The New York herald., 1922-08-06
ITS ON Film NEWS-MUSICAL AND STAGE NOTES
Sam Bernard Says
European Repues
Are Sad Affairs
But Paris Season Continues to
Draw the Tourist Trade
Mile. Sorel Coming.

Special Correspondence 10 THE New YoRK
HERALD.
PARIS. July 2s,-Paris revues aren't
at all funny. and those OF England are
so overdone on the burlesque end OF the
business that the show doesn't make any
sense at all. Result. on both sides of
the Channel audiences are paying out
good money and not getting any returns
In the way Of good, hearty laughs.
This Is not the view OF a confirmed
dy speptic or critic who has just had
his copy slit 70 pieces by blue pencil,
Tor Its author is no less a person than
Sam Bernard, the popular Broadway
comedian, whose latest hits were made
In THE Music Box Revue" last winter.
He knows London and Paris, although
tbis<is his first visit since 1909, and when
he goes back TO New York 1t will be with
the firm intention Of proclaiming to the
whole wide world that, after all. Gotham
has the funniest shows on earth with
the best music and the talent that is
not found In Europe despite the bright
galaxy of names which are constantly
praised by correspondents
Really Mr.. Bernard told a corre-
spondent OF THE New YORK HERALD,
II went to see one Of the French revues,
and 1t was the first time l ever stayed
through three hours without seeing the
audience crack a smile or give hearty
laugh" For the future he intends to
boost the Comedie Francase, where the
hamor Is at least good and tried by CEN
turtles.
Play to Large Houses.
But despite Mr.. Bernard's criticism
the two big revues OF Paris. the new one
at the Marigny and the popular success
Revue de la Femme" at the Ambassa-
dors. continue TO play to large houses.
The Marigny is undergoing a few fin
ishing touches and even the seasoned
American visitors cannot repress their
applause at the Ambassadors, for even
If the funny side Is underdone here the
costuming is well worth the price of ad-
mission. In fact, when the Ambassador rs
butterfly" dance is on there is dis
tinct sensation OF being introduced to
an old friend In a new garb. for the
dance Is strangely reminiscent OF Loie
Fuller In the days before she became so
bulky. The costuming however. Is orig
ihhl and the central idea of the poor
butterfly who singes its wings by dan
cling too close to the candle gives plenty
Of opportunity for real talent - OF the
French variety. No fear. moreover, Is
felt here that the public will tire of
these two revues. at least during the
summer season, and less critical visitors
than Mr.. Bernard are talking of putting
on both productions in American roof
gardens during the coming winter II
some of the scenes can be toned down
sufficiently
H. orfc
when high society Is on the way to
Deauvile and the tourist season begins
TO siacken, is being devoted to a revival
of some old favorites. This years is
the three act comedy by Pierre Wolff,
"The Secret OF Polichinelle." now being
played at the Renaissance under tht
management OF Rivers. Even the Grand
Guignol IS in the revival mood and is
presenting. for at least a month. Andre
de Lords remarkable drama "Au Tele-
phone" Produced for the first time
many years ago. Il still appeals to
Grand Guignol audiences. whose imag-
nations need constant stimulation. The
tragedy of the man who hears the
shrieks of his wife and child who are
being murdered sixty miles away. Is
well known. but modern science has
given a new touch to the play. for the
Grand Guignol has attached sound am
plifiers TO the fatal telephone so that
the blood curding cries arc plainly
heard throughout the audience.
eta Bouche" the Fnyorite.
At Jane Renouardts Theater lie
7 Daunou" IN the street by that name,
'Ta Bouche" Is still the favorlte musical
comedy. and is on the top Of the list OF
shows TO be seen.' carried In every
American visitors notebook. Although
IL was intended TO close the Daunou dur
Ing the latter part of August. i Is now
understood that TIA Bouche" Is TO hold
the boards until well on In October,
when a new musical show will be tried
out. "Ta Bouche" Is being secuted for
by American managers. but according TO
the Daunou proprietors, the rights have
not yet been sold.
| AS far as next season Is concerned.
few OF the popular theaters have as yet
decided definitely just what Is to be Of
fered The Vaudeville intends 70 con-
tinue Urgers operetta Monsieur Du-
mollet' until September IS. and after
brief dark house will start its win
ter season with NJ Brieuxs new work,
.'The LAWYER" Predictions arc for
long run, as NJ Brieux knows the taste
OF Europeans. hu. II Is certain that the
play will have to be transferred 70 an
I other theater, for early IN October a
new sex play, Women" from the pen
OF Marchand. who wrote "Cheri.' With
Nine. Colette. is already promised. This
is to be followed during December by a
revival of "Ruisseau." with Marguerite
Jamois I'm tho role created by Yvonne
dc Bray. Sylvester is also looking for
a suitable light opera, and has had sew
oral American scores under considera-
tlon but has not yet discovered just
what he wants.
Mile. sorei's visit.
Gossip Of individuals In the French
! theatrical world this week comes under
three headings. First, Mile. Cecil So
rers visit To Canada, the date FOR which
is not vet certain. According 70 Screfs
friends after tour Of Canadian cities,
New York will be visited and few eve-
nings spent in studying American plays.