Nebraska Newspapers

    I The -Omaha Sunday Bee I
.— . . —. J_____:- * ~ •
PARTTHREE - OMAHA, SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 25, 1925.______
“Be Yourself”
As Lecture
Subject
Gilbert Seldes Spoke on Sin
cerity, Not on Art as
Announced.
By "GApBY.”
WHEN Gilbert Seldes, dramatic
critic, spoke for the Omaha
Drama league this week, he
seemed to be making a plea for the
jazz arte. Including music, comic
strips, elapstick comedy and all the
rest. But that Is not all that he did.
Ho pointed out merit in these arts,
hut never once did he claim for them
superiority over the fine arts as we
know them.
He was entertaining and remarka
bly non-antagonizing. But Gabby
would counsel her readers not to be
deceived by headlines Into believing
that Seldes proved that the “unflne”
arts are better than the fine arts.
Honest musical delight in “Georgia
Blues’’ is a better thing than affected
appreciation of the “Sextet From Hil
da.” But that doesn’t make the
former a better piece of music. The
jugument, In fact, has nothing to do
'with music; it's the difference be
tween sincerity and pretense, between
* the false and the true, and the true
wins.
Seldes’ talk, with art merely for the
demonstrations, was an appeal
throughout for sincerity and toler
ance. His lecture might have been
called "Character Building,”—then
none of us would have gone and he
wouldn't have made front pages In
}he papers. It was more challenging
and inviting for him to seem to be
taking a stand for th# ,1az.z arts,
though when it enme down to the
talk Itself, lie gave no discriminat
ing discussion on art. His lecture
might have been dubbed, "Be Your
self” or “Hive and I.et Hive.”
Comic Strip a Satire on Life.
A comic strip may be good draughts
manship. But what of It? It ought to
be well done. Indeed, anything that
lives must have some merit of execu
tion. Now the strip is all right In Its
place. When well done, the strips are
clever little satires on life. But tlielr
chief function has to do with humor,
not art. And not Seldes himself un
dertook to compare them favorably
with th* masterpiece*.
Seldes begged ft toleranc* of our
popular forms of art, In th* hope and
belief that th* honest expreaslen of
any man’s soul may result In origi
nal, creative, and essentially sound,
art. That Is all right If not carried
too far. A man might commit mur
der gracefully, but though there wes
art for the moment, the spirit upon
which the art of the world lives
would ndt have been fed,
Sham and Pretense Deplored.
Sham, pretense, imitation, dogma
^ - llsm, closed mindiiess—those are th*
thing* Seldes deplored. And Gabby
agreed, they are had. And It Is true
we do find these qualities more ofien
In evidence with the fine arts than
the unflne. That Is because the fine
arts are established. But the fine
arts are not to blame In themselves,
for being capitalized by superficial
folk who would appear ’’high toned."
Seldes Is more to be condemned for
what he didn’t say that for what he
did.
II# did show that sincerity In the
unflne arts Is a better thing than In
sincerity In the fine arts. He did not
show that sincerity In the best forms
of art as we know them, Is, after all,
the best goal.
THB last minute party held the ;
boards last week,
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Shirley gave j
one on Thursday evening, telephoning ;
their Invitations at 5 o’clock.
Friday evening the Hester Klopps
entertained 12 guests at dinner for
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Summers.
Afterwards they sent for a larger
group, who gathered at their home
at 9, oatensibly for bridge.
Just after they arrived music was
heard In the basement and up the
stairs came Arthur Randall, followed
one by one by his orchestra, who had
been In hiding there watting for the
party.
The Klopps’ balconied studio living
room furnished a picturesque setting
tor th* dancing which continued until
midnight.
■-<A
MOST unique were the favor*
given the guests at a fashionable
luncheon last week, In honor of
a group of traveling cosmopolites
’Spending th# day here.
The hostess, who Is almost ns fa
miliar with Paris as with Omaha, had
brought them back wllh her on her
last trip.
The favors were ribbon garters, on
which th* usual trimming of bows and
knots of flowers were replaced with
tiny French dolls’ heads, complete to
their elaborately coiffured wigs and
real eyelashes. Th* dolls were perfect
character studies and ran the gamut
of hirsute shades, from blonde to
brunette, with here and there a gray
w ig, and even .one of spun glass.
Disabled Veterans’
Auxiliary Gives
Benefit Dance
The womens’ auxiliary of the ])ls
allied American Veterans of the
World War will give a benefit dance,,
at the Roma hotel Saturday evening,
January SI.
Mr*. Beulah Quigley, a disabled
nurse of the war and a member of the
auxiliary will sing severai selections
between dances. Mrs. Quigley was a
popular entertainer while In service
and Is well known locally. She Is rc
talned on the local U. 8. veterans' hu.
reau staff as a nurse. Mrs. Quigley
will he accompanied by Mrs. Blanche
BUnw. an accomplished pianist, who Is
' celso a member of the U. 8. veterans'
bureau staff.
Mr*. Hoyt Hottf«.
Mr*. Rosa M. Hoyt entertained 3d
guests at luncheon Thursday at her
htMMj
• _
o /
Otto Schmitt -evs fnoTo
At our nl tin' must impiessii e ceremonies of Hie season, the marriage of
Miss Stella Murphy, daughter of Andrew .Murphy, to Otto (i. Schmitt of
Chicago, was solemnized Wednesday night at St. Cecilia's cathedral. I he
bride was in a gown of white satin, fashioned oil straight lines and embroid
ered in rhinestones and pearls. The neekline was a deep oval and the frock
was sleeveless. The wedding veil fell over a court tra|n of white satin, three
yards in length. It was held by a coronet of rhinestones and pearls. The
Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt are on an eastern honeymoon. They will reside
bride’s bouquet was a shower of white orchids, lilies of the valley and roaes. .
Mr. and Mrs. Schnihltt are on an eastern honeymoon.. They wOl reside
in Chicago.
' • • •
"When In doubt,'* ask Miss Wallace. It has come to tills. For Ml**
Mary Irene Wallace, head of the department of public speaking and dramatics
at Technical High school, has so ntahlished liprsrif as arbiter in good manner*
through the class in that subject she conducts at the Y. W. C. A. The class out
ranked all others in enrollment last term mid about HO young women have
registered for the new semester just opening.
.Miss Wallace is deeply Interested in the C omniunity Flay ers and Is a
member of the program committee. She is to speak on dramatle artlvltles
Thursday afternoon for the thnalia College ripli at their anniversary lea to
be held In the parlor* of the First Mctlmdist church.
• • •
Mrs. Ilale It. RUby Is president of Koekford College club, whose member*
are planning one of the most attractive subscription dsnring parties of the
season as a benefit for their eollego endowment fund. The party will be held
at Hotel Foutenelle and Randall's orchestra will play. Several dinner partie*
will precede the dance. Assisting Mrs. Blvby are Mesdames <1. H. Heaton.
Robert Daugherty, Gladstone Derby, F. K. Rankin and Misses Gladys Good
mail, Marguerite Havens and Flolse Thomas.
• • • *
A bride newcomer Is Mrs. F. C. Gruenlg, who has resided here since last
\iigust. She whs formerly Miss Mildred \issen of l.hicoln. \s a student at
the I niverslly of Nebraska, she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority and
since coming to thnalia lias been active in organizing an alumnae chapter here.
sACrs. £ CCjrueniy mevn photo
Fortnightly Musical Meets.
Th* Fortnightly Muffin club will
hold Its regular meeting nt 2:30 Tues
day afternoon «f the homo of Mrs.
Georg* Johnston. Bill) Gang street.
Junior Musical Meet.
Mrs. Rodney Tills* will he )io«tes»
nt her Jiotite, 3 Win I,U»< >In boulevard,
on Haturdny, February 7, to lhe|
Junior MuhUtiI < lull.
Supper l'arlv Tonight.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gaines Will
enterlnlii at supper tills evening at
I heir home.
Mrs. illis Hostess.
Mr^CarolIn* tvtlll* will entertain
her brag* club on UrUay aftei uuou.
Dr. Frank Smith Speaks for
Business Women.
On Tuesday evening, Pr. Frank
O. Smith will addrees th* Omaha
Business Womsn'* club on ‘‘Th*
I’reaent Trend of Modern Fiction,
Destructive or Constructive?'* This
led lire w ill he given In th* sudl
torluni of the V. tv. C. A., following
the fellowship dinner of th* rlnb,
to lie served Ht 1:1 > res i v minus and
coni dial Unis tor which must b* mad*
hi tho v W otfiee not lnt*r than
a.Ill) Monday evening.
Miss Fiorefice J. Holden, giuup
leader for January, has arranged for
vocal solos by Mrs. Frances Bell
Anderson, accompanied by Miss Mar
mill Hmltherow, and a leading h)
Mls« l.dna lvalu e,
For the Callfas Gursls.
Mta* Kllxabeth tirahnni will enter
(nln nt luncheon nnd bridge mi s.it
ur<tny at the Fot|tenalle for Mies
Helen Bennett of Walkerville, out .
Canada, who with Iter cousin. Mbs
Phylle 'J’horhurn of the game place is
the guest of Hr. Jennie Calif,is.
Mlae Bennett t" 20 years old and re
ceived the athletic prir-e of Kasex
county, Ontario, last year.
During the last week Or. ('ultras
gave theater parties at the llramlels
and the Orpheum for her guests. Mrs.
A. IT. Cotter* also honored them at
! luncheon.
Tri Della Muiimiic.
Mr*, H A. Van < m ml* I will l»** i
to I u»l»n 1 irltM I Util a itllliiii. m*
nt )i#*r )iOfv>« Sahmln.v will* vim.
(I K Ny# hiiiI Mr*. W. l\ I«atuh< i t
The Frasfr* KiitiTtain.
Mr. end Mrs. W. A Fraser will give
a dinner on Batuiday evening.
\
Mr*. F. I*. Kirkcndall to Vi*it
Mrs. Hatun.
Mis. ,T K. Benin lenre* Monday
for i'Iu.'.iki. w in i n nh» mil remain
l week. Iinfuro koine In her homo
In Phlludel|>hlct. Jin rout* »h*r« Mr*.
I". P. Klrkendu.il, who I* vl.ltlnn her
sun, Bourilelte, In KeWlrkley, P*..
will jnln her. kinl will bo her avieet In
tho oust.
Mis* Bay up to Lravp.
Ml nr MaiFMivt J'.aaUnnn will give
ji bi Itltio on TueRdoy afternoon for
Mi** Kvelyn Itayna of New York,
kuomI iif Mr*. Klo\«| Smith, jr.
Mi.xn lii.ti»f» will leave Thurath*.'
fi»111*vvluk ji turn hi'un given by Ml**
Im etlerit'Uii NhmIi, wbrre nbe will Rhgre
hon IT* with Mr* Slew art Summer*.
\ i-iliii}£ thp tIffutt*.
Mr*. I'traper Vi>*t (Iffutt ho* her
unlit. Ml** Annin l.onmneld of New
Vink. «• her guest Ml** Irfingiiinlii 1*
on rout* to t’allfornl* and will r#
• unis her trawl* Tutfdky.
I
^iCrs i7fa>e £3:xby me>n Photo
% ___ ______
Lectures on Musical Drama
to Begin Feb. 3
Prof. Paul Grummann To Give Unusual Series Open
to the Public by School Forum
The educational committee of the
school forum will bring Frof Faul H
Orummann of the University of Ne
braska |o Omaha for a course of lee
turea tills semester on musical drama
Tills will consist of a series of In
terprelatlona of tha greol musical
dramas A colorful study will lie
mado of Wagner, after which "Magic
Flute,'1 "Figaro," "William Toll” and
kindred librettos will receive atten
tion The purpose of the course la to
Inform students of the cultural Kirk
mound of each 'opera In thl* con
nectlon aufflclenl work In mythology
anil history will l>e included, In, i
dental attention will he deleted to the
development of stagecraft
This course Is essentially a study
of literal tire, but nfler each lecture
Vlclrtila selections of Important parte
or each opera wilt he played and die
cussed, for those Interested
The first of llteae lecture* wilt he
given at 4,18, Tuesday, February J,
%
at Central High school. The series
will consist of IS lecture# *n«l the
charge Is JS
J*'or further information call M.s*
Mildred Morris. Walnut T994.
Trip to Holy Land.
Miss May me Hutchinson entertained
Ipfortnally at the Brandels on Satur
day for Mr*. E. It Perfect, who
leases soon for a trip to the Holy
I-and and a cruise of the Mediter
ranean.
t.n«''t* of Senator Howell.
Mi and Mrs John W Towle, who
are apritdiiit? several week* In the
wei lire sliest* today of Senator and
Mi* K Mceclirr llowell In M nailing
| ton They will visit New Votk liefoee
rot timing.
Friend* of Mn»if.
V'rlsnda of Muir w!ll meet with
Mrs. Sarah Joalyn for a musical on
Wednesday morning. January I*.
Elliott- Downs
Wedding
Party
_ v
Queen Emma. Bridesmaid.
Mms Elizabeth Elliott, bride elect ef
Phlillp Down*, ha* set the data for
(heir wedding for Saturday evening.
February 21. The . eremony will he
performed in Trinity cathedral by
Dean Stephen McOinley and will be
a prelenten event of outstanding In
terest.
Miss Cornelia Baum*who is at pres
ent visiting In Pennsylvania, will he
the maid of honor, and Mrs. Roland
tiaupel of St. Louis, sister of the
bride, will be maid of honor.
Mrs. Loring Elliott, who Is herself
a bride of the fall; Mrs. Laird Miller
of Marlon, O., a former visitor here,
and Mieses Emma Hoagland, queen of
Ak Sar Ben; Josephine Schurman, Vir
ginia Barker and Frances Patton will
be bridesmaids.
Robert Downs will be best man for
his brother, and the ushers will In*
elude Messrs. Wallace Shephard, Lor.
ing Elliott, Foye J*orter. Ralph Camp
bell. Kobelt Edward* and Guy
Beckett of Des' Moines.
College Club
Anniversary
Tea Party
On Thursday afternoon, January
29, in the parlors of the First Metho
dist church, the Omaha College club
will have an 18th anniversary tea.
Mrs. Mathew Gay, chairman of the
house committee, will have charge of
the decorations. Mrs. James Bednar,
president of the Omaha College club,
will preside over the following pro
gram:
Word* of Welcomo—-Mrs. Thomas
Ca*ady.
Response—Mr*. Philip Potter.
Pioneer Life—Mr*. Elltn Dodge Scott,
first president.
Our Purpose—Ml*? Tsabell# McMllUr
Vova I Duet—Meadamea J. E. Wallace
and William Lock*
Dramatic Activities—Mi** Mary Irena
Wallace
Our Colleg® Women In Public Life—
M’-a. Harvey Newbranrh
The Settlement—Mr*. Florence Sunder
land.
Birthday c*ke
Th» Future—Mr* J T Wallace
Selections—Technical High orcte. ra.
The receiving line will consist of
the executive board and the past pres
idents of the club.
Mrs. James l3ahlman, Mrs. Way
land Magee, Mrs. Dwjght Porter, Mrs.
Sarah Joslyn will pour at the tea. As
sisting will be:
Hisaaa—
Josaphln* PJatnar
T^nor-a Bavendfa
Hanriattm Medlar
Helen Cain
Meada mea—
foben Gilmor*
. P T5ux
G R. Vanafrkls
HwNrt Hatters
Eltle Erickson
Vlsaw
farollna Ca!«
Aoca Fry
Jean Landala
Mfidimea—
Paul Brad lay
M»rr A he# Byrd
A. M Colfrn'y
Hirlo* Watherby
Ira Jones
Gertrude Atherton
Speaks Friday at
Brandeis Theater
To gtart In with a career and then
decld* to give It up -or matrimony is
more satisfactory, according to Gar
trude Atherton, famous novelist, au
thor of "Black Oxen." than to begin
with matrimony and then conclude
that it interferes with essential ambi
tions.
Mias Atherton will speak In Omaha
on Friday at 4 p. m , Brandeis thea
ter. under auspices of the Omaha
Drsma league.
"Girls Just leaving coll»ge and ach.
Ing to get out and do something in
the world frequently write me," eay*
Mrs. Atherton, "to ask me what
they should do to reconcile their de
sire for a home and for a career and
If they can have both.
Marriage Not Shuffled Off.
T tell them thnt it La wise for them
to find out how pressing their cre
ative talents ate going to be before
thoughtlessly plunging into matri
mony. which cannot be shuffled off
like an old skin. When a woman has
married, she has made a contract
which she should keep, and It ie
criminal to neglect children.
"I find that many girls are very
much afraid of losing all their charm
and looks ss they grow older, but
this they will not do any quicker by
being engaged in a professioh or busi
ness. It is the severely domestic wo
man who grows old before her tints
usually, because nature is good
enough for her. and site givee no 4
care to her complexion.
When people sty thnt a woman of
50 look s 40. or s w out an of S5 look«
Si, this merely means that she looks
the way nature Intended before do
lunatic carets, steam heat and genets 1
high pleasure were inyeuted. "Whs"
there may be fur women in rejuvena
tion, we are just beginning to find
out."
Mrs. Atherton a Mother.
•
Mrs, Atherton is herself an exam
pie of a woman who, having married
early, found that she must express
herself by writing She lias had two
children, one of which died very
young, her daughter did not nviasher
personal care while she was writing
her first novels because there weto
1 two grandmothers to give her loving
training. "I was always rebelRcus as
far as domesticity was concerns*!. *
Mrs. Atherton sai«, "though it was
forced upon me in my early married
life Now. without cHIldai or antag
onism. a woman may provide a weli
trained housekeeper for her bouse
hold and akltled nurse* for her chil
dren, and so be freed of tasks that
are not congenial to her, if she is
sucreasifol In her chosen work Thta is
the only solution for the woman who
wants a homo and 4-hlldren and > ei
■ wants to give expression ie artistic
gifts."
——.—■
For I tiuii-t Vi-h
vtiss Dorothy l-oid S*'e s fnvo
some luncheon Ssuiuhl at ths
Omaha club for Kmm* Nash, who
leaxes soon for Kuropa. It ww* fol
low eJ bv matins* at tbs *mo»4
a