New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 18

I 'k. roro UULU Race Bong Writers I1 Praised By Broadway Pro dacerts and Publishers By frank byrd NEW YORK, April 10. When "A Daughter of the Congo," the most recent all oolored talking, singing and dancing production Is released, the theaterKOlns publlo will be able 'i to hear "That eOts a song that Is destined to become one of tfte moat popular jazs hits ever written tar two colored artists. Roland a Irving and Karl B. Weat field, two of the younger wrltera, who oar been aucceasiuny boaacasting over.

WO and VVM3 for the paat year, were engaged to do the theme aong for this picture and their pro ducer feels that the aucceaa or the la largely dependent upon wt A Irving also plays one of the prln clpaJ rolea In the play, besides slng ing on different occasions, tne tneme aong. till partner, wesuieia, a tor mer Kansas City boy, is out of town on business, but his radio manage aaent has persuaded him to return In order to make a personal appear with Irving at the premiere showing. These boys are the popu h'lar team who contributed the entire vacore to "Mallnda." a musical drama vty Dennis Donahue, that Is being considered for production by the Fox Slovletone pictures Corporation. Shapiro A Bernstein, Broadway eauslo publishers, were so pleased with the "Mallnda" and "Congo1 numbers that they have secured ex publication rights for not enly these tongs, but all that Irving and Wstfleld will turn out for the two era, Sammy accepted a recent en at the the 7 world's West dance palace. New York City.

New Yorkers have long waited tot this renown director of pianoforte and syncopation until his recent en (agement. I i Sammy "Never have I seen such marvelous dancing on a ballroom floor. If my band entertained the crowd as genuinely as these won defful dancers and hostesses entertained us with tho Llndy Hop, then know their generous applause was H)ncere. During my stay here I have J. met many friends that I have not seen In yoars and attained many new ii and cherished, contacts from all the waits of life, including all stages of "jtoclely prevadlng even to royalty.

I am surprisingly and most agreeably 1 pleased with New Yorkers, Jiavlng found them not reputedly cold and aueiere, out ruu oz welcome nor.pi tButy and sincere friendship. Also Net' Yorkers enjoy life with all the lrttlges of human nature. Indul gence ot pleasure and comfort. 8o clallr. I have been feted bevond bounde, most gratefully by AXella 1 I.

i X.f, Ht): I LZILI3 BLANCHE THOMPSON Manager star of Irvln C. Miller's "Brownskln Models," coming to the Roosevelt for four days, beginning i nest Thursday. IMPORTANT! "Hallelujah" tlo wonder picture, starring Nina Mae Mc Kinney, coming to the Roose velt Theatre soon. Watch For Announcement. 5 By FLOYD G.

SNELSON, JR. Tpot many years Ohio haa boasted of Its merited musicians, among whom we consider Sammy Stewart the most outstanding figure. Sammy Stewart received his education at Ohio State University, Chicago Col Ig of Music and. other renown tutors, and has distinguished himself star one of the leading orchestral leaders of the ace. During hid mu alcaV activities Sammy has.

inspired many young artists with ambition sand inspiration to pursue high Ideals vin that profession. Turning down many profitable of Walker, her associates and friends on numerous occasions." Mr. Stewart Is In great demand with such bright light spots as the Cotton Club, Connie's Inn, Plantation, Hot Feet Club. Canton Place, Everglades and many His nightly broadcasting has also claimed a favorable radio demand. A European contract, with an Itinerary stretching froi Paris to Monte Carlo and other points, will probably be the choice of Sammy Stewart and hid orchestra when they depart from New York.

During Sammy Stewart's career, he has distinguished himself most admirably, having directed his or EVELYN PREER PIONEERED IN HOLLYWOOD FOR RACE MOVIE STARS, DECLARES IN A DUNCAN Ina Duncan, vivacious and talented member of the "Hot Chocolates" Co. troupe, which is playing the Ohio Theatre. Cleveland, this week, comes to bat with an unusual bit of Information. 1 MIsa Duncan, who returned from California recently, says that prior to the appearance of the Lafayette Players In Hollywood, race actors were refused serious parts In the movies. When; the Lafayette Players first came to the Pacific Coast, they produced the drama "Rain" at the Lincoln Theatre, Los Angeles, which Is, by the way, about the prettiest and most modern colored how house In the country.

At that time, Gloria Swanson had just finished the drama for screen use. One night, feeling that they wanted a laugh, about 200 white stars of Hollywood came to the Lincoln, presumably with the Idea of being amusingly entertained. Included in the group were Miss Sid Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Sid Grauman, the big producer, has given many race actors a "break," and countless others. If they came to laugh, they remained to cheer. Following the performance, they went backatage to compliment Miss Preer, her husband, Eddie Thompson, and other members of the cost.

This was the dawn of new day for the Negro In says Miss Duncan. chestras at the Hollendcn grill room, Ohio, three years; Deehler Hotel, Columbus, Ohio, four years; Secor Hotel, Toledo, Ohio; Ultz Hotel, Detroit. Sunset Cafe, two years; Metropolitan and Michigan Theatre, Chicago, 111., be sides other personal and private en gagemcnts. Musicians In the windy City have seen that Sammy Stewart, the' mas ter of orchestra and iiyncopatlon, has directed his lithe baton with success and appreciation before hundreds of Americas leading and most accom plished exponents of the art of music and Jazz. His latest genius of perfection In his present aggregation of musical syncopation, are as follows: Alex Hill, piano composer and arranger; Ken neth Anderson, saxophone; Bill Stewart and Mance Worthy, tuba; Leon Berry, saxophone; Ikey Robin son, banjo; Sydney Catlett.

drums; George Dixon, trumpet; William Fuller, cornet; Kenneth Stewart, trombone. Mb ALL By "BILLY O. NCJTJf Theatrical Editor Why Is It, that King Victor's sensational Metro uoidwyn Mayer box office smash' has failed to play the big downtown movie palaces? Tbis question, asked Indlffarsntly by thousands of movia fan, who have followed the big pictures of the year, has gained momentum with almost unbelievable rapidity during the past few days, following the announcement that vivacious Nina Mae McKlnney, star of the picture, with a voice like Ethel Waters and a pair of dancing feet like Alice Whitman, would appear In peraon for a "One Night Only" engagement at Pythian Temple on Friday evening, April 18. (That's next Friday, by the way.) Playing Small Theaters "Hallelujah" la playing one of the smaller downtown theaters this week; a theater, by the way, which makes absolutely no effort to gain race patronage. In fact.

It la an understood policy, at thla theater, known to theater goers of both races, that Negroes are not welcome. To emphasize thla fact, colored dis tricts throughout the city have been left out entirely by the bill posters who placarded the town. Not a pos ter or placard appears' In the Hill district, admittedly the most thickly populated colored section In the Then again, thla picture, which ranks with the greatest of the year. la playing downtown Pittsburgh dui Ing the worst season of the year for this particular house, which cetera to a foreign element. Reason Is Clear The theater In which "Hallelujah' Is playing, by the way, Is not on the chain of theaters, either.

Why, then, the average movie fan asks, la it that the picture doesn't play a Loew house, whore pictures ordinarily apoear. The reason, for those on the In side, Is imminently clear "Hallelu jah" with "Madam "Chasing Rain one of the biggest pictures of the year. It is King Vldors first talking picture, and press notices from every section of the country, state that from a standpoint of excellence and stupendousness, it ranks with the best. The studio itself ranks "Hallelu jah" wit "Madam "Chasing Rainbows," Greta Garbo's famous "Anna Christie," "Van and Schenck," "College Life," "Duncan Sisters' and "Lord ron of Broadway." It is common knowledge along "movie row" that local theaters have played "football" with "Hallelujah" for several months. They've booted tbi film from the Olympic to the Al dine.

Both houses, we understand. wanted the picture, but wouldn't play it. Why? Simply because they realized that were they to stage the picture, the first of Its kind with an and "Happy Days Are Here Again." IMPORTANT HaUelujahM the wonder picture, starring Nina Mae Mc Kinney, coming to the Roosevelt Theatre soon. Watch For Announcement ID SILVESTER RUSSELL'S ii RM oil colored cast ever to appear Here, CHICAGO, UL, April 10 Signs of coiorea entnusiasts wouia swamp tne tho Ume8 the wanlng ot stage Downtown business houses, it Is attractions and habituate develop known. don't solicit colored natron 1 ment of screen plays with all their age, and it was purely because of I kaleidoscopic tendencies In illusion this reason, and not because the oic ry stage mecnanism.

nas now. re ture wouldn't pack 'em in, that the I duced the actor writer that used to show failed to run. be to a mere puppet In the new field Local race fans, however, can be I of amusement experience of the assured of seelnir the Dlcture under present day. Actors as self ordained desirable circumstances. Mr.

Hen critics and musicians as union news del. manaeer of th Rooavit Tha 1 correspondents have reached the ter. has announced that the Dlcture siaetracK or oiaen ireignt cars out will appear at i theater, the largest and most impressive of Its knld In the city, within the near future. PRINCE WILBURN'S "GANG" IN KENTUCKY CUMBERLAND, Ky, April Prince' Wllburn's company, featur of service. What the stairs needs is a new thrill of resourceful activ ity.

Some such thrill, they say, has found Its hiding place In New York City, where "Green Pastures' has nearly consumed all the nobility of well tutored actors with brains, at the Mansfield Theater and it has been written down that seats were I at a premium. Now, It that Is one hAM IKat 4h. may4 will backwards and with the same ad piajrmsr wiw jucosss monlUon let the same epithet bo ap we race norse staie. I ii. vfr.v..nc..

After filling engagements in Lynch. I mnnnA tZ. Tl. IIl l.w I n.jr, hiu MrHiB, njr, ua now the rehrnln amusement return engagemenU at all theaters, I ftur th th the company moves on to Middles em cenee of borrowed mechanism boro at the Manrlng TheaUr, the denied emm i n. f.a.i largest theater In Eastern Kentucky.

0 a walkover and Indeed the time trince vvuourn is aeaaea oui oy k. Mfl right at hand when It will be Charlesmen Smith, former owner pointed out to the movie world how and manager of Southern Broadway I essy It Is for a screen lmprevarlo to ana ousiness manager oi we iasn 1 rrong, ugm News. .1 Rirtt at this very ancle comes ths I I BTueeotne announcement that "Lulu uemuna ana Jvpn ue Belle." after all 1U miraculous bed mund are two slngere who are scor Urn of Harlem life, hauled out from Ing a big hit Both boys are excep the cold storage house where pas tlonal dancers and are featuring the teurlsed esrn stow stale, la ta big song hits, Including "Caroline" placed oa the screen. In the discus sion 'as to whether Evelyn or Nina Mae McKlnney Is to play the leading role, the Metro Goldwyn Mayer syndicate has been overlook lag Lenore Ulrle, the white actress who has been a mild failure In the movies. If so Is so, the public then not have to see a creme de mint 'repeater cork up to lose her Identity.

It a million dollars Is involved and a lot of actors axe already signed I't'. V.r,rr r. "Til Of Jt. PUS I OF 1' LEADS TO RAID BY RACE Judge Gives Clean Bill After Elcha's Paintings Bring Broadway Crowds and Raiding Squad From New York Society For Suppression of Vice By CIIAPPY GARDNER Is art indecent? Are nude pictures improper? Is Rem brandt too sucred for public exhibitions in a Broadway show room where people are charged admission? These and many others are but tew of the Questions. leading up to the art ex hibit of Rembrandt, Goya, and other masters held at 1597 Broadway last week.

The great showing was given by one OMr. Murphy, lecturer on aesthetics and lover of art. The raiding officer from the New York. Society for the Suppression of Vice, was Mr. John S.

Sumner. He didn't like the nude paintings and said so with a patrol wagon and six stalwart minions of the law. Elcha's Great Work The paintings In oil were from the brush of Edward Elcha, Broadway photographer and a Negro long pop ular for his photography. For years Mr Elcha has made photos from the Progressive Studios on West 46th street, for New York noclety. His I theatrical photos have attained re spect for their human likeness and excellent finish.

Actors attest to this. But few, If any, knew of his ability with the brush and oils. Elcha's work so Interested Mr. Murnhy, lecturer. showman, devotee of art.

and Mr. Rothchlld, who has had charge ot ronny colored shows, ttaut the two gentlemen agreed to hire a show room on Broadway and charge bttiall fee to show this art. Believing Broadway would stop awhile to look It ever. They did but ut gtew so large that ejes of the vice society wh thought thj nudes were excuse 'or gathering frrCKiJi8. Judge Gives O.

K. Before Magistrate Simpson th paintings drew the most undivided attention and Interest To him the reproduction of Rembrandt's Danae by Elcha was most masterful as well aa the "Sleeping Venus," "Spring time" and "Annunciation." Other artists with creditable exhibits were Miss Culverwell and Mr. Hyland. The enUro art exhibit Is now being dis played on West 123th street between 7th and 8th. One of the outstanding sen saUons of the year in the world behind the footlights the dancing of the handsome El PaulU and the adorable Pearl McCormack, a team of adagio artlsU which rank.

In a class by themselves. The team, whjeh la' appear Ing as an added feature along with Connie Immerman'a "Hot Chocolates." playing, Detroit this weak, have received much favorable comment from the press. Mr. Paulls has bean on the stage for several years and Is also an accomplished Charleston dancer. He has traveled the seven seas and Is quite an athlete.

Pretty Pearl first started with Henry Creamer Jr. at the Cotton Club, New York. 8he Is also a movie star and In private life Is the wife of our good friend, Charlie McClane of the Royal Theater, PHOTOG PURES Robeson Da at Roles By THE CRITIC James Light ot New York, who staged "Emperor Jones' for Eugene O'Neill when Charles GllDln was first Introduced as I a. tr. will direct s.

revival of Emperor Jones" vlth Paul Robeson and an all vhlte cast which win be seen In Berlin, Germany, at the Keunstler Theater, done In English. Rob eson's dual roles point to the question: "Will he be master of any? He Is a tine baritone abroad In spirituals recitals. What he most needs Is a grand opera education dual role No. Hell rehearsing for Emperor Jones," but was more recently announced to undertake William Shakespear'' "OtheUo" which is dual roi. No.

2. The announcement that he Intended to appear in the grand opera "Othello" resulted in the discovery that the title role of the Moor of Venice Is written for tenor instead of baritone, so that lets Robeson out and besides his vocal requirement would be Inadequate which Is dual role No. 8. Robeson, like Stajrg, Is a former athlete who suffers a pub Uo stroke from too much molasses and vinegar dual role No. 4.

How many more? "Hallelujah," which proved to be a real rice story, altruistic In value, even If a little weak on the finish a drama. He will have ample time to secure a new scenario that will not spoil bis record In well do lnn. Music that Is rich and original and not all jazzonlan is needed Another collosal play where the actors do not even have to black up supplied from all shades of color Instead of all the darker types, witn a net ter class of racial life but sanely comical In Its humor also Is needed. Servitude, skylarking, athletics, the ater rehearsals, picnics, excursions. southern engineers, union devates.

up for duty, all of this is premature I politics, race horse stories or even If the Metro Goldwvn Maver coroor I moonshine activities wouia ail oe anon, which Is going wrong, does I new repetition in dou stage ana not chsnge Its plan of selling David I screen plays, but the stories must Belaaco's cast off clothlna now in a come from Intelligent minds and rummsge sale that will not net what! music must be more sweet and they think from either race of neonla catchy than what we nave naa from who bad seen the play or got lm 1 some or our younger composers, ins presslons from a hlch quality rated I future of musicians wul be a most white crltlo such as Percy Ham 1 important pari in ins new unaer mond. If produced, it will not be a I taking. Musicians are a race factor "Hallelujah." It actors hired tor the production deem thle vlsags as Impolite encroachment on their jqbe the people of their race does not. The play Is an Insult In race slander, the producers guilty and the actors an accessory after the fact If the white race wants soma more of "Lulu Bolle" they can have. It at their own and the corporations expense, but the colored people' wUl not flock again to see It.

The art of producing pictures on Negro life by Negro actors will not always depend on the white man's way of seeing and doing It In ths future. He sees things In his way and his version does not always suit In race relation of decency. If a race is held up la effigy of race affront that must be supported, encouraged and permanently established for the future benefits to be derived for others of a race that Is exceptionally talented, WANTED T. O. B.

A. snows of all arxua Common! ret with Sam E. Re vin. Manager. Voiun tr Bldg, ChattaJtoo ra Tean or S.

IL Dudley, IttS Seventh Ave, N. W. Washington. D. a MONTE CARLO, April 10 NobU Slssle, who made Aframerleaa stags history In bU first edition of pshuf fie Along," together with Ituble Blake and Miller and Lylee, Is making himself aa International repu Uon as conductor and director of one of the finest jaxs blase Europe has ever beard.

I Stsslle and bis band, who have been overseas for almost two years, have just finished aa agement ta Monte Carlo, where they have previa a riot The orchestra opened at Clro's, Paris, April 1, for a spring engagement. Following this, they will go to Lcs Ambassedeura, also Paris, for ths summer and back again to Clro's for the falL i Les Ambassadeurs, by the way. Is the most famous spot in Europe la thi line of smart cafes. Slssle and his band have appeared there for the last two seasons, playing this en gagement I 1923 and 1839, and to be brought back for the third consecu Uve time Is Indeed tribute for these artists of Jaxs and melody. Such bands as Paul Whits man.

Ted Lewis, Irvia Aaronson's Commanders, Warlng's Pennsylvanlans and Gus Arnhelm's Callfornians, list ed In the select circle of America's greatest, have appeared at Les Ambassadeurs, considered the "plum en gagement of Europe. This year, the Ambassadeurs Is being rebuilt and will be operated under the management ot Europe's wealthiest cafe syndicate, who also operate In Deau vllle and Monte Carlo. It la hinted that the orchestra might return to the United late this fall. LONDONERS RAV agility and neatness. A SATURDAY, "APRIL 12, The Pi ts ha rth Courier 8 isiMgaBimilgMI OVER RACE ACT LONDON.

England. AfcrU 10 The European press have acclaimed Carta Chilton and Maceo Thomas as two of the greatest stage artists, white or black, which have ever come over here from Press reports from some of the outstanding daily and theatrical publications follow: The Encore. London Chilton and Thomas repeated the tremendous success they made the last time here. They arc dancers many lengths la treat of the average. 1 The Era.

London Another Item which makee a big impression ts provided by those remarkable dancers, Carol Chilton and Maceo Thomas. No matter In what shape or form they trip the "light fan tastic." whether oa pedestals, over the crowds and slander. King Vldor was thy drew th in the discovery and prospecting ofjthIn ttitncutix by ItHQHGLE TUB CLUL HAVA2YA" HIT IN W10WTE GAR Fanfous Stage Star Gets Sec ond Engagement At Smart Cafe Where: Paul Whlteman, Ted Lewis and Other Great American Orchestras Flayed COMING BACK IN FALL ss ADAGIO DANCERS WITH "HOT CHOCOLATES" illS COMING BACK R. K. 0.

STAR J. "7 fr AXDA BROWN Headllner on the famous R. K. O. circuit and called by booking sc rnts the best single attraction any theatre might hope to book Is Alls Brown.

8he sings like nobody's business, dances like an Alice Whitman and when she teases the Ivories boy! ROBESON IS SENSATION BR NEwOrORK. April 10. A spacii! cable to the New York Times frea states that for the tint Uses, aa American play, directed by ss American and given In the EngtUh language was presented on a BciUa stage, Sunday night. Paul Robesos played the lead la "Ths Emperor Jones," under the direction ot James formerly of the Provlncctovs Players of New York. Aa enthusiastic audience witnessed the performance at the Deutjcfce Ku ens tier Theater.

It Is noteworthy that whereas the dialect must certainly have been deferent for many members of tb audience, no synopsis was locludea la the program, since Robeson acting was graphie enough to tell the story vtridJy. even IX an the worts were not understood. Meaawhne, la another eectloa of Berlin. Michael Gold's play. "Hobo ken Blues." dealing with lUiWm.

made Its German language debet ea the stage of the Volks Beuhne, whkh Is owned and run by trait aaktcs. Although twelve colored Americans took part In the production, all 'speaking parts were done by Cr THEATRE 6273 rrankstown Ave, at Droad St, East Liberty PROGRAM BEGINNING WEEK OF APRIL It MONDAY, April 14 WILLIAM BOYD la HIS FIRST OTMSfAJOr Also Dolores OostaOo ta "MADONNA OF AYX. TUESDAY, April ROBERT ARSOTROXa a "TIUS RACKETEER Also All Star Cast La mXDDDCa REfCS WEDNESDAY. April 1ft EDW. EVERETT HOBT02T as THE SAT" Also Pan! Pago ta THURSDAY, April 17 COMING BIONDAY, APRIL 21 RALTTI IX CE ta 1 WALL, STREET Also DAVIT LEE La SOXXT DOT FRIDAY, AprO I By Pepelar Rrqofwl T1U5 FASSIOX FLAY Alas firm CTSTT.B Lb EIDERS of tho RIO GRAXnC SATURDAY, April IB TOM TYLER ta "THE LOXE HOKSEMAX Also BOBBY ICZLSOX StX OUX JUSTICE Clever Comedy Final Chapter ef TILS FIRE DETECTIVE" Wra.

Fox's LLUarlons AU TaUdnc SensaUon THE COCK EYED WORLD Inanrnratlns Otxr Nrsr PoUcr of ths Blrrest of ABn Talking Plctnres produced oa Western Electric Sotmd System rO BE PRESENTED AX OUR REGULAR PRICES' PICTURES CnAXQED OH BAROAIX MATTXECT DAILY lUCteUC AS USUAL I.