davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ohio daily-express. (Dayton, Ohio) 1946-1950, 1950-09-20
By Alvin E. White

ASOio
And from Broadway to Hollywood
there's a need for new
blood in the field particularly
the playwriting field. But even
with talent, making the grade as
a playwright is a hard weary job.
I Let's take the story of George
Norford as it was told to me : i
it's rough but it's true!
George, as we call him, or
Lieut.. Norford as the boys called
him in the Pentagon where he was
an information officer, is n of
those rare birds, a chap who writes
plays : : and a rarer bird because
he happened to be non-white!
Writers are a dime a dozen (what
is that, Al) but a playwright is
something different. Let's investi-
gate!
In plays, not only do you have
to create characters, you have to
give them life, words and action.
After you've decided upon your
characters = = assuming you have
a plot to work on, then come the
technicalities that drive men nuts.
A playwright must know the
things to be used in his play. They
are called props; he has to de-
scribe them and enumerate them
and tell where, when and how
they are to be used; he has to
guide the footsteps of his charact-
ers on across, up, down and off
stage. He must be familiar with
stage directions necessary to keep
the traffic flowing freely and the
acting forecful; his words must be
real; he can't have too many fan
tastic ideas, "a la Eugene O'Neill
and his "Iiceman Cometh," etc.
Then, when the darned thing is
ready to be typed, the typist is
further bedevilled. She has to
type all action in red, all dialogue
in black = or vice versa (what-
ever it. is, it's a vice!) So much
for that. Now back to our good
friend, George.
Impressed with the success of
"Life With Father, George de-
veloped another angle minus
any color business. 1t was straight
comedy = and he called it, I'm
told, l didn't see, "The Head of
the Family"
After playing around with the
thing a couple of months or so
George got a hearing from, ia
nous George Abbott, who has
produced more stage hits than g
dog has fleas.
Abbott, was keen on the Nor
ford idea and liked it immensely
He called in an associate, another
man whose first name was George
but his last name escapes us, they
conferred on the Norford opus
Both liked it. They wanted-i it anC
pretty soon the weekly papers
Which cater To orr folk wora fell.
The Ohio daily-express. (Dayton, Ohio) 1946-1950, 1950-09-20
Writers Needed; George Norfofds
Story Tells How Hard Grade Is
To Be Made

NAS " w. I N~
purchased to be presented on
Broadway this fall!
Norford was hailed as a brilli-
ant, coming, playwright. His pict-
ure appeared in all of u papers.
Columnists heaped fulsome praise
on Norford's head.
So what happened? Norford
was called in by the other two
Georges. He was told his play
needed a little doctoring. "We're
experienced producers" they said,
and we know what Broadway
will take" Of course, Norford ac-
cepted their judgement, he did not
| denur a whit when asked to re-
write the whole play. This time
from an angle that appealed to the
two white Georges!
That was just the beginning.
What else happened? If | am
not wrong, and George Norfard
is too good a friend to do him an
| injustice, he re-wrote the damned
| play no less than six times. Each
| time a professional play typist put
it in ship-shape after he doctored
it. The producers wanted George
to let them take the play, hire a
| collaboration to do what they
wanted and then perhaps, perhaps
we say, when the thing did hit
Broadway, there would be no
mention of George Norford as the
plays author. George would have
la fat bankroll, plus some Of the
royalties, but the white producers
and collaboration would have an
other hit to their credit. The last
time [ heard of "Head of the Fa-
mily" it was to be produced on
the Straw Hat curcuit (summer
theaters to you) sometime this
month, September.
But back again tothe producers
and the author. If | make no mis-
take, Norford spent the entire a.
mount Give figures, Pm told) on
trying to rewrite his play to suit
somebody else's idea. Had Nor
ford given in to the suggestion
that a collaboration be permitted
to rewrite the show, his name
not appear anywhere as author
and his play would not be a refer.
ence for future work. (That's
why you see that long tiresome
list of names on movies : who die
this and who did that, how come
and why : they are reference fol-
: future jobs.) But George NorforC
, would have been out in the cole
like too many other colored writ.
5 ers, musicians and artists. He
| would have been living on the
goodness of some white person who
reaped the bonanza made possible
by another.
If you don't get what I mean
, let's go back to Harvey" which
7 is rated tops for Mary Chase.
don't saw she did get the ides
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1950-03-23

they should be built. Well, | think
Oakland is a very good location for
a new high school but to build one
at the Cove is positively at the wrong
place, and here is my reason: In the
first place it is just about twenty
miles from the Cove to Oakland, half
that distance is ten miles, to each
school on the other side it is approx
mately twenty miles from Bittinger
to the proposed new school. From
Avilton it is just twenty miles and to
the far eastern part of Garrett COun-
ty it is more than twenty-five miles.
SO you see that the two schools will
be too much in one part of the county
Now let me ask every fair minded
person, would you want to be pushed
ten miles farther back in the woods
away from high school? Let's turn
to Matthew TIP: "Therefore all
things whatsoever We would that men
should do to you, do We even so to
them, for this is the law and the
prophets"
Now | do not have any children to
go to school but | am just as much
interested as if | had forty.
| notice that Mr.. Emeric G.. Dusic
says that no child will be more than
thirty minutes from his school Well,
| wouldn't want to be in a bus or any
ground moving vehicle that could
stop and pick up children every half
mile and some of course farther apart
and make the run in thirty minutes.
There will be a number of students
in this county who will never see in
side the high school if it is built in
the Cove. During the short days of
the season, some will have to use
lanterns to get out to the main road
and back home at night.
There's no one in favor of building
a school in the Cove only a few who
live out along the highway close to it.
| say that Mr.. Clifford Friend is in
no way responsible for the condition
that we are in. | am not taking sides
with anyone side, only putting the
facts as | see hem. | think good
house cleaning would be very good
thing for the taxpayers of Garrett
County.
Now | say to you office holders.
write down the golden rule and take
1t along to church with you, study it.
and don't forget to live it.
Now, in conclusion, | honestly be-
lleve that one hundred percent of the
taxpayers in this No. Is district is
opposed to moving our high school to
the Cove.
Yours for better schools and a bet
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1950-03-23

streamer. A TERED cake decorated
with pink and white frosting was on
the table.
Guests were Ellen Turney, Wanda
Whitaker, Mrs. Charles R. Slime,
Mrs. Harvey Swartzentruber, Mrs.
Stella Helbig, Ethel Ridder, Dorothy
Bernard, Mildred Bernard, Mrs. Cecil
Bittinger, Arlene Livengood, Betty
O'Brien, Vida Gnegy, Lorene Gnegy,
Phyllis Custer, Mrs. Dorothy Beck
man, Mrs. Herschel Johnston, Mrs.
Lee Blubaugh, Mrs. Ruth Lohr, Mrs.
Perle Rdder and Barbara Morris.
Miss Slime will become the bride of
w. Dwight Slower this spring.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1950-03-23
Bridal Shower Given

A surprise bridal shower was given
in honor of Miss Mary Slime by Mrs.
Earl Shope, Mrs. Marvin Harsh, Miss
Mary Lohr and Mrs. Darl Bray last
Thursday evening, March Is, at the
home of Mrs. Gladstone B. Norris,
Oak street.
The room was decorated with a
pink umbrella and white streamers
hanging with gifts attached to each
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1950-03-23
Favors Better Schools
But Not at Cove

Editor Republican:
| want to express the sentiment of
one and every one in this eastern
part of Garrett County that | have
talked to about the Master School
Plan. OF all the people that | have
contacted not one is in favor of build
ing high school at the Cove How
ever everyone is in favor of better
schools for this county, but let's use
a little common sense as to where
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1950-03-23

ter community in which to live,
Jesse C. Merrill,
Avilton, Md.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1950-03-23

THURSDAY, MARCH %, 1850.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1950-03-23

Entered at the Postoffice at Oakland,
Md, as second-class mail matter.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1950-03-23

The Republican was established in
1877. 1t is the oldest and largest news
paper published in Garrett county,
With the greatest circulation.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
VISITORS

Grand Master Sterling ]. Hop
kins, Riverside, Calf, and Grand
Lecturer James H. Finis, Los An
geles, Calf, were in Portland last
week comforting with chairmen of
various committees for the Grand
Lodge, California and Jurisdiction,
meeting in Portland the third week
in July.
Monday was very busy day
many business and social engage
ments. Mr.. and Mrs. j. N. Contrell
in S. e. Tibbetts Ave, started the
day Monday off with a wonder
full breakfast = typical Cantrell
style to honor the grand Off
GERS. Invited to share their genial
hospitality were: Deputy Grand
Master Phil Reynolds and Grand
Treasurer r. d. Bird, both OF
Washington jurisdiction; Deputy
Grand Master George w. Kenny
Past Worshipful Master l.. R
Blackburn, George Scott, anc
Worshipful Master, grand inspec
tor and general chairman fol
Grand Lodge, G. e. Ivey. The lat
ter four are members of Excelsior
Lodge, host to Grand session.
The hostess is Grand Lecturer
of the Golden State Grand Chapter
of California and Jurisdiction; the
host is Past Commander-in- Chief OF
the Consistory.
Monday evening the Grand SEES
sion's committee entertained al
dinner for the grand visitors in
the home of Mrs. VIM. Cochran
general secretary of the Grand
session committee.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
THE STATE JOB BOARD WAS
IN YAKIMA WEDNESDAY EVE

The Washington State Board
against discrimination in employ
ment held a public meeting in the
P P & L auditorium Wednesday,
May "a, at 500 p. M. The pur-
pose was to acquaint Yakimans
with the board members and the
way they intended to enforce the
law against discrimination in en-
ployment, passed in the last ses-
sion of the legislature. In effect,
this law means that the shape of a
mans nose or the color of his
skin or the way he worships God
has nothing to do with his ability
to do a job" said Glen E. Mans
field, executive secretary of the
board, when he visited Yakima
Thursday to arrange for the meet
ing.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07

The Portland branch of the
N.A.A.C.P announces the second
annual scholarship and commence
ment dance honoring June gradu-
ates and interscholastic athletes.
This year a scholarship is being
awarded some student in hope of
encouraging our youth on to fields
of higher education.
AS time goes on it is the hope
of the organization that this pro-
motion might grow in size until a
number of students might receive
benefits from the efforts of the
committee.
Music will be furnished by David
Grahm and his orchestra. An en-
tertainment treat is in store for
all who attend.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
O. A. G. G.

The first annual meeting of the
Oregon Association of Colored
Girls opened Saturday morning
with State Supervisor Mrs. Julia
Shelton presiding, assisted by Mrs.
Elizabeth Garden and Mrs. Clara
Tripplett, advisors. Four clubs with
a membership of 35 composed the
convention.
Officers elected were: Mary
Alice Thatcher, president; Rose
Marie Maclun, vice president;
Ethel Manilove, secretary; Olga
Plummer, corresponding secretary;
Dolores Harris, pianist;
Carolyn Tillman, sergeant-at-arms;
Rommetta Robinson, chaplain;
and Sonia Brooks.
A talent program and skit,
"O.A.C.W., This Is Your Life"
MRS. Marie Smith, commentator
highlighted the evening session.
The O.A.C.W.'s scholarship of
$4,000 was given to Miss Bea-
trice Cannon, of Roosevelt High
School. Miss Cannon plans to en-
ter the University of Oregon Nurs-
ing School in June.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
FORUM

The office of Vocational Guild
ance, II N. E. Broadway near Will
liams Ave, announces that the
Committee ON Interracial Princi-
pies and Practices is holding a
series of Town Hall" discussion
meetings in the interest of good
government.
IF we are to successfully meet
the challenge of getting the Civil
Rights passed this fall, a lot of
work must be done with the more
apathetic members in the com
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
ART BE DAMNED
(The Oregonian)

(The Oregonian)
Portland is currently a well.
conducted town. We have support
ed Mayor Lee in this respect and
will continue to do so.
However, Mayor Lee and the
council did not help matters by
the decision in the case of 1.-THE
Bicycle Thief" when they upheld
the board of review in its barring
of the picture. Such a decision can
lead the people to feel that the
administration actually is blue
nosed rather than merely sanely
just in its endorsements. There is
nothing wrong with the film, at
least so far as a showing in an art
theater is concerned, and yet now
we are held up to ridicule through
out the country.
That the council wished to sup
port the review board, which has
a most conscientious record, is not
enough. There was an opportunity
to show that the general restric-
tons were based on reason, and
the opportunity was lost.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
PORTLAND NEWS
Mrs. M NJ Duncon 4o24 E. 18th Porond H. Oregon TU 1877

| Theme of the meeting: Building
Leadership Through Club Women"
Thursday morning session opened
with eight clubs registering, with
a membership of 80 present
The afternoon program consisted
of paper by Mrs. S. Lenora Mey-
ers of the Literary Research Club,
subject, What About Tomorrow ?"
Edwin c. Berry gave a very
timely talk on The Urban
League" emphasizing the need for
club women to cooperate with the
League in helping to bring about
first-class citizenship
The evening session was high
lighted by potluck supper at
tended by club women. Mrs. Thel-
ma Unthank was chairman. This
was followed by a workshop led
by the following ladies':
1. Mrs. Phyllis Smith, Parlia-
mentary Procedure.
2. Mrs. S. Lenora Meyers, Legis-
lative Advancement.
3. Mrs. Henrietta Marshall, Arts
and Crafts.
A. Mrs. Betty Mitchell, Mother
Home Child.
Friday morning, Coop Club led
round table discussion: sex Edu-
cation is Not Enough" Participat-
ing were Mrs. Ruth Flowers, Mrs.
Iva Pope, Mrs Martha Payne and
Mrs. Matte Locke.
Mrs. Elizabeth Garden, vice.
president, presided at the after
noon session. Miss Mae Gallia,
Maxon Oral School instructor,
demonstrated methods and tech
nique used in teaching deaf mutes
| to talk.
President Mrs. Bernadett Plum
mer gave her annual message,
choosing the convention theme as
her subject.
A fashion review, styling the
work of the club women, Mrs. Cleo
Jackson, chairman. comprised the
evening session.
The Harriet Tubman Cup was
presented to the Good Neighbor
Sewing Club by Mrs. Anna Shep-
herd for the greatest amount of
charitable work done during the
year.
The art awards and prizes were
presented by Mrs. Texanna Fisher,
chairman. Judges were: Mrs. Vera
NJ. Rayho, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Aria
Norwood, Seattle, Wash.
Awards: Sweepstake, Co OPP
Club; 1st Grand, Good Neighbor
Club; LIST prize, Culture Club; End
prize, Excelsior Club; Bird prize,
Altrustic Club; 4th prize, Harriet
Tubman.
Music was provided during the
evening by the. Chordsman, Ste
phen Tillman, and a trio, Betty
Burks, Abilene Olden and Shirley
Moore.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
Y.w.C.A.

Central Y.W.C.A. sends out to
its membership and to volunteers
the following QUESTIONABLE: Would
you like to volunteer some time
for any of the following services:
Help with clerical work, such
as: addressing envelopes by hand
addressing envelopes by type
writer; folding material and stuff
fling envelopes.
tipping or filing cards.
Acting as hostess such as in the
lobby or noon canteen.
Acting as chaperon for coed
dances and social events thus
bands are also needed for this).
Leading a club of junior high
school girls.
Furnishing flowers or greens for
the lobby.
Call Central YWCA, BE. 62S1.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
CENSORED PICTURE
DECLARED GREAT
BY CRITICS

By Herbert L. Larson
Certainly the finest motion pic
ture not playing Portland is Wit
tort De sica's The Bicycle Thief
For that matter. it is so superior
to the average cinema effort that
comparisons would be odious.
Voices have spoken from the
clustered and ivied halls of Port
lands city hall. 1t has been or
dered by the municipal board of re-
view, and seconded by the city
fathers, that the picture can not
be shown in Portland unless a
brothel scene is deleted. Distribu-
tors of the picture declare the
production must be shown without
any cut being made, or not at all.
In this elegantly written and
played film there is nothing to
offend good taste. 1t is a powerful
story showing the pitiful effects of
juvenile deliqenucy when a youth
steals a bicycle from an impover-
ished father who desperately needs
it to earn a living for his wife and
two young children.
The disputed brothel scene is no
more damaging to morals than a
quick tour through the dining
room of a hotel for women at
breakfast time.
Full impact of the superbly di-
rected picture comes when father
and young son, the latter beauti-
fully played by EMO Staiola,
trudge through the streets of the
city in quest of the thief.
1t is the unique italian approach
to the motion picture that makes
the film superior product. This
approach defies description but it
is responsible for bringing some
of the finest films ever made to
the screen.
There are few pictures that Gre
ate the intensity to be found in
THE Bicycle Thief" The viewer
leaves the picture practically ex-
hausted from following the tense
story. 1t is not often that a motion
picture strikes so deeply to stir
the emotions.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
FULL GOSPEL PENTICOsTAL
TEMPLE
18th and Il. Fir st.
Rishon r F Morris. Pastor


The chorus of the Full Temple
known as the Soul Stirrsrs will
hold their first anniversary on
Thursday, June 18th. Refresh
ments will be served Immediately
after the program which will be-
gin at 1880 p. m. All are welcome.
We are expecting other choruses
and singers from out of the city.
Don't miss this grand time.
An singspiration was given by
the soul stirrers on Sunday after
noon, June 4th. Many hearts were
stirred as the songs of Zion were
brought forth by this group of
singers. If you were not present
you certainly did miss something.
So, don't miss the anniversary on
June 18th at o'clock.
The grand annual reunion will
convene at the Full Gospel Temple
July %, until the Both. All are
invited to attend these meetings.
An enjoyable time is expected.
Don't forget these dates.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
MINUTE SERMON

BY Rev. Raymond r. Day of the
Grace Presbyterian Church.
Scripture Mathew 6:30-
Wherefore, if God so closed the
grass of the field, which today is,
and tomorrow is cast into the
oven, shall he not much more cloth
you, Oh We of little faith?
Meditation Many men boast
over their fervent prayer, but few
can boast over their fervent be-
lieving. It was only through the
fervent faith of the master that
he was able to maintain the sense
of his fathers nearness. AS we
accept his prayers as examples so
let us accept his faith as exam
pie. So let your faith abound even
as your prayers are voiced abroad.
Prayer is the source of strength.
That leads men to a way of life
that brings a feeling of freedom
and confidence. Amen.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
Telephone 29544
BETHEL A. M. Il.
Rev. f.. r.. WILLIAMS, Pastor

hCts II. N. WILLIAMS, u dSoOA
Sunday, June 4th will be Com
munion Day. The Stewardess Board
No. 2 will help with communion
This board met at the home of Mrs.
Frank Mcintosh Friday evening
May 49, with Miss Jacqueline
Spearman, hostess A womanless
wedding was planned, which will
be June %, at Bethel Mrs. George
Gardner, chairman and Mrs. Make
O'Brien co-chairmen. The hostess
served a most delicious repast.
Rev. Williams made the closing re-
marks.
Children's Day will be June II,
the program for which is being
prepared by Mrs. E. p. Williams
and Mrs. ]. D. Morrison, chairman
and co-chairman.
Here is a very interesting letter
sent to me, but want the public
to have the privilege of reading IT.:
119 Elm Street
Bremerton, Washington
May Is, 1850
Mrs. Amanda Lopez Perry
1914 So. 9Th st.
Yakima, Wash.
Dear Madam: We enjoy reading
your column very much and at
present we are encouraging all
our members of the local NAACP
Branch to subscribe to the North
west Enterprise, and if possible,
we would like to see more news
about the NAACP, Yakima,
Branch.
Anything you can do in connec-
ton with the above statement will
be deeply appreciated.
Respectfully yours,
Albert L. Colvin, Membership
Chairman.
NOTICE!
To all Federated Clubs:
The State Convention of FEEDER
ated Clubs will convene in Yakima,
Washington, June Is. 16, IT.
To all club who want to make
reservations for your room write:
Mrs. Lillian Mack, 907 So 7th st.
or write Mrs. Arthur Gregory 14O7
| So. 10th st. before June 5, 1850.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
MT. HOPE
Rev. A. B. Fuller, pastor.

Monday evening, May % the
reception climaxed a week of the
pastors anniversary. The special
guests were Mrs. Harry Ellison
and Mrs. Pearl Braggs of Bethel
A. M. E.; one of the ladies sat at
the Reverend's right and the other
one on the left. The other guests
were Rev. and Mrs. r. H. Bradford
who sat at the opposite end of the
table. Mrs. Ellison read a beautiful
poem and dedicated it to Rev.
Mrs. Braggs made some interesting
remarks. Rev. Bradford gave grace
for the reception. Miss Smith sang
solo. Also many members made
short talks of appreciation. 1t was
wonderful affair. Mrs. Arthur
Gregory was the chairman.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
BOARD MEMBERS THAT
CAME OVER

Mansfield was here Wednesday
evening, also David E. Lockwood,
board chairman and president of
the University Federal Savings &
Loan Association in Seattle. Three
other board members, Richard w.
Axtell, Spokane attorney, Rev.
Fountain W. Penick, Seattle, and
Rev. Jerome L. Toner, OSB, head of
the history and social science de-
partment at St. Martins college
attended also.
There are 40 complaints filed Sc
far, the executive secretary said,
and in no case have they failed to
reach an agreement. More than
half the complaints have been dis
missed after investigation showed
no discrimination, he stated and a
number have been settled in con-
ference. Mayor N. X. Buck did
attend the meeting Wednesday
and made the address of welcome
on behalf of the city of Yakima.
Each board member talked briefly
and a question period followed,
which was very interesting. Mrs.
Rector Johnson. chairman of the
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-06-07
YAKIMA NEWS EVENTS
Amanda Loper Perry, 1214 south sixth Street TIE

Race Relations committee of the
Yakima Council of Churches was
the moderator. Rev. Edward Ohren-
stein, president of the Council of
Churches attended.
Mansfield said Ore. and Wash.
are the only states west of the
Mississippi which have adopted
law against discrimination in en-
ployment. Ten states altogether
have passed such legislation, most
of it modelled after the N. Y.
FEPC law, in effect for six years.