14

6201 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Illinois.

January 5, 1940

Dear Langston:

I suppose that judging by the lag in my correspondence, you
have felt that I was under a self-imposed censorship. That is
not the case. I've been in the doldrums and had nothing to say.
Margaret came home for the holidays and everybody was glad to
see her looking so well. She will get her M.A. in June and is
filing an application for a Rosenwald fellowship. She wants to
do some work in Semantics.

I have heard that Dick's book is to be issued in the spring by
the Book of the Month Club. Now all he has to do is win a Nobel
prize.

I'm not working with N.P.T. any more--- not that I've lost interest. I just decided to try to do some work of my own and perhaps get quicker results. Unfortunately things have not worked out as I had planned. The ballet libretto is giving me quite a bit of trouble and I haven't started on the play I threatened to do this winter. One new poem is all I can show as the result of a season's work. Perhaps the time wasn't all wasted since I have gotten straight politically and Bland thinks the poem marks another stage in my development.

How is your book coming along? What is its theme? When will it be published? When will you be in Chicago officially? Pete Pollack, of the S.S. Art Center Committee, would like to have

2

15

you speak for us ( gratis I imagine ) on the importance of
such a project. I think it's a good idea but the suggestion
is not mine.

There is a slight possibility that thru Horace Cayton's in-
fluence with Ches. S. Johnson at Fisk, I may go to Fisk in the
Fall as an unclassified student taking a few courses and re-
ceiving a small monthly stipend. Evidently Horace was pleased
with the work I did on the Community Studies Projects. I gather-
ed some magazine data, exceroated some books., directed the making
of some statistical tables, did proofreading and edited some of
the manuscripts. Two other friends of mine , one a prof at Chicago
and the other at N.U. who is also connected with the Methodist
Board of Education, have promised to use their influence in my
behalf. The N.U. man knows Faulkner, Fisk's Dean of the Chapel.
It was he who asked me to write and later published my article,
A Christian Becomes a Communist. He tells me that Faulkner re-
marked, after reading the article, that I represented the kind
of persons they needed at Fisk. These don't seem such bad pros-
pects do they?

By the way, after I have sent this new poem to Dillon at Poetry
Magazine and had it rejected, I shall send it to the Masses. I
think it may have a chance since it approaches that level of
obscuroantism and unintelligibility which one finds published
in its pages.

I really haven't anything else to say interesting or otherwise.
Please forgive me for waiting so long to answer your letter,
and be not governed, in your answering, by my dallying.

As ever,

6204 S. Parkway, Apt. 21

Chicago, Illinois

January 31, 1941

Dear Langston;

I saw Arna on Wednesday evening at the library and learned that you have been ill and hospitalized. I sincerely hope that illness was not serious and that you will be well soon.

I can't remember when I wrote to you last or what I said then so there may be some overlapping of material. I received a long letter from Margaret Walker. She has been practically bedridden since she went to Scotlandville last August. She is better now and has lost none of her intensity of spirit. She has been revising some of her poems and has collected enough material to publish a volume if only some publisher were interested. In addition she has been reading philosophy and criticism. Now she has plans for more poetry and some prose. I was quite worried about her for a time but she seems to be pulling through successfully. If I had half the guts that girl has, I think I would be simply marvelous. But I haven't her guts and I am terribly lazy to boot!

I heard Marion Anderson's recital last Sunday and found it quite exciting. Her program was new to Chicago audiences. The critics were most glowing in their praises. Last year Cecil Smith had commented on some noticeable flaws in her top voice, a break between the middle and lower registers and similar faults. These were legitimate criticisms but some Negroes decided that he was prejudiced because Anderson is a Negro and wrote to the Tribune to that effect. I discussed the situation with him just this fall and explained that Negroes have set Marion Anderson up as an idol, a goddess, and that they adore her blindly: after a long

17

monologue ( mine ) he got what I was trying to explain and that he couldn't sympathize with such blind loyalty, he did understand its background. Anyway, his review this season commented that Miss Anderson has "Never been in better vocal form". He felt that she had worked incredibly hard to gain complete mastery of her voice and had succeeded. I'm not a musician by any means but I certainly felt that her voice was more interesting because of the control with which she used it. She sang Massenet's "Pleurez, mes yeux", ( "Le Cid" ) and brought the House to its feet. Entirely new to her programs was a group of SouthAmerican songs by Villa-Lobos, Traversa and Varona. These were quite light and gave her opportunity to display her voice in the manner of a disuse. There were seven songs of Schumann and of course the spirituals ( arranged by Dett and rather fresh and interesting too). Seven encores, among them "To The Dark Virgin", completed the program. She sang "Doming Thru The Rye" as an encore and was quite warm in it. I mean her audience was able to feel much closer to her than ever before. And believe it or not, she sang it with her eyes open: Best of all I had a $3.30 Box Seat ( paid $2.30 for it ) and heard every note and her announcements of the encores. So much for that.'

Did I tell you that Marguerite and Clarice went to Chattanooga for Christmas? They were away for ten days and had a swell time. Charles is entering Central Y M C A College Monday. He's taking two courses, English 101 and Introduction to Sociology. It's going to be rather hard for him with his long working hours but I think he'll make out 0,K. I'm tied up with publicity, lecture arrangements and the charge of the gallery and attendants for the Art Center. In addition I'm working with NPT again and I'm on the Youth Committee on Cultural Arts which is presenting Robert Hayden, Detroit poet, and

Company "D", R.R.C.
1609th CASU
Fort Custer, Michigan

April 1, 1942

Dear Lang;

Thanks for your letter and the clipping. The letter was a bit ex-
aggerated but I suppose it had human interest and as the editors call it.
I didn't have a copy so if you don't mind I'd like to keep the clipping
you sent me.

I'm sorry that I didn't get to see you when I was home. I came by
the Center Saturday night but the front door was locked. It was nearly
midnight and I imagine that you were out. On Sunday I was so tied up
that I just didn't get around to telephoning you. I'll try to get in
to see the play ( if I get some money. I won't get a check until the end
of this month. I am to be assigned here to work as a clerk and I can't
be put on the payroll until I am assigned.

The news about "The Sun Do Move" sounds good. You've got some good people from Fed Theatre. They should help a lot to take the rough edges off of performances. How are the acoustics in the theater? What props are you using?

The news about Powell's paper sounds interesting but do you think that Horace can run the Center and edit a newspaper too? Will there be a special Chicago section or a Chicago edition? How are Horace and Irma, Arna, his wife and kids? Give them all my regards.

So you're going to be in the Yale record collection? Swell and more
power to you! Didn't hear the Freedom's People broadcast which you mention.
I seldom sit down to listen to a radio and too, I'm busy all day every day.

Ted Lawson, Belford's brother, is here. He told me last night that he had seen a news release about your being in Virginia and at Camp Lee. You do get around don't you? Your spring itinerary sounds interesting. Do you have any idea when Uncle is going to interrupt your career? I hope not soon.

Write when you can, I shall be glad to hear from you as often as you
find time to write. By the way, I heard from Margaret Walker. She is
head of the English Department at Livingston College, Salisbury North or
South Carolina, I don't remember where Salisbury is and I don't have her
letter handy. She seems to be quite enthused about her new job. I'm glad
for her, aren't you? I hear that Charley White is teaching in New Orleans
I've written to him and Liz, just a card, but have had no answer. I suppose
they're busy being wrapped up in each other.

I'm keeping a journal and I think it's going to be interesting reading one
of these days. Have to stop now. Lights go out in five minutes.

Cedet Robert A. Hanis
Co. K, 4th Q. M. S. R.
Camp Lee, Virginia
(Post-N)

Langston Hughes
634 St. Nicholas
apt 1-D
New York, N. Y.

44

Post Claims Office,
1922 SCU,
Ft. Huachuca, Arizona,
January 29, 1944.

Dear Lang:

Thanks for the clippings. I had seen the Margaret Halsey statement and Blitstein's article. The other material was new to me. Heard that Meg Walker was in Chicago recently. Do you know where she receives mail or what she's doing now? I think I wrote you that I haven't heard from her since this past summer. I liked her review. The restraint with which she intimated that it, "Ziba", was not the book to end all books on the subject was precious.

Lawton certainly did you proud, except for that lean and hungry looking picture of you. Why don't you let Leiber have some more recent photos for publicity?

Is there anything new on Gordon Parkes' case. I hear that some gentleman who hails from USA unoccupied territory and who works in OWI under Elmer Davis nixed his trip over as photographic correspondent with the 332nd Fighter Squadron.

Haven't done anything interesting in years, it seems. Expect to be home for my birthday and will celebrate as best I can. I don't see my way clear to come to New York for some time so I'll spend my few days in provincial Chicago.

Saw "Lifeboat" last night. Why is Canada Lee in it at all? As far as I could see, he added nothing to the picture. I have read somewhere that Steinbeck is surprised that he emerged as a character at all. In the scene where he saves the woman, I thought about your account of Dr. Moton's experience with the lady falling from the train-step. In the one scene where he could have voted with the others on the choice of a skipper, he says "I don't choose to run." That is stupid. They might as well have let him vote for all the harm it will do. The scene will surely be cut if the picture plays in unoccupied territory. The scene with the second Nazi rat fished from the sea was like carrying owls to Athens. I think audiences will be sufficiently convinced of the treachery and beastliness of the Nazis without such a crude repetition as that bit of ham. Am I being hypercritical?

Saw "Desert Song" which has fairly nice techni-color, some cute Negroes dancing as harem girls and a peculiarly Hollywoodian angle on the Arab situation. I'm certain Van Passen would have looked the other way if the producers had stolen some authentic material from his "The Forgotten Ally". Have you read it? It is dynamite. I wish other christians' Christianity would move them in righteous indignation one iota as much as his moves him!

Have you heard Marva sing? Can she or this all a buildup for an expensive flop? What is the idea of billing ( the Negro Press has, at least) as going on a concert tour? And with Nat Towles'

2.

band, of all aggregations!

Excuse me for waxing salty. I suppose I have to find something
to beef about besides the army. Everybody else does that and I'm
just tired and disgusted. I wish I could see you to have a real
good talk. I don't know when I have seen so much down-right dis-
honesty and chauvinism cloaked in military terms and action.

I hear that Sebree is out of the Navy and has Harrington's studio.
You remember Sebree, don't you?

Tony Hill wrote me from LA asking that I help him secure some
soldier art from Ft. Huachuca to be exhibited at Frances' school,
Music Town. Unfortunately, there ain't any such thing heah. Have
you seen any in your gettings around?

Lang, what is this play about which you sent to Frances? Did
you like the jeep ride? Aren't you still vibrating from it? Most
people do for days afterward.

Obviously, I haven't anything else to say. Why should I impose
on your good nature and the government's typewriter any longer? I
don't know either!

As ever,

Post Claims Office,
1922 SCU,
Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
15 February 1944

DEAR LANG:

Thanks for "Lot's Wife". I haven't read it yet but I've
glanced over it and it looks interesting. There's a waiting list
already.

I spoke to Marian Washington at the USO here on Sunday. The
Director, Adkins was away at the time. Miss Washington and Hugh
Gloster, a staff member, seemed interested. Miss W has probably
written to you already.

Both Washington and Gloster want you to know that the number
of soldiers in your audience will probably be relatively small
in comparison to what you've had at other camps. The Division is
away on maneuvers so that they have only about 3,500 men from which
to draw. You know what per centage would be interested in poetry.
I am not quite certain that this would be an obstacle. The Service
Clubs draw large crowds for concerts and book reviews. The USO
could draw on its Forum and Huddle Clubs. Then too, there are
Army wives and civilian employees who would be glad to attend. I
am looking forward to your coming. The USO has quarters in their
building where they could put you up.

Am on Special Duty with a Company of inactivated MP's. It's
my first experience in handling troops as an officer. I have had
no difficulty and in addition have had some success in building
morale which was sadly lacking when I took over this assignment.
The men are being transferred to other units as cadre and replace
ments and all of them should be gone by the end of the month.

Irma Cayton is in hospital, some kind of food poisoning --
nothing serious. I went to see her on Sunday afternoon and she
told me that she had spoken to Adkins at the USO about having you
there. She, too, hopes that you'll be able to stop here for a
lecture and visit.

Have to stop writing now and take some men to the Post Office
to get Money Orders cashed. I'm something of a Little Shepherd.
IQ's in this outfit are very low which means that their officers
have additional problems and responsibilities which officers as-
signed to other units don't face. So far, I'm enjoying the ex-
perience but I imagine that something will happen to make me jump
salty.

As ever,

Mrs. Mattie K. Coleman
announces the marriage of her daughter
Dorothy Louise
to
St. Robert A. Davis
Army of the United States
on Saturday, July the twenty-second
Nineteen hundred and forty-four
Officers' Mountain View Club
Fort Huachuca, Arizona

Lt. Col. S. A. Davis 0-533753
1922 S. C. U.
H. Huachuca Arizona

FORT HUACHUCA
III E 31
10:30 AM
1944
ARIZ.

Fri

Langston Hughes Esq.
634 St. Nicholas Ave
P.O. Harper
New York 30
New York

Apt. !

1922 S. C. U.,
Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
21 August 1944.

Dear Lang:

Sorry, I haven't time to write a long letter. Just want to send you this brochure on the new mural which hangs at Mt. View Club where Charlies once hung. Its not bad and had good propaganda value as far as the post is concerned. I wish it were at the white club instead, however. I imagine you met Lew Davis when you were here. He's the white soldier in charge of the Silk Screen Poster Shop.

Irma got her Captaincy on August 11th as did Baxter Scruggs.

I am now Ass't. Trial Judge ABVCCATE FOR General Courts-Martial as well as Ass't. Post Provost Marshal and Defense Counsel for Special Courts-Martial. Yes, I'm still #1 2nd Lt. (Cld). The bracketed information is probably the reason.

Give my regards to Margaret. Do you have the issue of that magazine which carried the article of Dick's about which I am hearing so much and yet so little? Have you seen the new Howard F., st book, "Freedom Road"? The review in Time sounds very good.

Write when you can.

As ever,

1922 S. C. U.,
Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
27 December 1944.

Dear Lang:

The news about "Troubled Island" is most pleasant. Guess I'm psychic, eh? Have the plans reached the stage of considering the cast? Might I suggest that somebody hear Esther Doby ( who sang Defile in the tryouts for the White-Matheus "Ouanga")? She has an exciting dramatic soprano voice and good presence. Don't know what her acting is like and she is rather light but could be toned down with makeup. She lives at 6219 Indiana in Chicago. John Green could give you more pointers on her from a musician's view-point. So much for plugging for my friends.

Read the story about Margaret and the eviction. That poor girl really catches hell, doesn't she? I wish she and Liz would write to me. I have written to them and can't get as much as a post card in return. I have asked Liz for Charley's address. I wanted to write to him, particularly after I heard of his illness. Can you help there?

Dorothy writes that Verne has been asked to handle Public Relations for the new Weaver committee on Race Relations in Chicago. He's undecided. Can't imagine why. I should imagine that this job would pay more, allow at least as much time for creative writing as his present one with the Defender and would give him more freedom of action.

Am considering going into journalism after war. Have written Northwestern U at Evanston for catalogue from School of Journalism. Plan to take advantage of education provisions of GI Bill. Will take some correspondence courses now if possible. Dorothy is willing to support me while I'm in school and I plan to get four years, if I can keep my grades up to the required standard. What do you think of this idea? Please be frank in your reply.

Enjoy Simple more with each reading. He is a wonderful creature! Is Charley Cherokee trying to steal your thunder with his John Henry?

Miss Anderson has asked me for a contribution. She'd like something on the army. I can't write what I feel most. Got any suggestions?

Charles is somewhere in Pacific but I don't know where. Apparently he takes the security regulations more seriously than anyone else I know. I heard from him in November but no news since. Hope he's still alive. Rosalie has just about decided to name the baby Daphne if it's a girl. I don't care for Daphne but the rest of the family, with the exception of my auth Stein, couldn't agree on any one name so I guess it'll be Daphne. Of course, it'll probably be a boy and all this controversy will have been needless. C'est la vie!

Write when you can. I know something interesting must be going on in NYC. God knows, nothing happens here. As ever,

1922 S. C. U.,
Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
22 January 1945.

Dear Langston:

You really came on with your praise for Powell. Enjoyed it tremendously.
I'm looking forward to lively sessions of the House when that gentleman partici-
pates in debate.

I regret that the divorce business had to come up when it did. Why couldn't they do like it is rumored the Roosevelt's did when he was elected for the first time? La Scott didn't help the situation by saying that she'd consider herself a very lucky girl to become his wife. Then, too, rumor has it that she was seen in NYC in a rather pregnant condition. I can't imagine anyone as sophisticated as she must be being caught in a webb ing of sperm.

Charley Cherokee says that Powell has siad that Fredi Washington or he must leave PV and that the ANG just laughed at him. Too bad if the gentleman is allowing personal feeling ( she is the sister to his wife, isn't she) drive him into conflict with ANG. He'll lose labor' s suport if he //insists on her removal. I don't see how he could hope to get his wish anyway. What do you say?

Am rather in the dumps. Was appointed Ass't. Defense Counsel for a General Court-Martial (murder case). The DC and I decided on Saturday, when we received the Charge Sheet, that we would intervied the accused on Monday, today. Sunday morning the accused was discovered in his cell dead - hanged himself. I can't but feel that he might not have committed suicide if we had talked to him on Saturday. Of course, he had signed a confession but there was some doubt on the part of the investigators that this man had actually committed the murder. I'll never know now.

I trust that you found Mag and daughter well. How is Mag's novel progressing?
I wonder if she finds the puritan atmosphere of Boston conducive to successful
completion of the great American (old) novel?

Do you ever see Dick? What is he doing? I have often wondered how he fares since
he renounced communism. I understand that those articles appeared in Harpers because
Book of the Month Club declined to use them in the book (Black Boy is the most recent
title, I hear) which they had agreed to publish.

Have you seen "the Tempest"? Read that the Philadelphia critics did not care for it. Who had replaced Canada Lee in Anna Lucasta?

Have had two promising interviews in the past week. The first was by an officer, a captain, from Hq 9th Service Command. Seems they want several Negro officers to do orientation at Los Angeles, San Francisco POE and at Ft. Lewis, Washington. The second was only yesterday with Major Homer Roberts who is looking for some bright young officer to work in his office in the Pentagon - Public Relations (Negro troop material). So -- I'm just a'settin' hoping that one or the other of the prospects will develop into something tangible.

Have written to Charley White but have a feeling that I'll get no answer

2.

as before.

Esther Doby has written to thank me for suggesting her name to you. Siad that her manager planned to contact Stokowsky. How are the production plans going? Please keep me posted.

Locke has written that Arna's and Cullen's "St. Louis Woman" is to hit Bwy this spring. Isn't the play based on Arna's "God Sends Sunday"?

Family is well, though a bit chilly in Chicago. Charles is enjoying the sun and big lonesomeness of New Guinea.

Write when you can.

As ever,

10

1922 S. C. U.,
Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
29 January 1945.

Dear Lang:

Thought you might be interested to know that Clarence Muse has been performing here for the past two days. He has been touring in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas as a part of his contribution to the Hollywood Victory Committee. Heard him at Theatre #4 Saturday night. He sang Sleepy Time Down South, Chloe, Old Man River (badly) and Earl Robinson's "Free and Equal Blues" which would take even more hamming to really ruin it. Muse read two or three of the poems in the Un-sonnet Sequence from Shakespeare in Harlem as well as Death in Harlem. The GI's seemed to enjoy them very much. The audience was composed, largely, of guys in the 373nd and hearing anything about Harlem was their meaf.

Met Muse last night at the club and he joined a discussion we were having. Sorry to say, I was not all impressed by him. He mouthed a few revolutionary concepts but couldn't recognize the same concepts when couched in different language and elaborated upon. He mentioned reading In Fact and the Daily Worker as though he expected us to throw our hands up in holy horror or to reply that we didn't know the publications. Just how sincere is his liberalism ?

Unfortunately, he dedicated that audience might be interested in excerpts from his former starring roles with the Lafayette Players. Soo, he did a scene each from Trilby and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Both of them were the purest ham I have seen in ages. At the theatre on Saturday, many people got up and walked out. I stayed and suffered thru it. Was caught unprepared for his second performance at the club last night. He stank an just as many aromas there. Guess I sound hypercritical, don't I?

How is Troubled Island progressing. Read a note in one of the Negro papers this past week-end on the production.

Received a card from Pete, dated 10 January. He was in Italy on his way home for reassignment. Must write Locke and tell him. I imagine he'd like to see Pete,

May get transferred. It's fairly definite that Post officer personnel is to be reduced soon and I'm hoping that I'll be among those released from assignment here. Then, too, I've been interviewed by Major Roberts of the Old section of the Public Relations office in the Pentagon. He says he needs some bright young man for work there and I was recommended to him. In addition, I have interviewed by a captain from 9th Service Command re working in Information and Education (Orientation) on west Coast (Ft. Lewis, San Francisco or Los Angeles). Would prefer going to coast. Can't see how I could afford to live in Washington. Am trying to save some money so Dot wont have such a struggle supporting me after I get out of the army and go to school.

Can't make up my mind on a professional sequence to follow in journalism. Am interested in English, Sociology and Political Science. Harold Ehrensperger who edits MOTIVE (Methodist Student Movement) has written that he would like to have me work with him on the magazine. That was a flattering offer, of course.

2.

The one sour note is that the course requires five (5) years to attain the MS in Journalism. Of course, I plan to take available courses in the summer quarters and may be able to finish in four years. I've decided that I'll do this one thing thoroughly if I never do another. I shudder when I think of the time, energy and opportunities I frittered away. The way may last for another year or two and I'll be around 30 when I get out of the army. Add five years in school to that, and I begin my career at 35! Well, they say life begins at 40 so I'll have a five year start on the nincompoops who take that little adage for granted.

Drop me a line when you can.

As ever,

1622 S. C. U.,
Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
2 February 1945.

Dear Langston:

As I recall, today is your birthday and I want to wish you many more of them
May they be progressively and cumulatively happy.
What could Margaret Anderson

Had a message from Charlie White who is a jodie again. Sgt. Parrish, WAC, met him in Albany at an artists' conference. He was with Woodruff and told Parrish to say hello to me and that he is well. Glad to hear that he is out. 'Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.

Your comment on "The Tempest" is amusing. What could Margaret Anderson been
thinking, if anything? Are we to believe that "The Tempest" is a case of bad
judgement and "Othello" a true measure of her ability or shall we decide that
"Othello" is a fortunate accident, successful and meritorious despite Miss Webster.
Joel Fluelen has written from LA that the critics are raving about the production
and about Robeson in particular. He says that all seats for the three week en-
gagement were sold before opening night.
It would be fun to get to Washington, might be able to make NYC some

week-end. Don't think I could afford to live in Washington, however. Food and
transportation costs would be prohibititive. Of course, I could manage if I
dumped my present savings budget overboard but I'm trying to put a little aside
so Dot won't be under such a terrific strain when I get out and go back to school.
The $75.00 per month which the government will allow married vets who are going to
school under the provisions of the GI Bill will barely take care of the expense of
going to school (carfare, etc.).
I hope it will be fun to get to Washington, might be able to make NYC some

Sorry to hear of the delay in plans for opera - unless it means that the production and casting will be improved thereby.

By the way, can Marva sing? I haven't heard her and the comments I have read on
her performances were limited to her charm and wardrobe. Of course, that may be
indicative. Perhaps she should become a disease rather than achanteuse.

Getting back to "The Tempest", why would Canada waste greasepaint to play the
Caliban in blackface? He could have gotten the same effect with vaseline!

Have a nice letter from Margaret Anderson. I'd like to meet her. She writes
as though she is a fine and interesting person.

Dorothy is quite gaga over the prospect of my going to Washington but I'm afraid
that she may be doomed to disappointment. This prospect will probably end as did
the one of being stationed in Chicago with the Redistribution Center. That's the way
my luck runs. Managed to say hello to Irma a few days ago when she telephoned Jack.
Both are well. Jack is going to Personal Services School at Washington & Lee at
Lexington for a class in Physical Reconditioning beginning 2/28/45. Tried to get in
on a course in Personal Affairs beginning at the same time but was informed that it
was not contemplated that I would be used as a Personal Affairs Officer.

74

1922 S. C. U.,
Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
19 February 1945.

Dear Lang:

So you stopped at Milwaukee's Finest while you were there? I wonder if that freedom of choice will continue to prevail or was it a special concession during your stay? How did the assemblies go? Is this a part of or a continuation of the lectures you were doing in Jersey?

The Forum Announcement from Parkway House looks good. I see that the Good Shepherd clan is represented on the Bd. of Directors. I gather that the coast was cleared after Kingsley's departure. Dorothy writes that Kingsley would like to return to Chicago and Good Shepherd. Folk from LA state that Pilgrim House which he is running there is not faring well at all.

The CRUISADER which you sent me seems to be Davenport's old DYNAMITE, which you have probably seen. It was a rabidly anti-Semitic, black chauvinistic sheet which was published in the late thirties and which finally went out of existence. I'm sorry to see that H. Geo. Davenport is still alive and in a position to publish anything. He, apparently, is nothing but a rabble-rouser without any principles and no objective except to stir the community to anger and heaven knows that all the organized stirring that goes on the Negro community should have purpose and direction.

At the time Dynamite was being published, it was hinted rather broadly that the funds came from German and Japanese propaganda agencies. Don't know whether there was any basis in fact for this statement other than that the paper was obviously fascist inspired.

The comment on M. Goss to the fact that she characterized the girl student as incorrigible and later admitted that she had never seen said student may or may not be true. However, I'm inclined to feel (on the basis of past experience) that it is probably true. Margaret has a way of getting the fumes from an idea or situation and proceeding as though she knew the whole story. You Know the Goss!

When you were at Horace's, did you meet a Sister Anthony Mary from a convent or seminary in So. Bend, Indiana? It happens that she is the cousin of a friend of mine who is in the Navy. Seems he wrote her asking that she try to locate me. Somehow she contacted Horace and from him got the info that I'm at Huachuca. She wrote to me. I answered that I am the Bob Davis her cousin referred to and she answered mentioning you, Fred/Sue Cayton, Harold Woodson as though she had met you at Horace's place.

Verne writes that he expects to be working for Am. Council on Relations soon; also that Defender wants to send him to Honolulu to investigate latest mutiny case. Says TKG is holding up the clearance in the War Dept.

Nothing new here. Weather is wonderful and for that I'm grateful but you know it takes more that good weather to make like tolerable.

- 2 -

Expect to be an uncle shortly. Verne writes that Rosalie will drop her littler almost any moment now.

Come Feb. 26th I will have been in this man's army for three years. Ain't that a bitch! Three whole years of my life wasted in a way I would never have wasted them! Hope this mess doesn't last much longer. I'm afraid that I'll have to blow my top if things don't change for me soon.

Verne was in Nashville recently and saw Arna. Says Arna has loads of assignments and is turning out stuff like a machine. Saw Arna's letter to Burns anent the book which he and Conroy have on the spring lists. Letter sounds livelier than I imagined Arna could be.

Have been praising Simple to everybody around here. He's a fine McCarthy to your Bergen. Keep it up.

Have to stop now. Volk must be puh formed. Yassuh mister boos, suh!

Bloody but unbowed,

76

1922 S. C. U.,
Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
1 April 1945.

Dear Lang:

Don't think I owe you a letter but I have an envelope addressed to you and while I'm clearing up my correspondence, I might as well drop you a line too. Saw a photo of your beaming countenance recently. Seems you were somewhere in Un-occupied Territory performing for American-Nigra Soldiers. I think you'd better start turning a profile to the camera. I'm glad to see you looking so healthy etc but I'm afraid you're getting roly-poly and that ain't becoming to our foremost poet.

Did Clarice and/or Verne write you re your column? They were threatening to send their compliments on the wisdom of Simple and his influence in waking people up. I think I told you that GI'S here often discuss your and Simple's arguments and Simple usually winds up with the whole gang on his side.

Am sorry the Defender went off half-cocked on the Gibson-9 and Statement. Judging from the NY Times, Amsterdam and Courier, the gentleman said a lot more than the Defender got and his statement seems to me to be an indictment of WD, Army Policy and Southern Education(?). Time Magazine and the local papers in Arizona used only those portions of his statement which - out of context - were uncomplimentary to our countrymen. I think it's high time we stopped raising a rucus about the unpleasant truths. I don't want to belong to a race that is supposed to be perfect. Of course, I don't and never will belong to one such, but I think the Defender has placed itself in a ludicrous position by flying off the handle at partial quotes. What do you think of the situation?

Have you read Dick's book? Friend in Nashville promises to send it to me. Read the reviews you sent and enjoyed them. Am very anxious to read the opus to see if I get the same impressions as Cherokee and Du Bois. You will recala that they seemed to express the opinion that the book indicates and egocentric and peevish personality.

Have a letter from Justema. Had promised several weeks ago to write him as soon as I had read his book. Haven't read it yet but I will do so tomorrow and then I can answer with a clear (?) conscience.

What/ cooks on "Troubled Island"? When does "S". Louis Woman" hit the boards? Where are you now? Still on tour, back home or on the coast?

Write when you can and if you can remember my questions, please answer a few of them.

81

Officers' Mountainview Mess

FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZONA

22 September 1945.

Dear Lang:

Your review and note arrived today. It was a real treat to hear from you. I wish I could see you to have a long discussion of some problems and plans of mine. I know the first item, problems, sounds strange coming from me who was always so cocksure and confident that his decisions were the last words!

To put it in a thimble, I've asked Dorothy for a divorce and I'm planning to live on the west coast, probably Los Angeles, when I get out. Have written

UCLA for catalogues and will enroll there (under the education provisions of GI Bill of rights) if they offer courses in journalism, and or subjects related to Public Relations.

Have offer of a job with Chicago Civil Liberties Committee at $75.00 per week to begin but feel that if I went to Chicago and took such a good-paying job, the incentive to go to school, stay there and finally do what I should have done years ago would be almost nil. Too, I fear that the nature of my domestic difficulties would make Dorothy try to be vindictive and I don't relish the thoughts of conflict and clashes with her.

Have not seen Gwen's book yet but have written to her and I plan to buy copies for myself and for gifts come next pay-day. Too, I'm going to buy copies to use here at the club as prizes for our next Quiz Program. I don't know if I told you that I'm club Officer for the colored club here. Well, I am and I've been having a rather good time spending money and planning the program for the club. It has given me an excellent opportunity to try out some pet ideas of mine and surprisingly, most of them have worked out very well.

Read in one of the Negro papers about the new play, "So Deep Are The Roots" but the article didn't give anything of plot or ideas of the play. If you can find any clippings, reviews, etc, I'd like very much to see them.

Had a nice letter from Margaret in July. I answered her but of course have had no reply. I suppose she'll write next year. There was a time when she was a good correspondent but I suppose that her marriage is a new and fairly valid excuse for not writing now.

Haven't heard from Charles in ages. He was well and on Luzon the last time I heard of him. Family is well. Clarice had a minor operation in August but is getting along OK, from all reports.

Met Louise Beavers and Nina Mae McKinney and saw Kelsey Pharr in LA when I was there in August. Had a rather nice trip, somewhat spoiled by emotionally induced pathological symptoms which resulted from my distressing experiences with Dorothy when I was in Chicago on leave, early in August.

Officers' Mountainview Mess

FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZONA

2.

Have been feeling awfully sorry for myself and, as usual, I feel like writing again. It's strange that when I'm fairly comfortable and at ease, I can't write at all. I have decided that I'll never write consistently for this reason. I can't see myself going around miserable and unhappy just so I can get something down on paper. This, to is an indication that I have no real creative ability anyway. C'est la vie.

Would like to hear from you. Want to know how "Troubled Island" is progressing.

Am interested, too, in hearing your version of the fracas over "St. Louis Woman". As I remember "God Sends Sunday", it might be objectionable but I'm sure that Arna and Cullen would not intentionally rewrite it for the stage carrying over those features which might grate harshly on the nerves of the literate Negro public and of white liberals and progressives. What say you?

Am gald that Robeson got the Spingarn. I assumed, for some unknown reason, that he had received it years ago. Well, coming as it does, when Robeson is as well known for his progressive ideas and actions as for his singing and acting, it seems to indicate a bit of growth for the committee and for the NAACP. Hope so, anyway.

Write soon.

As ever,

Officers' Mountainview Mess

FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZONA

5 October 1945.

Dear Langs

Thanks for your letter. I'll have to look up the SMF column to see what you said about the guy who woke up too late. A lot of good the column will do me now but I'd like to see it anyway.

The news about the delay on "TI" will certainly be welcome to Lawrence Whisonant who is stationed here. He has a letter from Stoky stating that he'd like very much to have him as one of the principals. Larry has an excellent voice, I think, and he fits Dessalines in a physical sense. I hope he's out in time to try for the role.

"Aven't seen Gwen Brooks' book yet but have ordered copies and am expecting them momentarily.

Just read in Defender that Verne was one of 16 Chicago newsmen given the Pag
One Award of the Chi. Chapter of ANG. Nice going, eh?

Would give my eye teeth to see "So Deep Are The Roots". Read Abe Hill's comments and was aroused by them. You have spoken very favorably of the play and something in the Defender, I don't remember what, was quite pro.

So you're working on a musical play?! Well, carry on, Jack!

Finally heard from Marguerite. She thinks that I'm not being fair to Dorothy
in my decision to get a divorce. She suggests that I should try again. How does
one eliminate from his mind the fact that someone has tried to kill him? Yes, I
know, you don't know the answer to that one either. I certainly don't and as long as
I can recollect that just that happened to me, so long will I refuse to live with
Dorothy regardless of whether she grants me a divorce or not.

Got a note from Justematoday. Says he has bought a little'shack! at Pacific
Grove, Calif. overlooking the bay and that he's decided to design wall papers and chintze
again to pay for it.

Chapman goes overboard for "C"rib Song", doesn't he? Saw a review which a guy named Hoffman did. He went to the rail and regurgitated, figuratively. What do you think of it?

Have to stop now and go in and see how the dance is getting along.

Write when you can.

As ever,

P. O. Box 568
Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
26 December 1945.

Dear Lang/

Unfortunately, I have been unable, until now, to find time to answer your letter of December 8th. Have been up to my neck in details of half-day celebrations at the club. Thank heaven, the Xmas Eve and Xmas night activities are over and I have only New Year's Eve to face. Whenn I reflect on the myriad details necessary to give the slightest effect of gaiety, I'm doubtful if it's really worth while to sweat so for the unappreciative and boorish group of folk we have here now.

By the way, My correct title and address are as follows:

Lt. Robert A. Davis, 0-533753
Officers' Mountainview Mess
P. O. Box 568
Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

Your, obviously competent, secretary sent the letter to me as Sgt in 92nd Signal Company.

Received Cayton's & Drake's book as a gift. Am looking forward to recognizing some of my material in it. Worked on some of the research and did some preliminary editing for the book when it was a WPA study.

I'm terribly sorry that you won't be able to spend a week with us here. The climate would be good for you and you'd be good for us, coming from civilization and bringing a break of fresh air therefrom.

It has written asking if I had secured a divorce without telling her. She states that you had told someone that we were divorced. I can't see why she wants to hide the fact that we're thru and I think she realizes by now that denying it to herself won't change fact. She finally stopped pestering me with lush and vapid letters protesting her love and repentance. I have a bundle of them, unanswered, as security against any chicanery during the divorce proceedings, whenever it comes off.

I hope that your coming tour is successful and that the weather of Utah and Colorado aren't too hard on you. When you see Justema, as you probably will, please give him my regards.

Had heard about the Street Scene opus. Congrats! What's the story now on Troubled Island? Has Stoky had enough honeymoon to get back to work?

Write when you can.

As ever,

August 5, 1957

Dear Bob:

It is certainly good of you to keep me so well informed about
the show. I am amazed to have received three letters from you
within three weeks, not having had a line in three years.
But now, perhaps, playing the part of a writer has changed you
into a writer - again.

If you will be so kind as to drop me one more line - it could
be a postcard, letting me know if I am correct in assuming that
the final performances of A PART OF THE BLUES are August 23rd
and 24th, I should be most grateful. My Aunt Toy with whom
I live has a number of relatives in Los Angeles, including her
90 year old mother who is not too well, so she may be flying
out there for a short visit. And if she does, I want her to
get there in time to see the show before it closes. In fact
I have been trying to urge her to go this week coming, but she
is somewhat set in her ways and cannot be moved easily.

Things seem to be slightly on the upswing here in New York for
Negroes in the theatre. Why, I do not know. Not only has
Broadway been largely inactive for the past decade, but Harlem
too, has had almost nothing of interest in the way of little
theatre groups. Now, all of a sudden this summer, the YMCA group
produced an excellent review which filled the theatre during one
of the hottest weeks on record, and they think they might do A PART
OF THE BLUES this winter. Also, just around the corner from me on
125th Street, a new Negro Actors Studio has opened and is doing
quite creditable productions of one-act plays and musicals every
week-end. Last week-end they did my SOUL GONE HOME, very well.
And on Broadway, Lena Horne's JAMAICA, is now in rehearsal; my
show is opening soon; and a few other largely Negro shows are said
to be in the offing for the new season. It is about time!

All my best wishes to you, as ever

15 July 1960
8428 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood 46 Calif.

Dear Lang:

I received both of your postal cards, the second reminding me that I'm running true to form about correspondence. As usual, I have reasonable (sic) excuses for not writing sooner. I've been busy at Ebony Showcase ( or did I tell you?). For a time, I was teaching a class in acting for beginners there on Monday nights and supervising a Professional Workshop (also at Ebony) on Tuesday nights. Ebony Showcase, as you know, is the little theatre that Horace (Nicodemus) and Edna Stewart have been running, in three locations, in the Negro community here, for the past nine or ten years. Well, Nick persuaded me to direct a new play by Rafael Hayes (brother of Alfred), "Those Baby Blue Eyes" and we were scheduled to open on April 10th. In the meantime he was attempting to raise money to re-mount "Carnival Island" the musical for which he, Nick, has written book, lyrics and music and which he had produced at Ebony in the late winter and early spring of this year. To make a long story short, ten days before we were to open "TBBE", Nick came to my cast and me to say that he didn't have money to produce our show but that he had secured backing for "Carnival Island" and that he would defer our show for two months or so until he got the musical re-mounted and opened at the Civic Theatre on La Cienega Blvd., in Hollywood. The cast accepted his explanation and asked to be allowed to keep their scripts so they could work on their roles at leisure during the layoff. So far, so good. Then Nick asked me if I would stage manage "C I". Frank Silvera was to do it directly. I agreed after he had stated, in reply to my enquiry that he would make arrangements to cover my class and the workshop.

We began the job of re-assembling the old cast of "C I" and re-casting some of the roles. Frank was excellent with the actors, but from the first, he had trouble with Nick who objected to and resisted the changes in the book which Frank wanted to make (all of which were on the side of needed improvements and which Frank had discussed at some length (weeks, to be exact) with Nick before we went into rehearsal). Finally, came the showdown. Nick says that Frank quit. Frank says he was fired. I believe Frank. By the way, he had put some of his own money into the show. Ergo, I arrive at the theatre one afternoon for a meeting with Nick, Edna and the scenic designer (who didn't show up, by the way) and learn that Frank is no longer with the production and that Nick has re-called the original director. I met the guy, Gordon Hunt, a nice, pleasant, theatre-loving and professionally ineffectual young man. At the end of rehearsal, I told Nick that I was leaving the production, since reason for my having consented to stage manage (the chance to work with Frank) no longer existed. Nick took this with

2.

what seemed to be good grace. He consented to use, as
Stage Manager, my assistant who was one of the students
from my class. He's from Chicago, Major Conic, son of
a Bishop in some fundamentalist religious denomination.

Well, the opening was scheduled for July 6th at the
Civic Theatre. As of this date, they are still in re-
hearsal. There have been at least backers' auditions
since I left the show but no angels have draped their
wings around the production. The show is scheduled to
open next week sometime at Ebony's home base on West
Adams Blvd. near Crenshaw. There have been other con-
tretemps which you could understand only if you were on
the scene. All in all, it has been another one of those
n----r messes. Nick deserves credit for having tried
to operate a quality theatre in the Negro community here
for the past ten years. They have done some excellent
productions. On the other hand, Nick both idolizes and
fears anybody he feels has more education or experience
in legitimate theatre than he. His background is vaude-
ville, night clubs, and band acts in addition to his birth
in "Amos & Andy" and a few other TV shows and 'roles' in
African Westerns. He fancies himself as a writer, actor,
comedian, producer, lyricist, song-writer as well as the
operator of a theatre which tries to be commerical, profes-
sional, and a community clearing house for both profession-
al and beginning actors in the Negro community. These
are all worthy aims, I agree with all of them. The trouble
problem is that Nick is not equipped to function even
passably in all of these capacities and he views suggestions
with suspicion. The production pattern (?) I have de-
scribed has obtained on practically all of the things he
has produced. He did nothing about covering either the
class or the Workshop despite the fact that I had urged
him to keep them going and he had agreed to do so. Equity
has looked the other way in order not to see the violations
of Equity Little Theatre Contract rules as far as his
productions are concerned. Professional actors, both
Negro and white have given of time and energy (sometimes
at financial cost to themselves) in order to help this
theatre keep going, and it does. But always with much
internal dissension, recrimination and a high turnover
in personnel. Of course, the Negro actors finally wind
up back at Ebony in some capacity because the opportunities
to do anything elsewhere are so few. Nick, of course,
knows he has us by the short hair and so he gets away with
murder.

I know you have said to yourself, long ere now, "Why the
hell don't the dissatisfied and disgruntled folk around
that theatre start another one and see if they can do
any better?" Well, I've reached that point so my next
'think project' is to try to work out a plan, discuss it
with some of the other actors and see if we can all chip
in from our meagre (HA;) resources, beg borrow and steal
equipment and wade in. We can't lose much more than we
are accustomed to losing in association with Nick and
we just might gain something more than bitter knowledge'

5.

So much for that! For now, at least. Now:

What's with you and "Raisin"? Will you be coming to Hollywood? If you are, you'll be here before this letter reaches you. I understand they are to begin shooting here next week. I had an interview with the director about a bit which had been eliminated from the script by the time I had my interview. Saw Sidney later (he dropped in on the rehearsals of "CI". He offered me work on the picture as his Stand-In. Of course, I told him I was grateful for his offer and accepted. Whether it will come to pass, I can't say. Stand-In work is under the jurisdiction of Screen Extras Guild. I called them and they gave me the business about having to join ($200.00 initiation fee) and pay the current dues, and that I should first go to Central Casting for an interview. I went to Central Casting, had a brief interview and subsequently got a form letter (mimeographed) from them stating that they could not accept me for registration because of the large number of people already registered with them in my category. Of course, this is all part of a run-around. Central Casting is not a Union, it is a sort of clearing house used by the studios for Extra Calls. Negro Extras are handled under a completely separate arrangement thru a guy (Negro) named Weldon. I checked with the Nat'l. Labor Relations Board office here and confirmed that 'under the provisions of the Taft-Hartley Law, no union can refuse to let one work in a job an employer wants one for. It may, if it has a contractual provision, require one to join if he goes to work under its (the union's jurisdiction). If there is no such contractual provision, one may work for a long as thirty days (sometimes longer) before having to join the union. Actually, I'd join the union, if necessary, (Sidney says he figures there would be about five week's work on the job and that he'd see that I got some of his personal (?) work to do in order to augment the salary. The rub is this: since SEG and Central Casting obviously are reluctant (') to accept me for this specific job (and I understand their reasoning), the producer of "Raisin" would have to ask them to 'waive' their objections in order to use me. Or he could simple invoke the Taft-Hartley act and use me and force them to accept me. However, they could, in the latter instance, make things very difficult for him by indulging in niggling over minor matters in relation to the production. As you see, it's a messy kettle of fish. I'm sending a note to Sidney at his hotel here giving him this information and informing him that I still would like to do the job but not if it is going to endanger the rapport of his producer with SEG and Central Casting. After all, he can get along without me but he can't without their cooperation.

I don't know when I've unburdened myself so to you. Hope you don't mind too much.

What is the status of "Tambourines"? I saw Bernie Hamilton and he was rather vague. I read in Variety that it was to be done in stock this summer prior to a BWY opening. Let me hear from you. I'm still at the RENAISSANCE, 8428 Sunset (Over)

4.

Blvd., telephone OL 6-2531. If I'm not in during the day, you might try at OL 4-5060 (the Paxton's place in Laurel Canyon) or GLOBE 6-2164 (their place at Malibu). In any event, I'm around on Tuesdays (the day I report to the Un-employnebt Compensation window, and on Thursdays when I do my basic chores here at the Renaissance. The phone number at the Club is OL 4-9106.

Read in "VARIETY" that Zsa Zsa Gabor visited the "Raisin" loca-
tion site, 'dripping diamonds' !! She must have been quite
a hit. She certainly has the old-style continental glamour.

Must sign off now. It's 4:33 AM and I have to get up at 6AM to catch a 7:10 bus to Malibu. I'm spending the weekend with the Paxton's there before they rent their place for the summer.

As ever,

8428 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood 46 California

11 October 1960

[ROBERT DAVIS]

Dear 'angston:

I'm so far behind in answering your letters, notes,
packets, etc, that I don't know where to begin. This will
read somewhat like a stack of unrelated telegrams:

1. Thank you for the photo, it's quite good. I trust you're
   properly grateful to de Carava.

2. Meant to comment in my last letter on the Spingarn Award.
You certainly deserved it and long ago!

3. Miss (?) Mamie Crawford got in touch with me at your suggestion concerning help on the autobiographical novel she has buzzing around in her head. Went to see her, read a sketchy outline she had and told her I could and would help her; that I would read her manuscript, give her a written opinion as to content, interest, structure, emphasis, and the technical things like grammar, syntax, spelling etc, for the small sum of $25.00. That she could decide then if she wanted me to help her with the re-writing. She was insistent that the manuscript must remain in her sight while I worked on it, even for the analysis described above. Said she would have to talk to her sister about my proposition. Haven't heard any more from her.

4. The news on TAMBOURINES sounds good. Hope you get a
house in NYC and that you run forever.

5. Bessie Griffin, Delores Addison and the Gospel Pearls
are still appearing at the Renaissance on Sunday evenings.
They have had a spot in a TV film and have recorded some sides
as well as having appeared in one of the lounge shows at
Las Vegas. For my money, they don't make it any more. They
are unbelievably undisciplined and un-professional, having
no sense of group and coming on-stage as though they had
left something important, amusing and important in the wings
and must hurry through the act to get back to their profate
interests (half pints of scotch, hamburgers, pickles, etc.

6. Nat Cole is rehearsing a musical (what it's about is a
secret even to members of the company) which is scheduled to
open at the Geary in SF the end of this month.

7. NO Exit has two more weeks to go at EBONY SHOWCASE after
which Maugham's "Rain" is to go on. Nick's "Carnival
Island" is still in the 'future' as far as production is
concerned.

8. I'm well, broke, teaching a class for beginning actors,
and really at sort of loose ends. Something's gotta give!

9. Ben Shapiro wants to know if you'll be available to repeat
J & P at the Renaissance when you come out in February. (over)

17 October 1960

Dear Lang:

Sorry my speedy answer irritated you. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and I guess I over did it. You don't have to rush to answer this one, in fact, I don't believe it requires any reply.

Haven't seen Walter's house but he talked with me on the phone about it. By the way, he's directing a reading of a new play which is to be done at First Unitarian Church on next Monday evening.

You're right about show biz! I've worked exactly two (2) days this year. My unemployment compensation will be exhausted in about three weeks and I haven't a single prospect in the offing. I'm no longer young and winning so there's little prospect of a 'patron'. Thus it would appear that I'll have to find some kind of a JOB, ugh!

Had planned to ask Ben to give me a couple of his mid-week evenings during December for readings of poetry and prose in a sort of Black Words Pot Pourri. Of course I was going to use some of your things, Gwen Brooks, Meg Walker and some of my short prose sketches along with selections from "African Treasury". So that's out, for here, at least. Will see if I can work out something else.

Have to sign off now and write to Clarice. I've owed her a letter for months!

As ever,

JACKSON-HATCH PROD.

9850 Easton Drive
Beverly Hills, California
NO 2-7831 - WE 6-6013

February 4, 1961

Dear Friend:

An Original Musical Comedy - FLY BLACKBIRD - opens in Los Angeles, February 10 at the Metro Theatre, 4720 Washington Boulevard.

It is excellent fare for Theatre Parties. An interracial cast brings to the stage all the ingredients of a zesty musical comedy ... and more! The story of FLY BLACKBIRD is the story of today's seething race issues. It is thought-provoking satire, sure to stimulate those who see it, as it boldly examines the stereotypes so commonly accepted by both Negro and white.

FLY BLACKBIRD, by C. Jackson and J. Hatch (both of the UCLA faculty), has already met with success. As a one-act at the Vanguard Theatre, it received critical acclaim and played to capacity houses. The press proclaimed it "...a work of fine art" (Los Angeles Sentinel) "...outstanding!" (Dance Magazine) "...a light musical with a heavy punch" (California Eagle). Encouraged by the enthusiastic reception given their work, the authors have produced this new, full-length version.

See FLY BLACKBIRD! You will enjoy an evening of exciting theatre -- and your organization will profit. Special Discount Rates have been arranged to make this a real money-raiser for you. Plan a Theatre Party -- you will receive a 30% Discount for the Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday night performances; 20% on Friday and Saturday night.

Call NO 2-7831 or WE 6-6013 for further information about Group Rates and Theatre Party Discounts.

November 30, 1961

Dear Bobby: Just came from rehearsal of a Christmas song-play of mine, off-Broadway, BLACK NATIVITY, to find your most welcome letter and all the good news. You know what Dorothy Parker said: "The sweetest words of tongue or pen, check enclosed." Well, faith and a promise (if in case of need) is even better. Thanks enormously. But right now I'm O.K., this being the time when autumn book royalties come in. And lately the foreign checks have been better than ever, not big, but all put together most helpful---since I have books in most of the European countries now in translations. But I appreciate what you wrote so much.

And am so glad you'll have a chance to go to Europe---before the megaton ends all! Maybe you could get work in those Rome movies that quite a few cullud seem to find work in. Several have gone from here lately. Once there, with a little extra work, you could stay for a spell.

I'm invited to Nigeria again for the Lagos Arts Festival at mid-December. A whole plane load of folks are going---Nina Simone, Katherine Dunham, Lionel Hampton and various jazzmen, three writers, an artist or two---an exchange of Afro-American-African art---for programs and seminars for 2 days. I think I'll stay a couple of weeks or so, and stop again in Paris and maybe London on the way home. Back in January, I reckon. My show opens on the 11th---all gospel singers portraying the Nativity story---for a four week run---to be repeated every Christmas if all goes well. It looked pretty good today in early stages of rehearsal.

Thanks for the new address, clippings and all. Glad to read of Pauline using my material I sent her. Wonder did she use any of MAMA. I made a dialogue man-woman version. Ozzie and Ruby expect to use it here. Their PURLIE is hilarious. Seems to be making a run. Best ever,

CHAPTERS 31, 32, 48, 51, 52, 49, 56, 57, and 60 sent.

174

November 10, 1966

Dear Bob: (Davis) - Hollywood.

It was good having news of you---and if I weren't pushed trying to get off to my alma mater, Lincoln, for the opening of its new Fine Arts Building and Theatre, I would write you more news of myself. But this is just to tell you I am posting you by train mail today a half dozen or so chapters from my book on entertainment, including a chronology of important events of the Negro in the theatre, which might be of some use to you in preparing your talk. You need not return the material as I have another carbon set.....I'll invite your newphew to dinner when I come back to town. Meanwhile, till further news, best wishes come toujours a vous,