aii<li'-rnf. I 1 hud Ig luujih at liit: cyinciSii- . tlon T h(aid In the women's room, hnlividiial combs and brushes are there, but they forgot to put tlieijv on chains. Those with light ftng^Mf carried them away. Tlie pi( (ui e was the ' .Ma«l. ian." one of Ilex Ingram's. Of « ourse Alice Terry had tho lead. .\« ver saw Iter look so pretty. At last she has discarded the old la<ly hats. Xow if slm Would only shoj t» n her sliirts. The jtuhlic wouldn't recog- nise her hut she could be relntro- dueed. Woir a gorK*'ous black semi- fitfln:-, ' loiik with monkey ftn- tiini- ming. H*r eve ning gown of velvet had very arilHtlo Sleeves, Maz. They nt )a'h'i- snui,' hut had an extr.i pie.c on tlie « uffs whi' h flowt'd in a MMMWMv Nvheji .she lifted UCA' iUlUS.