New-York tribune., 1921-05-29


and we wondered how Fanchon and
Marco and all the rest OF the tried and
true Caiifornians liked our weather
You know it never never rains in Cali
fornia. However, armed with the beau
tiful ivory~tipped umbrella which Frit,
Leiber gave US and the permanent wave
which Leon gave us, we could face the
elements unafraid. So we oozed forth
into the streets of New York, as Daisy
Ashford has it, and walked to the the
ater to try out our new wave. It seems
to be permanent.
When we reached the theater A. L..
Bernstein took US back to call on
Fanchon. She was in her dressing
room, seated in front Of mirror and
was brushing her hair with q small
brush. When she finished, it was very
shiny. II love this weather" she said
"only it makes my hair curl and so
have to put brilliantine on it to keen
it straight"
Fanchon Foregoes the
Stars Temperament
"And I just had something put ON
mine to make it curly. What lot of
money we should save if we were ALL
made the other way about"
mo, we shouldn't said Fanchon.
e'for then we'd all want to be as we are
now" We stayed in Fanchon's dressing
room until they called her to go on the
stage, and so we met nearly all of the
"Sun-Kist" company. California people
are different, or, at least, it is safe to
suppose that that is why Fanchon is
not like any other star we ever saw.
First, one OF the chorus girls strolled
in. "Fanchon, I lost my hat" she said.
"Can take one of yours ?' She got
the hat and went out. and met in the
door another one of the ensemble
ladies who came down to get warm.
"Can sit in your room, Fanchon? I'm
cold" Fanchon advised her to go out
on the stage and tdance, for her room
was cold, too, and then three strange
young ladies were announced who
wanted to see Fanchon about something
or other of no interest whatsoever to
the star, but she saw them all and was
sweet and serene, and then the stage
carpenter came in for directions, and
then the wardrobe mistress came in for
more directions and then either Eddie /
Nelson or Dell Chain came in to con-
suit Fanchon about something. In the
case of g. team, VINO ever knows which
ls which? Lots of people are still asking
which is Savoy and which is Brennan.
And we cannot yet tell Van from
Schenck. Anyway, Nelson and Chain
asked US if we had seen the show and
IL we liked it, and we said: "Like it?
Rather! That was I who applauded
and laughed the opening night" Nell
son and Chain looked embarrassed, and
right here we stop to ask why it is that
comedians always think every one else
is speaking seriously.
Presumably 1t Is
California Influence
We'll, if that was you," said Fanchon,
"Pll see that you get free tickets for
every performance. You sounded like
a whole theater fuli.' Just then Eva ]
Clark, the prima donna, happened in.
Now, Miss Clark may not be the great {
est prima donna in musical comedy. 1
but she is certainly the most beautiful. ]
We were very impolite and voiced
something of this to Miss Clark.
whenever we are in the presence of
one Of those raving, tearing beauties
we always wonder if they aren't con- j
scious of their faces all the time.
Yes, she does put on a good make I
up!" said Fanchon coolly. Fanchon is g
very funny and the whole company l
seems to be the best natured lot we ]
ever encountered. No wonder the ,
critics the opening night commented {
on the gayety and abandon of the I
performers. They seem to get to-
gether when the callboy says "First
act'' and say Come on now, let's have
a good time" That's presumably the =
California influence. :
"Of course" said Fanchon serionsIv
when we had one moment alone. "we
all realize that show is nothing with
out your New York appreciation. Be- y
cause Chicago loved us and the Far G
West adored us is not saying that New .
ork would even like us. AS we neared
the metropolis we became more and ;,
more uncertain, and then one of the =
comedians started the phrase ssimi. =
larly received in New York He used :,
70 spring it whenever a number would
Dc generously applauded. And then we :.
reached New York and in fear and -
trembling went out on the stage. IF =,
you were here the opening night Won {,
know how we were received. / tboupbt :,
perhaps 1T was only because all of onr =
friends from the Coast were here bnt e'
'ast night was just the same. We oot
60 many encores we didn't know ,ybo+
. 20 90 with them and I've argued II ort ..
iise tnis: New Workers are easier +o g,
p'ease than small town audiences he r.
u