The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-26
FROl|CS OF ACTRESSES
GAY MIDNIGHT SCENES
Walking Match, Bicycle Contest
and Other Diversions Engaged
in by Women.
SLIPPERY POLE CONTEST

PARIS, Feb. 25.-The Moulin Rouge and
its vicinity are always gay, but recently
the historic music hall and its surroundings
presented livlier aspect than usual. The
"Marche des Minuinettes,'' a walking con-
test confined TO Paris actresses and music
hall artistes. was 10 take place soon after
midnight-hence the title-and so, as soon
as the performance OF the evening was over,
a regiment of stage carpenteres and
"supers' invaded the auditorium of the
Moulin Rouge. cleared away the stalls tore
up the flooring. laid down a pedestrian
track. staked it of, and sprinkled it with
sand.
IL had first been intended that the
actresses walking match should take place
In the open, over a course extending from
the Are de Triomphe down the Champs
Elysees, along the boulevards, and up the
hue Blanche 10 the Moulin Rouge. But on
refecti0n Ii was admitted that il would be
ungallant to expose the fair pedestrians
the damp midnight air and il was, there
fore, arranged that the walking match, as
well as the remainder of the attractive pro-
gram. should take place in that classic
home OF gayety, the Red Mill of Mont
martre.
While the carpenters were converting the
hall into a recreation ground for the beau
ties or the Paris stage the first audience was
leaving. and no sooner had the last man
crossed the threshold than another audience
commenced TO crowd in, at prices ranging
from eight shillings to four sovereigns for
a MOTLEY CREW.
All the men were in evening dress: all
the ladies were in gala costume Some
wore masks. some fancy dress and others
were more remarkable for what they did
not wear. The entrance OF the female jury
created a sensation. 1t was composed of
over a dozen OF the prettiest women in
Paris, Mile. Lame de Pougy, queen of pro-
fess1onal beauties. presiding.
About / o'clock the first batch of min
uinettes was sent of to the crack of a pis-
toi Away they went at lively pace while
the band played rastime" music. Their
costumes were as diversified as their STYLES
OF walking. Some wore short skirts some
Daggy trousers and some struggled for vic
tory In knickerbockers. All were bare
headed and more than one had an elabo-
rate couture of suspiciously golden hue.
One of the prettiest competitors was a
slghtly-built young woman of about seven
teen years from the Theater des Varieties
She looked very attractive i'm a pale blue
crepe de chine costume, with very short
skirt and low neck on her head was
jauntiiy set a smart little tricolor polo can
and a ribbon OF the same hue fell from her
shoulders 10 her waist. She set the pace
In her heat and so rapid was il that every
now ana again one OF the actresses would
slip and fall all her length on the floor. a
catastrophe az which the unfeeling audi
ence laughed loudly.
Most Of the competitors ran rather than
walked, and with true feminine disregard
Tor the rules of the game every now and
make feline clutch at a passing rival and
try TO pull her back. at the risk of alarm
ing consequences TO her frail and scanty
finery.
In the final heat the sprightly little girl in
blue came In ahead of all the other actress
es and as she mounted the stage and was
presented by the stately Lame de Pougy
with the first prize the building rang with
a hurricane of cheers, in response TO which
she turned towards the audience and threw
them handouts OF kisses.
THE RACE THAT FAILED
Two bicycles were then fixed on the stage
and a couple of ''minunettes'' got UP on
them. At pistol fire they both began pedal
ing for dear life and as they pedaled two
little chariots bearing colored flags at the
other extremity OF the stage moved towards
them. The idea of the competition was
that the one who pedaled hardest would
bring her chariot home first, but after few
minutes desperate cycling it was clear that
something had gone wrong with the works.
in spite of several encouraging pushes from
behind, one OF the chariots obstinately re-
fused to move. and, amid the jeers of the
audience, and much to the disgust of the
fair cyclists. the jury decided that that
But the next item amply atOned for the
disappointment experienced at the nonsuc-
cess OF the cycling competition ON the
programme it was called "Concours de
Jambes," but il was not as bad as IL
sounds. A curtain. on which were painted
five female figures in sitting attitude. was
let down in front of the stage about three
feet from the ground. Five pairs of cir
cular apertures had been pierced in the
curtain, and through these apertures the
actresses. seated out OF sight behind the
curtain. thrust their lower limbs.
1t need hardly be said that the effect was
inexpressibly funny. The legs were of all
shapes and lengths. but all were uniform
In one respect, they were all neatly pre-
sented In black. blue, yellow or red stock
inss- One of the figures the curtain
was labeled ''Therese" another "Bebe =
and third ''Casque dor" and the sight
OF Nine. Humbert with her handkerchief
TO her eyes and her red-stockinged legs
dangling backward and forward I'm full
view of the audience was greeted with
peais OF laughter.
The first prize was awarded TO a young
woman with red stockings and no shoes
When the "COncOurs de Jambes" had come
TO end the jury Joined their male
friends over champagne. oysters and cold
chicken, and the Innuinettes descended to
the arena. and merrily danced for an hour
or more.
Just after o'clock those actresses who
not too tired. took part i'm a slippery
pole competition. Most OF them, however
had 20 be assisted I'm their upward progress
By their gallant friends below.
Great credit is due 10 the organizers Of
the entertainment. and particularly 10 the
STATS Of the ''Sourire' and the Monde
EpOrtif for the manner In which every
thing Objectionable was avoided during the
whole proceedings.