Variety (Feb 1930)

50 VARIETY WOMEN'S PAGE Wednesday, February 19, 1930 Clothes and Clothes By Mollie Gray Baker, the Reliable After all these years the Palace still runs its llrst show twenty min- utes overtime. Phil Baker is again entitled to add to his name S. O. a. (Savior of Shows). And with th« most ancient of life rafts, too, but a^y sae in a dance show. Ann Pennington dances with the Jack Pettis orchestra in two ^brief costumes that wouldn't make an adequate one if put together. Green lace frock with velvet bow at point of back decolletage and circular flounce ending fitted bodice; pink slippers. Orchestra a good one. Claire Whitney with R. E. Keene in a sketch previously done by a different company. Miss Whitney wore a smart black crepe de chine suit, small cape topping one sleeve, white bow trimmed blouse, black and white chiffon kerchief and bag. Slippers b. and w., too, but more appropriate for a sport frock than a dressy suit. Very good looking grey flat crepe with cape ensemble followed, snugs hips and many- flared skirt on the sleeveless frock. Blue yoke and cape lining was a pretty touch. And finally a deep yellow silk suit with circular skirt and bow blouse, hat of ribbon ma:tching. ■ Harry Carroll has finally made a find, Maxine Lewis with a good voice—when kept within rarege— and quite some dramatic ability. Frocks nice, too, even if she did have to follow a previous green lace one. Hers was made more In- tricately, having circular tiers just over the hips, longer skirt opening in front showing another straight, but shorter hem. Cute taffeta cuta- way jacket encircled by a ruffle, a peach shade and coming to point In back; green slippers, pink bows. Miss Lewis' flowered chiffon frock fell to a straight hem from a shirred band at the hips, deep bertha, pur- ple slippers. Revue dragged out endlessly even "though-the'-girls- all can dance, nothing changed. Joe Bonomo would have played to the letter that predominates in his name but for Phil Baker. double ruffle oclge looked not aged enough. Black felt hat and black suit were good looking. Rlvoli now has "Silence Please" signs suspended over the orchestra from the balcony. One on the back of every seat might help, the per- son using the seat being able to flash a red light as a warning when the party in back gets too noisy. Killing Charm "Dangerous Pai-adise," being a Joseph Conrad tale, must have blood and bones and bad, bad men. Richard Arlen with an infant mous- tache is not one of the bad ones. Nancy Carroll is the gal causing the census figures to drop—four men killed because of her. And she's in one of those military cos- tumes girl bands afflict themselves with. Melodrama had some of the audience cheering the servant who shot the villains. A Sailor's Leave "Hit the Deck" is the picture Polly Walker lost oh the screen. She must be seen to be appreciated. Jack Oakie's grin almost saves It but not quite. Ethel Clayton uses an affected voice and smart hat of stiffened n^t, off the face, gown of circular skirt with several hems, longest hanging in the back. Color sequences brighten it a bit. Miss Walker then in blue velvet and bead-flected net with puff sleeves. That story about the bus man going for a ride on his day off must be true—there were sailors watching this sail around the world by way of screen titles. Peggy White with Harry Carroll at the Palace made her spangled costume herself—^believe it or not— counting up to 8,493 spangles. State's Gentlemen George Bancroft, "The Mighty" man is he, and that's all the State needs to get an audience. There are «a few acts to support Jack Oster- man, Harry Burns and other men. Not. a woman until the closing act, "Modena's Art Flash," consisting of a double mixed quartet of which the'women completely overshadowed the men, and some dancers. Tango ing black taffeta lined with white 'satin, only the front of the skirt ruffled, rhlnestones at the waist, and waltzing In white crepe hemmed with ostrich. Another costume con- sisted chiefly of crystal fringe used a new way, still another adso white for a man-to-man adagio trio. Mrs. Johnson's Complexion Traveling with Mr. and Mrs. Mar- tin Johnson "Across the World"— on film—is just about the'next best thing to the actual trip. Three Boy Scouts along and, true to their training; '.wJ\en_a.Uon.e§s! arrived, th^iy Immediately gave her their standing space. Mrs. Johnson Is about as big as a minute and the method she uses to keep her complexion in the jungle should be worth a fortune both to her and whoever gets the testimonial. Thrills and lots of In- tei'tst. "The Great Divide" "The Great Divide" suggests an- other use for the Grand Canyon be- sides as a receptacle for old razor blades. / Dorothy Mackaill doesn't seem to have her heart In. this one, A great cast gone to waste In the great open spaces. At the Paramount "Aladdin's Revels" Is the human half of the Paramount show and Rene RIano, triumphing In this new field, is three quarters of the half. Her eccentric dancing and comedy were a spontaneous hit. Set Is In- side of a treasure chest, draped with colored pearls and otheir baubles. Orchestra Is In silver coats. Gamby girls break open two vases and tum- ble out In costumes of deep blue velvet bodices, beaded green trour sers and gloves to the elbow. For a "Pirate Phantasy" they dressed the part—fluffy pink skirts, green velvet bodices, large, pink, velvet hats and gold cutlasses. Finale was a costume parade and living jewelry tableau. Miss Riano wore brown velvet frock with gold apron effect skirt, later a green and black bolero dress and finally trailing—quite out of character—^black velvet and gold cloth. "Cheer Leaders," a good male quartet. "Condemned's" Pleasures Ronald Coleman arid his beret, Ann Harding and her parasol and the most operatic chorus ever ' photo- graphed In a prison make "Con- demned" anything but a sentence. It's a pleasure, Ann Harding's fine, ash-blonde tresses are another plea- sure, to say nothing of her honest eyes. A 6it strange she should havu such a modern suit and v.h'.to kid slippers when leaving the penal col- ony after' "being married a long time." according to her hu.sband, but that may have meant marital time, Also her dark slllc negli.ece with its Advertising Relatives Larry Rich, at the 86th Street, haS added the "Keelcr Twins," sisters of Ruby Keeler, wife of, etc. Girls, In blue frilled blouses and velvet shorts, do a few taps and retire with their experience. Mr. Rich now has six dancers, as well as his nine mu- sicians—almost enough to surround him. Cora Green,-being a real trouper, knew one bow was enough, but Johnny Marvin managed three in a split second and^went into prac- tically another act Miss Green wore black satin with fitted bodice, square neck and. a poplum over the hips continuing into the back skirt. Front hem was straight, sides and back with deep points, pink lined. Pianist In white mallne with span- gled bodice. Radio's Beauty Line Pictures made info clerking a position—but radio has made it an art. The girl who presides over the outer desk In film offices may be tactful, intelligent and pleasant— but in radio she's all this and a beaut besides. She's got the radio voice, too. Compared to some of the gals that decorate the oak and mahog- any, leather bound furniture at NBC, many of the Zlegfeld lookers would welcome a stand off. There are 16 of them who work day and night shifts on the five floors which house the chain's offices on Fifth avenue—and every one of them rates the front line in a musical. They call 'em hostesses here and picking the right type of girl to drape the soft and glowing halls of the radio chain Is such an im- portant task that selection Is done personally by the treasurer of the company, Mark Woods. After being selected for their jobs the girls undergo a systematic training routine. They're shifted regularly from floor to floor until they are acquainted with the loca- tion and entire personnel. One of them Is a Russian countess. Nearly all are talented along some line and often are used to flll in on program breaks, some even getting permanent mike berths. Some are singers; some are musicians of more than ordinary ability; others dance—and their constant contact with the firm's biz provides them with the opportunity of stepping into a program any time. eyes came under that minor tragedy aforementioned. By far the love- lier girl was Karina Bell as the pert maid who certainly knew her mannerism (accent on the first syl- lable, skip the second and the third means a system). Hero Goesta Ek- man who has Hollywood possibili- ties and a sensitive performance by Fritz Kortner. Washable Gloves Seems as though everybody's washing gloves now. Franklin Simon •has-'-wd.shable- French suede, six-button length, In eggshell, flesh, beaver, light grey, black and white. Lord and Taylor has washable glace kid In the new shades Includ- ing mode. Small cuff, piped or stitched, is in a contrasting color. Mark Cross has washable cape- skin, also with fancy cuffs. "Baldpatcs" Foxes "Seven Keys to' Baldpate" has a rusty lock. Miriam Seegar looks sweet in a velvet coat with dark; fur edging its cape collar. Matching turban, embroidered. Red fox on a dark cloth coat used the width of two skins to make a shawl collar very a;ttractive. Margaret Livings- ton was also foxed, this time white on a white coat with animal heads meeting in, front, and heading the double circular tiers of the lower coat. An anin>al also wrapped around each wrist. Nclla Walker wore a mink coat. Minor Tragedy Screen describes "The Last Night" as "a minor tragedy of th6 reign of terror" and it probably.was since only three men were killed and one woman's heart broken. And what a hero! The two feminine players rather better than usual and as Is customary the secondary actress Is the more attractive, stirs strangely being selected for some other qual- ity. Diomira Jacobini was the bride who switched partners so easily and was pretty when she smiled though her efforls to put her heart in her Shops Gping to be an interesting suit spring, no monotony judging by the early arrivals. The Tailored Woman shows a cape costume suit of dark toned covet cloth, satin blouse; cape coat can be worn with frocks. Best's wide variety includes suits,of men's wear cloth and cut of course on masculine lines though nipped In at the waist. Those of grey fiannel are double-breasted and have wrap- ping around skirts, lingerie blouses. A peplum suit of dark silk calls for a light blouse. Dobb's hand knit suits from France are very very. Bolero blouses are everywhere, a mesh tweed frock in Best's being sleeveless with the bolero jacket tying at the neck. The "color line" wasn't half the problem the waist line now Is, so Bonwit Teller shows an adjustable belt on one pf It's dark silk frocks, pleated gllet contrasting. And what a revival for the manufacturers of pins for the hair. Growing bobs require so many the shops are full of every kind and twist, all guaran- teed to be Just the thing to keep the unruly ends In order. MARRIAGES Elizabeth Walker to Hugo Zac- chinl, and Gertrude Reigel to Bruno Zacchinl, Feb. 13, in Sarasota, Fla. All are members of the Ringling circus; brothers do a "human can- nonball" act. Marie Simpson, legit, to Arthur W. Byron, artist, Feb. 13 'in New York. Bridegroom Is the son of Arthur Byron, actor. Vera St. Clair, of the St. Clair Sisters and O'Day, to Henry J. Kelly, vaude, Jan. 25, in So. Caro- lina. Irene Rosen (non-pro) to Joe Fuchs, Feb. 16, in Philadelphia. Fuchs is Phila'delphia branch man- ager for Witmark. . Marriage license was issued In Providence, R. I. to Joseph Francis Harrlgan, 325 West 71st street, New York City, and Grace Adele Gould, 142 West 49th street New York City, vaudeville performex's. Lorena Jones, non-pro, to Fred Fink, Jr., Redding, Cal., theatre manager, Feb. B,'in Southern Calif. Agnes Kdert dance teacher, to Kenneth F. Macomber, ^ epmposer, Feb. 17, in New York. A HoUywood Drifter By Cecelia Ager — ■ —4- — FLORIDA CHAHER (Continued from page 48) grim's style extravaganza at the Deauville last night (Tues) drew several times the capacity of the place. All the big auto tire and rubber men here. What club of note hasn't had reservations for Harvey Fire- stone and the F. H. Goodyears? Holly Hall's closing at the Em- bassy. Likewise, Florence, now dancing in Palm Beach, and Cor- dova. The termination of the Mont- martre club next to the Roney- Plaza, which Is now a lesser rendez- vous. Cllft O'Rourke, now at the Holly- wood Country club, and doing nicely. The brilliant entertainment for the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Stotesbury at their Villa El MIrasol In honor of Nina Morgana,, soloist, and conductor of the Minne- apolis Symphony orchestra, follow- ing the concert at the Paramount theatre In Palm Beach. Thp lavish party at the Munn villa Casa Amade for Rodman Wanamaker, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Gurnee Munn, who departed for New York. The excitement at the Florldian the other night, when a patron tossed pennies at the casters, Carlos Chita and Co., causing the act to walk oft; and the same guy's repl- tition with half dollars upon their return, resulting In the three men in the act hurdling tables to get him. The arrival of the Countess of Carlisle; Naworth Castle, Carlisle, Scotland, who fiew to Palm Beach from Nassau and swaggered along Palm Beach . avenue in fiying Jogs looking ever so much like a school- girl, title and all. William Rhinelander Stewart strolling the beach in front of his cabana. Mr. and Mrs. John Emerson (Anita Loos) In Palm Beach invited so many places they'd need fifty proxies to fill dates.. Grover Whalen, sunshining, and if the male fashion experts must know, in white suit with blue shirt, two-tone shoes and blue and white cravat. Glenna Collett leaving after a so- journ and a great day at the Bath and Tennis club. One of Miami beaches' prettiest sub-debs placed three chairs In line, improvising a cot, and slept through the show at one of the smart night clubs. Knute Rcckne "lying on the beach figuring out formations for football season, yet nothing but medicine balls In sight. Billy Selwyn flying above Miami Beach. ^ John Golden looks just like his name sounds, after the Old Sol treatment heref Those waffle breakfasts on the boardwalk seem to be the thing. Girls who play golf must wear the skirt six Inches below the knee, so says the fashion experts here. That was the edict after the golf show. An outboard motorboat race In the Deauville swimming pool. Gar Good presenting the trophies, was one of the unusual sporting events of last week—except the race was merely for cameramen to grind for the talker screen. Wesley Piercp of Harris and Pierce, ballroom dancers at the Embassy, and Val Vestoff, have teamed in an eccentric dance that's the talk of Miami. The Cable Club flopped after a few week.s, the owner having spent $18,000 advertising on billboards from Palm Beach to Miami Beach, forgetting to put the address of the spot on the signs. Flo Scott emerging from the Lido club fell down the two steps arid broke her arm at the elbow. Roy Howard and Robert Scrlpps here at the Flamingo. Parachute gowns are widely worn George Ade has transfornied the King Cole hotel into a literati asy- lum, all the big shot writers in the country housed there, by smart women, but what a Job to dance with one on. Some of the night clubs look like the gay nine- ties with the girls holding the tent- Hke .skYi't's^n the shoulders of the male. Mrs. Hnrry Lenetska and her Icompanions exploiting the fad. Woman's loyalty to her hair- dresser! The relationship, when once established^is a more enduring than marriage. It Is a bond that causes a woman to follow her water waver from shop to shop, that per- mits no one other than her own manicurist to polish her nails, in Hollywood this fealty Is In a most ardent state. The number of beauty parlors to townspeople is staggering, till you remember this Is Hollywood. Th« born pretties must take care of their looks. bumb Beauts Where the acme of feminine beauty Is achieved by regularity of features, expression and indiv- iduality become secondary. Some faces here are lovely to behold, but they don't seem to be thinking about anything, these dolls with wide eyes and curly hair. After a while it becomes hard to tell one from an- other. They might be turned out by the dozen instead, of each an Individual creation, looking the way she does because she Is her very self, expressing nobody's personal- ity but her very own. It Is a question whether the standardization of beauty In Holly- wood results from the lack of imag- ination of-the'beauty .shop workers or "Whether their patrons lack the imagination. There Is no question as to the horrors perpetrated by the shops. The most famous haircutter in Hollywood uses electric clippers! His customers offer no protest. Meekly they sit, while Insensitive electric clippers give them each the same shaved line at the back of the neck.' No variation, all leave his chair content with the same hairline, just as if every nose and chin were the same. At 15-minute intervals a new neck Is presented for his stero- typed treatment. The marcel- waves of Hollywood are the sriiallest ancl" tightest;' tlie permanents, the frizziest. The water waves lie in orderly, rigid dips. The manicures concentrate on the color of the polish. Yet the beauty business here is magniflcently lucrative. Shops move to larger quarters, redecorate. In purely local interpretations of mod- ernism, their waiting rooms; new shops open. There is business for all. Holiday times find the shops so rushed that to be assured of the services of her favorite operator a patron must make her appointment two weeks in advance. It malies the operator see^n priceless and the customer a lucky creature to get her. Talk and^Talk With so many b'eapty shops In Hollywoojd, each has Its own adher- ent clientele. The operators and their customers are old friends who've shared joys and sorrows. After all, women are a kinder lot than men. Tradition has It that men resent the chatter of a barber when In his hands. That can never be said of women. Should it be necessary, they will encourage their operators to talk, for haven't they found these girls to be full of, and generous 'with, information about anything or anyone? Women are eager to hear. While listening they add a word of their own now and then to keep things going. It's gratifying to know who's currently going with whom, where. How he treats his wife, how on earth she can afford those clothes. Deposit vaults of information, ex- cept that the deposits circulate more freely, these beauty parlors. Juicy tidbits of gossip may be found there by the enterprising. Curiosity is one of the better known femi- nine traits. By whom is gossip so appreciated as by those of show business? About whom Is gossip so fascinating as about those of show business? Since the quality of the work done in the Hollywood beauty shops is uni- formly mediocre, it must be the quality of the gossip that gives each place its consistent draw. BIRTHS ■Mr, and Mrs. Charles Mac.^rthur, a daughter, in New York February 16. Mother is Helen Hayes, stage. Father is playwright. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Emerllng, a daughter. Father is manager of the Loew houses In Memphis. Mr. and Mrs. William Bradley, Jr-. in St. Louis last week, daughter. Mother is daughter of Bradley whose property studios supply many^ Broadway productions.