davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22
''Tropicana''
Draws Praise
Of Ted Yates
Bv ND YATES

NEW LORK-CTYP) Producer
Donald Hayward opened up his
music portfolio on the stage of
Harlem'S Apollo Theatre this past.
week, and I beg to inform you that
he did a fine job. Heyward'S
"Tropicsna," although not the best
show TO come To the house that
Frank Schiffman made the worlds
house of Colored musical and dra-
matte hits. is one of the best to be
presented there in long time,
And from the way this new policy
Of stock shows has taken effect
soon I will undoubtedly find my
self with out words that will do
Justice to the brilliant stage pro-
auctions that are being put on at
the Apollo. Wei, at this writing
it looks that way.
TropAcana is all about Carri-
beam cruise. The scenes. costumes
and dances give pep to the Hey
wardised reyucSic9l A number OF
'iIN SCl1s5S NOLC CAtl+So ACA N1'~ AA-''N
time. Norman Astwood. The Calyp-
80 Sinqgters, Edna Harris, George
Wiltshire, and the antics Of Alex
Lovejoy and Freddie Robinson,
rlus. of course. the rhvthmic spir-
ituals ss only Sister 1harpe can
give were the ligl1lights Of this
fine entertainments bill. Some
credits 60 to that dance team Of
Conway and Parks along with those
haWe probably heard of bv this
tine-the Mary Bruce Girls, IF
This Is Love" and the West Indian
d;tty "Out the Fire" were the
songs I liked best The comedy put
on by Lovejoy and Robinson IN the
scene depicting the ships kitchen
with Wiltshires radio voice in the
cackgroundD had the audience in
stitches. More like ''Tropicana"
would &c a world Of good And that
is putting it mild.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22

marks of Miss Dunham'S particular
styling was certainly apparent in
the interpretations of her group.
AS for the tour, which takes the
entire company to Boston, Toronto,
Detroit, Pittsburgh, Columbus, st.
Louis, indianapolis, and opens in
Chicago about May 5, all are look
ing forward eXpectantly. To the
Durham dancers a road appear
ance is nothing new but, as their
slightly retiring directress said.
there is always among performers
that zeal for new horizons to con-
quer. And So with new-type ve-
hicle, each succeeding opening
night of the tour should prove -
in the words of Miss Durham AS
exciting as the last. There is no
doubt III their minds Of the success
of the trip.
and after the close OF the show
what?" we inquired
South America in the fall," she
replied, with note Of expectancy
We couldn't help concluding, al
the parting, that Miss Dunham'S
! star is ascending.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22

It's divulgiug no secret to say
that she was somewhat exhaust
ed. Nevertheless, with one more
adjusting tug at her chenille dress
ing gown, the premiere danseuSe.
as it we're, of Cabin in The Sky"
drew up a chair to let us in on
few impressions gained through
the past few months on broadway
with a hit show and a glimpse at
the future and the pending road
cour Of tbs show
FINE EXPERIENCE
"You know" she began, this in
deed has been a delightful expert
ence for my company and myself"
She was speaking Of the troupe Of
young girls and young men whom
she has trained and developed into
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22
CELESTE IN FRONT

CELESTE IN FkUNT
Blue Note again rings the gong
with two II inchers by the Edmond
Hall Celeste quartet. Hall is the
noted clarinetist who blows in a
modern New Orleans style. The
others are Charlie Christian on
non-electric guitar, Israel Crosby
on bass and Meade Lux Lewis
on celeste. Titles waXed, all impro-
visations are CELESTIAL EX-
PRESS and PROFOUNDLY BLUE;
EDMOND HALL BLUES and
JAMM1NG IN FOUR.
Naturally, the celeste is of special
interest. Lewis has been heard be-
fore on this yantiquated instru-
ment in the solo Decca On Celeste
Blues" but this is the first in
stance to my knowledge of its use
in a strictly hot combination. AS
a novelty it's all right, but heaven
forbid a steady diet! However. the
celeste is use well on these. Lewis
utilizes his high right hand blues
technique on Profoundly and
Edmond Hall and gives middle
notes a play on "Jamming At
other times his work, ranging
down to stop time rhythm, blends
well. Incidentally, the only boogie
woogie playing is in p72 lions OF
Express"
Particularly interesting are Cros-
by's bass figures on the blues,
which show skill and imagination,
and his powerful, steady beat on
the faster tunes. Christians guitar
is stimulating on "Jamming" and
Profoundly" but there are many
others I prefer on this instrument.
AS for Hall, he demonstrates he
has few equals on the blackStick for
intensity of feeling and expressive
ness. You can claS. both platters
as a real treat for the diScriminat-
ing swing devotee.
The collector will also need TO
scrap up enough cash to get "An
Anthology of White Jazz" on Dec
ca featuring some of the greatest
names in swing history. The IL
sides are all reissues Of outstanding
performances cut since 1884 They
are AUNT HAGAR'S BLUES, Jack
Teagarden and Whiteman's Swing
Wing, and PANAMA, Jimmy Nc
Partland; JAZZ ME BLUES. Bob
Crosby Bob Cats, and TIN ROOF
BLUES, New orleans Rhythm
Kings; CHINATOWN, Glen Gray
and ST. LOUIS BLUES, Dorsey
Brothers: SOMEBODY LOVES
ME- Adrian Rollini, and SATANIC
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22
Todd Duncan ExceILs In
Recital AT HoWard Uniu.

WASHINGTON, d. c. (SNS)-
Todd Duncan, baritone Of "Polgy
and Bess' fame, gave a song recital
last evening in Rankin Chapel OF
Howard University before q crowd
ed auditorium. Mr. Duncan was &C
cCmpanied by Luis Andres Wheat
ly and the two artists united
superlative feeling for interprcta-
ton, with Mr. Wheatly carrying
)ut the singers intentions with
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22

Mr.. Johnson whose "Travelin'
Is a jazz classic and whose Be
lieve 1t Beloved" ana ether songs
pushed him to high status in
ASCAP of which he is q most ac-
tive member, announced this week
that he had signed Bates, Big
Time Grip and Jesse James for
his musical comedy, as high
| light for a cast that will include
some of the biggest names in COL
ored showlife.
Meanwhile, among the perform
J ers rehearsing daily for the musi-
cal at 1903 Morningside Ave, fam
Gus as the Temple of the late Sufi
Abdul Hamid, Harlem,s Black
Hitler" are Marion Worthy. clever
ingenus: Deanie Larry, daughter Of
/ Lawrence DeaS. producer OF Shut
file Along and song and canoe
star of top timber; whole room
full of beauteous chorus girls, a line
Of tall tan and terrific showgirls,
and conlmedians.
One Of the big songs Of the show
is seen in Johnson'S Il Wasn't
Meant For Love. and Love Wasn't
Meant for Me" JohnSon'S tech
a1iqre is along the lines followed
by Broadway and Tin Pan Alley
writer's; use of a few songs as pos
sible, allowing the audience to know
and like them.
Here 'Tis' has the b9cking OF a
group of private Fifth avenue
angels" who believe Negro show
business can contribute more than
il has to the pleasure of living
For that reason. j. C. Johnson
called in Charlie Davis. admitted
ly one of the nations greatest
revealed by the cfaracterizations
But added weight is definitely Civ
ell that part in which Bigger, IN
Jail finally speaks out. Canada
Lee gives life and vigor to the
words and lifts it to a richer anti
climax.
OF course, theatrical effects -
lighting, scenery, etc-coutribute
immeaSurably to remove scme Of
the fears of apprehension somehow
expected in a portrayal Of this
kind. The Orson WelleS touch is
definitely present.
Net to dwell further on the 9TH
er characters is no SLIGHT to their
splendid talents for there is indeed
much more than could be said for
the entire plav. The role of Clara.
Bigger's girl, is nicely handled by
Rene Mitchell. If Everett sloane
as Britten. the private detective
could lessen the tom-foolery real
improvement would be seen there
Miss Burr discharges her duties
we'll and will perhaps warm up to
them even more when public re-
action to the play has more time
to crystalize. This is true of
the whole effort.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22

Frank Schiffman indicated this
to the writer last week as he dis
cu5sed the new policy and program
the Apollo theatre will follow on
tie heels of the unprecedented
success of the musical comedies.
Tan Manhattan up Harlem
Way" "Tropicano' and ON
Strivers Row, This policy in a nut
shell Mr.. Scniffman declared, Is
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22

great sympathy.
The program was Of wide range
including the "Lascia chic pianga," )"
from Handel "Rinaldo"; Durante'S
"Danza, DANA, Fanciulla GENTLE"
Marcello'S "Il mio bel foco," Schu-
mann's "Windmung," and "Rulle,
meine Seele,' les muss was Wunder-
bares sein," Marks Hat dich die
Liebe berueht." and Gliere's "Oh.
Bring to Me No fragrant Blossom" :"
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22

a distinctive dance group i mean,'
she continued, eve have all found
pleasure in What to most Of us is
a new field. Heretofore, as you may
know"
The Chicagoan, whose Julius Ro-
Senwald Fund fellowship WAS re-
sponSibie in large measure for
for changing her thoughts from
anthropology to folk Ge.nces. was
not at all hositant about comment
ing upon her original distaste for
her part in Cabin in the Sky
If there were hardShipS in the be-
binning in overcoming her natural
aversion for the Georgia. Brown
type and Miss Dunilam herself
says there really were certainly
her performance has nlt suffered
any for it. Perhaps both custom and
enthusiasm for the new have help
ed her over tie "1L2h spots. One
n':lg Is definltY:, apparent judy
ing from the acc,slinl she's won,
and that is that Miss Dunham's
capacity for talent has not yet
heen completely fa4honed
''Well, how about audience re-
action?" we ventured.
INTERESTED IL DANCE
THAT hard to say There prob
ably is diffedence though for
those who come to SEE my recitals
nave, on the whole. specialized
interest in the dance. Devotees you
would say. On the other hard the
audiences here may Or rlt,y not be
interested in me as all individual
Indeed" and with the noble ges-
ture expected of so charming an
artistic a person as our subject -
indeed, there arc many others III
our show who can easily lay claim
to sizable public
1t was safe TO assume then that
appreciation for the interpretive
dance as a speciality rather than All
integral part of the world of enter
tainment would vary in proportion
to the selectiveness ii the audience
At any rate, such is OUR impression
after having seen Miss Dunnam
perform before an audience alnoS
completely sympathetic to her ar
from the rise CT tho curtain anc
before an audience whose sympa
thies, if any fluctuate with th'
weather.
Without doubt though the ha
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22
New Blood Needed To Garry
Out Musical Comedy Policy
Bv CEPHUS JONES

NEW YORK-(ANP)- )-Theatrical plane
thought out Of the reach of most performers outside New
York City awaits the singers actors actresses dancers
comedians and other variety stage folk who contact Frank
Schfman, managing director Of the word-famed Apollo
theatre West 125h Street here The hundreds of per-
who sing dance act juggle play instruments and
who have had chance in the big time get
the break they've prayed for if they ready for New
York.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22

the substitution OF flesh" enter
tainment in place of ordinary or
chestras and two or three estab-
liSi2ed acts. The Apollo will, Of
course, continue to book-in outstand
ing orchestras-out there only.
"The Apollo theatre" he said,
"has always been the first to note
new trends IN entertainment and
new demands on the part of the
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22
Lee Draws Praise As
Bigger In Stage
Native Son Debut
Audience Is
Carried Down
ToLowDepths
BY ERNEST JOHNSON

NEW YORK;" Bigger ThCmas," "
9mbodying the detection and des-
peraticn, the stunted expression Ct
a considerable part Of TIE Negro
race as typified in Richard
Wright's extraordinary novel, Ma
tive Son stepped onto the stage
at the st. James Theater Monday
night and Dramatically stated the
case before a large and enthusiaS-
tic audience of first nighteIs.
Under the skilled direction of Or
son Welles in association with John
Houseman. Canada Lee, playing
feature role of the book. adapted
for stage by Paul Green and MI.
Wright. registered a personal
triumph in his true-to-life depic-
ton Of the now famous character
of fiction.
On stage from the moment the
curtain rose to the {ery end, Mr..
Lee. in (10) scenes attempted to
carry his audience down into the
bowels of despair and Illustration
that had been his abode all his
life. witt; a high degree of consiS-
.ency lie succeeded.
UNDERSTANDS ROLE
AS is generally known, the story
deals with the circumstances and
conditions that have formed a bar
rier against the Negroes develop
ment in this democratic country.
The effects of the Illustration pro-
voked by this barrier reveal them
selves bit hv bit when q combira-
ton of ether circumstances tend
to enmesh the central character in
an extremely precarlouS situation
from which there is no escape. The
fact of the murder of MGrcy Dalton
play ed by Anne Burr. loses sfgri-
ficance in contrast to the reactions
of Bigger to the sequence Of events
preceding and following the crime.
Canada Lee seems to feel that
he has a full understanding of the
tremendous burden he carries in
his fine portrayed. If occasionally,
however. this understanding, or
rather complete appreciation. Slip
ped his grasp, this lack was ade-
ouately compensated for in such
scenes as in the Dalton's breakfast
room or Mary DaltonS bedroom
or even the basen1.lr scene. An
evenness of delivery should evolve
after a few performances.
+, To ailswer fully the question OF
whether the play is a sincere trans
Iaticn Of the 'Nook might easily run
into a lengthy discussion. On the
whole it arl,eats to have adhered
pretty faithfully. 1t must be re-
membered that much Of the book
was written in an introSpective
vein for the main character Such
treatment therefore must be inter
nreted to the audience through
sheer dramatic ability and not
words. There too the fast move
Tnent OF the book would nave pro-
duced real difficulties in order tt
Feep Up, particularly in scene
changes. Naturally. in the adap-
tion much of this had to be writ
fen out into the various parts.
LOGICAL SEQUENCE
One complaint 1evelled at the
book was the drop in suspense fol
lowing Bigger's capture, particular
II near the end. This is not fault
but rather a logical sequence. Aft
er all, certain social theories ha6
to he conveyed other than those
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22
RI WS O
I I'll T''IIEA''Tl|'RIE=S I
Peg Legs Grab
NeW Show Roles

NEW YORK-(ANP)-The most spectacular under
taking conceived in show business vii be the presentation
of the worlds greatest oneegged dance stars-Peg Leg
Bates Big Time Grip and Jesse Jamesn Here Tis tune
full bombshel of rhythm, comedy and dancing from the
pen of j. c. Johnson, famed Eddie Hunter noted
comedian Joe Jordan and Charlie Davis coaborators
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22

producers; and Joe Jordan, the
ASCAP writer of innumerable hits
and one CT Gotham's most famous
errangcrS.
Negotiations, it was learned, are
still underway tc land the Peters
Sisters or the cambridge Sisters
fol a spot in the show.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22
FIRST ESKIMO JOINS ARMY

JUNEAU. AiaSka-(C)-Listed as
the first one of his race to be in
Quoted in the army is an Eskimo
who is included in an Alaskan Ma
ticnal Guard. But more Eskimos
are to follow as applications by the
hundreds are being received.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-22
Kay Dunhan1 s
Star Ascending
bv ERNEST Z. JOHNSON

NEW k--(ANP)--The dressing at the Martin
Beck Theatre isn't but big and the group of people around
sitting, sandng-WaS nothing than would be
peced After ALL had Katherine Durham grand
performance depicting the wedding OF the interpretive dance and
the musical fantasy?
Evening star., 1941-11-11
R. A. F. Raids on Reich
CurtaiIed by Weather
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, Nov. 11.-After stabblng
at Germany for three successive
nights, the Royal Air Force was
forced to curtail it's operations last
night because of bad weather over
the continent, British officials said
today.
A lone German raider dropped
several bombs near the Scottish
border early last evening and two
Nazi bombers were shot down OH
the northeast coast at dusk, but
otherwise there was no activity over
Britain during the night, the gov
ernment said.
The Air Ministry reported that
British bombers had carried out
patrols along the Norwegian coast
Yesterday and said two bomb hits
had been scored on a large mer-
| chant vessel.
Evening star., 1941-11-11
WeIders to Take New
Strike Vote Tonioht

LOS ANGELES, Nov. II LP).-
Another general walkout vote will
be taken tonight by shipyards weld
ers, Karl V. Morris, national presi-
dent of the United Welders, Cutters
and Helpers, said $500 welders in
the Los Angeles-Long Beach yards
and at Seattle would be involved.
Mr.. Morris said the independent
Welders had complied with every
request of the o. P. M. in trying
to return to their jobs under the
temporary truce effected by Sid
ney Hillman, o. P. NJ chief, and
Mr.. Morris, but We still find that
the A. F. L. and c. l. O. have locked
out several hundred of our men, "
contrary to the agreement.
Unless the A. F. l.. and C. I. O.
see that this situation is cleared
up" Mr.. Morris said today, "and all
discrimination against the welders
is stopped before o'clock tonight,
another general walkout vote will
be called for at mass meeting Of
welders here and In Seattle
Evening star., 1941-11-11
Roosevelt Reported
Insisting China Get
Decent Treatment
ConnoIIy Says President
Ready to Consider Any
Peace Proposal by Jopur
Earlier Story on Page AID

By the Associated Press.
Chairman ConnaIly of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee ex-
pressed the opinion today that
President Roosevelt wants a peace
in the Far East which will give
decent treatment for the invaded,
haraSsed and crushed people of
China"
Earlier Senator Taft. Republican,
Of Ohio said in an interview that
a story was current in Washington
that the President had rejected a
Japanese peace plan which involved
the maintenance of japanese gar
risons in five principal Chinese
cities.
Senator Connally said he had
assumed all along that there will
be a settlement or a crisis in the
Pacific after the arrival of Kurusu. -
He referred to Saburo Kurusu,
Japan's special envoy, who is en-
route to Washington to discuss Japa-
nese- American differences.
Il feel sure that the President
wants peace in the Pacific" Senator
Connallv declared. But if japan
keeps all China's big cities, that
means she is keeping China-that
she is keeping her feet on China S
neck"
Senator Connally said he was con-
fdent the President would not re-
ject any Japanese proposal that
meant peace in the Pacific and
which included decent treatment
for the Chinese"
Evening star., 1941-11-11
First Ocean Tanker
Completed at Albany

BY the Associated Press.
ALBANY, N. Y, Nov. 1.-THE
12,5OO-ton tanker Victoria. first
going vessel built at this port
slid down the broad Hudson this
morning on her way to sea trials and
the flag of an Argentine oil COM
pany.
Capt. Daniel Jones, veteran
Sandy Hook pilot, was on the bridge
The ship. of all-welded construction
will enter a Hoboken drydock to-
morrow for final painting of her hull
and later go through sea tests of
Sandy Hook. Capt. Jones said.
Evening star., 1941-11-11
Prisoners and Guard
Beaten in Jail Battle
By the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
CAMDEN, N. j., Nov. 1.-Two
prisoners were beaten unconscious
by about 40 police and firemen in
the Camden County Jail today after
they had overpowered one guard
and beaten another in an attempted
jailbreak.
The prisoners, Percy Monahan and
Michael Capano, both serving terms
for robbery, leaped on Guard Frank
Hill as he released them from their
cells for breakfast.
Locking Hill in the cell, the pris-
oners ran to the mess hall, where
they attacked William Lane, another
guard. Lane later attracted the
attention of guard in the prison
Office and an alarm was sounded.
All available police responded. In
the confusion a fire alarm was
sounded and f1remen also rushed to
the building.
Evening star., 1941-11-11
Denutured Alcohol Is Blamed
In Deaths of 4 rom DRINKING

for others who were reported to
have been drinking with the VIC
Tins, three of whom died in hos
pitals. A fourth was found dead
in field.
Police Inspector Manuel Morris
said he learned approximately a
dozen men had been drinking yes
terday afternoon in a vacant lot
near an athletic field known as the
Big Berry Stadium.
The men who died apparently
were the younger members of the
group" Inspector Morris said.
Some of the older men apparently
could take it better than the others
So far as we could learn imme-
diately, the party was held on de-
natured alcohol. such as could be
purchased almost anywhere"
Evening star., 1941-11-11
By the Associated Press.

ATLANTIC CITY. N. j.. Nov. II,
American history books are 80
provincialized by a dominant school
of Harvard historians Prof. Ralph
A. Burns of Dartmouth said today,
that millions of Americans are vir-
tually ignorant of Russia, Canada
end South America.
These Harvard authors, DR.. Burns
said in an address before the New
Jersey Education Association, live
in Cambridge in the winter and
Cape Cod in the summer and look
wistfully to the tight little island
England whence all culture came ;"
Evening star., 1941-11-11
Plane Reported Downed
After Killing a in France
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, Nov. ll-Authorities re-
ported today that a German anti
aircraft battery had shot down a
British Spitfire near the mouth Of
the Seine after the plane machine
gunned a village, killing four
Frenchmen and wounding several
others
Three other incidents involving
British planes were reported by the
French. These reports said Brit
ish plane killed l9-year-old
Frenchman and wounded a boy and
girl near Dunkerque, another plane
wounded several fishermen off Ire
port, and Lille dispatches said e
farmer on a cart was killed by ma
chine-gun fire.
Evening star., 1941-11-11
BY the Associated Press.


BALTIMORE, Nov. IA dis
pute over whether Armistice Day is
a legal holiday on which overtime
rates should be paid brought walk
out today, described as a one-day
work stoppage, which slowed con-
struction of ships at the Bethlehem
Fairfield Shipbuilding Co. plant.
A statement by spokesmen for the
Industrial Union of Marine and
Shipbuilding Workers said the men
regarded today as holiday and
would return to work tomorrow
Union officials said about $500 men
engaged in the work stoppage. A
company spokesman said not more
Evening star., 1941-11-11
'Provinciu|ized' u. S. Histories
Declared Work of Harvard

AS a result, the Dartmouth edu-
cation professor declared, school
textbooks make scant mention of
other lands and "our youth know
nothing of Canada and Mexico, let
alone any land south or north OF
those boundaries
In Cambridge. Mass, mild skepti-
cism was the response of one Har-
ward University authority on his
tory, Prof. Arthur M. SchleSinger.
1T is highly f1attering to Harvard
10 think that it can dominate the
history education of country 5000
miles long and containing 100000
900 people," he commented.
Evening star., 1941-11-11
Involid Lives With Body
Of Wife Three Doys

BY the Associated Press.
FOREST CITY. Iowa, Nov. IL
Unable to move about, A. B. Kessey,
an invalid. depended entirely on his
wife for his care and keep.
Last Friday Mrs. Kessey, 81, died
in their home here.
Imprisoned by his ailments, the
bedridden husband lived three days
with the body.
Neighbors discovered the situation
yesterday.
Evening star., 1941-11-11
D. c. Lawyer, Irked at Auto,
Sends 1t Into Arkansas Creek

a pleasure trip through the South
west
Officers had the car pulled from
the creek. They found it contained
luggage packed with extra suits, a
new typewriter. radio, various and
sundry law books, and an expensive
set of golf clubs.
The owner. standing on his con-
stitutional rights to abandon these
belongings. left Conway by bus, Po-
lice said he told them:
Il was tired of fiddling with it,
and tired of all that stuff in the
car. 1t was my property and had
a right to get rid of it