The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-02-18
HARLEM
Race Capitol of the Nation"
By FLOYD G. SNELSON
NEW YORK
ST. LOUIS BLUES


wasn't what you will see on the screen
at the Paramount Theatre, this week"
was the criticism of the film editor of
the N. Y. Herald-T Tribune.
Synthetic it certainly is, frightened
only by such random specialties as
Maxine Sullivan swings through her
repertory from 90 Chichorni" to St.
Louis Blues itself and not forget "Locb
Lomond.' The noted Hall johnson
Choir IS superbly heard in the back
ground.
Dorothy Lamour, star of the piece
whose vocal efforts suffer seriously in
comparison with Miss Sullivan's, he
said,
BALE SELASSIE
Reports from England are that His
Majesty, the Emperor of Ethiopia. will
visit this country and the Worlds Fair.
am sure if he comes to America he
viii receive a grand reception from all
the liberal and radical groups, and
especially the COlored, is the answer
to my inquiry from a prominent wri-
ter, who knows Mr.. Selassie person
ally, He said further: at is a great
pity ne did not come earlier as there
We're many in America who were
ready to help him. But better late
than never, because the cause of
Ethiopia must not be permitted to die
His coming will aid Ethiopia.
Those in New York CITY who have
met Halle SeIassie personally who will
Lead a grand welcome for him are Dr.
and Mrs. Bayen, of the ETHIOPIAN
World Federation, Lii Araya, Mr.. and
Mrs. Paris and J. A. Roers, newspaper
man.
WORLDS FAIR VISITORS
Please get in touch with the writer
for full information in regards to
dates Of various conventions. speciaI
events and arrangements for hotel
accommodations. This column each
week will give you much information
about the Fair. Kindly address the
writer, 400 Manhattan Avenue. N.Y.C.
HISTORY n. Y. MITE LIFE
House Rent Parties
One of Harlem's most talked of and
original amusements of the Prohibition
age was the Saturday night function
known as the "hOuse-rent" party.
The landlady, the housewife, and the
buffet flat ladies took great pains and
pleasure to invite all of their friends
to come over and bring their friends
Sattldy mite for a little fun. There
was music for dancing, plenty of home
made wine, bath tub gin and BOOTLEG
uhker to drink, at ten cents a glass
an abundance Of pigs feet, gatherings.
POTATO salad, cabbage slaw, hot sauce
and pickles. Usually 25 cents admis-
sion was charged at the door to keep
out the tloaters. The proceeds went
TO pay the rent, electric and gas bills.
ana possibly an installment on the
iurnlture and radio.
Inc idea worked so successfully that
IL soon became real institution that
hnalIy spread all over Harlem. And,
100 there were plenty of pretty gals.
married, single and divorced. to enter
tam you to your hearts desire. If Won
mad fat bankroll the house was vours
Tor the evening. Soon hostesses
printed tickets and sold them on the
streets and the speakeasies, until il
reached point of such keen competi-
ZION that groups agreed to patronize
each other, by taking turns at the
grant, to avoid conflict, so that each
aIalf was an assured success.
come promoters netted as high as
oU;OO IN single party. Finally, the
ponce took hand in the business and
along with the bootleggers and racket
GERS collected their fees for protection
Oh the law. Often orchestras of Cheat"
musicians would furnish the music
ana unemployed entertainers offered
Ihelr services for tips and drinks. Oc-
caSSlonaIly, patrol wagon was used
as private taxi to see the Judge; and
.lie ambulance often came to the res
Tan Era. l''0N anu
WE THE PEOPLE
II Just ran into my good friend W. C..
mandy and found him slightly peeved
ABOUT the picture "St. Louis Blues"
Ior winch he is reported to have been
PAID large sum of money for use of
Che name "St. Louis Blues" Critics
reviews of the picture have not been
81 not, some even going so far as to
say Maxine Sullivan should not have
Deen cast IN the part she has. The
picture bears not the slightest rela-
zion to its titular name, though the
song is sung once or twice. Our per-
sonar opinion is that Mr.. Handy has
legal grounds for his peevishness.
AN OPEN LETTER TO MR.. LEW
LESLIE: You have a wonderful show
IN IN the newest edition of the "Black
Olrdsr; l firmly believe you have a
new Florence Mills in Lena Horne but
! must ask you not to work her too
hard; The gal is willing and the
people are glad to hear her, but over
work will make her go stale. A care
Iul oulld-up on your part will have
broadway critics at her feet. ONLY a
Few Slow spots in the show and a
weeks work will eventually smooth
them out and bring them up to the
Tempo OF the whole show-fast and
lrlotous' The outstanding song hit of
Jhe show is Lena Hornes song "Thurs-
day" sung in a manner reminiscent of
Flo Mills: The numbers scene laid in
harlem should be eliminated as it has
oeen overworked lately by producers.
T.. Kan into my old pals Nina Mae Nc
hlnne and Louise (Jota) Cook, in pri-
Vate life Mrs. Herbert Mills of the
mills Brothers, they were very quiet
LOT once. ThpU Lxyopo 4