Variety (Sep 1928)

46 VARIETY W O M E N' S PAGE Wednesday, September .5, 1928 Gray Matter By MOLLIE GRAY More £ar Than Eye Palace now lias a program mapa- kine on better quality paper. May be an omen of better programs to print in them. An entertaining show designed for the car more than the eye. No iostumlng means anything until the last act, Don Lee and Mile. Loui.se, Introduced by two girls in metallic oloth caps, one white the^ other yellow and both trimmied with coke leathers to match. Mile, ' Louise's first gown was plrobaly meant to be white with a large silk bow at the hip, but a later one oif tiny ruffles, both inside and out, was I'eally white and very jpretty.. A peacock ornamenting the set wa.s beautiful- ly colored. A Russian costume was novel and cute. Finale cos- tumes were vaguely familiar, one 6i blue silk fringe under a gold beaded green wrap being effective. Harrington Sisters showed their usual pink silk kid dresses and Trixie Friganza exhausted both her supply of gowns and all her ma- terial in encores. Maria Valente, in black trousers and white silk blouse, is a refreshingly different little lady and a welcome foreign Invader.' Ben Bernle should give his In- Btrumorits more time to entertain. Mary Lee evidently didn't know she was supposed to dress, up the act, as Mr. Bernie said, but she can dance. That Burlesque Tinge "Padlocks of 1928," at the Slst Street, is a much amended version of last yeai^s show and being; con- densed into an act Is another im- provement. It may be a relation in name only, the sketclies have been used so often by so many burlesque shows, before and since "Pidlocks.'^ . Nothing much to it but a lot of noise and for no rea- son. . ;. ■ Marjorle Leach, actins hostess, arrived via the orchestra In gold cloth embroldei'Cd In gold beads and clung to the other coin color, silver, tor her other dr6ssy appearance with several undressy ones be- tween. Harriet Hilllard looked nicest In a blue taffeta with the buffant skirt edged Avith net and trimmed with tiny, rosebuds, a large shoulder. bow and long ends adding to its attractiveness. Her voice and diction are very good when making an announcement, too sduch so for thd common stuff sur- rburiding it. Girls are pretty without much costume help. A ballet creation with purple velvet bodice had some 0-' thom backle.ss and others con- siderably covered, hot because there was less velvet but rnore back in some cases. . All wore tights, an- other instance where the act im- proves the show. Lots of People All New York seempd to be try- ing to get intO; the State Mondai^ afternoon. When tho battle was won the only new act was I^rince- tor. and Yale,' but. "Ramona'J was the picture. Girl of the collegiate duo, wore a coat dress in black !3?tin with collar of blue which also showed under the silk fringe of the skirt. Her hat and slippers and swagger stick were also of blue. Helen Moretti's fine figure, showed to advantage in a silver and navy blun gown which she wore when seen some time ago. Most of the audience liked her voice. Gracella and Theodore are as graceful as ever also in the same costumes. Coats Off The emancipation of the male is accomplished; he how reclines in the theatre with his coat off him- self but on whoever is nearest to him. The feminine member of Samp- sel and Leonhardt, at the American, vamped It in black satin draped to the left hip' with a slight bustle effect, small hat, feather trimmed, black beads and bag and again In black taffeta extended over the hips with gold embroidered black net making the skirt, a'gold spangled cape with a. train covering it. She makes no secret of her fine figure; The announcer of Harry Ells- worth's Company spoke of a "bevy of beautiful girLs" making it sound like two-thirds of ^ popular brand. Opening tambourine costumes were unattractive except the soloist who wore silver with red and silver rib" bon fringe and silver wig. A white lace and satin Spanish costume had baskets outlined in black on both hips and a metallic ensemble of green had the wrap trimmed with a darker velvet, very good looking. Only nice costumes the girls had might have come from a Capitol ballet, they were of feathers and satin, the fronts cerise, the backs white, but they wereft't used to advantage here as In the Capitol. "Beau Broadway"^ had queer ideas about children, thinking one who played with a doll's house and hobbyhorse, would be able to do housework. All for the sake of a lame gag. Gilbert Clark costumed Aileen Prlngle and Sue Carol In tight-ftttlng metallic cloths and soft chiffons appropriate to the tight-fitting metallic character of Miss Prin^rle and the soft flowery one of Miss Carol. One of Miss I'rihgle's gowns had bead fringe falling from the hip at one side and almost \ to the floor on the other side. It gave her a great knee dis- play when sitting. Her'dark cloth coat, had tight collar of - fur with the same bordering the cape sleeyes. Sue'.^ dark bead and spangle gown was too sophlstl Ud for her onrly innocence, but not for her. latter choice of hero. Splend,id "The Patriot" Is anybody's money's woi-th for splendid performances by Emll Jannlngs and Lewis Stone, for impressive sets and the Russian choir. Florence Vldor means Uttle, except as part of the decorations. If her jewelry Is authentic for 1801, the necklaces and bracelets are just reaching the 1928 girls now. Most men are so much Improved with those white wigs It's a wonder they don't revive the feishlon for them- selves. Pariis or Hollywood They use mirrored walls to in- crease the ci-owds In "Two Brothers," which Is probably cheaper than hiring tliat many people. It's as foolish to expect something pleasant in a German picture as ln> a dentist's oflflcfe. At least the women star's aire dressing more humanly, the two girls showing fur trimmed silk and cloth coats that were good looking. A velvet gown was high In front, draped softly to tho shoulders and low in the back with a center point i-eaching a row of stones at the neck. , Another velvet was hideous with a wide bow In beads covering most of tiie front of the skirt and well around to tho hips. Another of the "vamp's" ideas of decoration was a jeweled pin caught In her hair letting a single stone hang in the center of her forehead. An embroidered frock with skirt shirred to the lonjg bodice was pretty. Skirts were all rather long but just how it's hard to tell whether they're ad- vance or ancient fashion. Of course Germany , Is nearer to Paris but then Hollywood is beside itself. Mild "The Romance of a Rogue" is a mild one and Anita Stewart doesn't help change the adjective. Anything H. B. Warher docs for a long time will seem trivial after "King of Kings." Anita wore a good looking plaid'^Soat with an elbow length cape trimmed with small metal buttons in a row down each side. The nar- row collar of a dark silk frock ended (Continued on page 47) Newport , Entertains Mr. Simmons General and Mrs. J. Fred Plerson have a house In town and a ylUa In Newport". Each Sunda.y during tho summer and winter seasons Mrs. Plerson gives muslcales. In town musicians are In evidence, in- cluding Mme. Fely Clement, at Newport this summer, Eric Zardo, from vaudeville, and Ernest Ro- maine Simmons, long accompanist and secretary to Mn\©, Lillian Nor- dica and for years of Importance In tiie Shubert ofTlces. He occasionally gives a box for, a Shubert produc- tion to Mrs. Plerson. Tom Douglas Back Tom Douglas has had an unusual career. A young American slctor, he was an Intimate friend of Glenn Hunter. After Hunter starred In Mertori of the Movies," he was in- trumental in selecting Douglas for the role in London. Although the comedy failed in England, Douglas made such a hit that he remained there for several years, appearing In one play after another.- He starred In "Yoimg Woodley," which Huntet used in this country. Now Douglas comes to Broadway In support of Dorothy Gish in "Young Love," her husband, James Rennle, as leading man. A few years ago It was reported Douglas was engaged to Teddie Gerard, the American actress who is better known abroad. Starting in the : chorus of Havana," Teddie was named as co- respondent when Linda Lee, first of the three wives of the late E. R. Thomas, , secured a divorce from him. Later Teddie married Joseph Raymond, who died in an insane asylum. She was then associated with George Bronson Howaxd, the playwright, who committed suicide. When Barry Baxter, young Eng- lish actor, died In New York, where he had hobnobbed with Lord Aling- ton, Teddie Gerard took his re- mains back to England, The Rathbones Stopping at the Muenchinger- Klng, Mr. and Mrs. Basil Rathbone, Violet Kembie Cooper and her brother, Anthony Kembie Cooper, have intrigued the '. other guests. Basil and Violet , are the leads in "The Grand Duchess and the Walter," the French comedy, which served Adplphe Menjou for the movies. Mr. Ratlibone has a family tree more distinguished than that of various society people of Newport, for he Is a son, of Edgar Rathbone, a grandson of ,Philip Rathbone, a great-grandson of William Rath- bone, English philanthropist, and ,a great-grandson of that William Rathbone, philanthropist, who was born 20 years before tho American Revolution. -'After Basil was divorced from Marian Forman, an actress, he mar- ried Ouida Bergere, .who had di- vorced George FItzmaurice; movie director, j'ltzmaurlce then rriarrled Diana Kane,, movie actress, sister, of Lois Wilson. Miss Bergere, who once ran a the-i atrical agency and later became a. scenario writer. Is still remembered in connection with a remark at- tributed to the late Barbara La Mar, movie star.. It Is said that while Barbara was being directed by FltzmauricOi Ouida kept Interfering, untll MIss La Mar exclaimed: "Oh, be yourself, Ida Berger!" Coward-Noveilo A film version of "The Vortex," Noel Cowayd's drama, which was % moderate success In New. York, was offered at the 5 th Avenue Playhouse, with Ivor Novello in the. Coward role and Wlllette Kershaw as, the mother. Coward and Novello are close friends, moving In the same temperamental set In Londom NoveUo came to America a few years ago and appeared in Grif- fith's picture, "The White Rose," without'making much of a noise. Miss Kershaw Is an American who has acquired a fortune, and of recent years has lived Irt fine stylo In London... Hailing from CUfton Heights, Mo., she appeared as a child-actress In 1901 with the Bern- hardt-Coquelln company, s u b s e - quently , touring with Walker Whiteside. In 1905 she was at the 14th Street theatre in "Marching Through Georgia," and the next season succeeded Laura Hope Crews in "Brown of Harvard." In 1910 she was in "Tho Country Boy," and five years later was in "The Unchas- tened Woman." In, 1917 she was featured in the Chicago tryout of "The Crowded Hour." When this piece opened in New York Jane Cowl was the star, and It was re-, ported Miss Cowl had received threatening letters warning her against continuing In the role. In 1920 Miss Kershaw was in vaude- ville, the next year going to Lon- don, where she has remained ever since. She was divorced from David Sturgls. l^m£Ty-'S-y^^'^^^-Ill ^^^^ 'U V\-HERE TO- BLUE^ R IB BON ^:LP§^T S H O EL- yXN D - DIIV E v\ HERE TO S H O - /XN D - DIIV E JEWELRY MADE TO YOUR ORDER rcarl and P latin am Uesh Bracelet* Distinctive Exclusive Guaranteed from manufacturer direct MAXIME BAJLES COSfPANT 104 Fifth Ato. Chelsea 91t* LIGHTS Disptay Stage Lightino Co; "A LIOitT FOR EVERY PURPOSr' S34-340 W. 44th. St. ' Dtrwico "bvebtthino''e]:actbical fob the theatre" . 315-317 W. 47th Street Penn. 8450-1800 MANUSCRIPTS SAMUEL fUENCH Incorporated' 1891 Oldest Play-rPubllshers In the World T. R. Kdwards. Managing Director 26 Went 4Sth St., NEW TORE, N. T, llllegro^Mnsio ^mtS^^^ Specialists la Ktmit ' Braneb of Hoile Prlnthir 31B-S17 W. 47th St. Loncam M«l , RAYNEE, DALHEIM & CO. Masle KncnvlBr Mid Prlotlns In AU ttm Branches 20.-4-20G0 W. Lake St., Chjearo, 111. PROPERTIES Theatrical Properties Studio Prepsrty Boxtt Travelan . Meohanieal Prtpt Dancing Mats (■roduotleni Furnlihed Complete—Ws Alt* Rent SOS West 44th Street Penn. 7877 RESTAURANTS 40th St.—Broodwny—44th St. DInlnr. Dancing—No Cover Charge SCENERY ——FOR RENT-^—r Scenery, Stage Settings, Decoration PREMIER SCENERY STUDIOS 340 West 4l8t St. JUick. 9233 SCENIC CONSTRUCTION FRANK DWYER, Inc. BUILDERS OF SCENERY 542 West 55th St. Columbus 2050 SCHOOLS John Murray Anderson-Robti Milton School of the Theatre and Dance A Professional School for Professional! Diction, Acting, Dancing of All Types Routines Arranged Acts Staged t2fl-130 KaAt 68tb St. Plaza 4624-4D26 JACK MANNING SlUDIOS .''PECIAT.lRT IN TteACHINO TAP DANCING no Woht 4rth street STAGE HARDWARE J. R. CLANCY, Inc. STAGE HARDWARE SYRACUSE, N. Y. SUPPLIES WYLE & BROS., INC. A full nrie of Gold' and Silver Brocade^ Metal Cloths, Gold and Silver Trim- mings. Rhinestones, . Spangles.' Tigbt« Opera Hose, etc..' for stage costumefc 18-20 East 27th St.. New Torb Citr The LITTLEJOHNS Rhinestones Anything in Rhinestones Also Perfect Machine for .Setting 254 West 4Cth St. ChlckerUig 772S THEATRE EQUIPMENT SIMPLEX^InriEOTER^^^ . PROJECTORS INTERNATIONAL PROJECTOR COBJP. 510 Wefit 34th St. NEW YORK HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD THEATRE SEATING New York, Chicago, Bonton and Other Principal Cities THEATRICAL TRUNKS TAYLOR'S Theatrical TRUNKS ^^e-stnndard^trank^ol-the''proreasloa. Fnll line of leather goods TAYLOR'S 116 ^rst 45th St. IF YOU DON'T ADVERTISE IN VARIETY DON'T ADVERTISE Bryant 4450