Judge, 1926-04-17 · page 13 of 36
Judge — April 17, 1926 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "High Hat" Analysis This page from *Judge* magazine features a humorous column about 1920s Manhattan nightlife and dancing culture. The main article discusses trendy "step-ins" (nightclubs) like Montmartre, the Lido, and Villa Venice, evaluating their atmospheres and crowds. It catalogs popular jazz-age dances—the Charleston, Hungarian "Gazilch," and the novelty "Dance of Seven Cocktails"—with comedic descriptions of how to perform them. The sidebar letter "From Kate to Maine" is satirical advice to an aspiring actress. "Nanette Kutner" complains she must perform jazz dances instead of serious dramatic roles, despite her talents. The satire mocks wealthy, status-conscious young women of the era who pursue entertainment careers for glamour and wealthy suitors rather than artistic merit—mentioning Rudolph Valentino and stage star Ethel Barrymore as ideals. The cartoon (top left) depicts a dancing couple in evening wear, illustrating the nightclub culture discussed. The overall tone is affectionate mockery of Jazz Age social climbing and the flapper generation's entertainment-obsessed lifestyle.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
a. HIGH HAT pee a. wY The Editor of this well-known weekly of wit called me up last week in great excitement. isten, Junior, he hoarsed (if there’s anything I hate it’s to be called Junior!), “next week is to be our big Dancing Number!” “No kiddin ys I sir!” says he, “and it ought to be right down your street.” “What'll I talk about?” says I “Dancing!” says he, and hung up on me! fe Of course you've heard of the “Dance of the Seven V but have you ever seen the “Dance of the Seven Cocktails?” ..... T saw it put on the other night in a well-known club and there’s quite a kick to it! — Seven cocktails are placed in battle formation on a table, and as the dancer does her stuff, which can be anything from the Charleston to Id-fashioned lancers, she “throws oe cocktail after another! Try it some time! f While we're on the subject of dancing, have you tried the Hun- garian “Gazilch,” or something like Everybody does it, or tries to do it, up at the “Gypsy Camp” and I've seen it at se other similar places requirement is a good husk . You stand at arm’s length from the girl friend (that’s the only drawback of the dance), put your hands on her shoulders and she does likewise then you both do a sort of a quick two-step and every once in a while yell “Hey” ve loudly and quickly the one who can yell the loudest and quickest is the best dancer. —f— And while we are on the art of Terpsichore we will dwell a moment on those pl in which the art of Terpsichore is practiced—namely the “Step-ins” 2... . To my mind Montmarte is still the best of the lot and it’s a shame they had tc of those intim; don’t belong in a night club. . . The Mirador has « nicer atmosphere but the crowd isn’t quite as good. . . The Lido has improved a lot, especially since they've added. the Yacht club boys. ..... Villa Venice is an attractive pl it’s chief attraction being “no couvert. . The Café de Paris is the swankiest of the lot and is one of those places where “each lady is given a very “xpensive souvenir.” . .. . . Don Dickerman’s “County Fair” is: still a good place to have a good time, also the Caravan... . . after you've . and have nothing else to do for the rest of the evening, try The Parody, The Owl or go up to Small’s .... or go home and go to bed! covered thes on And then, of course, there are the “Best Steppers” very little new stuff has come out that’s any Certain Feeling” and “I Am Just a Little Girl” the most popular. 0 Fooling” from Palm Nights is a peach. “The Friend” from “The Girl Friend” is full of pep and also “Whistle Away Your Blues” from the Greenwich Folli . “If You Were Some- body Else” from “Rainbow Rose” and “A Girl in Your Arms” from “Sweetheart Time” are two good numbers from bum shows. And I might mention “Sleepy Time Gal,” but I won't! GY chorus, I long for a real acting Although adore us, 'm dying to go in for art! The drama is now all the fashion, I wish I could act a roma part! many rich guys and play love-sick scenes full of passion, in- stead—I must do a jazz dance! I know I can swear with real feeling, Eth Barrymore isn’t so hot! If Hamden saw my sex appealing, I'd I bet I could cause trips to Reno, oh, I'm not a girl who would shirk! If I could play with land Ethel’s job on the spot! Valentino—I'd find T talked on the phone for three hours, and Mamie, dear, what do you think! Jack said he would say it with flowers, I told him to say it with mink! I'm out for these big heavy dough men, I'm sick of the chaps who crack wise! If I must take insults from show men, some real joy in my work! I'll take them from regular guys! They all promise me this and that, and each says, “You're the girl 1 Next d hat, and a “Have we met somewhere’s befor than one pearlie, I guess T must be adore!” it's a tip of the some Janes own more areal dope! There's naught on the neck of this girlie—but stuff that you This letter has done enough talking, I think every- thing lies with fate, while some girls walking! Write soon to the girl friend, from Kate. Nanette Kutner wash off with soap! buy autos—I'm What a trial Janus must have been to the neighbors. comicbooks.com