Variety (Mar 1929)

WOM EN'S PAGE VARIETY 49 Ihcommon Chatter By Ruth Morris Wool ROVMO all to the worsted over at «iur Grand Ballroom of «li6,Hotel SLaJwh where the Wool Inrtltttte ^sUrokeB ont with a qffine Bhow- *siiowliW took the form of a. revue, ideverty thought ont. ana devisea. •AM the jaceeastjrlee- need, Irani the ^uik drops ta the rtieereet of - WMses. were made of wool. Even ■'^oWen. Fleece." ' <Jverture, "The Bplnnlne Song*' from Panst, fittingly prehided per- formance. Prolog was enacted by an .' ^aaglo Adam and Bve. the latter MoitA hy Adam when he sighted ^anniklBS atUred In scant tiger iWnBi whereupon Eve ordered all the fabrics In the realm and Adam probfthly Bpent the rest of his Ufe 'Muaring the bilL ^first episode, UUed "The Elgh- Meiith Hole" utilized the last Bland of a golf match to ahow of attractive sports things, j^wta & Body of "Cheny buboba" fame, opened this with their familiar vaudeville turn, their only contribution to fadilon being, >rott c4n't wear a law suit—hello, heBo, hello."'The neat number, tak- ing plaee Mfere an Old Sampler Ocopi was amusing witli Patty SCoofO and Sammy LawIs repreaent- ing rag dolls made of fringed wool. A group of Chester Halen later con- ' ' tribjuted a cunning baby Iamb dance. . 'A Fifth 'Avenue scene sponsored ■ showing of smart daytime elothes ; for men and women. A Russian . ..wolfhound used here was possibly : ..the . only thing not aU wool and a , yard wide. Other modes were dls- played in a Palm Beach scene, an afternoon tea and the deck of an ocean liner. Last mentioned had a novel hand drill by the Chester ' Hales; girls were seated in an un- iHoken line of steamer chairs, their : bands boxed with rectangles repre : Mnting covers of variona magaalnes. A» orlgiBal idea that worked ont Wool bstltnte certainly went in- for its showing, in a big way. run policy of movie houses, btit Hiss' Fay never grew iireso^e. A comic ba4) a few fiinny- Ijpes,. most of which were in' the';6ont6urs of billowing,. ankle-length pair of golf tron. Show was stopped by colored contortionist' named Crawley, who meanwhile played a hysterical comet Show concluded with a .golf trick dtot artist who executed neat drives to the rhythm of the music. Awfully good presentation. Overlieard at a Fashion Sltoviing *Vh, my dear, I wouldn't miss my ealesthenio lesson. I mean, ac- tnolly, it sets me up for the whole . week. Why. I was just telling Mrs, Hanson the other day" . . . "Well I And that just a little lemon ex traot gives it an awfully nice flavor' . . ; 1 didn't like the 'Kingdom of €od,' but I'm funny about plays. . Xt's Just a matter of opinion, but I .dpn't see why Etbel Barrymore dresses np like an old woman when ' idle could look bo lovely. I suppose It's art" ... "If she's a good cook Bhela got. a bad disposition and if ',8he haa a good diaposltion she's a bad cook." "What do you think of these paintings? They're supposed to be awfully good. I suppose I shouldn't say it, but I Just can't see them, I mean if you're going to paint a tree, paint a tree—not something that looks as though it had come out of Euclid." . . . "Tou don't teU me! Don't repeat this, but IH bet they'll be in Reno within a year.' . . . "Yes, I've found him very re- liaMe. He put Hnoletim down In my kitchen two years ago and really, it's as good as new." . . . "Well, could look smart, too, it | had her money." . . , "les, we went on to a lilght elub later. There were three of the erazlest men—Clayton, Jack sen and something or other were their names. I think one of them's Kally insane, i Just cant imder stand why the Stewarts think they're funny." . . . "Oh, here come the models. Isn't that dress fright r* it Parameunfs Golf Unit Paramount theatre made Its bow to spring with this week's golf pre eentation entlUed Tore?" Inter weaving a slight love interest, .; had a deeidedly musical comedy flavor. Set was a smart looking club honee exterior overlooking a bach drop golf course, with a weeping willow executed in ragged chiffon providing beautiful overiiead dec oration. Opening costumes were eunning red and white golf suits, 'With divide^ checked skirts gen erously plcaited. An ingciiue (Aline Fay) and .-.-jaye»il)B..introduced the love Inter- est with a nice duet. Girl was pretty, a charming dancer, and songstress of nice ability. Three of iier numbers followed with only slight interruptions, an unusual Proceedure at the Paramount, and rather a risky one. It takes a big Pereonallty to repeat in the hit and Too Arty There's such a thing as being too good and too artistic. That's the only trouble with the creations of Bertha Holley, revealed at a re- cent spring showing. Miss Holley emphasizes color in her costanies, absolutely disregarding all couturier trends except the prevailing hem line, and adopting only those lines which ore graceful and becoming. All of which sounds like very good dope. You'll never be in poor taste in a Holley ensemble—but you might not be a knockout at the RHz. Designer b'liilds her costumes ac cording to six color charts: for the brunette and modifted brunette, the blond and modified blond and the titlan. The scale of these charts provides the color combinations et a c<;mplet« wardrobe, so that gar- ments Vnoy be worn interchangeably to provide various easembTea. This idea is worked most suc- cessfully in a black ensemble which Is ideal for traveling if one needs many clothes and has not much room for packing. ■ Basis of this rig is a black satin coat, lined with eggshell kasha which does nicely for both morning and aftei' noon wear. The possibilities of the accompanying wardrobe are limit- less. A black satin skirt may be combined with dllferent colored blouses, or the coat be worn with a bright dress in a monotone. "nieo there is a sleeveless dinner gown, which may be worn as such; with differently eolored yoke in- sets providing yarlety. Bertha col Jars may be added for further va- riety, and chiffon goimpes for aft emoon wear. The effect is not patchy, but very slick and well mannered. It's too well mannered. But it's swell for matrons who want to look matronly. georgette with graceful Jabot, aw- fully nice. Spring le Hero No doubt that spring is here The advent of Bamnm & Bailey is an unfailing barometer. Prior to its descent on Madison Square Garden it hod a week's whipping Into shape in the newly completed Coliseum in the wilds of the Bronx a coliseum that, two days prior the opening was soggy with spring rains and no doors and windows Mr. Bradner. head drcns producer, confesses that those two days prior to the opening, with the elephants developing influenza and the aero bats' temperament, were the worst he's ever put in with the circus. But despite these dllflcultles. the circus on Sunday afternoon looked all primed for its metropolitan en try. Even under the cruel light of day the circus pompt brought Us own peculiar fascination. Out-par araountinp the movie palaces was display No. 7, descril)ed in the pro- gram: ■ "On the Hippodrome Track and in Rings Nos. 1 and 3 a Group of Masters and Mistresses of the Menage Present to yon a Superb Array of High School Horses and Equine Notables. While in the Center of the Ring a Beautiful Equestrian Menage Win Be Offered —an Altogether Delightful Display of Color and Charm in Which the Lady Dainty of the Arena Brings to Her Assistance, Pretty Girls, Noble Horses, Snow White Birds of the Air, Prize Pet Canines.'" That, ladles and gentlemen, is Ian guage as it should be written. May every Spring bring its cir cusi In the Shops Imports in the shops. . . . TUo one-sleeve evening cape at Altman's, . . . Smart paquin copy at Frank lin Simon's. In black or beige light wool with collar of Galyak. Haa a normal, belted waistline and skirt lulineStrgaifiearbyTrccasional-hidden pleats. . ; . Nice .Vlonnet models at HIckson's. ... Paltou's "Mi mosa" at Sax, darling evening gown in black chiffon with long Blender line and back drape. . Patou and Vlonnet blouses at Macy's. One Patou, sleeveless in Backstage Bridge Two iittle night club glrlSi danring during the floor show; overheard a couple of women talking bridge. One of - the dancers, invited to the table by an extra gentleman iit the, party. Joined in tho bridge chatter. From the door of the dressing room, the little hoof- er's girl' friend gave her the office to ^{get the 'women In a game. Girl asked the femme pa- trons if they'd like to play in the dressing room. The two consented, and the night dub dolls took them for $176. The visitors eald they'd be back. Riverside's Bill Monday night at the Riverside. Unusually large house, probably in- spired by the publicity for the two- a-day policy to start next week. . Pepita Granados and Harry Holbrook. with Spanish orchestra. Synthetic atmosphere. Good novelty bit by the orchestra. . . . Stan Kavanaugh, old fashioned type of club Juggling act that smacks of the EngU^ music haUa. . . Really good tricks. Comedy is pret ty terrible, but he's so nice about it. Sounds "h'Austrlal-ian." . . Will Oakland .singing his own com position and other ballads. . . Abbot and Bislaid. Bouse thinks the act funny, so let it go. . . . Nan Halperin. unprogrammed, substitut Ing for Norwortb and Addphi. Looks very nice in a rose evening ensemble, introducing character delineations— same act she's been doing for some time. Clever material, cleverly done, Dull, But Good Looking And now Fay Marbe is Installed In a series of songs and dances labeled "Continental Nights" at the Belmont. Perhaps it is best to begin by saying that Miss Marbe is an exquisitely beautiful woman, who has an atti-active speaking voice peculiarly suited to talking pictures. This might be her best bet. Recital work it not. Her singing voice has a raspy scratch which becomes irritating, almost Inunediately. Byery characterization is exactly the same, no matter what the natlohailty. No Imaginative quality whatever. Her dancing is better, though, she should have routines arranged, as it is all a blur of meaningless movements which have no fluency. Her self confidence la enormous, and with her extreme beauty of face and form, plus gorgeous costumes, should have been more shrewdly presented. Less singing and more double dances with her brother (her lost waltz being the high spot) and another artist or two added to re- lieve tho monotony, would have helped greatly. Gilbert Marbe .brother , of Fay, offered a single dance in supposedly Jazz style which was rather pathetic, though his handling o( his sister in the waltz number was excellent. Miss Marbe's first costume was a silver sequin gown cut very long in the back, worn with a tlney silver cap, and a wrap of ermine and sable. For a tango she unwisely chose a red velvet tight skirt and bolero Jacket effect, which did not flatter her movements, in spite of it's becoming virtue. A rose feather skirt with rhinestone bodice, and a similar gown in Jade green feather, were vividly effective. Her last costume was a dream in pale blue tulle ruffles, with the largest skirt ever seen, and a striking headdress. All of this, however, could not compensate for a dull evening. State's Show ' Loew's State . . . Opening act the three La Houres. Ahc-ro-bahts In black and white. . . . the Court- ney Sisters, Mrs. Georgle Jessel's place taken by a young sisttf in' trodnced as Rita. Nice harmony and attractive dresses. . . . Mmray and Maddox, comedy dno. Fmuiy In spots. . . . Winifred and Mills col ored sailor and Chinaman. Very funny. . . . Aaronson'a Command ers. Lots of singing and lots of en- tertainment and a swell stage band. Three vocalists of the 'Owdooden- doodeup" school.'. . . Feet In the audience tapping the'floor. One of the boys singing. Cole Porter can be naughty more nicely than anyone we know. . . . Etecore a bubble ballet. Too bad—act was swell up to then, but bouse liked it anyway. Qcnnan Zippers ^Sples," UFA picture at the 56th Street Playhouse, is one of those blood and thunder detective thrill- ers that, by comparison, make "The Perils of Pauline" a nursery rhyme. Its action includes the machina- tions of a villainous master mind, a railroad 'wreck, a hectic auto chase, several good bombings and all the side-lights that go with stolen treaties. Gerda Maunis plays the heroine In the tolls of Haghi. Several ef her costumes were interesting. An eve- ning dress' with sequlned bodice and draped Airt of velvet bad one Immaculately fitted velvet sleeve: another afternoon dress of dark crepe had zipper fastenings at cuffs and neck line—a style worth copy Ing, Maria Corda's Gowns Uttle C!arnegle Playhouse had the American premiere of "A Woman in the Night," British International Production. First Impnlse to treat the film facetiously du« more to the acting of its star, Maria Corda, than to any foolish vrrinkles in the tale. Miss Corda Is a lively look- ing person whose idea of portraying various emotions is to look Just too lovely for words and bat her eye lids rapidly. Star looks beautiful throughout In long trailing softnesses Of chiffon and lace. Theise elegances are aC' ceptable In the tea gowns and neg- ligees worn, but when Miss Corda elects to go for a stroU in the gar- den In a gossamer chiffon with; a train as long as a Pullman, its worth a snicker. Settings are well lighted and composed. Among the Women Still still No Women a dearth of women at the Palace. Three Lordens opened on a trampoline using a girl dancer dressed in a white ruffled gown trimmed in red. She wore long black curls. Ted and Al Waldman had no difficulty on second with a black face comedy skit and some hot harmonica playing. Roger Imhoff has added a lot of new hoke to his familiar "Pest House" and was recalled many times. One of the high spots of the bill was Peter HIggins, Irish tenor. He was immaculately dressed, sang extremely well, and was mercifully larking in the affectation so dear to the average tenor's heart. His pianist, Fi'OJik Dixon, was excellent. A return date within a shwt time for Bud Harris and Radcllff, two colored men. Plenty of punch to this combination both In comedy and dancing. 'Vincent Lopez* band closed intermission. Gilda Gray's was a disappointment, to many of the femmes present who expected her to show the latest what-nots from Paris. Miss Gray haa taken 'on weight since her previous appearance here. She is sur- rounded by a chorus of girls meaning nothing, but serving as a bock'^ ground, and a pair of adagio dancers. Opening found Bllsa Gray in a pair of lace paiamas which slie changed for an unbecoming pink tulle frock ha'vihg a studded bodice, accentuating her newly acquired waist- line. She did a nice Egyptian dance in a gold skirt az-d breast plates. For a finish a silver fringe skirt was used with diamond bodice and a hat which sported a high wlilte ostrich. Miss' Gray sings a low down song and has an attractve delivery. Too bad she doesn't go In more for that as tker personality is worth more to her UVat way than on her dancing ability. Three -Rltz Brothers were a fast punch following, and. Sawyer and E:ddy closed with a novelty trapeze net. Woman wore royal blue pants. Corinne Looks Good Corinne Griffith has never been more beautiful than in "The Divine lAiy." Her costumes are exquisite and without exception, rarely be- coming. Miss Griffith wore a wig of very long hair which was most effective and, incidentally, turned In a great performance. A short called "The Gossipy Sex," featuring Robert Emmett Keane and Claire Whitney, former picture star, drew plenty of laughs and compares favorably with any of the current short subjects. Miss 'Whit- ney registers well vocally and Mr. Keane seems a likely bet for features, having nnlimitein poise and unction. A Real Recital Recital of the Dance, given at the Guild theatre Sunday night by Demetrlos 'Vilan and Margaret Severn, was a delight. picture of man struggling to- discover the five senses, and finally the sixth—intelligence. Scenic effects' were beautifully modem, axifl the musical score, written by Dorothy Herbert, one of outstanding merit Mies Severn, so much more at home in concert thaA vaudeville was a poem of grace and charm, while- Mr. 'Vilon danced with extraordinary expressiveness -in addition to being as magnificently formed as Apollo. Only possible criticism might be The costuming of Miss Sever^ which seemed a bit ponderous and dtfilcult to change in full view of the audience —having too many pant legs and snaps. Club Daneera Kay Durbin and Charles Barron, appearing at the Club Plasat are as attractive a pair of ballroom dancers as can be seen anywhere In town. Both are excellent solo dancers and work, beautifully together. Miss Durbih 'was prettily gowned: in a.yellow tulle bouffant cut above the knee in front for two good reasons. The band is very hot. scarf to be good and, even more tailored, there's the dressmaker scarf of lapin, which Is larger and pliable enough to be draped any way you like to wear it. Glove Colors There are very definite color lines dratm in glove styles. White: gloves are considered' absolutely passe, except when wox'n with the black and white costxime. The fash-' lonable shades are suntan; cham- pagne, flesh and putty. One-button short glove in tnese shades is the correct type for the apring tailleur, other types are the lor.plsh gauntlet. One Parts house is showing elbow length gloves, to _^ „8BEy!fl.Jos._^ ~4Jic»J£P?3l;, '"Ji? ? Fox fur scarf is to be worn'wltB* "^trcS ■w¥ir7"andT^uned'up~^ spring costumes—hardly news. Pa- arm with sleeveless frocks. . vored in this style are white fox Sucde and kid gloves in bright scarfs dyed in the pastels and lined green are being featured In one de- wlth chiffon. Otherwise there's sit- poi tment store. It's a style that only ver fox. Peck's Corners will consider pn-- The two-skin Hudson Bay sable fcctly swell-eltgant. GRAY MATTER (Continued from page 48) i embroidered around the overahirt' and bodice, a single line, and on the White bag as well as her l^rge black hat having its brim covered with back leaves. A black lace evening ensemble had its cape col- -iv . ! lar wired and the all-white one of velvet and satin, with beaded cap cut liTegularly around the face, was the most stunning of alt. Robert ..^ . Armstrong and Louis Wolhelm 'pf^ added lots of Interest until the final talking scene. VNIVERSAL'S 6YH ... -- -TiOH Antrc lcs: Mar ch 26. iriiiveTSul is erecting a gymnasium to be used l.i connection with Its Universal r-lub. Cost of linlldlnfT and equipment is bPlnK (U'fr:::.''d by contributions of studio employees.