Detroit tribune. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1933, 1933-06-24
SHAkP'S
EYES
Especial To The Tribune)
SOUTH SIDE SIDE SHOWS

Out udiuiy nus w bO w ~ tuct-
tire to see good show in Phil
adelphia. For you can always find
a good show going on some where
along the side walks OF some of
the city's most popular thorough
fares. In this colmun I'll take you
with me through a day crowded
with good entertainment. Early in
the morning / am awakened by a
soft chant, gradually growing
louder as the singer comes nearer.
Listening entranced, wonder
who could be about at so early an
hour. But upon looking out
through the morning glories at my
window. / perceive Il to be only
the ice man. singing his wares
ICE, COAL and WOOD" If he
charged more than the price of the
ordinary huckster, 1t would be
we'll worth II, for the song he
sings makes waking so pleasant
and gentle. and strident alarm
clock so unnecessary.
After breakfast got dressed
and went for IA stroll along South
Street. ! was attracted by the
noise of barker in front of q side
show and museum. On the plat
form stood fairly good looking
Colored girl. born in Philadelphia.
but supposed to be from Honolulu.
A black face comedian, and n
sword swallower. The south side
Honolulu" girl crooned a popu-
lar number. which was well re-
ceived. The comedian got away
with a few Joe Miller" cracks.
and the sword swallower swallow
ed one sword. and then the audi
ence was invited TO come inside to
see the rest of the show. I'd seen
enough for my money. so | pro-
,ceeded on my way The next act
in the days drama was staged i'm
front of the Savoy Grille. Out In
front | saw crowd of people
Curious to ascertain the cause I
pushed my way in. there stood a
figure. Was it wax, or was il a
human beings? For fully five
minutes / watched an immacutely
dressed mechanical man, dressed
in white flannels, white shoes. a
brown coat. tan gloves. every
thing in perfect taste, there was
not movement-not a flicker of
an eye lash, only the jerky gyrn-
tiops or the head and hapda TIP
automen turned in its shaky way.
] paused and watched, spellbound.
then went on my way, uncertain
as to whether IL was a real person
or a robot. found out later that
II was Harold Bell. Americas fin
est colored mechanical man.
There were so many things OF in
terest along the street, and | had
been in no hurry. that by now I
found that the day was beginning
TO wane As the light of day grew
DINNER, and one by one the street
lights came on, found myself
fascinated and held by sense OF
wonderment I walked on, all
along the street were stalls, vege-
tables. spinach. radishes. straw
berries. everything one could de-
sire. piled in cool array amid
mounds of ice. In almost every
door way a loud speaker sounding
out either one Of Louis Arm
strong's songs. or Harlem Moon.
or Stormy Weather. Little brown
bodied Riddles rinning around
the streets, happy in their inno-
cence. Farther on the Standard
Theatre. with its blatant posters.
and crowds, and then going on. a
small dirty shop front. with n fat
gypsy woman holdng~a half nak-
ed baby in her lap. and two or
three not so clean girls, but gaudy
In all of their flnery and beads,
and as | passed there came the in
vitation "Have your fortune told,
Mister?" | decided with a wave Of
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