New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 20

ii I Ten Years Jixaety Per Cent ol AH the Hew 'i'cssi Hare Faded Only Count Basie, Jissiie iSitdcrd, Ella Fitzgerald, Erskine Hawkins, Evans cad a Few Others Have Crashed lbs Charged Circle with Eddie Anderson. HI: By BILLY ROWE JETtf YORK, Aug; 17The cry for new faces, new and even new types of theatrical productions nas echoed and re ecnoed tnrougnout tne enure lengtn 5 prof ession or many years. But in answer to that aiwaya coma the sua ia field open for. new viswing the field over a of ten years, or even tif teen thai abovs question in caeasure can truthfully be td in the negative with iUons of course, for the gcn rtption. to tha rula for dur time a few.

new staa like Basie. Jimmle Lunceford, Itxzerald. ErskJns Hawkins, it. Bobbie Evans, Eddie ster' Anderson, and a few hav; crashed the charmed beyond tha horixon which "success. JACKS IirrEBEST out pondering over the it thai lack of.

Interest with ths public accepts new tal zn taken as a aad. state Jiu for that in a large meas killing colored show busi th white Held, stars are which always I an added stimulant to the Jon on the other side of the whetf its world begins to 3L! Uj world of colored en jnenVi Ja. to survive, there be created: opening for slant. harrying the various fronts iva discovered many 'new that are deserving of a place ha star studded firmament i enhances the glamour be the footlights. Without think a name such artists as vleldsi whose new band will aught to the Apollo Jerome Carrington, of Wash who has one of the finest I we have ever heard.

Jean whose all around talent' is 1 only to her youth. Slim JEddie, who proved a few i ago at the Apollo that they stuft from which stars taade. Hazel Scott, with a al background that is second me in the profession. Joe the drummer lad with knowledge and gusto about ide beating to take him any Dolores Brown, who has tit takes but can't get a tha production field, there are tter men equipped to give Itterbug age what it wants Larry Steele or Joe Johnson, aave been buried in the sticks the old fellows in the game unsuspecting audiences the thing wek in and week out. jurse.

there are a million tap a few, have public degrees, but missed the star wagon, not because they are not good or because they are not liked, for heaven knows they have kept many a stax1 out in front, but we believe it's just a plain case of oversight. If the theatre going masses are wise, they will open their hearts to let in the rays of new theatrical stars for those whom we now regard as the big wigs of the world of entertainment will run out of ideas some day, and when they do, so will colored show business, for a tree without roots may be beautiful for a while, but die it must and will. New talent is the root of show business, so why not give it an opening? Em rrn. UZ3 UU LTU uBoogie Woogie" i Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Amnions, Exponents of 'Low Down' Piano Playing, Going to Hotel Sherman. NEW YORK, Aug.

17. Since the wave of boogie woogie piano playing struck the city awhile back, the most famous exponents of that type of ivory plunking have been peacefully swinging out at Cafe Society down in the village. However, since their brother Kansan, Count Basie, went into the Sherman Hotel's Panther Room and almost had the panthers on the wall swaying to his torrid tunes, demand has been strong for the type of swing which the piano playing Kansan dish out. As a result, Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Amnions' new address will be the Hotel Sherman, Chicago, after September 2. rs that are good, but from, "Mammy" Bell, ot the 52nd arch there are none, better Street Chicken Shack, is one of low Bill Robinson than Honi I Maxine Sullivan's most ardent ad Peta Nugent, Bill Bailey and I mireis.

She sends the little sing Wilson. er gardenias at every Maxine Sul 39 performers. Just to name livan opening. NEW DOORS FOR RACE FILMS mrx.n? i ixm i i 1 XA: t'XX, lilph Cooper shakes hands with Max r. vast chain picture houses "jhbut "the' East after being assured, that RKO i always be a market for good Colored pictures.

out a bit of sound advice, Mr. Fellerman said pictures must, be good if they are to find rkit iathe days have passed when colored fans 3 to cee picture, just because it's colored. Names count and even Cbe smallest company must nber it is in a competitive field and the public bei pleased "and not fooled. Cooper is enroute to coast to star in another Million Dollars production. rowe.

lywood version of tne "Swing Mikado," therefore we are inclined to disagree with Miss Almena Davis, sepia theatrical critic of LA. There is no racial discrimination at the box office or anywhere in the theatre as charged in rumors. To compare it with "Run Little Chillun," Hall Johnson wrote the book and music to the folk drama. Elliott Carpenter converted the Gilbert Sullivan opera music into swings Both are Negro geniuses. Tha only difference is that John son got the breaks ahead of "The Swing Mikado is a bur leques and is supposed to be outlandish in costume and you are supposed to take anything that may pop out in the way of dialogue and music.

LOCH LOMAX There were many who opposed Maxine Sullivan's swinging of Scotch tunes. The Marx Brothers, the Rita Brothers, Eddie Cantor. Jack Benny, and scores of others have burlesqued popular plays and skits. One thing very' noticable about the entire production is that there is little Negro dialect. These ar tists really spit out tongue twisting words.

But if you are. going to criticize "The Swing Mikado" why wasn't "Macbeth" lashed editorially? What about "Porgy and And as far as costume is con cerned, practically every musical ever presented with sepias has worn comical costumes. Shuffle Along," "Running Wild," "Afri cana," "Blackbirds. Hamtree Har rington, Blue McAlister, Marshall "Garbage" Rodgers, all have been guilty of wearing these types of costumes. 'The motion pictures" invariably go out of.

their way most of the time to belittle sepias. GERTRUDE SAUNDERS GETS A BREAK In other words, "The Swing Mikado" is good entertainment. We say this unbiasedly. We didn't carry an ad or receive any remuneration from the opus. Our comments are done only in fairness.

Billy Mitchell is a comedian and it gives him his best break in a score of years. His Ko Ko is mosC convicing. Gertrude Saunders has her best breaks since the old days. She is the original boop a doop girl. And Gertrude really went to town.

James Miller is superb. And Marguerite Chapman, a newcomer, has been SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1523 TA Pittsbzrzh Cczritr jp pp: 0 ii I Ai DEEP raised to stardom. The frisky, flighty, fickle and frivolous acting Florence O'Brien, who had the stellar role in "Run Little Chillun," is indeed a great discovery. But this new dancing darling, Janet Collins," is sensational. Her body sheathed in black oil, looks like an onyx statue suddenly becoming animated.

Tha beautiful effect is brought about by spraying her body with the fluid from a flit gun. Elliott Carpenter's special music for her dance enhances the value to Miss Collins. Her dance is a classic land is well worth the admission. The Three Rockets, Andrew Jackson, Henry "Baby Face" Roberts, and Johnny Thomas, score with their tap dancing. While everyone is berating William Gillespie as the Mikado, I think he was exceptionally good.

He brought back memories of George Walker, partner to Bert Williams. Also Salem Tutt Whitney and J. Homer Tutt. In Gillespie lives the grand dandies of yesteryear on the 'stage. The Patsy Hunter girls are about as beautiful a set of girls found any wherof And that goes for Earl Carroll's lovelies, too.

In short, "The Swing good entertainment. Go and see it. Re member there are 92 sepias who need the jobs. CLARENCE MUSE And while we are about it, we wonder if Miss Davis or Mr. Muse knows that the radio announcer says, "Introducing the original Uncle Tom.

Uncle Tom in person, Clarence Muse." Or do they? Clarence Muse plays tha role of Uncle Tom in "Uncle' Tom's Cabin." at Topsy Tavern here. Hattie. Noel, who i has quite a role in "Our Leading Citizen," starring Bob Burns, a Para pix, turned down a role in "One Dark Knight," starring Mantan Moore land and Bettie Tread ville. She refused because she, didn't wish to play second fiddle in a pix to Bettie Treadville and the $150. Hattie McDaniels jalso refused the Treadville role ftis said, due to the fact that she couldn't underrate herself.

Hattie Noel stated, "I would play a role for little or nothing for George Randol or some other colored producer. But I refuse to help swell the bankroll of the whites." While on the subject of George Randol, we wonder what happened to his "Midnight i 1 Deep South 'Singers, who are regular performers over WWL, the CBS outlet for New Orleans, on a Sunday morning program at 8:30. They have been on this station for a number of months. They are; left to right: Clarence Williams, Philip Gibbs, manager; Andrew Williams, Oliver Conway, Eugene "Old Deacon" Wilman, Henry Bradford John Wilson, Robert "Bob" Hayward and Leroy Banks. irt For Fmt roiB ISoaiifJ.Tour Warbler Who Succeeded Chick Webb as Maestro Will Come to Pittsburgh Sepember 4 On Way to Contract Engagement at Chi's Grand Terrace.

NEW YORK, Aug. 17. Ella Fitzgerald and her orchestra who have been pulling some record breaking crowds into Harlem's Savoy ballroom recently, are at last about to embark upon their first real road tour since the untimely death of their leader. Happy at the chance to finally show the out of towners exactly jhow well they are carrying on; although the aggregation has been airing some splendid programs, they feel that seeing is believing. Oh August 28 and 29, Ella will OAy a ki THE MIKADO IN SWING Jazz Mickey, Not Thomas HOLLYWOOD, Aug.

17. "The Swing Mikado" is a current success at the El Capitan theatre here. Readers of this pillar for almost a decade will recall that we have consistently fought against jim crowism and "Uncle Tom ism." We can see nothing tos become alarmed over in the Hoi "Chew, Chew Her Bubblegum" for the patrons of the Revere Plaza Ballroom at Revere, Mass. On the 31st of the same month she and the band will "Tisket a Tasket" and "Find Her Yellow Basket" at the Waltz Dream Ballroom in Atlantic City. September 2 will find them at the Pier Ballroom in Celeron, N.Y., with all of them telling the world that they're "Just a Jitterbug." And so to Pittsburgh on the 4th, and Lexington, Ky on the 6th.

After jaunting around the country and receiving, the plaudits of the masses, Ella and the boys will wind up in Chicago's Grand Terrace for a six weeks' fling, the first extended date which the band has been allowed to accept although it has been swamped with offers. ART TATUM TO BE PRESENTED WITH LES HUE LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17 (WS) Local residents of both races are planning a swing concert featuring the music of Lea Hite and his celebrated orchestra, and Art Ta tum, the great pianist, according to press releases in this city. The affair is expected to rival those of Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington, which were held in the East. Observers remember that two of the best musicians in the country were at one time members of the Hite aggregation.

Lawrence Brown, with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton, with Benny Goodman, both played in the genial maes tro's band and many of the greatest leaders of the day have told Marshall Royall that he can join them whenever he wants to. We also wonder what Jack Goldberg, who produced the first Josephine Baker picture, is doing in LA. Goldberg piloted Mamie Smith to fame. It seems that Harry M. Popkin has Monte Haw ley bound and gagged? News Novelette: "Eddie Green plana film on life of James Bland." Headline.

Spencer Williams for the past three years has had a beautiful script ready for production on the life of James Bland, the black Stephen Foster. But with all of his supposed friends in Hollywood, not one would put up dough for such a film. And that includes Alfred Sack, who has such a great love for the Negro. Oh, yeah? Billy Jones would like to contact a young girl for theatrical work. Applicants should contact Billy at 1564 Broadway, care of Billboard, New York City.

Teddy Hill and band and big revue will be featured at the Apollo Theatre this week following Jimmle Lunceford and his band, now in Baltimore. Executive In Actors' Guild NEW YORK CITY, Aug. i. 17 Last Monday, Noble Sissle, president of the Negro Actors' Guild, announced that Edna Thomas, well known to the theatre goers for her portrayals on the I stage, who created the role of "Lady Macbeth" in the WPA Theatre production of that play, was selected by the executive, board of the Negro Actors' Guild of America, as acting executive secretary to direct the affairs of the guild during the indeterminate absence of Miss Fredl Miss Washington, executive director of the guild, has been on leave for several months while playing the role of "Lissa." daughter or "Hagar" in "Mambda's which goes Into re Hearsal in a few weeks, preparatory to taking the road. During Miss Washington's absence, Lou Layne has acted in the capacity of assistant to the executive director.

"The board of the guild expressed appreciation for the services of Mr. Layne, who took over temporarily until the guild could select a member of the Jcting profession to assume the ost a is required by the guild's constitution. i TO THE ALTAR i I .7 Andy Razaf, popular s.ong composer, who, on July 31, led attractive Jean Black former Baltimore librarian and member of a prominent Baltimore family, to the altar. The Grand Duke Andrea Razafkeriefo, with his bride, has taken an apartment in the Dunbar Apartment Building. The couple married without the knowledge of intimate friends, in a quiet ceremony in Elkton, Md.

It is the composer's second tripj to the altar and the little lady's first. 1 'V fU; IRENE CASTLE RETURNS TO STAGE VVA 7 Edna Thomas SOUTH SINGERS BROADCAST SUNDAYS 1 'jfc iVf 'S 'v 7 I Irene Castle, one of the best loved figures of the contemporary stage, Vill soon restore the magic of her art and her personality to the footligh'ts of the Taper Mill playhouse at Millbum, New York. The tainted actress whose before the World war acting and dancing, had more than half the world applauding, will r. turn to the stage in the role of "Vicky" in Noel Cow ard's stage play, "Shadow Play." Irene is picturH jn her dressing room as she made up for her part during a rehearsal. International News photo.

LUC KEY ROBERTS TO GIVE CARNEGIE HALL CONGERt TO HELP SONG WRITERS NEW YORK Aug. 17 Luckey" Roberts, whose achievements in the world of society music have been as great as those of Count Basie in the swing world, Ella Fitigerald in the sons world, Ethel Waters in the legitimate stage circle. Bill Robinson in the world of tap dancing, and Duke Ellington in the world of American Negro jazz, will step out of character somewhat the lat of this month and present his syncopated symphonic orchestra in Its first public performance at Carnegie Hall for the benefit of the Crescendo Club for destitute Negro song writers, and the Utopia Children's Fund. The contribution of the American Negro to the musical progress of our country has long been internationally acclaimed. Probably no branch of our American folk music is better known or loved than the Negro spirituals.

In the subsequent development of an American of music, Mr. "Luckey" Roberts, as the teacher of the late Ge6ige Gershwin and others, has been an im SAVANNAH. Ga, Aug. 17 Joe and his orchestra, the n.w band sensation hailing from ivauiuca ineir Dana tour last Thursday, after spending a. fifteen day vacation in their respective der the banners of Prank a rn.

theatrical endeavor on side worth, Jr.and he stated: portant creative influence. Now, as a step to further development of serious mueii! contributions from among his 'i ented race, it is the hope of Roberts, through a series of pro grams, of which this is the Prjt to raise funds to help the Negro song writers. A commi'w is now being formed by the cendo.Club, the purpose of will be to direct the efTnrt these composers toward th ration of a characteristic Nfft opera. Always ready to encouras my expression of musical pmefu, and convinced of the value of an effort, the Municipal Opm A sociation is happy to ponnr rkj movement. Aside from th Fn! erts orchestra, which hs.

plays! to the Vanderbilts, the Romi's, the Whitneys, the Morgan ir! all the big names in Amf ft Four Hundred, the specif! attractions listed with th Kro'jp to be presented are Conrrrtn. 'tn Ballet, a string quartette rd i choir. Broivnirig And Starr lay Try Tefevisieiiii IHlere American Artists Who Created a Sensation in Europe, Back After Five Year Absence Mrs. Browning and Daughter Also Make Trip. By BILLY ROWE NEW YORK, Aug.

17. The European made sensational team of Browning and Starr, came to America last week aboard the French liner He de France for their first visit home in five years after harrying every important theatrical front abroad. With him on this trip, Ivan Harold Brown Inz brought his charming wife, Maurine, and their daughter, Har oldine, for their first trip here in ten years. With several theatrical engagements awaiting their attention in England and along the European continent, the talented pair's America jaunt will be a shdrt one. While here taking time out from the national round of social affairs which have been planned for them from New York to California, the native home State of the Brownings, the team will look into several inviting offers which center mainly around America's newest baby Television.

Though he in no way committed himself, Mr. Browning, in an exclusive interview, made it clear that television broadcasting was nothing new to him or Mr. Starr, as England, where they have spent' most of their time, has advanced much further in this field than any other country. Although he has been asked by European Executives, with branch offices here, to look over 'the field, he did not say ether or not he and his partner were interested in making any television broadcasts, or for that matter, interested in any form of of the Atlantic at the present time. According to both of them, they're just out to see America now.

Denies Purchasing Interest in Band LOS ANGELES, Calif, Aug! 17 Claiming that he is in no way connected with the Floyd Ray band as stated in Earl Morris' column of July 20, Horace P. Clark, local hotel owner, denies that he has purchased a half interest in the ownership of the band. WtleToe7 170EIK AFTE 3 SUED AGAIN "It la i band give ii. Anl xaiin curry, sj a ha aiong wun lieroy gTeat gun I i LLri "Fats" Waller, leader of orchestra which bears Ms who has been sued by Vauae, owner of Rosedale Millsboro, for show up to fill an RETURNS TO VACATION our intention to run Tactions iust like i attractions just a regular vacanon i don't mean the forced. it1'1 tie Jo has a great ban.

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