davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
Butterbeans And Susie Hit
In West Coast Stage Show
Old Timers Head
Show at Alabam
In Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES-(W SHUTTER
beans and Susie, stalwarts OF the
American Theater and for years a
fixture in vaudeville houses along
the Eastern Seaboard, have COM
pleted their second week at the
Alabama Theater Cafe where they
are headlining an all star show for
Curtis Mosby and his successful
business venture.
Mosby assured the patrons when
he opened the Theater Cafe that
he would bring the best of talent tc
Central Avenue and in Butter
beans and Susie, he is keeping his
word to them. This famed team has
been laying the patrons in the
aisles with their comic routines and
at last Los Angeles is able to see
why they have been a success in
the theater so long.
The -Four Tone, coming quartet
of the Pacific Coast are also in the
show at the Alabam Theater Cafe
They returned to their old stomp
ing grounds after a successful en-
gagement at the Rhumboogie, Hol-
lywood night spot, and a series OF
pictures including You'll Never
Get Rich" with Fred Astaire. The
Tones give out with Java, I'll
Money Grew On Trees" and "Fine
and Mellow Their absence seem
ed to have made them more de-
slrable for the club goers for they
were brought back time and again
for encores. Carolyn Richardson
former Chicago girl is holding dowr
the spot of girl soloist
Curtis Mosby also brought Glad
dis, sensational snake dancer" tC
Central Avenue for the first time
and others who are in the show in
clude Harris and Reeves, 1.-THE
Katzenjammers of Rhythm ano
Marcus Slater who produced the
effort. Evelyn Randolph, Harriet
Clayborn, Wanda Bean and Fran
ces Nicely are the chorus girls
working in the show and music is
furnished by Curtis Mosby's Blue
Blowers.
The show is built along the
lines of production number and is
regarded as one of the best efforts
ever seen in the city of the Angels
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
HOLLYWOOD
IN BRONZE
BY
RUBY BERKLEY GOODWIN

HOLLYWOOD-(C)- NEWS
AROUND TOWN-Ernest WHIT.
man, who is always in demand as
NC. in and around the film city
has kindly consented to NC. a
mammoth amateur show in Santa
Anna sponsored by the Mems
Progressive League. The show
will be given on the stage of the
Fremon school auditorium. Pro-
ceeds will be divided between
the U.S.O. and a scholarship fund
for Negro students from Orange
County.
Stage and screen stars are
nightly visitors at Duke Elling-
tens show "Jump for JOY" 1t
has been enjoying a good run at
the Mayan but will travel to the
upstate Bay district for a limit
ed engagement before heading
home to Harlem.
When the National Usher
Board met in California it fur
nished us with good human in
test story.
Mildred Jones, one of the con
testants for the 500 scholarship
was from Ohio. She had no ac-
companist and she had two diff
cult numbers to sing. Luvenia
Harper-Nash, brilliant pianist and
wife of Malcolm Nash, dancing
master. volunteered to play for
the girl. You're right, Mildred
won. Mrs. Nash is one Of the fin
est accompanies in the film
citv.
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
Native Son
Making Money

NEW YORK-(C)-Though a
financial failure on broadway,
after only ia performances,
"Native Son" has done amazing
ly well on the road. Beginning
its comeback on July 28th at
the Maplewood New Jersey
Theatre, it caused minor sensa-
ton among the conservative the
atre goers Of that region by out
drawing "Twelfth Night" with
such top-flight stars as Maurice
Evans and Helen Hayes.
Then two weeks ago and last
week, the race conscious drama
with Canada Lee always as Big
ger Thomas repeated it's sensa
ton in Bronx and Brooklyn.
Daily there were near riots at the
box office Of the Windsor and
the Flatbush, for seats and each
performance averaged at least
100 standees.
Although low prices have play
ed an important part in marking
the show a success, it's star, Cana
da Lee, is credited with most of
the present triumps as he has
consistently brought down the
house" There is much talk of
Fall tour for "Native Son" and
this is still being discussed in
the Shubert office.
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30

1t was also learned that pro-
duction on the story would not be-
gin until around the first of 1912
Drson WelleS, noted stage actor
whoe Man From Mars" radio
thriller alarmed listeners residing
on the eastcoast few years ago,
is believed ready to produce direct
and star in the yet untitled story.
Armstrong, is being sent to the
coast by the Joe CHASER office, in
order to look over the prospects and
supervise certain details of the
story material.
Background detail, will be high
lighted with such incidents in the
life of Louis Armstrong, as an Or
phan member of a band, his copy
ing the style of the great King
Oliver, amid other scenes of cob
blestoneS, draycarts, levees and
other familiar sights about New
Orleans, of 25 years ago. Later
scenes would show the rise of the
celebrated trumpet player via Chi
cago, to New York finally to fame.
The picture is expected to get an
R-K-O Radio Inc. release when
completed.
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
LUCKY MILLINDER COMES ON

LUChY MlLLlNDEh tOMES ON
Lucky Millinder springs solidly
back into the swing picture with a
new Decca that's right on the
beam. aided by Sister Tharpe, the
holiness gal who rose to fame sing
ing in the Cotton Club, the band
presents a burning bounce called
ROCK DANIEL Sister Tharpe
gives this sen1i-spiritual all she has
and also contributes a guitar solo.
Or the other side is SLIDE MIR.
TROMBONE. a rockin' blues fea-
turing potent slip horns and Travor
Bacon singing There's a good
pianist plunking away IN the back
around If Lucky can measure up
to this pair in the future, he'll
gather a huge following on wax. E.
IF YOU feel patriotic, you may like
FREE FOR ALL by Tommy Dor
sey On Victor. Companion piece is
YOU AND I, a well played pop
tune with the leaders sweet from
Done standing out.
This time Count Basic turns his
talents to a kid tune. ONE TWO
THREE OLAIRY and makes it
Jump like a happy kangaroo. This
Okeh is okeh as q novelty but not
as a tune despite a vocal by jim
my Rushing. F'lipover is FANCY
MEETIN' YOU, a pop tune that
also jumps and has an Earl War
rem vocal. Frankly, however, both
are a long way from the Counts
original Kansas City style. =.
Accompanied only by Subdued
rhythm, Pianist Carmen Cavailaro
has as lovely version on Decca of
INTERMEzZO backed by Concerto
This is quite and soft and not even
warm, so let the iitbugS look else
where. Both new tunes by
Glenn Miller on Bluebird are sweet
The first is THE COWBOY SERE-
MADE already q hit, and the sec
ond IS BELOW THE EQUATOR,
which probably will be one soon.
The two Jump for JOY" num-
2ers played on Victor this week
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30

solid" for the Fall season-on the
road -. Former triple titleholder
Henry Armstrong will be seen IN
the flicker 1.-The Pittsburgh Kid"
starring Billy Conn E. Word reaches
us that cinemactor laugh-provok-
ing Man-Tan Moreland is looking
for a press agent. What's the
matter with the boys on the West
Coast??? -. Evidently, from the
way things are shaping up, Col.
Hubert Julian must have ditched
Wife No. L. Or is this rumor OF his
trek to the altar with DR.. Mary
Jane Watkins another OF the
Black Eagles publicity nose dives"
Alma Smith, former Cotton Club
pretty ca decade ago. is running a
beauty contest up in Buffalo, ~
Y. =. The Appolo Theatre here
re-opens next week with the Four
Ink spots .. When Ella Fitzgerald'S
Band plays the Strand Theatre in
Brooklyn, N. Y. the -Four Ink Spots
will co-star on the stage g.. Bill
(Choc Full O. NutS) Yates wed
Elmira Give m Dine) Pennington,
climaXing a store counter romance
on West 125th Street here Sunday
week ago E. After ASCAP had
okayed the use of the tune, "We
Are Americans Too written by
Negroes Blake, Cook and Sissle)
and BMI consented we learned
that it was "thumbed down" on
that Negro Defense" broadcast
last Tuesday night =. You don't
have to tickle Hitler to make him
laugh
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
4;
ChocoIateers !
Set Stage Record

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.-The
Three Chocolateers, famed expon-
ents of tapprecision and comic
rythm dance. after completing
three week stay at the Golden Gate
theatre here learned that they had
set the record for act stay contin-
uouSly.
Following their closing, they left
for Los Angeles, from there they go
to Dallas to play the Texas State
Fair. The Chocolateers were the
originators of the popular "peckin"
dance craze of a few years ago.
The act comprises Evans Mosby,
and Albert and Duke Gibson.
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
Art Glasses At
Virginia Union

Virginia Union University will
take over the work formerly done
at the Craig House Art Centre, be-
binning in September. Definite ar
rangementS have been made for
the class in sculpturing with an in
structor furnished by the Virginia
Museum of Art. Other phases of
the art work will be arranged for
as rapidly as possible. These class
es will be open to students and nom
students on a fee-basis. Prof. John
M. Moore will be in charge of the
work. He is the logical choice since
he has been connected with the
Craig House and with the Uni
versity for several years.
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30

| ton Goes to Town" and "Lady
Luck" last fall has been sent east
for release.
"Sundown," after two more
weeks on location at Lake Sher-
wood and Red Rock Canyon is
winding up. After two days re-
hearsal and drilling in July, 35
men were picked from twice that
number to play the part of AS
kari soldiers. Including Dorothy
cambridge, Jeni LIE Con, Harold
Browning, Kenny Warrington
Woodrow STROBE, Al Duvall, Har-
risen Said, and other featured
players, the csmpany went on 10
caticn at Acona Rock, New Mexi-
co.
''Tarazan," using at times as
many as two hundred men, wom-
EN- and children, sinie July II, is
about ready for the cutting
room. Johnny Weismuller wind
ing up the last year Of his con-
tract at MGM, is the star.
Safari men selected by Director
Richard Thorpe and first assistant
Gil Kurland were Jim Davis. Ar
chic Arnett, Harold Farley. Raw
Martin. Richard Penson. Joe Ra-
con, Sam Jackson, Ed Allen. Lens
Benjamin, Morgan "Bear" Roberts.
Jack Spears, Wesly BLY,, Art Ellis,
Make Thrower, De Forrest Covan,
Sam Marlowe, Eddie Lynn, Flory
Shackleford, Doc McGill with Mar
I'm Wilkins, son Of Prof. Wilkins,
in the featured role Of "D'Hana,"
the head of the Safari men.
Rochester's and Bing Crdsby's
Birth of the Blues" starring Bng
Crosby and featuring Rochester,
under the Paramount banner re-
ceived lot of, rave notices from
New York critics at the preview.
The singing of the est. Louis
Blues by Ruby Ely over the
supposedly dead body of her
screen husband Rochester" is
eyes of many famous whites in the
scene that brought tears to the
cast. The release of this picture is
sure to not only open Iollywocd's
doors 20 Ruby. but NAV start
new era of songs by colored sing
ers. Rochester again has part
that may be even bigger than any
he did with Jack Benny. Jack Carr
sang with Carlyle SCOTS chorus in
the background music.
Coast Friends Congratulate
Count Basic. Count Basic, the
Jump King Of Swing again has
been voted Americas Number One
colored band in the semi-annual
orchestNa popularity contest con-
Quoted by Martin Block in the
famous Make Believe Ballroom"
via Radio Station WNEW. New
York. Among all band, Basic rank
ed 18th with Duke Ellington in
10th place as his nearest Competi-
tor. The only other colored band
among the first &C in the poll was
Jimmie Lunceford. who finished in
18th position. Basic had more
votes than the combined total of
all other colored leaders and scor-
ed his most decisive victory yet.
CCngratulatory wires were sent
the Count by a number of Coast
friends and admirers
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
same institution.
Six Promoted At
Fort Benning

Six Georgia soldiers in Company
K, Oath Infantry. Fort Benning,
Ga, are among enlisted men re-
ceiving promotions, according to
reglmental orders announced
Thursday.
Three of the soldiers were made
sergeants and three others were
promoted to the rank of corporal.
TIL epromotions were as follows:
To be sergeants: Corp Robert v.
Small, Ft. Gaines; Corp. Willie
Ford, Columbus: Corp. Nathaniel
Edward. Pooler.
To be corporais. Pvt. Morris Fel-
der, Ft. Valley; Pfc. Price Wnita-
ker, Leesburg, and Pfc. Donald But
lei, Thunderbolt.
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
Ill[II[1IQD
!EM|!s|4fAfga55dMlIi5l!3!!3l|

HOLLYWOOD-(By Harry Le-
vette for AMP With the town
full of graduate nurses for the
first national convention held here,
there is plenty doing this week.
what with sight seeing trips
through HOLLYWOOD, beach parties
by various clubs and other groups
honoring the student nurses and
the big formal dance at the Elks
auditorium. Unfortunately they all
arrived just too late to see hun
dreds of colored actors in action
at the studios where they were
buSily emoting, because all those
pictures which necessltbted large
numbers of them are finished now
locked up safely "in the can"
So it Is fitting now to review a
bit on these new pictures which
boosted the employment of colored
players up higher than it had
been for over ten years. Those us
ing the largest number we're Wal
ter Wagner's "Sundown,' Cecil De
Miles "Reap the Wild Wind"
Warner Brothers "They Died
With Their Boots On" and New
Orleans Blues" Republics Little
lF0,xel." HaramoUGit's "St. Louis
Rlues," "Sullivan's Travels"
MCN+'s '"Tarazan," and others.
Jessie Grayson praised by critics
after Little Foxes" PrevieW ....
TTiIIit,c, +I,a -o,,,o .o,otLo.. ro1o o,,oot
ed by Abbie Mitchell IL New York
during the long run of the stage
version, Jessie Grayson was COM
plimented by LOnello o. Parsons
and other critics of the local dailies
Following the release of tThe
Little Foxes"
."The Little Foxes starring Bette
Davis at Republic studio afforded
"a good deal of work for colored
players besides the featured part
for Jessie Grayson Under the di-
ection of William Wyler were
Richard Pension, Jesse Graves,
Eie-Forest Covan, Jack Clisby
Onest Conley Jesse Clark Anita
Brown, Arie Lee Branch, Matilda
Caldwell, Daniel Meyers. Herbert
Skinner Ross Orner and many 9th.
erS.
New Orleans Blues at Warner
Brothers featured Jimmy Lunce-
ford's famous band dressed in
nondescropt clothing and hitting
up hot swing in a small crowded
dine and dace place. The previcw-
ers stamped it as one of the best
pictures of the year.
"They Died With Their Boots
On" thrilling story of events
leading up to CLUSTERS last fight
gave the usual important featur-
ed rule to our own q Academy
award winner Hattie Mcdaniel
and her brother Sam. formerly
the "Dolefu1 Deacon Of xxx >
had a sizeahle Characterization.
Olivia De Haviland and Enrol
"Swamp Water" on the Fox lot
Flynn are co-starred
used Inez Hatchett. Bobby Pat
terson. Sam Marlowe. VIM. Davis,
Ruth Givens, Joan Douglas and
others under direction Of Jean
Renoir. Dana Andrews and Wal
ter Brennan are the stars with
an excellent supporting cast of
featured players.
"Ridp 'Fm Cowboy" which
featured Fila Fitzgerald and her
band at Universal used a num-
ber Of other colored players under
the direction Of Ernest Lrbim.
"JID Jumps the Devil" the first
all-colorod cast film Jed Buell. and
Macpo Sheffield, co-producers cf
the Dixie National Productions,
have made since "Mr. Washing
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
Managers Argue
Over 'Mikado'
BY DOLORES CALVIN

NEW YORK-"The Hat Mikado'
did so we'll in Maplewood New Jer-
Sey) Theatre, as a comeback, sur
passing the Helen Hayes and Mau-
rice Evans Twelfth Night" by $105
that Michael Todd, who did it on
Broadway, said he was bringing it
back to little New York town at a
$3.50 top Immediately.
But that wasn't the final word
Next, John Wilberg said that he
and his partner had control of the
rights and if anybody brought it
back, especially to Broadway. it
would be them.
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
Louis Armstrong Slated To Make
Motion Picture Based On Life
Orson WeI|e5 To
Produce Flicker
By LAWRENCE F. LAMAR

HOLLYWOOD Calif.-Louis Armstrong famed King
of the Trumpet and outstanding sepa orche ira leader due
the coast any moment, is slated to fiji big role in
story being prepared for filming tt future
Details not available at this writing howt r, it is
aby reported that the play surrounds much of the
life of the noted sepa musician
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
CAPITOL

By AL WHITE

WASHINGTON, (ANP) Wow, I
gotta give you this one before I
forget it. Hitler and Goering were
driving along a road in Germany
when suddenly their car ran over
and killed a dog. Go into the
house, Herman" said Adolph land
apologize to the lady for killing the
dog" Goering got out of the car
and went into the house. He came
out shortly with his arms filled
with cheese, sausages, wines, bread,
just dangling to the ground. Hitler
was furious. He bawled Goering out
and ask him why didn't you do as
I told you? What did you do? Did
you apologize for killing the dog?
Again I ask you, what did you do?
Goering dropped his supply of food,
came to attention, and said, "I
went and raised my hand. Hell
Hitler" / said, tn dog is dead
And the housewife piled me down
with all of these things.
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30

Smoke screen throwers. designed
ITO obscure convoy movements
from enemy aircraft will be tested
soon at the Army's Quartemaster
Depot Holabird, at Baltimore, Md,
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
F00tIite.
'FIickers.
tRy ALVIN MOSES FOR AMP

mail to find a number OF interest,"
ing questions anent the theatre
From MaySville, S. c., Lillian
Hamphill grade school teacher, in
ouires: WAS the play "Porgy' sue
cessfully produced. and did the
same producers present 'Porgy and
Bess'?" The Theatre guild announc-
eel great success over Dorothy and
Dubose HeyWard's "Porgy" in 1927,
the same producers staged "Porgy
and Bess" at the Alvin theatre, New
York the book having been written
by the late George Gersllwin, ir
collaboration with Dorothy Hey
wards husband, DuboSe Heyward
A Shreveport. La, reader who
signs the initials G. H. asks :.
"I contend that William c.. Handy,
Singlehandedly formed the Black
Swan Phonograplt company around
90 years ago, I am told that this is
net true but in somewhat eketchy
manager. Will you kindly see us on
the right road? (AnSD The Black
Swan Recording company was the
Ioutgrowth of the genius and busi-
ness ability of Harry C. Pace, then
president of the Pace and Handy
Music company, back in the early
2Gs. Incorporated under New York
state laws in 1941 with capital
stock of $4,000, Pace, had as busi-
ness associates and good will am
oassadors such we'll known men as
w E.B. Dubois, educator; and
John E. Nail, New York realtor,
From Reading, Pa, George F'lem-
ing writes do you know the name
Of the theatre in which the i'm
mortal Rose McClendon made her
first appearance? the name of the
play?. name Of author?" CANS D..
Butler Davenports Free theatre.
Justice. John Drinkwater
SARAH NOEL CHAVEZ, a New
Yorker, residing at 43 w. 66 Street,
SENDS in what We deemed a highly
interesting poetic study. Write me
and let me know if you'd like to
read more of Miss Chavez's work:
INV SION"
Today. deep in a wood
Along an unfamiliar path
L found myself
Within your private world,
The door of which you'd left alar,
T. walked from room to room
My vision blurred by each. reality.
Running along the trodden path
I sought the quiet of a nearby hill
And wept for hours.
Trying in vain to dull my mind
To all that lay behind me.
And then I saw your tired form
Returning home, from distant
plains.
Inside, lamenting for your thought
1essneSs,
I saw you gasp. for there in every
room
Feeling my recent presence,
You knew that I would know.
Then, venturing forth,
You slammed the door-But
Watching, I did not see you turn
the key.
You knew some day, you WOULD
come back
To old familiar scenes
And visit once again, this world
that you
Would never let me share.
In one unguarded moment, you
dared reveal-Your soul.
Lucille Edwards, Boston. wishes
to know if Gilpin, Robson, Edna
Thomas, Mercedes Gilbert, Evelyn
Ellis and McClendon, ever appeared
II the same vehicle? The answer to
hat is No. But McClendon, Gilpin
Ellis and Robson. played together
r. Roseanne.
- 1@A
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30
Miss. Singers
Report Success

CHICAGO, Ill. - (ANP) -
Mississippi's "Songs of the Soul" :"
under the management of Anselm
J. Finch, originator of the sing
ing aggregation. left this week
for the Magnolia State after hav-
ing spent several weeks in this
section on their annual goodwill
tour.
Two years ago "Songs of the
Soul" represented Mississippi Of
ficially at the New York Worlds
Fair and did several broadcasts
over the NBC net work from
Radio City.
leans heavily on the Steinway.
This is spirited, whammy stuff but
it doesn't please me. Some
body should have muzzled Sam
Price tc keep him from singing
VALETTA on Decca. r. slow bal
lad, it sounds like a tenth rate
night club performance However.
he redeems himself on the flipover,
KNOW HOW TO DO 1T, a jump
and jive janlboree with Juicy
lyrics. Hhis piano sparkles and the
boys are in fine fettle. BY all
means, get S NOW FALL and
WHERE OR WHEN by Claude
'rhornhlll on Columbia. Thornhill,
q brilliant pianist, achieves amaz-
ing and majestic effects on this
slow pair. Fazola's clarinet also
adds. Snowfall" is his theme
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30

Visiting Baltimore with w. En-
NETT Coleman, district manager for
the North Carolina Mutual InSur-
ance company. We went to school
| together and hadn't seen each 9TH
er for few years-15 or more
since we don't get to Baltimore
and Emmett doesn't get to D. c.
Time sure does fly.
Stanley Miles of New York there
with his son, who is graduating
from college this year. Also E. AL
bert Norris, who used to have the
distribution of several papers
around New York way in the good
old days.
G. N. T. Gray at the NAPE in
troduced Mrs McMillen of the civil
service commission as "the Second
Lady of the Land" Wonder if G.
N. T. is slipping. She can't be Num-
ber 2, that's Mrs. Bethune's slot.
Mrs. McMillen may be number 81
AS assistant solicitor of the post
office department, friend Ralph
Mlzelle was present and taking
pictures all over the place. Since
he is now a proud papa, Ralph
fairly beams.
Thomas P. Bomar, the Abraham
Lincoln photo prize winner, is Sec
cretary of the postal alliance.
Tragedy in Harlem Sunday had
the whole town in mourning. Greed
| could easily be said to have been
the cause of the death of three in
| nocent persons. The thing was too
p1tlful-those helpless women and
children being trampled 'on like
! bags of rags.
| Looks like there is something
| funny about all of this army unrest
especially where Negroes are con-
cerned. If the war department real
ly wants to do a job of inveStigat-
ing, there it is. Let's see how dem
| ocracy works in this instance. Or
what happens.
Lots of ladies are disgusted that
Marva and Joe kissed and made up
Not that they had any designs on
Joe-they just didn't think he was
being treated right, that's all.
Lots Of talk around Harlem about
the revival of Native Son" and the
Hot Mikado." Mr. Bill Robinson
! owns a part of the latter and his
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30

A wedding of some Importance is
scheduled to take place in the Law
son family here early in September
when Eds daughter, who is a Phi.
D. at Lincoln university, Missouri,
changes her name. Her intended
husband is also a Phi. D. at the
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30

manager says he amt goin' to let
Bill show on Broadway for no $1.5O
top price.
And then they are laughing over
the Canada Lee thing. Seems that
Canada was presented with an au-
tomobile by two former hackers of
his show. 1t was Pontiac (advD but
Canada wanted something better,
more befitting his position as a top
flight actor, so he traded in his
Pontiac (advD and got a Cadillac
(adv0 instead. Canada didn't know
that there was a little item of $500
due on a copule of days at least,
in the hooesgow, until his manager
advanced him sufficient dough to
pay for the lien on the car. A pla-
que which came with the car tuita-
bly, engraved "for the best acting
performance Pve ever seen has
Canada wondering what to do with
it.
The Phoenix index., 1941-08-30

Lots of ladies are disgusted that
Marva and Joe kissed and made up.
Not that they had any designs on
Joe-they just didn't think he was
being treated right. that's all.