The Phoenix index., 1941-01-11

IN motion pictures IN 1941.
STARS THAT SHINE
Outstanding was the performance
of Clinton Rosamond and Marie
Cover with Claire Trevor in The
Dark Command" a Republic picture
Hattie McDaniels won the Academy
Award for her part in Gone With
the Wind" to bring to mind an
other great accomplishment of a
sepian on the silver sheet. Louise
Beavers, seen in many pictures, ap-
peared last with Dick Powell and
Joan .Blondell in, Il Want A Di-
vorce," Although this and any num-
ber of other scripts called for Miss
Beavers to do small bits, even in her
brief moments she scores high.
In ",Tin Pan Alley" the Nicholas
Brothers, sensational Juvenile dane
ers, shared a number of brilliant
moments with Ben Carter. And
Carter is still getting fan mail for
his work in, Maryland" The cele-
brated Hall johnson Choir, too,
has done well in the cinemas. The
Scott Crinoline Choir will also be
remembered for the success it
achieved to the enjoyment Of
film fans everywhere, in Gene
Autry's carolina Moon" in which
Smiley Burnette co-starred.
.MORELAND HIGHLIGHT
Scoring the greatest individual
triumph, aside from his brilliant
acting with youthful Frankie Dar-
row in series Of mystery thrillers,
Manten Moreland was the higlnlight
of Republics "Bowery Boy"
Florence O'Brien, a native Cali
fornian, making her debut in mo-
ton pictures, proved her ability in
"Bowery Boy" among the other in
teresting features of that particular
film. At twenty-five Miss OBrien,
by leaps and bounds. has won the
hearts of theatregoers.
Consistently impressive in all his
appearances on stage, screen and
radio, Leigh Whipper, who will be
long remembered for his part i'll the
B'way stage success of mice and
Men," shared honors with Roy Rog
ers and MaJorie Reynolds in Re-
public's Robin Hood Of the Pecos."
1T is Republics latest which is
brining with action and dramatic
suspense.
HARLEM LASS WINS
PLAUDITS
Harlenites will recall the comic
antics OF laugh-provoking Billie
Yarbo-kncwn billed as Lillian Var
be, who thrilled at The old Lafay'
ette Theatre, and at Harlems IA
nous Apollo Theatre when she ap-
peared i'll the chorus line of many
a sllappy, tuneful, fast-stepping mu-
sical comedy wonder if the Holly
wood publicists know that Billie al
most lost her chance fer stardom
when her eyesight was almost gone
but, thanks to superb medical treat
ment and plenty of rest the Harlem
favorite pulled through. Hers is
truly a human interest story.
Acclaimed Hollywood's 'fird,' Miss
Yabor was first seen in, You
Can't Take It With You" Now in
the first CT the Higgins Family SER
les this Harlem product clearly has
indicated that she is the newest and
most sensational commedienne Of
the films.
Willie Best was officially rated
four stars for his work in the thrill
ing pix, "Whc Killed Aunt Mac
eie?' in which he appeared with
John Hubbard. Just another sample
of Negroid cinematic performance
-personified. Yes, a great come
dian this Best.
Deserving their right TO prove
their ability day in and day out
cOlored performers have awakened
Hollywood movie scouts to a new
era, and by their outstanding per'
fornances before the kliees in 1910
do now guarantee their rise to
SRO box office prominence in
every thoe ire tIorono''ollt America.
COMMAND ATTENTION
This is proven too by the per-
Sonal intelligence of HOLLYWOOD
producers who can see talent at
first glance. Who ran denv that N
looking over the list of prominent
colored s+ars now on the cast and
IN films that thew are not rated
stellar rolee.o Hattie McDanielc Is
Just ore given proven fact of act
ing ehilitv-wloen given the role
thai viii 10 i1Ietice to The perfor-
noer's ac+irg ability. Ben Garter,
Louise Peavers. Steoin's Fetchit.
and Eddie "Pochester" Anderson
oil are real honest t-to-gocdness col
ornd r92r.fcrr1ers of worth. New,
conseS ,1o4n'e contribution TO the Io'.
The Posamondc. Covers. Morelends,
CBrieu's Pests, Yarfccs, and the
rcrular Leigl7 W1irner ore wp'con1~
at any r,covie LOT today. The want
81 for Castioc" sign alwavs ccr1es
down when they appear on the
sceno. Indeed it is good news when
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