The Omaha guide., 1937-09-18
Ben Carter Has A
Singing Novelty IN
New Cantor Film

hollywood, sept. 10 10y ray III.
jackson for ANP)-Motion picture
fans will witness an entirely new
: treatment of jazz music on the
screen when they see and hear Ben
Carter's Plantation Boys, aug
mented by Perkins's Blackbirds and
the Jones Boys in ''sing band" of
, Fox's new Eddie Cantor vehicle,
"Ali Bahia Goes to Town
Introducing a descriptive Harlem
sequence in the picture, this color
full group of vocal swingsters are
radically different from any film
musical arrangement yet attempted
in motion pictures, a preview of
actual production reveals. Respon-
sible for their musical direction in
this number are Leon Rome and
Ben Carter.
Kids INSPIRED
It will be- remembered that Car
ter's introduction to Los Angeles
audiences dates back to his pre-
sentation of the "Pickaninny
Choir" which he organized with
the assistance of Mrs. Lauretta
Butler from among her Kiddie
Minstrels group. So unique was
the idea of forming a chorus of
young Negro boys and training
them for the present of code of
swing music that Carter soon
found himself with one of the most
sensational acts on his hands that
has ever hit the west coast.
Interviewed this week as to how
he hit upon the idea Carter recalled
his work as Assistan Boys Work
secretary of the YMCA in Aurora,
H., where he was the only Negro
ever to be employed in that posi-
ton in a white "Y'. He taught
special music in the public schools
there, also, but finally came to
Hollywood to try his luck at en-
tertainment, and, finally, in the
movies an attraction for any out
of-stater.
Unique
II got a job in the Hangover
Club in Hollywood" Carter said.
"From there I went to the Bit
more Bowl, the Deauville Beach
club, working as a single until I
saw Mrs. Buffers Riddles minstrels.
Then I rot the notion to organize
|, 2 Piekaninny Choir because l have
always worked with children and
the unique effects possible with
boys voices have long been consid-
cred a musical delight. No n has
wing like Negro youths, and when
We combine the natural rhythm
with correct arrangements and ma
tural personalities - you've got
something"
And that is what the studios
think.
Never an Extra
Carter brings a wealth of mu-
ical teaching and acting %experien-
&c to his group of singers. AL
though he BROKE" into the movies
quite unceremoniously, without
previous experience, he started out,
luckily enough, doing a bit in
Hollywood Party" for M. G. M,
and is proud of the fact that he
never was an extra. A series of
9horts with his choir followed for
, Educational release. This was
marked by his first musical ar
engagements that were used in a
film.
Skyrocketing in fan favor, the
singers went from picture to pic
ture for most of the major studios
here, took a fling at the vaude-
willie circuits along the coast, re-
turned to Los Angeles to headline
the Shim-Sham Revue in the Mu-
sic Box theatre. 1t was in this show
that Carter made contacts with
David Gould, Hermes Pan, Winnie
Shaw, and Jimmy Timony, which
lead to the establishment of his
present position as an associate of
the Crudnow artists agency.
Talent Scout
Explaining the service of the
agency to Negro performers, Car
ten said that he and his c~o-workers
not only place actors, but act as
talent scouts. "a terrific act" he
began in typical Hollywood terms,
chat has not had an opportunity
to be brought to the attention of
studios may be cited by US and
placed exactly where it is most
needed. There is not hit and miss
for the producer, o the perform
err"
With his knowledge of talent, the
show business, and acquired exper-