New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 20

FAG2 irafrar PiwisraEii, todltor of The Nation, weekly lib oral national mega si no, heads the lict of personages whom Chlcken Charlie's remsmbered 1b hla win. Tfcta Wnw MtobnM Mtw Salaar, irfc waa a habita of ChlokMi Chutt'f whaTr mm to Wuhinftoa, wfaathr for ecmfinai WMk at tha XXsward or for nlcht to play far a boatrlda dowm tha Potomac, latt V. Othar ahowfoOoi to whom fea Eaats war mada lnotada Barda 1, fennar dlraotorof ChlekWabb'a rohtr Joa Jonaa, drammarwlth Count Baaia'a rohaatra; Bobby Btaxka, tnunpat playar with Chick reheotra; Dick Walla, mu alclaa, $23 aaeh. Claranea Smith, a mudalaa with glaneha Calloway'i archattra, and andr WllUmma, trombona playar With Chick Wabb'a orchastra, wkra I aft HO aaeh. Chow gttU wha ihara In hl will ara: Edna Taylor, aoufcratta at tha Bowardi Xaadora Prlea and Maa Fttrtnaa, ehorua glrla at tha How.

ard, and RUtina Banks, formarly a Howard ehortu iM. They wera laft $29 aaeh. Othar baoinaata wara mada to lira. Roaa Koman, widow of hla SHOW ciah WACmNOTOIf, Acrll 11 Gift ranging from $10 to ia ttxh wcrt lsft cniefly to relatives and show folks by Charles W. Roman, eccentric, known as "Chicken Charlie" to patrons of his rendezvous for performers and musicians fteross) wutberger street trom the I deceased brother.

130; Liaha Bat llff, alatar ln law, 400; Smith Ro man Jr, $800; Clara McQowan'a children, $10 each; Wllaon Roman, a nephew, Chlcaro, $100; John Steele, nephew, Chicago, $50. Henry Roman, half brother, Uem phla, $50; Rumaay Roman, half brother, Chicago, $50; Mrs. Charlaa O. Moore, $200; Carrie McOowan, Chicago, $50; Marie Kite, an attendant at hla eetabllshment. $50; Liana Read, aunt.

$100; Anna le. attendant at astabllahment, $2S; Mra. Isadora Roblnaon, $23. Dr. John Wllllame, $20; Baulah Parker, $23; Clara Roman.

$100: Fred Bradna, $23 and Mrs. Edna Roman, $200. Chicken Charlie bequeathed all of his book to Manassaa Industrial Institute, Manassas, where ha once attend ad school. Tha residua of hla estate roes to Mra. Edna Roman.

In tha event his estate ehould prove insufficient to pay all lega cies, be directed Edward P. Lovett, an attorney, whom he appointed executor of his estate, to pay them proportlonaly. No appraisal of his estate was filed, but it is believed that it is mora than sufficient to pay these legacies. His will, filed for probate last Friday, was dated December 11, 1939. OAY AND7 msTjEB Biovns fan writes The Mayor of Grand town I HOLLYWOOD, April 11 The following letter from Frank White of Baton Rouge in our opinion is a killer diller and represents a true cross section of what the average colored person thinks and expects to receive from the motion picture Industry.

Mr. Frank White aya a mouthful. He la Just an or dinary ruy that spends his two bits to sea sepias emote on the silver acreen. Mr. Ear! J.

Morris, Esq. Orandtown," California. Suburb of Los Angeles My Deaz Mr. Morris: After reading your article of March IS of The Pittsburgh Courier, couldn't resist the temptation to write you a few lines. To begin with Mr.

Morris, sepia movies, mostly, ara too short. Tha longest pictures I have aver seen were "Dark Manhattan" and "One park Right." wish tha producers would make tha pictures a little longer. Another thing is that they ara not plain enough. They ara too dark to soma Instances. About one half of tha players do not speak dis tinctly.

There la too much drar in their speech. They sound like me and others here in the deep South, who are not acquainted with tha art of correct speech. There Is not enough realism; take when one parson is going to strike i VTTT '272T. JL ISO I many colored plctureav Xn real do not ta, for gang i rra Kka the 7i lttr do. TThyi can't CroaSesst w.

tad myself to see what some of the colored theatregoers thought about colored pictures. About 25 per cent "just didn't like colored pictures, and wished the theater would stop getting them." They see so much of Humphrey Bogart, Gene Autry, Clark Gable and other white stars tin they lgnorantly think that our sepians can't act Another 25 per cent straddles the fence. They don't know whether they like them or not. Then there is the 50 per cent of which I am a member. They go to see sepia films for three reasons: 1.

Entertainment. 2. Racial pride. S. Patronage.

WHAT, NO PHOTOS "Colored America on Parade" am proud of these series. I believe that they are a source of valuable Information about the Negro. I wish could see more colored comedies, also newsreels. Ten cent stores and grocery stores have photographs of movie stars in frames, why can't we have some colored ones. There are a lot of photographs of colored players I would like to get.

am sure that If wrote to them, that my letters would not be answered. EIGHT BAIXT run to sea the colored players in white films, like I do all colored cast fllmsk am getting tired of seeing my race being low rated along aids of whites. They are referred to as "eight ban, blackbird cr Imp," or something to make tUa seem inferior. If there was a rrotee they'd out it out. But ct cs Southern Kegroee ara I trrs.

ANDY KIRK RETURNS TO THE GOLDEN GATE NEW YORK, April Continuing the parade of "name" bands which are being; brought to the Golden Gate, Andy Kirk and his Clouds of Joy, featuring Mary Lou Williams, Pha Terrell, June Richmond and Floyd Smith, will again appear in the ballroom where they played to such success. Alternating with Teddy Wilson, Kirk and the aggregation will only play a two day engagement beginning Saturday and lasting through Sunday. The combination of the two bands is expected to again draw record breaking crowds. Andy Moves Into Cotton Club, May 1 NEW YORK CITY, April 1L Till be "movinr daV at the Cot ton club on May 1st, instead of May 3rd aa originally planned, and Andy Kirk will "move right in" with one of the fastest moving shows ever to hit the famous New York night spot, according to Joe Glaser, booker for the Kirk aggregation. The change in the opening date of the Cotton club's new show was announced to newspapers Saturday.

With the show will come Mary Lou Williams, branded by critics "America's greatest swing pianist; Pha Terrell, who sings "Until the Real Thing Comes Along the song that skyrocketed the band to nation wide popularity almost immediate! upon its release; Floyd Smith, the electric guitarist, whose titllation of the silver strings nas electrified the nation and gained for him the recognition of being unique in his field and without doubt the No. 1 string swing man. and June Richmond, whose swing inf sinerinar haa resounded from the Cotton club many, many times be fore with the hi de ho man, Cab Calloway. Andv Kirk haa recently return ed from a tour in which ha played to a record crowd or 6,000 at Chicago's Savoy ballroom and also to a capacity crowd at Pittsburgh's newest dance hall. Club MIrador, in Homestead.

The Steel City ites remodelled the old Club Mirador so that it would hold double the num ber of dancers for the affairs, but still it waa packed. Hollywood" article, you quite him as saying, "It puzzles me why American Negroes continue to buy products like Lucky Strikes, Phillip Morris cigarettes and Campbell's Soup and many others, when they will not give Negro artiste a chance on their radio programs." LET'S START A CRUSADE It puzzles me too, Mr. Morris. I I believe if you speak against it, dis tribute leaflets and tracts against it you can make our people conscious of it, Of course that would be expensive. But it can be done the cheap way.

Let the preachers and school teachers tell their flocks about it. In conclusion I hope that you win keep up the good work and I am hoping that Black Hollywood may. march to greater helghta. A Black Hollywoodian, Prank White. P.

May I get a photograph of you? P. P. The Moral: Cat your bread (MONEY) upon the waters (BLACK HOLLYWOOD) for many days it might return to you. Thanks, Frank White 839 N. 20th street Baton Rouge.

La. Producers, distributors, actors: Mr. White has given you his opinion about sepia movies. You have It straight from a movie fan that lays it em the line at the box office to see your screen efforts. This is Earl J.

Morris, your Grandtown reporter ta HoHywood, 2510 8. Central avenue, Los Angeles, Calif. .1 which he produced and performed with, and still "it ain't enough." He's gotta play tha Pittsburgh Stanley and let that deep bass jive of his flow forth from the proscenium of the Stanley stage. Says Satch: "It's the only theater in Pittsburgh that's got a ceiling high enough for that famous high C. WILLIE SMITH SAYS HE WROTE SONG HIT NEW YORK CITY, AprU 11.

Charging that his musical brainchild, "Stop, It's Wonderful," is being illegally used by Larry Spier, who themselves claim to be the writers of the song, Willie "The A i Z3 TO PLflV STfiiaLEV And Pittsburgh Theatex going Public Wants Chance to Hear World's Greatest Trumpet Player. NEW YORK, April 11 Unlike Greece's Alexander, who could find "no more worlds to conquer," Satchmo the Great, in the person of Louis Armstrong, still has things he'd like to do, and one of them is to play the Stanley theater in Pittsburgh. But Just opposite to what Alex ander's Greece might have dons for him. Pittsburgh citizenry wouldn't "wall up" the town to keep out the Great Louis, Conqueror of lha AIL Instead, they'd probably more than likely tear down the wans even those of the Stanley theater since it is a matter of record that dance lovers twice tore down the barricades around the Olympla Park open air ballroom to get in, after all possible space on the dance floor had been sold out for an ap pearence of Armstrong in Pitts burgh. The mighty Armstrong well de serves the title, Conqueror, for it was single handed that Satchmo rose from a poor orphan boy with a battered second hand gift trum pet in a New Orleans orphanage to the distinction of being the world's greatest trumpet player and to fame and fortune on the radio and in the movies.

He has played be fore capacity crowds in the largest dance halls, theaters and amuse ment resorts throughout the He has twice risen to the top of the theatrical world with orchestras Looks like to me, my friends in Pittsburgh ought to drop a line around to the Stanley management if they'd like to see me. don'tcha think it's so?" i When the International Sweethearts of Rhythm play they don't have to worry about sot having any good soloists, for every girl stars on her own instrument, and almost everyone can star on two or three additional pieces. Here they are, left to right: Miss Ina Belle Byrd, smiling trombonist; Helen Elizabeth Jones, one of the youngest trom BOOKING AGENCY FINDING ENOUGH New Artisti Service Offers 'Night In Harlem Combination Film, Stage and Dance Show. Featuring Lucky Millinder, Mamie Smith, Frank Wihon, Many Others Huge Attraction Scheduled to Tour Seaboard and Midwest Lee Matthews, director of New Artists Service, booking agents for Moe Gale, International Road Shows and Lawrence Golden Enterprises, is busy looking for promoters who can get contracts on indoor auditoriums which have outdoor seatine 4 9 I've rot an attraction, boasts Matthews, "which will fill any dance hall between New Tork and Chicago. All I ask is that the dance hall have some sort of a stage and this attraction will fill it." Matthews' boast ia made about A Night In Harlem," the Golden extravaganza which is all poised for a seaboard and middle western tour.

MOVIE, STAGE SHOW AND ORCHESTRA "There's positively never been Lion" Smith has filed suit for 50, 000 in the New Tork Supreme Court through his attorney, John Gussak. anything like this show assembled," runs tha Matthews' rave. "Topped by Lucky MiUIndera band, it includes a full length, nine reel, all talking motion picture, "Othello In Harlem," featuring Frank Wilson and a variety stage ahow scintillating with such stars as Prank Wilson of Porgy; Mamie Smith. Love Joy and Williams, Edna Mae Harris, all in person, plus other outstanding performers. "The pay off la on the fact that here for the first time, dance hall patrons can come out early, enjoy a thrilling motion picture, a Class A stage show and a dance, all for the price of a regular dance ticket.

All we are asking is that promoters contract halls, with stages, SOUTHERN AIRES ENTERTAIN HARRY WARNER The Southernaires, of radio fame, entertained Harry L. Warner, Hollywood makeup man, and newspapermen at Smith and Gaston's Funeral home ia last week. First row, bottom, left to right: A. L. Smith, John R.

Williams, field representative of The Pittsburgh Courier; Harry L. Warner and A. G. Gaston. Second row: William Edmondson, basso; C.

Jones, accompanist; Homer Smith, first ten or; Lowell Peters, second tenor; James Toney, baritone; and D. Coke, editor of the RlmiBiiw Wcrld. bone players In tha country. She Is one of the orchestra's sensations. Sadie Thompson, the trumpet princess; Bernice Roth ehild, baas player.

Is one of tha most attractive members of the orchestra. Willa Lee Wong, the little Chinese saxophonist; Nova Lee, Hawaiian sunshine girl; Johnnie Mae Rice, pianist, a talented young woman who acts as that will be big enough to house the crowd. After the show and the motion picture, let the pepple dance." HAS FATS WAIXEB ON DATE PAD Matthews' is head over heels at work at his offices, 2123 Centre avenue, from which he has been booking April and May dates for the Ink Spots, Ersklrm Hawkins and Fata Waller. Open dates on the Ink Spots for the last two weeks in April are practically filled. Mat NEW YORK CITY, April 11 The first world premiere Harlem haa ever seen and one of tha most elaborate aeen anywhere is planned for the first showing of the new Paramount picture "Buck Benny Rides Again," the Jack Benny starring vehicle in which Eddie (Rochester) Anderson and Theresa Harris play important featured roles.

Present plans call for a typical Hollywood celebration with an add. ed New York flourish. Scheduled to be held In Loews Victoria theatre on Tuesday, April 23, one day prior to the regular opening at the New York Paramount in Times Square, the premiere will Include 1,000 watt flood lamps, newsreel cameras, a coast to coast lobby ties and the personal appearance of Eddie Anderson and every theatrical, social, screen, radio, music and sports personage within the New York area. Afterwards, Rochester will be guest of honor at a monster testi monial reception at the Savoy ballroom where there will be a two hour coast to coast broadcast. Rochester is expected to arrive from Hollywood.

April 14. He will be met by Cissy Bowe. "Miss Har lem, 140," nd parade on his famous black horse accompanied by representatives of fraternities, wages and newspapers. The wel SATURDAY, APRIL 13, i i wnung oommmee or newepaper com is Headed by Billy Rows and Ixzy Smith of The Pittsburgh Cou rier, Daa Buriey, Joe Christian and BIS Chase of the New York Amsterdam News; William Clarke and Lttdwlg Woerner of the New York Age; Al Monroe and Major Robin son ox tha Chicago Defender, and Edgar T. Roseau of the Norfolk Journal and Zmprovs) iaiajmcaal emderstaaoV tag.

Pass) yaw Oomrlav aleasr vs E3K 1 1 i i 5 ii ii I "hi 1' i ITHfATfRJCAIL IHIIWSJ; S1' yi ii it lstant chaperonst Mexicu I tor; Pauline Braddy, little ilngt drummer, who tnga Ths St Louis Blues," In a styls all own. Mexicall Rose, Mlsa Da li Cruxe again; the aaxophon twins, lone and Irene Grishi and the ehaxmlnff Snyder Slstettj Lucy and Ernestine, saxophoJ lata. HAS PROBLEM LARGE HALLS thews will fill in part of tha week of April and tha first lit fmw vrlfH Vinfr pi one nigniers ior inai rowc, Falstaff of the Ivories, Fats Wi and a 13 piece combination, direq after Waller's run at the Howtf theater in Washington, llawk of Tuxedo Junction' fama win I routed in May. I In addition, imnnrtint icdh tU releases are expected moments from International Road Shoi Hollywood. Harlem Gets Vorll Premiere Of Picture, Starring 'Rochester Don Albert Completing Plans For New Ti NEW ORLEANS, La, Apnltj jaa Ik Don Albert and his cana again in New Orleans eoaJP fh plans for a tour.

The band' is a favorite throughout this iua uu own try, may be reached cy the New Orleans office atWM Miro street. New Orleant. ELLA PLAY AllHIIIlN llllli' NEW YORK C1TT. "Baby. What Can Fitzgerald sang bers TuasW as she and the ex Chick began an engagement moua Door, here.

Jt 0 atlon.of the dreams o. Ella'i "Mtle yellow 1 nv.f SinC been running over since test to the top run 01 for Introducers of new 9 ly popular songs. Webb, now decea 'MftS0 Ella under his wlnr MntMt in peared failed to Py he who taught her is over and EUa has been that ever since. Her individual sOj fff ality. and her bflWjJi into the simpler type rf marchl the nr g', Hrht through the which 'first opened to rinnt va" I Count dans when there.

Tin I I.