6
TnR MORXTNO OREOOVT Alf. MONDAY, MAT 15. 1916,
GEE! WHAT A FUROR
SHORT SKIRT MAKES
Women Defend Garment Style
and Utility Moral Issue
Idea Is Laughed at.
TASTE REGULATES LENGTH
WlillilliillitHM
iSliij!ji!!l!!l!l!!i!lillN
Ministers' Criticisms Will Not Be
Heeded, According to Concen
sus ot Opinion Voiced by
Matrons and Misses.
Criticism of the short skirt will get
short shrift in Portland that Is, from
the women who wear them and pretty
ankles will not cease to be in vogue
as visible quantities.
The announcement emanating from
Cincinnati to the effect that the short
skirt is not to be retired next season
in favor of another style of feminine
habiliment elicits hearty applause from
Portland society and club women and
the criticism of the short skirt by Port
land ministers will not be heeded, gen
erally speaking. The short skirt has
its champions champions for a reason
greater than because it is the style.
Portland matrons generally see no
particular moral principle involved in
the wearing of the short skirt, and not
a few have applauded its use as practi
cal, sanitary and very becoming de
pending, of course, upon who wears
the skirt. Its indiscriminate use. re
gardless of the style or architecture
of the woman, is deprecated. "The
short skirt is practical, but the build
of the prospective wearer should gov
ern just what the length should be,"
is a general response to inquiries.
That there should be much of a
moral principle involved in making the
short skirt is laughed at by a number
of women. One among those inter
viewed was of the opinion that there
were a few seen on the streets that
night, with both effect and dignity,
be materially lowered. But It is the
statement of others that If a woman
is the owner of "a pretty ankle there
is no reason why she should not be
allowed the privilege of disclosing it,"
without exciting public comment and
criticism.
Short, fat women, however, are cau
tioned not to wear the short skirt be
cause of its apparent effect on their
general appearance. Thin women are
also cautioned as to its indiscriminate
use.
But. for the woman of average build,
a composite opinion gleaned from a
number of Portland matrons and misses
is to the effect that six inches is none
too high to satisfy the demands of
utility, and that even ten inches may
prevail in certain cases. Of course, the
women name a "safe upper limit," but
that upper limit is governed more by
the appearance obtained than by the
alleged moral effect.
It Is the opinion of Mrs. E. E. Coov
ert, of the Coterie and MacDowell
clubs, and a prominent society woman,
that the wearing of the short skirt is
"sensible, practical, and gives the
wearer perfect freedom of movement."
Mrs. Coovert asserts that she is glad
the style is to be retained for at least
another season. She declared yester
day that several years . ago she was
sorry to see It fall into disuse.
She finds that what was formerly the
"rain skirt" and worn generally with
leggings or gaiters to match, should
without criticism be made applicable to
all seasons.
"The short skirt adds grace, and ease
of manner to the wearer, and allows
the woman to have freedom of her
hands as well," she said. "The worn
an with the long skirt is always ham
pered when shopping, and particularly
when the weatner Is baa. ine possi
bility of getting her foot caught In the
hem of a long skirt Is eliminated, and
getting in or out of vehicles or street
cars is made easier when the -short
skirt is worn."
Miss Jean Wold. Bociety girl and
professional dancer, thinks it stranre
'that there should be any argument
against wearing the short skirt" on any
grounds whatever. Hhe said that for
objection to be raised on the ground
that there Is a moral issue at stane is
ridiculous.
Miss Wold thinks that eight inchos
is not at all extreme, and that there
are cases in which still shorter dresses
may be worn without spoiling the
woman s general appearance.
Mrs. Walter F. Burrell, prominent so
ctety matron, finds that the short skirt
is "sanitary and extremely practical.
She asserts that it is but a sensible
thing that women should wear their
skirts short to give them freedom of
motion and keep them from catching
the litter of the streets. "The Greek
women used to pin their skirts in such
a manner as to give them absolute free-
dom in walking, and American women
should be given the same privilege,
said Mrs. Burrell.
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8CEXE FROM "HELL'S HIXCE8," 9TABH1G WILLIAM 8. HART CLEFT)
AT COLUMBIA THEATEH.
TODAY'S FILM FEATURES.
Majestic "The Floorwalker,"
"One Day."
Peoples "Maria Rosa," "The
Model Cook."
Pickford "The Come-Back,"
"Charlie, the Gangster."
T & D "Gloria's Romance,"
"Dollars and the Woman."
Columbia "Hell's - Hinges,"
"Don't Lie to Your Wife."
T & D Theater Opens.
WITH Blllie. Burke, the "star su
preme," in "Gloria's Romance,"
the million-dollar film novel, as toe
headline attraction on a programme of
exceptional merit, the T & D Theater,
the Portland home of Turner & Dahn
ken motion pictures, opened yesterday.
A 10-piece orchestra, under the direc
tion of Willis Eben McElroy, a stage
tableaux, and beautiful floral decora
tions enhanced the success of the open-
ng. ,
Turner & Dahnken have introduced
two programme innovations, length of
bill, and weekly cnange. Two reels of
Blllie Burke, a six-reel feature, "Dol
lars and the Woman," two comedies,
and a scenic comprise the initial show,
unusually long for Portland picture
entertainments, while a policy of
changes every Sunday, instead of twice
a week, has' been adopted.
Blllie Burke charmed thousands. Just
as she did in "Peggy" and in "Lost in
the .Everglades," m the first chapter of
Gloria s Romance," the 20-chapter
novel by Mr. and Mrs. Rupert Hughes.
The two reels are full of Billle Burke
pranks. Miss Burke appears as a
young girl, modlshly attired in maiden
finery including pajamas anu im
presses her personality upon all. There
is nothing forced about her comedy.
for everything, including the tacking
of her governess' slippers to the floor
to hinder pursuit, are natural, girlish
tricks.
Taken to Palm Beach for the Winter
Billie, who is Gloria Stafford, daughter
of Pierpont Stafford, wealthy banker,
itks under tne rule of her governess.
Fcrbidden to eat this and that, barred
from the dancing floor, and sent to bed
early, she escapes, overhears her brother
planning an auto excursion, and steals
his car. A broken steering gear puts
an end to her party and car and driver
dash into the surf. Gloria escapes, only
to Decome lost In tne everglades.
"Dollars and the Woman" is a photo-
drama witnout a vlllian. There is
disappointed lover In it. but he Is a
gentlemanly chap, who takes his loss
heroically, and when his old sweetheart
Is in trouble, he advances money which
gives her hospital luxuries. The hus
band becomes suspicious, and this near'
ly wrecks a happy home. Despite
Pennsylvania censorship trouble the
film appears to be one of the most
wholesome of the season, and there are
only a few points at which the finger of
suspicion mignt be pointed. Ethel Clay.
iun ana xom uoore contribute some
splendid acting to the Lubln play.
and he leaves home, only informing
his father by means of a note that he
would not return until he had made
good. The son. whose training had
been on champagne bubbles, finds that
city men are heldllghtly In the Maine
woods, but tfe is given a job marking
logs in his father's camp, but keeps his
name a secret.
The boy becomes interested in the
belle of the camp, but receives a sound
rubbing from Bully Bill for his at
tentions, and the girl, a creature of
primal Instincts, turns to the victor.
However, the lad is not discouraged
trains on tree-chopping, and soon if
complete master of his physical self.
So the opponents meet again, and in a
battle which is one of the strongest
parts of the drama, the bully is
worsted.
Son discovers that his father is being
robbed by the camp boss, and when he
wires that he run the thief to earth and
discovered a bride, the happy father
receives the couple to his bosom.
MAJESTIC
THEATER
THIS WEEK
1
3
CHARLIE
CHAPLIN
SALOONS
Given to All Children
Accompanied by
Parents
Peoples.
Geraldine Farrar. one of grand
opera 8 most noted prima donnas,
scored distinct successes in "Carmen
and "Temptation." but in "Maria Rosa.'
her latest Paramount vehicle, on ex
hibition at the Peoples Theater, she
surpasses her former characterisza
tlons, and in the role of a charming
Catalonian touches dramatic heights
wnicn ranK me production as the pin
nacle of her photodramatlc efforts.
"Maria Rosa" is a story of the moun
tains of Northern Spain. and so
realistic are the backgrounds, the cos
tumes and the characterizations that
one is convinced that the play was
rumen in tne old world. The story in
volves the eternal triangle, but the
manner of its telling makes the old
story seem new.
Maria Rosa is a peasant, loved by
Andreas, whom she also loves, and by
ttamon, nis rriend, whom she does not
Ramon kills Pedro, a fisherman, and
contrives to have the blame thrust
upon Andreas, who is sentenced to
penal servitude for 10 years. Ramon
then renews his suit to Maria, but i
unsuccessful until he forges a letter
which conveys the tidings that Andreas
bas died.
But Andreas is pardoned for an act
of heroism, and on the day of the Maria
Kamon wedding, following the cere
mony. he appears at Maria's home. Re
turning to the revellers, Maria Rosa
plies her husband with wine and
forces a confession from him. In a
rage she stabs and mortally wounds
him. The uproar brings the neighbors,
and as the only reparation he can make
Ramon asserts that he stabbed him
self accidentally, and Andreas leads
Maria Rosa out to happiness.
"A Model Cook." a delightful Metro
Sidney Drew offering, is the comedy
feature of the bill.
Majestic.
Charlie Chaplin, the million-dollar
comedian, whose portrayal of plain, or
dinary stupidity and some that is ex
traordinary has made him the high
est-priced artist in the amusement
world, makes his debut this week un
der the Mutual banner at the Majestic
Theater in "The Floorwalker." If "Car
men" failed to please some of the crit
ical ones, they cannot make the same
complaint of Charlie s escalator esca'
pades, for the first of a series of 12
Mutual two-reelers Is crammed full of
Chaplin laughs. "One Week." a five
reeler constructed about Eleanor Glyn'a
sensational sequel' to the more sensa
tional "Three Weeks, is another fea-
ture number on the double bill.
A department store escalator is the
The Floorwalker." and the plot, which
is so strain on the intellect, is con
structed about this bit of up-to-date
equipment and a large wad of bills.
But no plot is required, or at least they
seem to think so. for a Chaplin feature,
and Charlie extracts the .laughs, 100
per cent strong, without one. He waters
the paper flowers, administers much
corporal punishment to various sup
porters, and heroically absorbs a trifle
more, and winds up the joyfest with a
thrilling flight down an escalator
which strives to carry him the other
way.
Charlie invades a department store
and It's a 'convincing exhibit of that
modern commercial prodigynd be
holds In the floorwalker his double. He
changes places with Mr. Double, es
capes the watchful eye of the house de
tectives, ami immediately becomes in
volved In a struggle for the possession
of the store's cash, placed by the rillain
in a traveling bag. Charlie inni in
foiling the scamp, who fails to getaway
who nis oooty. ine rolMng la of no
consequence; It's the manner of its con
snmmatlon that counts.
Majestic-Patbe News Dresents. imnnn
other things. Portland Boy Scouts In
training at Vancouver.
Columbia.
particular object of Chaplin regard In of film.
"Hell's Hinges." the William S. Hart
Western." which critics
have characterized as one of the best
of that type of photodrama. opened an
engagement yesterday at the Columbia
Theater. The production does not dis
appoint, for it fully bears out the flat
tering praise of nre-exhibltlnn rvw,i
and advance notices. As a type of the
film depicting the West of frontier days,
throbbing with lawless action, it gives
the lie to those who assert that in the
days of the modern photoplay there Is
no place for big Western features.
W Itnout William S. Hart "Hell's
Hinges" would, perhaps, become ludi
crous, a parody on this tvne of tilav-
But Hart's impressive portrayal of the
swaggering gun-flghter. big man of the
camp because of his guns and their
prowess, gives the melodrama an air
of conviction which holds the specta
tors breathless at times. The action
Is swift-moving, backgrounds are rich
in scenic effects, while the burning of
own forms a spectacle-climax of
power.
Into "Hell's Hinges." a frontier town
wnicn boasts of Blaze Tracy, the tun
fighter, as its leading citizen, comes a
minister ana bis sister. Blaze Is so im
pressed by the sister that he takes the
two under his wing, in opposition to
the entire camp. But Silk Miller, the
dancehall owner, discovers that the
preacher has a weakness, drink, and
during the absence of Blaze gets him
drunk. A riot follows in which the
church Is burned and the preacher mor
tally wounded. Blase returns, and in his
anger holds up the entire town and
then sets it afire, taking the girl with
him "over the hills and Into a new
life."
"Don't Lie to Your Wife." a Nestor
comedy, a scenic, and the Selig-Tribune
news service, including Multnomah
Club fete scene in its events of the day,
are presented.
Although Louise Fazenda, Triangle
leading woman appearing under the
direction of Mack Bennett, spends most
of her time working to make the the
atergoing public laugh, she is most
serious in private life. Since the Mexi
can trouble she has ben very much
worried about Uncle Sam's boys, and
the other day dispatched a package ot
a few thousand cigarettes for the men
hunting Villa,
The Vltagraph baseball team claims
the championship of filmdom. The team
has been reorganised for 1916 and a
sweeping challenge issued to the world
Do You Favor Clean
Wholesome Motion Pictures?
SOME theatre mana
gers think they hare
to run sensational pic
tures to pleas the public.
And they will keep on
thinking so until you and
others demand clean,
wholesome pictures.
Go on record now sign
the protest below, and
leave it at the box office
of your local theatre.
3
- n MM BW M J LA"' T ft.
MO " . Vv&c
. s V .
&et'
Pickford.
Yesterday was a day of debuts on
Portland screens, prominent among
them being- that of Harold Lock wood
and May Allison, one of the most popu
lar of filmdom's teams, on the Metro
programme. "The Come-Back," a story
of a man's regeneration through the
inspiring atmosphere of the northern
woods, serves to introduce this pair at
the Pickford Theater. "Charlie, the
Gangrster," a Chaplin three-reeler, pre
senting not only Charlie, but Mabel
Normand, Roscoe Arbuckle, Chester
Conklin, Mack Swain, Ford Sterling and
Mack Sennett, is the comedy feature
of the entertainment.
- "The Come-Back" is noteworthy for
its splendid backwoods "Winter scenes.
The story deals with the son of a
wealthy lumberman and the reclaiming
of his heritage of strength and man
hood from a long line of worthy an
cestors. The youth treads persistently
along- the great white way, causing
his father such anxiety that he Anally
tells the boy that he is "not worth his
salt." This stings the youth Into action
HEILIG
THEATER
2:15
8:15
ELLIOTT & SHERMAN PRESENT
P I
PRICES i
Nights,
25c, 50c, 75c,
$1, $1.50, $2
Matinee,
25c, 50c, 75c,
$1.00
MATINEES
1000 Seats ..25c
1000 Scats 50c
800 Seats 75c
NIGHTS
800 Seats 75c
800 Seats 50c
1000 Seats 23c
Screen Literature
Thousands were fascinated, thrilled,
entertained and delighted yesterday by this new
motion picture novel "Gloria's Romance." Thousands
applauded Billie Burke in this magnificent and costly work of screen
' literature by the noted authors Mr. & Mrs. Rupert Hughes. If you
missed your opportunity to see Billie Burke yesterday GO TODAYI
By Jscimi mrrangtfmtnt vntk F. ZitgftU, Jr.
Georg Klein Presents
J7V
li i
-r mm mm
AMofeon.KctjureNov'el By Mr.&MrT
RUPERT HUGHES
If you like clean, wholesome picture plays if you
enjoy seeing an exceptional, society photo-drama don't miss
this remarkable cinematographic achievement. These four great fac
tors mike this production the greatest ever presented! The star, Blllie Burke
the all-star supporting cast headed by Henry Kolker? the authors, Mr. Sc Mrs.
Rupert Hughes; the producer, George Klelne, CO TODAYI
Today at the T & D Theater
Eroadway at Stark
EMOTION PICTURES
First Came "Moving Pictures"
Then arrived "Motion Pictures"
Now come "E-motion Pictures" in "The Iron Claw"
"The Iron Claw" will hold your interest from the second the title flashes on the screen until the last pic
ture fades out. It sets a pace that thrills and gratifies. It makes theater-goers realize that new stand
ards of excellence are being- created before their eyes. It represents the supreme achievement of - PATHE.
If there is one writer in the world who is master of the hearts and emotions of readers, his name is
Arthur Stringer. He is the man whose virile pen created "The Iron Claw" stories.
99
THE IR
OM CLAW
Tly Arthur Strinjrer
Author of -The Wire Tapper.- The Silver Poppy." 'The Shadow." "The Hand of Peril." Etc, Etc
Published Exclusively in
The Sunday Oregonian
See the Pathe Pictures of the Seventh Episode
AT PANTAGES THEATER, BROADWAY AT ALDER STREET
Previous Episodes at the Following: Theaters:
PORTLAND
, l'nlofi-Av. Theater. ftSt Tnlaa At. If., Man. mad Tom.
'BrMdwiT Tbrair. 6"8 Et Broadway, Wed. and Tbura.
Alhambrit Theater. 1J6W llawtboro Are Moi. and low.
Powell Valler Theater, ?OS Powell romd, Kun. and Mea.
New Orand Tbemier, to bixtb Wednesday.
Bumnldf) Theavter, 2tM HurnaJtle street, '1 uradaya,
American Theeter. lira! and Main. Thorwls
Koiud Theater, SO Orand Ave. X.. Tneada
Theater, leiS fcext IMm mt SeUwoa4. Sunday.
Uay Theater. ftOJ MtaaiMiippI AA, k ri. and
Bluebird Theater, MOt
Victoria Theater, 55 Alberta tree.. Friday.
rortraoulh 1 neater, M2 Lombard Ave... ttnroar.
8unn tade Theater. Beimosi at &th at.. Mob. and Toea.
Lm inre Theater. 711ft t.rad Ate.. Moo. and Xuea.
t.eni Theater, bti Flri tt., Nilurda).
Miitrnomaa Theater, at. John. Mua, and Toes. I
raxor Theatea. Lent. TiMda.
Derby Theater, Ken ion. Tneadaa,
Brooklyn 1 beater. 3S Milwaukie. Friday and Saturday.
Nob liill Theater, td and Kearne, Med. at Tbura,
7d Wed. and Tbura.
Jewel Theater. Aotnrla. Ore iron. Rnndaj.
Pot Kxrnanse. Fort Ste-renn. Ore on. Friday.
Star Theater, Foret Grnre, Orecon. Moa. and Toe.
Star Theater. McMlnnvlUe. Oregon, Wed. and. Thura
Majestic Theater. Bllloboro, Oregon, Mom. and Tuea.
Star Theater. Orecon tly. Oreatoa, Nainrdny.
Majeatle Theater. KoebariK. Orecon. ftm. and Men.
Bell Theater, fprfncf eUI. Orecon. Moo. and Tne.
Dreamland Theater. Ontario, Orecon. Frldaya
unet Theater. Milton. Oreroo. Mow. r4 Tuea.
Fmmn Theater, FnTefte. Idaho. Monday.
Electric Theater. Hood Rlrer. Orecon. Later.
Clone Theater, Albany Orecon, tuniay.
Majettlc Theater, torvnlllt. Oreoa. Monday.
BIlKb Theater, Salem. orHcou, I ae. and Med.
Feople Theater. Knterpn, Orecon. abater.
Baiter Theater. N'eabarc, Orecon. LaUr.
Dream Then
fiem Theater. Tillamook, Or ear on. W-MtneaJa-,
rand Theater, Cama. A aihlnrton. Kuoda),
(rand Theater. Centralia, t aitlnstoa, later
I-yrte Theater, Kavmond. Walilncton, Later.
V. S. A. Theater. Wnurer. Waaltincton, Iter.
Peter' T better, Yreka, California. Kataray.
' Bell Theater, llwaeo. Wanfainicton. Tttetajr.
Ktulth' Theater, Ore nan. O rear on. Later.
Hex 1 healer. (utlwRe t.rotf. Unuo, Thundaia,
Kex 1 heater, Fuceiie. Oreftton. rrtiiay and hatunlar,
t.em Theater. Ml vert on. Oregon, Thursday nod Friday.
' People Theater. Mount Angel, Orecon. Sunday.
I ric Theater. MolaUa. Oregon, tedncday.
ohle Theater. Marohfteld, Oregon. Date Later.
Joy Theater. North TrWnd, Oregon. Datea Later.
trand Theater. Bandon. Orecon. Iate Later,
fcw-enie 1 beater. oquiile. Oregon, Da tea Later.
Bend. Oregon. Thursday.
1
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