davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
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HOLLYWOOD CANP)-With the
month of May doing a fadeout,
and the June-bugs in the, shrub
berry getting tuned up for the sum-
mer, everything in the stage and
screen world mere should accord
ingly be swinging into high. But
it is not, 1 am sorry to relate, for
there are only g small number Of
Sepians working this week in the
studios, at the film making, and
vaudeville for them has slowed down
to a creep. Why, in the whole town
there is only one colored floor show
at the mite spots none at any
theatre except The added talent on
Duke Ellington's show at the Or
pheum, and not any too many in
dividual entertainers at cocktail
lounge and grills. Of about three
score chorus girls ready, willing and
able to we twinkle their toes for
the delectation oi the tired busi-
ness man" and The rest of the pub
lie, there are actually only four
working. These are all at the Bal
Taboran where clever, businesslike
little Ernestine Porter is producer
and who also entertairls with a
clever speciality.
Country awaits release OF Kenny
Washington film.
Million Dollar Productions re-
Gently finished picture, starring
Kenny washington, is now passing
rapidly through the cutting room,
that cold-Iblooded realm where SO
many future careers wind up on
the floor, or IN one of those big
canvas-lined BOXES, where the un-
wanted celluloid clippings fall and
remain until next step which is the
incenerator.
The Bal Taneran, as previously
mentioned, is the only mite spot
with a complete colored floor show,
and it very much abbreviated. Pro
duced by Ernestine Porter, the 9TH
er girls in the fast dancing hne
are Nettie Mitchell, Lucy Battle,
and Vivian Webster. Lucille Hall,
with a record of over four years,
is still there as popular as ever,
while other entertainers are Sleepy
Williams, Evelyn M. Meyers, ana
Rose and Dean. Cleo Brown receiv-
ed a royal welcome by Hollywood
nitehfers, and also by her radio
audience, which grows larger evely
day. Strut Mitchell, perhaps the
best known OF Tie veteran mite
cIuD entertainers, IS ''at liberty at
present for the first time in years.
Sunshine Sammy Morrison, former
star OF Hal Floach'S Our Gang
comedies, is divinging his time be-
tween occasional movie work and
mite club entertaining Baby Mack,
who took a much needed rest mos,
of the past winter, is as popular
as ever both with the white vaude-
vile fans and the Sepians who
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
sv MARGUERITE l.. MARTINI


NEW YORK--(A N p - Didn't
get to the Penn relays after all.
So, as a sop to cur feelings we went
to see Katherine Durham dance
for the benefit of the New YORK
Urban league. Such rushing TO
get there On time. First to Dr.
II. Binga Disnlond's home to see
MS new bar, which we never did
zee since he wasn't there but at
Judge James S. Watson'S nome
visiting with Haitian Minister E.
Lescot. Seems the Hon. Mr.
Lescot (wnat does one call a min
ster?) flew up from Washington
specially for the performance..''
We finally arrived at the theatre
only to discover that the rest oil
audience just were going in too.
There seems to be quite a olC Oh
discussions around the fact that
Wax Yergan was elected heao ol
ne National Negro congress IN
Washington last Weekend. 'AS
little as we know of politics Of the
2ongress-ard of Mr. Yergan, we
we're surprised. . Haven't talked
It the Renaissance casino. ..Ner"
vho attended so we can't risk re-
3ort of the proceedings which, ru-
nor hos it. we're a bit carlnine in
olor.
On the other hand, we've heard
othing but reports from the Penn
relays. SO many times have tne
Ices been run for Our benefit I'll
wen now we see moving feet III
rack shoes jumping over the
fences which sheep usually take as
we count off the minutes OF m
somnia.
Had a great time at the PM
Seta Sigma dance the other nlght
att he Renaissance casino. Ver-
non AndradeS orchestra never
sounded better Note to Al
White: Yes, he played Il Love
You" twice, as our request. -. -.
Thought you'd like to know that
we keep the home-fires burning
md brightly.
Bill Chase turned his column IN
the Amsterdam News into an open
letter to Dorothy Kilgallon OF the
New York Journal ana American
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11

have not had an opportunity to
hear her sell her songs for too,
too long.
Jean Douglas has been receiving
many compliments and congratula-
tions from both white and colored,
since she placed second to Jenf
LeGon in a nationwide contest
for the leading lady to Kenny
Washington. Several hundred girls
including 35 from Los Angeles had
entered the contest for the i'm
portant role OF Myra, faithful
sweetheart to Kenny in the story.
Ralph cooper . 1iew -easlsce en-
titled II Am Guilty" which is just
being completed this week at Sun
set lot, by Supreme Pictures, has a
large and excellent supporting cast,
most Of whom worked in other of
Cooper's films for Million Dollar.
The story is that of a physician
with Cooper in the sympathetic
role OF DR.. Dunbar, Sibyl Lewis
is Jean Freeman, Pigmeat Mark
ham is 'Pigmeat', Lawrence Criner
is Trigger Bennett, Monte HaW-
Granny, Sam Mcdaniel is John
ley is Tracy, Cleo Desmond is
Jones' Arthur Ray is DR.. Free
man. Alfred Grant is a young doc
tor, Clarence Brooks is Police Lieut.
Harris, Ida Belle, is Mrs. Smith
little Marcella Moreland, year old
daughter of Mantan Moreland, is
.Marcella,' Vernon McCalla, a judge
Reginald Henderson is, Slick, Mil
lie Munro, a nurse, Edward
Thompson, Atty. Stafford and
Guernsey Morrow is Pete, a
gangster. The director is Sam Nue.
field, assistant, Mol Delaye, and
head cameraman Bob Cline.
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11

lection Of locations.
The advisory committee consists
of DR.. Charming H. Tobias, Senior
Secretary for Colored Work of the
National Council of YMCA, as
chairman; DR.. Charles S. Johnson
OF Fisk University; DR.. Rufus E..
Clement, president of Atlanta Uni
verSity; DR.. F.. D. Patterson OF
Tuskegee Institute; Mr. Claude A..
Barnett. of the Associated Negro
Press and the Chicago Exposition;
and DR.. Arthur D. Wright, preSi-
dent of the Southern Education
Foundation. The preliminary prob
lens of the film were there gone
over and agreement reached by all
concerned. Theme is the struggle
for education, and it is to be pro-
trayed against actual social back
ground. in terms of progress pres
ent problems, and future needs.
A second story conference is
scheduled for May II at Atlanta
University.
The producing company, Film
Associates, Inc, is composed OF
Felix Greene formerly with the
British Broadcasting Corporation;
Theodore Lawrence, once Para
mounts chief European sound en-
gineer. later with 20th-Fox and
United Artists; novelist Aldous
Huxley: Irving Refs. originator and
first director of CBS' Columbia
Workshop. and more recently
writer and director for Paramount
and RKO; Henwar Rodakiewiez
former Paramount director and
Metro writer; and Gerald Heard
author of Science in the Making"
and other books. ....
Rcdakiewicz and Greene depart
ed today on a tour of the South for
research. scripting and preliminary
shooting.
The American Film Center,
non-profit corporation financed by
the Rockefeller Foundation, was
established about a year and a half
ago to promote the production and
use of films of educational and So
cial value.
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
Benny And Duke
Record A Few Of
Their Old Tunes

NEW YORK CITY-S N SJ-As
expected, Duke Ellington's new re-
leases for Columbia, which Incl
Gentally we're his last under that
label, are two of his own best old
tunes, Solitude" and Mood In
digso." Indirect competition with
the Duke and mis- new recording
company, Columbia has neld this
lecord for quite few weeks in
order to release it as the first
Ellington platters for the rival
company are released
Mood Indigo" which has even
been one of the jazz classics is
every bit as haunting and worth
lemembering as it ever was Open
ed by a piano solo by the Duke
himself, picked up by the orches-
ira, and carried on to climax
with Ivy Anderson's husky blues
voice singing out the vocalS, with
Ben Webster's sax as terrific
finale Not in the least over
ShadoWed by its sister side, Elllng-
ton and his aggregation in their
Solitude again prove their worth
as the holders of the title Jazz
Masters.
Also back in the class Of orches-
tras which believe that the old
tunes are the best. Benny Carter
and his boys offer Among My
Souvenirs for ear delectation. For
this number, the brass section is
kept in the background while the
rhythm and sax sections carry the
melody, and Roy FELTON, comes in
on the vocal.
Following up the adage of some
thing old and something new, Car
ter has a new tune titled ''F'ish
Fry" on the reverse side. In this
number Benny is given ample
scope for his saxophone, not to
mention the slip-horn riffs in low
est register, and the superb piano
and trumpet solos st an exciting
pace, the band comes through with
grand swing platter.
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
Music Teachers
Convene At N.
Virginia State

INSTITUTE w. Va.-(SNS -
West Virginia State College was
host April 26, 27 and % to the AS
sociation of Music Teachers in Ne
gro schools IN its fourth annual
meeting.
The meeting opened on Friday
April 26 with d talk by Mr.. Fred
erick Hall, Director of Music at
Dillard University and President
of the Association
Saturdays schedule included an
address ON william Still Grant
the Composer and His Works Re-
viewed" by Mr.. William Allen. pro-
fessor of pianoforte at Fisk Univer-
sity, and chairman of the Associa-
tion's program committee, who
played Stills suits Three Visions. .
Quit da Foolnish" and the re-
cent Seven Traceries' by way OF
Illustration.
The guest speaker of the session,
DR.. Charleston Sprauge Smith,
Chief of the Music Division of the
Vew York Public Library and
President of the American Muslco-
logical Society, took for his sub
ject Problems Of the Negro Mu-
ician Culturally, Aesthetically,
Practically Envisaged" in which he
treSsed the necessity for the pro-
sessional musician to give greater
consideration 1or the plain music
If the people.
Principal feature on Sunday S
program was the attendance of the
yroup in a body at the recital CIV
IN by Marian Anderson at the New
Charleston Municipal Auditorium
lnder the auspices of the local
ranch of the NAACP
Among those in attendance rep
esenting leading universities, COL
,egeS and high schools were: F. p
Abraham, Allen University, Will
lam D. Allen, Fisk University, Wal
er F.. Anderson, Kentucky State
college, Violet S. Banks, Morgan
tate College, j. Harold Brown
| 'lorida State A. and M. College
4dgar r. Clark, Fort Valley State
-ollege, William L. Dawson, Tus-
;egee Institute, T. Leroy Davis
4ynch, KY, Frank L. Drys, Tuske-
zee Institute. Mrs. Essie NJ Groves
cooker T. Washington High School
Atlanta, Ga, J. w. Grider, West
rirginia State College, Frederick
laI, billiard University, Mrs. Mil
ired Hall, Gilbert Academy, New
Orleans, Charles j. Harris, South
}arolina State College, Miss Gladys
B. johnson, West Virginia Stats
College, Clarice j. Michaels, Ken
lucky State College, Mr.. T. D
phillips, West Virginia State Col
ege, Cortez u. Reece Bluefielo
State Teachers College, Andrew P
Rosemond, Tuskegee Institute anc
p. Ahmed Williams, Excelsior Higr
.chool, Excelsior, w, Va,
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
By SID THOMPSON

NEW YORK-(h N P) - Joe
Louis is currently reported and I
believe automatically, as taking the
part of a Oman in new picture
to be filmed here in New York.
While a great fighter, one Of the
best. we don't believe it to be to
the best advantage of colored play
ers for Joe to play such a part in
pictures
The colored actor has a hard
time making the grade as it is, so
why gum up the works by putting
Joe in a pix? The last picture he
was starred in he was himself
rather than an actor, and no one
can truthfully state that Joe is a
smart man by any means. We
wonder if it will lower the esteem
and fear that crooks have OF c.
men If they see Joe as one?
Another overreated actor is
Willie Bryant, who gained his
fame via the Apollo theatre. His
uncanny ability to saying the
risque in heavy innuendoes which
a child could understand, gained
him a following among certain
class. But as an actor of first
water, like the bear at the fair, he
just amt nowhere.
DR.. Marc Moreland, eminent
PhD., came to the big city from
out in the west and is making good
in a big way He is editor OF a
large paper in Jersey, has a !ucra-
tive job as public relations dlrec-
tor of the new Theresa Hotel One
of the youngest Ph.D.'s in the
country at one time, DR.. More
land has had a colorful and varied
career. He has taught school in
vrious places, including term as
one of the eminent teachers at
Langston university.
At one time the editor of the
Tulsa Eagle, he became ir1bued
with the newspaper bug, one of
the most virulent in captivity
While writing. for one of the large
dalies in New York, as an Oklaho-
ma CORRESPONDENT. ne conceived the
idea of coming to New YORK. Ar
riving> here like all other newly ar
rived he found the going tough.
Never daunted, he preserved final
ly landing a position as low
salaried worker on the Herald
News Of Jersey City. He has work
ed his way up in this organization
until he is now one of the highest
salaried and efficient workers on
tbatsheet He still finds time to
extend a word of advice to More
house college Olis alma mater)
men, to put out an enormous
amount of work as public relations
director Tor the hotel, and to write
a few articles for magazines Stout,
jovial, genial, a good fellow and
one of the few Negro newsmen
who is not Chiselor, Moreland has
made good in New York City. He
is married and thruthfully states
that had it not been for the loyal.
lCveable help of his delightful wife,
he could not have made good.
YE MITE LITER IN HARLEM:
Ethel Waters filled the Apollo
theatre at every performance
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
Hughes Drama
Is Presented At
Ohio State u.

COLUMBUS, Ohio.--(A N P)--
Playing to capacity houses last
Friday and Saturday nights in
University Chapel hall, members
IF PIayinakers' colored campus
dramatic society, headed by Estelle
M. Shorter, scored a hit in their
presentation of Langston Hughes
famous three-act drama, "The Mu-
latto."
George A. Moore directed the
production and the featured play
ers inclued Mortimer l.. FeIgan-
baum. Andrew H. boswell and
John r. Johnson and a strong
supporting cast, Miss Shorter is
the president of Playmakers.
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
Harlem Sketches

starting Friday, May 8. Harlem
took her to its collective heart and
! she loved it. Still the consunlnate
actress. incidentally the Harlem
Amateur hour is suffering from a
dearth Of real talent every We'd
J nesday night at the Apollo theatre
Real entertainment can be used
here weekly but they much be more
, than just dancers or singers. They
must have something different if
they wish to click.
Donald Haywood, producer of
Caribbean Cruise" the skit which
| holds the all-tlme rehearsal rec
! ord. having rehearsed for nearly
two years, was scheduled to open at
downtown theatre with his
vehicle as this is being written. We
would be afraid to Say it happened
for all New York has been fooled
too often by Haywood. Willie
Bryant, patron teaser of the emcee
tribe, is emceeing at the Elk's
Rendezvous. q. . .SnlallS Paradise is
presenting a new show under, the
, genial buffonnery of Jimmie Nor
Gecai and the ear warming music
Of Earl Bostic. Those chorus girls
areabout the neatest and shapeliest
in the city. Rodney Sturgis Is
| putting on fast stepping stage
show at the New Capitol cabaret
en- Lenox avenue They change the
show weekly.
| Clark Monroe's Uptown house
comes on after the wee small
hours in the morning but it defi-
nitely comes on at that hour. He
has brought his mother from jack
I sonville, FlCrida, his former home,
and she even has few OF her older
friends fro all over town coming
in at that hour. These old folks
say they enjoy watching the young
people make fools" Of themselves.
-. .Al's tavern, down Eighth ave-
nue. and 115tn street way, is still
the place to catch the unWary
chicks. They are hep cats, no end
but unwary, if you get what we
mean. But that lounge room up
stairs would draw the love sick
cats.
Smiles and Smiles, crack dance
team of Harlem, played a COM
mand performance at a party in
honor of Gov. Lehman in Albany
this past week. They aTc showing
on BroEi way and clicking -. All
Harlem hs eagerly awaiting the
Harlem Children's Benefit show at
the Apollo theatre on the night
of May 90, for its then that a
million dollars worth of Show tai
ent is seen in Harlem for the price
of less than a dollar To aid needy
children, it gets the support OF
every name star i'll the city. ....
Billie Holiday opened at Kelly's
Stable in downtown New York this
week, and patrons are eating her
mellow singing up. The -Four
Ink Spots are back in town talking
of their ''wonGerful'' Southern trip.
They speak in glowing terms OF
Southern beauties and large dance
crowds. Claimed over 5000 people
paid to hear them in Chattanooga.
-. Many Of Harlem's celebrities
will attend the testimonial lunch
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
TO SUPPORT FARLEY

NEW YORK-(h N P)- Support
of Postmaster James A. Farley by
New York State Democrat dele
gates to the National Democratic
convention III Chicago was fore
cast by the resolution adopted NY
the party's state committee, prais-
ing the president, Governor Leh-
man and Farley. Political observ-
ers said the resolution pledged sup
port of Farley if the president Goes
not seek third term.
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11

Jesse Graves Gets
New Picture Role
NEGRO Press Bureau)


LOS ANGELES, Calif-Jesse
Graves, we'll known screen actor
and member cf the Screen Actors
Guild, has been signed to a lucra-
tive film role IN the current film
zation Of THE Howard's OF Vlr-
ginia." Graves essays the role OF
Uncle Robert in The piece. He has
been given a five weeks contract
in the Frank Lloyd production.
Libby 1ayior. excellent sepla
actress, has been cast opposlte,
Graves in the production, which
will be released through Columbia
studios. The picture has been un-
der production during the past two
weeks at the General Studios.
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11

The film, which will tell the story
|Of Negro life and education is
scheduled to open at the American
Negro Exposition in the Chicago
Coliseum this summer. Following
|tne Exposition opening it will be
distributed nationally through the
atrical and theatrical cham
hels.
American Film Center's advisory
committee of Negro and white edu-
Gators, and members of the produc-
ing company, in an all-day session
at the American Film Center in
New York City, blocked out the
story and made a preliminary Sc
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
RATING the RECORDS

crew is on Decca. They render
SWINGING WITH NOSE and
THE MAN WITH THE FUNNY
LITTLE HORN, and swing credit
ably while jiving ably. Keep an ear
open for these lads.
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
Harlem Trivia

His, and everyoneis in Harlem
reply to ner column OF recent date
anent a Chocolate Broadway" -.
w e hope she takes BllPs slgges-
ton to visit Harlem in quest OF
authentic information-and not
mere "hear-say i"
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
'(By FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS
FOR AMP
A HIT FOR HINES


Earl Hines has batted out nice
clean hit in his new BOOGIE
WOOGIE ON ST. LOUIS BLUES
for Bluebird, one of the seasons
most novel and spirited examples of
hot jazz. Some may call this ex-
hibitionism, but I consider it in
spired swing, with it's major weak
ness some banal shouts by a mis-
guided band member. The Father
has applied his amazing technique
to the Handy opus with startling
effects.
The coupling, NUMBER l9, is a
rather ordinary stomp After a
poor Decca last week, Louis Arm
strong redeemS himself on the
same label with one of his best
standbys, SWING THAT MUSIC,
accompanied by the WOLVERINE
IBLUES Good stuff.
Columbia has released the new
Duke Ellington versions of SOIL
TUDE and MOOD INDIGO. Ar
rangements are altogether different,
simple but telling. Ivie Anderson
is in rare vocal form on these, and
Ben Webster's tenor is glorious e.
Artie Shaw, with his 81 piece band,
gets more real hop and sock in
DON'T FALL ASLEEP than on his
initial Victor of this series. The
variety of instruments does permit
strange effects.
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
Progress Of Negro Education To
BE Subject Of New Motion Picture
Conference To Be
Held At Atlanta

CHICAGO--(SNS)- )-Production of documentary film On
Negro education by Film Associates Inc was announced
week by the American Film Center under whose auspices the film
being made Production been financed bv grant of the
General Education Board
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
CARVER IN BIOGRAPHICAL
FILM eat

NEW YORK, (hNP)-Dr. George
Washington Carver, renowned
Tuskegee SCIENTIST, plays himself in
a biographical film, "Dr, George
Washington Carver" currently be-
ing shown al New York theatres
The picture, Bryant production
directed by Ben Parker from a
screen play by Robert Shurr, IS BE
ing distributed by RKO
con being rendered John L. King.
young assistant principel of one of
Brooklynts schools. Sid Thomp-
son, 129 West l22nd, NYC.
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
NOtableS To Attend
59th Scottish Rite
Session In Detroit

DETROIT. LAMP When the
United Supreme Council of Scot
tish Rite Masons meets in its tlf-
ty-ninth annual session here May
II to IA, more than 300 colored
masons. including many prominent
in the business and professional
world. will be present. The delega-
ton will be headed by Sumner A.
Eurniss. Indianapolis, Sovereign
Grand Commander of the organl-
zation.
Completing 20 years as head OF
tho Supreme council, DR.. FurnlsS
has held the longest term IN the
history of the organization. A close
friend and associate of the late Dr.
Booker t. Washington, DR.. FurnisS
is active in the National Negro
Business league.
Others expected f1s~A2e meet are:
George w. Crawford, New Haven,
lieutenant grand commander OF the
council. a prominent ConnectlcuG
attorney; James E. White, Chica
20. grand minister of state; In.
Conwell Banton, Wilmington, Dei.s
secretary general Of the Uniteu
Supreme Council; William a
Heathman, Providence, X. l., trea-
surer- general, and Harry Il. Davis,
Cleveland, prominent ONO laWyei'
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
DANCING IN THE DARK SUAVl

Those who go in for suave, init
mate cocktail lounge dance music
will eat up Dancing in the Dark" >"
Decca Album 122 by Pianist Car
men Cavallaro backed by guitar,
bass and drums Titles are COCK
TAILS FOR TWO and The VERY
THOUGHT OF YOU; IF I HAD
YOU and SMOKE GETS IN YOUR
EYES; BODY AND SOUL and
YOU'RE MINE YOU; ALONE TO-
GETHER and NIGHT AND DAY;
DANCING IN THE DARK and
LOVER. All these are good sensa-
tional, but appealing in typical
Benny Goodman style is his Co
lumbia of SHAKE DOWN THE
STARS and BE SURE.
Save your needles for many re-
playings of Erskine Hawkins Blue
bird of GABRIEL MEETS THE
DUKE and If you're wise you'll roll
back the rugs unless you want 'em
cut to pieces, for that's the kind of
number it is Rousing swing with
strong under current of boogie
Woogie.
LEAVE EN- GASPING
Borrowing the Ink Spots "If I
Didn't Care style, the Deep River
Boys harmonize on I WAS A FOOL
TO LET YOU GO in a way to leave
many of the gals gasping =.
Coupled is the novel BULLFROG
AND THE TOAD. These boys have
something Exceedingly dance
able is the varsity by Johnny Nc
Gee of THEY OUGHT TO WRITE
A BOOK ABOUT YOU and MO-
MENTS IN THE MOONLIGHT
Sonny Burke's Vocation of PICK
Arb packs plenty of wallcp.
Waitll the jitterbugs l1eal it. The
other side is a popular tune, ]
NEVER PURPOSELY HURT YOU
Charlie Barnet is in a mellow
mood on WHERE WAS /, and more
disturbed ON DEED I DO, Blue
bird Bob Crosby's Bob Cats
have a typical Decca in IT'S ALL
OVER NOW and ADIOS AMEtiI-
CANO Neither too good nor TOO
bad.
My first acquaintance with 6nuo
Mosley and his peppy little jump
The Phoenix index., 1940-05-11
FIGHTING FOR COMMUNITY
ENTER

PHILADELPHIA, (ANP)-It took
a killing to arouse this entire city
to the need of community center
for the youth of the West Phila-
delphia, and the West Philadelphia
Youth Civil League is now working
to this end.