TOPSY AND EVA, with Rosetta and Vivian Duncan, Gibson Gowland, Noble Johnson, Marjorie Daw, Myrtle Ferguson, Nils Asther and Henry Victor, based on the play by Catherine Chisholm Cutting, directed by Del Lord; the Duncan Sisters in person. At the Rivoli.

  Those two little blonds, the Duncan sisters, are now monopolizing the Rivoli program, for they are to be seen both on the stage and on the screen. Prior to the exhibition of their first Hollywood adventure, "Topsy and Eva," the two performers entertain the audience with husky vocal renditions, swaying movements and comic utterances. Vivian Duncan's improvised costume with an enormous bustle, worn while she aired her operatic parody, created a good deal of laughter yesterday afternoon.

  "Topsy and Eva," based on the play by Catherine Chisholm Cutting, has its ups and downs. Sometimes it strives for tears and on other occasions it becomes a broad farce. So one can take one's choice as to which are the ups and which are the downs. No time has been wasted on anything like characterizations. Eva, in a white frock and socks, looks like flour and molasses, while Topsy, with white lips, blackened face and her hair in curl papers strives to keep the fun pot boiling. Uncle Tom takes the lashes from the energetic Simon Legree, who endeavors to enter into the spirit of the thing, whether by harsh looks or helping Rosetta Duncan in her comic business. George Shelby and Marietta enjoy a scene or so in which they tell the world that their love means more than all the yellow backs or jingling gold pieces in the mint. And poor Aunt Ophelia has to submit to endless fun being waged with her voluminous skirts.

  Sometimes Rosetta Duncan, as Topsy, is quite funny. She makes merry with a horse in the snow, and laughter was loud when Topsy put the snow shoes on the horse. Then the animal aroused more merriment than Topsy as it galloped over the white open spaces.