New-York tribune., 1921-01-02
Chorus Talent Scarcity
Leads Hammerstein to
Demand Long Contract
In s'Mecca''

"a musigirl comedy" Arthur Ham
nerstein calls Tickle Me-" and the girl
angle is due for emphasis, inasmuch as
the line Of demarcation between the
chorus girls and the principals Is SO
finely drawn that it approaches trans
Earency. In two numbers in particular
at the 'Selwyn Theater, namely, "We've
Got Something" and "lf a WISH" the
girls on their own, individually and
collectively, not only exhibit voices of
prilna donna register, but they also
"put over" lines and stage bits with
poise and accomplishment.
In answer to the old riddle Of what
becomes of chorus girls, Arthur Ham
Tickle Me- in mind, says that chorus
girls, when he gets hold of them,
quickly become principals. Another
question. however, bothers those who
SEQ Tickle Me-" They ask. "Where
does Arthur Hammerstein get his
chorus girls ?" In these days, when
good chorus girls are as scarce as good
liquor, it is question of some mo-
ment.
get 'em," says Mr. Hammerstein.
my chief difficulty is in keeping them;
but. taking new tack, l have decided
TO place many Of them on a par with
my principals, and, accordingly, have
placed them under a longterm con-
tract. My plan has been to keep the
most talented Of the girls year after
yeer by the simple expedient of in
creasing salaries and adding few new
who sing the Wish number, six of
them we're with my shows last season,
and of the twenty that make up the
ens emble, two thirds of them have been
with me for two and three seasons.
"My system of developing the girls
is so simple that | fear disap-
pointment awaits the reader. Roughly
speaking, any girl with only normal
lungs and legs, which covers the singing
gift of personality will reach the
higher rungs, counting on ambition
and determination A promising SUBJ
ject in chorus, to my powers Of OBJ
servation, quickly stands out In early
rehearsals, and given this advantage.
I gradually build up the girls con-
fidence, until, sure of herself, she loses
comes so wrapped in the environment
Of success that she accepts achievement
as matter Of course, just like, we'll
say, child Of the rich takes luxury
as a positive necessity.
speaking Of that all-important fac
tor, personality, as i stage asset, there
are immeasurable quantities of 1t to
be found in the chorus ranks, as COM
pared to the students found In dramatic
schools And at the risk of stepping
on somebody's toes, I'll carry the IL
lrstration further There isn't a
musical show in town but contains at
least one chorus girl who, in the
superior asset Of native personality,
rivals, If not surpasses, the principal
women
"To return to the eight star chorines
individual bits. Marietta O'Brien, the
girl who leads in We've Got Some
thing steps out Of the chorus and, on
her own, puts 1t over with q punch.
Miss O'Bricn has been one Of my
chorus girls for two seasons, and now,
judging from her accomplishment, she
will desert me next season to become
full-fedged principal. Betty Nevins,
an eighteenyearold chorister-the one
with the banjo-has blues chorus in
the Wish number that stamps her as
gagement was with Sometime last sea-
son. Memphis Russell, also respon-
sible for an individual success, and the
one who, In speaking about beer, an
swers that she can get per cent in
the bank, made her stage debut in the
chorus Of Always You. Ruby Nevins
the cute little tough girl in one mum.
Der. the one who wins a laugh in the
way she says 4 seen ye when ye brunl
1t down with ye,' is sister of Betty
Ruby made her stage debut in Some.
time Josie Carmen, Esma Pesch
Rose Cardiff. Rheba Stewart and Mar
Raret Crews, all deserving honorable
mention as exceptional chorus girls
were with me last season"
tsE Irs, N