Variety (Feb 1928)

Wednesday, February 22, 1928 W O M E N' S P A G E VARIETY 41 RITZY Shades of Keith's Union Square theatre In 1909, when the Dolly Sis- ters, billed as such, sang, and danced! They.had previously been Jlinsci and Roszicka Deutsch, born In Hungary, bttt taken to: New York as small children. Becoming headi- liners, they were in ''The Echo" in 1910 and in "The Follies: of 1911." One divorced . Harry, Fox. ahci tlie other, diyorcied Jerome Schwartz, both inheriting Jewels frprai the es- tate of "Diamond Jim" Brady. Going to Europe in 1920, they have remained there ev6r since, and this fall co>-starred in a revue at the Casino de Paris, where they are said to own a half-intereist. After having lived In magnificent style in Paris, they have been maintaining a similar standard on the Riviera, their costumes and jewels creating astonishment even in • the most blase sectl<^n 6f Europe, A. few : weeks ago, after bo'th sisters had been ill, they announced their re- tirement from the stage, atter; ca- reers of 18 years. Here are two American, girls who are well known in the show, business on both sides, of the At- lantic are so plentifully,. sup- plied with money that their present mode of life mtist seem . to them, when they consider theii* past«: like a. glittering dream! One has for some years past been sought by a multi-millionaire whO( after a busi- ness career in America, , migrated'to London, .; there attaining, not only prosperity but prestige, members of his family marrylns into the aris- tocracy. The other has had as a constant admirer a. much younger man, who. If not actually possessed of millions, is son. and heir of a man of enormous wealth. The father; Who hHff a, title, iB now married to a girl once, a-phone operator In the old Knickerbocker Hotel in New York. Cora. Urqiihart's Villa Living quietly but comfortably in her villa on the Riviera lis an Amer- ican woman who in a Jtormer era caused a series of sensations. As Coira Urquhart, daughter of Col. David Urquhart, of New Orleans, iBhe w&s a fashionable belle. Wooed! and won by James Brown Potter^ a nephew of . the late Bishop Henry Cddmah Potter, pf New York, she was welcomed In the best society. She studied acting under David Be- lasco. Just aa did tdta, Iieslie. Carter years later, and finally made her professional d«but in England in 1887. That same year she returned to America and acted In New York with the late Kyrle Bellew. These twoyco-starred for many years and toured the w.orld with their own company. After her divorce, Mrs. Potter ceased to be associated with Ameri- can society. In London she was of the coterie of beautiful women ap- proved by the then Prince of Wales, later King Edward, another being Lily Larigtry, the English actress. Mr. Potter married another society belie, May Halndy, from Baltimore, who survives hini, now living In New York. Cora Urquhart Potter is the mother of Mrs. James A, Stillman, who also has caused a series of sensations. She charged her mil- lionaire husband, bankier, with be- ing the father of Flo Leeds' .son. Flo Leeds, who formerly appeared lnc revues, -is a^daughtor of James Sv Lawlbr, who has a small plumbing shop on Sixth avenue, New York. She now calls herself Mrs. K. Lin- coln. Twin. Sisters Abroad Mrs. Reginald Vandefbilt spends most of her time in .Paris, where she live luxuriously, anid her twln-sISr ter, Lady Furness, is first in London and then In Paris, living in even grander style, as Lord Furness is enormously rich and devoted to his young. American wife. It seems strange to .recall that only i"'few years ago these sisters were thrilled at suping in a movie, studio in New York, ind tliat later Thelma, who divorced James Vail Converse and married Lord Furness, cultivated the society of Gloria. Swanson, haunting the Famoiis Players Studio at Astoria. Converse was previously divorced .^y J^Mjne Melbourne, who then be- came the fouHfi~wifs"1o?"tirOaW^ .Ellis Hoffman, later, divorcing? him. Converse is a grandson of the late Theodore N. Vail, president of the American Telephone Co. Lord Fiprness was first married to Daisy Hogg, who was drowned in 1921. He has showered his present wife with gorgeous .jewels, Including a string of black pearls. At one ♦'me she was reported engaged to Richard Bennett and a $5,000 dia- mond ring ^vas declared to be the actor's gift. The older sister of Lady Furness and Mrs. Vanderbilt, Consuelo Mor- gan, divorced Count Jean, de Mau- pas a,nd married Benjamin Thaw, Jr., a relative of Harry K.. Thaw. . Mrs. Lahgtry on Riviera . Oddly enough, Mrs. Potter's for- mer rival, Mrs. Langtry, also lives in retirement on the Riviera at iires- ent now known as Lady de Bathe. Xorn'on the Island of Jersey, daugh- ter of ia clergyman, the Rev, W. Cv E. le Breton, she married Edward Langtry, and first actied in London in 1881. By reason of her beauty she soon attracted Queen Victorla'is son and heir. In 1883 she visited New York, meeting the late Frederic Gebhard, uncle of the first .wife of Reginald Vanderbilt. Mrs. Langtry had. a town house in. West 23rd street and a cottage on Staten Island. In later years she paid many visits to America. At one time she owned ia racing stable. Gebhard .. subsequently admired another actress, Drina de Wolfe, who, had married a brother of Elsie de Wolfe, then an actress, but.now an' interior decorator, who was recent- ly in Paris sporting a title. Gebhard finally niarried Marie Wilson, of the oriiginal "Fldrodora" sextet. Billy Rearidon'i Rise Prior to marrying Thelma Morgan Converse, Lord Furness was often seen with Julie Thompson, of Phil- adelphia. Julie Is now as often seen In Paris with Robert Guelde, step- son of Cornuche, ■ the millionaire who controls a chain of hotels and casinos all over France, Robert seems 20 years younger than Julie; She l3 associa.ted with Billy Rear- dOn in thie sihart new and success- ful night club, the Blue Room, Reardon was formerly in the chorus of Broadway productions and at one time danced with Mary Hay. Later he . danced at the Club Lido with Dorothy Clark, who got into the Social Register as the,wife of Bradford Norman; Jr., of New- port. ' The Blue Room In Paris was pre- viously controlled,- as the Jardin de ma Soeur, by Elsa. Maxwell* who Is equially well known in New York and Paris, She istraddles the fence be- tween Bohemia and Society. She has visited Mrs. Cole Porter, who was the first of the three wives of the late B. R. Thomas, owner of the "Morning Telegraph," before mar- rying the American song writer. In New York, Miss Maxwell, always about to have an opera produced, was constantly with Miss '^Dickie" Gordon, singer, and they rented the studio-apartment of Alphonse Jong- ers, who niarrled a niece of the fa- mous Ward McAllister, creator of the term "the 400." Popular Away Frorn Home Harry pilcer. In the current revue at the Moulin Rouge, always gets a recieptlon, and not from the claque, when he makes his entrance and when he sings "Hallelujah." Certain Arhericans, especially those who are show wise, never cease marveling how.this boy from York t ville gets away with It. But Paris, at any rate, accepted him as the partner of the late Ga4)y Deslys and heir to part of her fortune. A gen- eration ago Harry, who still looks .half h!_s^ as^_:jva3 Jn^^ small time vaudeviile In the Stated as"a light- ning-change artist, and was also In burlesque. His sister, Elsie Pilcer, followed him into the show busi- ness. Harry now lives in fine.style in Paris. The Klaws Devoted There Is no more' devoted couple to be encountered at Monte . Carlo than Mr. and Mrs. Marc Klaw, of New York, favorable comment being made on that.account. The veteran theatrical manager Is looking very well, away from the wear and tear of Broadway, Sir Walter and Lady de Frece are also at Monte Carlo, she being remembered for a quarter of a century of succe.ss -in vaude- ville in Eingland and America a.s Vesta Tilloy. male impersonator, Connie's Second Doing All Right Capt. Alastair Macintosh, the sec- ond husband to be divorced by Con- fltance Talmadge, Is much In evi- 'aenc'e'^In'Paris^in the best-Booiet^^^^^^ recently encountered with Vincent Astor, Prince and Princess Serge Obolerisky (Muriel Astor),' Prince and . Princess Andrew of Greece, Prince? and Princess Jean de Fau- clgny-Lucinge, Princess EJdmonde de Polignac .and Princess Lucion Murat, The belief prevails that whereas Constance and the Englishman got When It Works Mrs. Ted Lewis was tendered a testimonial luncheon by some society she is Inteiosted in, at the Hotel Astor the other day. It was strictly hen and; understood there would be speeches. Mrs. Rufus LeMaire got a hunch she would be called upon. To make her talk sound impromtu, MrSi LeMaire worked over it for days. Contrary to air the laws of human nature ahd toa^t mas- ters, iyirs. LeMaire was called upon. She delivered h6i:. ad- di'css as .memorized, making it sound ad lib arid it got over pretty. Quite a party, from reports^ along very well together, she rather re.s.ented hot being taken up by. his fashionable friends, some of vvhom; it is said, openly snubbed the cinema Star. Ruth Draper's Reception Ruth Draper, who gained fame and fortune In her native land as a monologist, following triumphant engagement* on Brod'aw'ay with tours of the country, la how reaping added laurels In Europe. A year ago she- met with great favor In London, appeared before royalty .and was..taken up by the best society.; This year ihe packed them In again. Recently in Be.rlin she appeared at the Komoedie,' one of ..the Max R.elnhai. . .theatres. While In Berlin Miss Draper stopped with the British Ambassador and Lady Lindsay, who gave a big re- ception for her, . attended by the American, Italian and Spanish am- bassadors and other noted persons of diplomatic and. social bircles, A few years ago Miss Draper,'a gmnddaughter of the late Charles A. Dana, famous New York editor, enacted a minor role on Broadway In support of Marie Tempest In "A Lady's Name." Another "character" part. In the same production, afford- ed an appprtunlty to Lynn Pontanne. Carlyle Blaekwall's Cruise Carlyle Blackwell, after a visit at Cannes, Is now cruising on his fine yaoht. Adventuress, through the Mediterranean. After early struggles In the show business, Blackwell be- came a favorite In the .movies and had quite a following,. Divorced by one wife, he married another - also a divorcee. Shie "wad an heiress to great wealth, as a daughter of Barney ..Bamato, who was born aiid bred In the slums of London, but made a fortune in South Africa, finally committing suicide by Jumping overboard frPm. an ocean liner. Marie Tempest's Husbands Marie Tempest recently starred In London In "The Marquise," by Noel Cowardi.. Now Miss Tempest, who first appeared on Broadway In mus- ical comedies In. the 80s, Is starring in London In "The Masque of Ven- ice." The Duke of Richmond recently passed away. Had that happened, a few years ago Miss Tempest would have had .to don mourning. Her first husband was named Izard, her second Cosmo Gordon-Lennox, and her current husband Graham Browne,, an actor. Is now, as for a decade past, her leading man, Gor- don-Lennox was a grandson of the Duke pf Richmond, and was known as an actor and playwright, moving ln"-a~-t'emperamental-seti- and once collaborating with the. American dramatist, the late Clyde BMtch, a cohgonial spirit. Leonora Hughes' Pled<ge Leonora Hughes, former dancing partner of the late Mauricc,< and now the wife of Carlos Baauaido. rich and handsome South American- residing in Europe, Is about to pre-: sent another "pledge of her affec- tioni" having already ofCfered ' one evidence. Grace LeMar, Shoplifter Grace LeMar, 22, alleged show girl of the Forrest Hotel, West 49th street, pleaded gul.lty. to shoplifting in Special Sessions and was con- tinued on bail for investigation and sentence Feb. 24. Miss LcMar was arrested . Feb. 2 .b y detecUvc.s of the Stores Mutual protective A>s.soctli^ tlon, after she had taken throe dre.sses from a rack In Macy'K, The young woman told prob.atloti ofllccrs she had appeared as a show girl and Ingenue in burlesque shoWs The last attractions she appeared In she claimed were the burlesquos, "Happy Hours" and "The iJest Show In Town." Among the Women By the Skirt The Best Dressed Woman of the Week INA CLAIRE "Our Betters"—jllllGr TliOfUre Scorns like the ladies are gathering the lanrlii.s at the Palaoo tlii.s week. Josephine Ilarman starts it with, her old partner, Georgia Srtnda.. iTiss Harmon was dressed becomingly In black, that sported, a white yoke, lier. partner chose a chartreuse not made with a wee bit of buff ante and a plain bodice,' . ; A decided, hit was Poggy Cliamberlin (With lloss Hirtcs). This miss- of the small stature and big voice %Yoro :hor to.ugh mhkerURS nicely. Another Who. fared well was Iroire Rioardo in old songs, and new. Her Well" number failed to be fiinny as to costume; it was vastly becoming. A blue robe was enveloped in a cloak of-l^luo . of a darker shade. Miss Rlcardo brought her act to. a close in a crystal evening gown, made with a long waistcd effect and boTdered with feathers that shaded from pink to red. Fanny Wai'^ was in a red velvet kiddie coat and a .large hut. Miss Ward .is dis and robing before the audience behind a gauze drop... Very: foolish, as the view of Miss Ward In. her combles accentuated that her figure is not so slim. A. green evening frock was feathered ■ trimmed as also was the evening wrap. The blonde ^yig was covered by n mop cap of gold lace,. A French flapper was done in a cloth dress and red tammle. Worth Si.sters and Coly early in the hill followed a.; great juggler. Serge Flash. The girls were in white, one In satin and the other In chiffon. The girls with Teck Murdock. Iris Kennedy, Marlon Meredith and Adcle Webster; wore dfessos of blue,, pink and majuve. .The three were made with ruffles in different design. The act could be improved were the'girls to appear in bride's costume at the finish, But it takes money to .dress brides, stage or otherwise. - Lucila Mehdex as Possibility ■ In. the. Picturei . "Coney Isljand," Lucila M^ndez leaves Lois /W^ilson In the. lurch. With stories and right direction Miss Mendez should take a" place with the best of the active picture players. She has the face and. figure- • ■ .■■..'—'■•".■ "'.^ Luclla has been carefully dressed In this picture.-. First in a bathing suit, then In a combination of black lace, and finally on ia cabaret floor in a white. bufi!ant, A black buffant seemed to shade. Into some, color. Several street dresses oif cloth; Clothes in ^'dur Betters" It. was. foregone that the; revival of "Our Betters" would come .In di-essed to the top notch. Messmore Kendall, In association with Gilbert Miller, had a. revival play that should rtin a long time at the Henry Mil- ler theatre. - . , . Ina Claire Is so fitted- for Lady George Gray Son, the part might have been written for her. Her clothes are the last word. In the first act .a black dress was of a material that looked like a shiny leather. The skirt was shirred on tp a rather long bodice.. This same skirt was cut with an uneven, hem being longer in back than front. Pink edged revera formed a long V In the bodice, while the same pink faced the hem of the skirt. A smair^lack hat and a double feathered ornament ■ Her evening gown in the second act . l.ooki?d for all the world like a coat pf mail. Heavy sequin material formed the bodice and extended to a long point do-wn the back of the skirt, which was of many pleated rows of white net. A white satin and chiffon negligee was just the outfit for the heavy emoting in the last act. Constance Collier perfect as the silly Duchess. The huge first night audience hung on her every word. At the conclusion pf one scene In the la,3t act when this artiste left the. stage, the applause lingered sO long it was to be expected that she would return and take a bow as they do in vaudeville. An afternoon gown was of tan chiffon edged with brown,. It was. very fluffy and worn with a brown hat of fine straw. Her evening goWn was of a pinky crystal material. From one shoulder hung a long chiffon .scarf of a rose color. This color was carried out in a large feather fan. The. last act dress was of sand colored crepe studded with beads to match. A short coat effect was also studded. The hat was brown with, a facing of orange velvet. A fox trimmed coat of orange completed this costume. Lillian Kemble Cooper stunningly gowned during the three acta. Her evening dress was black lace and chiffon. A raspberry cloth dress was oddly made in s6mi jumper fashion with diamond shaped pieces forming a border. In the first act Miss Cooper was all in gray. , Madge Evans had three gowns of the "school girl variety. A rose pink cloth dress was made with a flsehu extending from throat to hem. The skirt had a clever circular flounce. At "The Strange Interlude" Probably the inost Interesting play is at the Golden theatre, "The Strange Interlude, produced by the Theatre Guild, It Is with the feeling of . adventure that one takes one's seats. . Entering a theatre at 6:30 is odd enough. All around are remarks, "Where are you dining?" and ' Will you go out with us?" On come-s the show and the unravelling of the story, as done by Lynn© Fontaine, Glenn Anders and Tdm Powers, the time passes so swiftly that at 10 minutes to ieight, when it is time to dine, one isn't Wjorried over dinner, . . ■ . , ' j^^^ „ .. Miss Fontaine does the 10 acts in as many dresses. As the-.young girl, she goes in mostly for knitted jumper suits. One flowered chiffon is In rose shades. Her lovely bobbed hair is covered later by a wig with the eara showing. As a middle-aged woman -with graying locks, a wlilte coat and skirt arc worn. In the final act, with really white hair, a long black, dre.ss trails the floor,. Eugene O'Neill has done, a great piece of work'in this play. SOUTH AFRICA (Continued frdrn page 2) Jack and Jill', Jerry and Co,; A.sh- ^ley Slaters^- Earr and Hope; Shlshtl's M*Honettes, Bijou (A. T,)—Films shown. "Queen in Parlor," "'.Don Juan," "1-Mg I^aveH," "Faust," "Michael Strogoff," "Cohens and Kcllys." "Diplomacy," "IJattle of Coronel," etc. ^Cin(aiia^lJ3kEQumrjtQ>vi\^ urbs report busine.sa quite gooJl Cllve Ma.'skc'lyno, magician, ia on a return vi.sit, It i.s sfrcingly j ru- mored th.at the .i^ovornmont Intend to draft. ]ef.'i«I>i(ion to arnioint a film ciitiKiir Board. Hithorlo, this work ha.s boon . (•.arri<'d out by the provlrici'i.il admini.slnitii.iiis. It. ia PXntcd tiiat' this move has lu'cri caused >)y reitrf'Sedin.lions to the government of . undesirable films shown to children. NATAL Durban A company styled Durban Hotels, Ltd., has an authorized capital of $1,500,000, It has acquired two Durban hotels and the new com- pany has made provision' to carry on proprlotor.s of theatres, halls, cinemas and exhibitions. Judge Swindell, .American grey- hound export,-haw commoncod, work ort the site for a dog-racing track. Ji?r^.i^3^ J'-t'^i'lo^s'y negotiated for ground IjeI'ofigTnirlirtTfe"!!^^^"^^^ cil, but owitig to the restrictions laid down i)y the town council, that no befffng .s?ioiild bo allowed on ground r'-nlerl. by (hem, Hwlndcll out out.111'.' deal ana wont for pri- vate a;r(.)iind. One hundred -dogs are on ihv. way from Australia. Juduo Swindell- 1b receiving good .siippf-rt. lie twiys dog racing ie popi'ilfir In .\u'-:)r.alla and America.