Transvestia

he would have carried us down to our seats if we hadn't both been larger than he. 'Tis ever thus...with the Uni- ped. Service, fa vors, concern... bless their little hearts!

The picture; Husbands and Lovers", starring Lew Cody and the beautiful Florence Vidor was just ending in a flourish of kisses and a creshendo roar of the 'Mighty Wurlitzer' organ. Grace linked her arm with mine as the house-lights came up. With the last notes of the organ the pit band took over with a blaring overture.

A dog act opened the bill, followed by two clever jugglers, a baggy pants comic playing a flute as a prop. Then, a 'retired' actress came out and sang some of her stage-hits from twenty-years ago to generous applause. Grace looked at her program and exclaimed; "Here comes an act to end all acts it's really different. "The Broken Toys", with Yvette and Henri.

The house lights dimmed. The orchestra swung into "Toyland" as the curtain rose оп a nursery scene with oversize toys set around. A one-legged toy soldier stood among a file of cardboard troops. All life-size.

Propped against a huge alphabet block sat a beautiful French doll in ballet costume. The orchestra switched to "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" as the soldier hopped over to the doll. Another charge to, "Oh! You Beautiful Doll", He bowed, then raised her up. She stood on one shapely leg. the other was a mid-thigh stump. Really a. broken doll!

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They did some unbelievable acrobatics in. .out of.. and on the big alphabet blocks beside tumbling and trapeze workouts. A truly remarkable exhibition of overcoming a handicap. I have never seen anything like it since. Tho I have several books on vaudeville, theater and movies I have never seen mention of this act of the late twenties. I knew now why Grace wanted me to see this performance.

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eturned

The 'debut' was over.. The Duchess and I re home via street car to vary our round trip. With her so- licitious aid and guidance I had run the gauntlet and came thru with flying crutches. After this, we went out