New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 21

v. SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1933 PAGE TWENTY ONE The Pittsburgh Courier ra 15 nnn fo), nri JIT IM 0 mm Glory. Gallery No Choir In England Is ik Tuskegee 's. Listener Declares Foreign Fan Mull Show lOO.Vnir fhmr Hat Vsif h.ch English Audience. By JAMES EDMUND BOYAK NEW YORK' Jan.

13 Th Kmpraonijin arlace about buildup a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path Wa to your door, is graphically exemplified today in the SOr.e.s of rrnfrt Viv rhA (mat 1iVi vniVs Tiilf Tntifnf wl.uh Is heard each Sun i ni. E. S. T. over N.

il network and throughout I1 ia xhort wave. tinny of ihcie student sing never left the Deep South in a metropolis, their ifr.ditlons of the beloved 'he are heard In such distant capitals Pari. Rio de Janeiro east of Kngllsh Audience 'i audience In England is Schenectady, which has i casting the Choir's pro short wave since Its air October tth. this is not surprising in i he oioe trade relations 've existed between Eng Innd's cotton ters and the manufacturing cen Southiand for over 100 years, many of Britain's Short wave listeners, who have never heard the famous Negro vocational school, express their praise of Tuskegee' choir in unbounded terms. Warmest Thanks A typical recent expression of England's appreciation of the famed choir to Station W2XAD.

showing the foreign viewpoint, follows: Sha ington, Crewe. Cheshire. England. Dear Sirs: On Sunday evening last the 12th December I had great pleasure in listening to a choir singing Negro spring. By EVE LYNN fOace more from the papes sae World's Oreatfet WeefcJy shott ertno fo you a i.r.

Telling you iom(Wi(ff about ne otfc who have achieved aton? fi way. Sepia character! who have mad unusual and different contributions to the world of thing. Dancers and dreamer an builders and candlestick makers, whoa personalities art felt in a very definite way in the artvttir, industrial and professional life of America, We are fast finding our place under the tun and titers la no end a to where we ahall land. Bronse folk everywhere, in every field of endeavor, Aai hitched their uigon to a star and they are going toward the heavens.) Alberta Hunter Smart Brown, With Plenty Of Charm And Poise Meeting her is liking her and liking her is wanting to get closer into her unusually colorful life. Alberta Hunter is a smart brown woman, with plenty charm and poise.

Into the hearts of a million people and more, she has sung her torch songs. And when this clever Interpreter of song btysta forth, she sends her audience trembling. a jl dc rir a SINGS SINGS SINGS" She' sung in Europe and America, and her personality is tops. Miss Alberta Hunter, who takes a bow in Giory Gallery making music history over NBC every Friday evening. Because Albert has been abroad, lived In the old country, sang before royallty, laughed with Italians, drank with the French and chowed with Germans, aha la terrific.

Best of all, she loves Copenhagen, Den mark folk there are marvelous," Alberta says different and so much class "I'm yearning to get back there once more." Alberta was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and sang In the Southland, going on the stage at an early age. She and her mother are very devoted, and lived in a modest, but lovely apartment in New York. The singer's mother loves to do things for her "chile" (she will always be a baby to her). She is a bachelor girl but enjoys, a full and interesting career, having oodles or admirers. Alberta claims she is weak for the old country I love their appreciation of Art and really, they make you feel like a human being because there la no prejudice.

And doea this artist dress her stage clothes are atupenduous created, by the hand of Patua, Schiapparelt and all the famous European creators of fashion. Her tall slim body Is still as agile as a girl In her teens, and her smooth, brown skin is alluring. On the street, she features very swank sport clothes, suits if you please, in English tweeds and checks, with tallleured blouse's and unusual French Chapeaux. You like her because she Is different from the rest. She possesses Individuality, charm and a natural warmth she's truly an artist.

Every Friday evening at o'clocK" Alberta is heard over WEAF NBC chirping so sweetly, arresting millions of folk. Her contract may send her to Hollywood for her broadcast. And believe me she's a thriller if there ever was one. Barclay Trigg, versatile actor of the Federal Theatre, has 'been scoring a big success in pictures with Willie Howard, star comedian of Warner Brothers and understudy in the Time and Irene comedy shorts; Trigg may go to Paris in the that the reception over here in England was perfect, with only a light trace of fading, Yours sincerely. (81gned ROBERTS.

TO TEITO NEW YORK, Jan. 13 Er skine Hawkins and his 'Bama State Collegians, who took unto themselves a new manager last week, are already showing the fruits of that decision In new and more important dance and theatre engagements. Beginning January 18 along with Stepin Fetchlt. Hawkins and his boys will become the second colored aggregation to ever play the Or pheum Theatre, in Memphis, Tenn. The first colored band to play the theatre in question was that of Duke Ellington, who just a few weeks ago broke the ice when touring the South during dance dates for both white and colored sponsors.

After the engagement of the band In the deep south, It will return to New York where It will further be groomed In the recording luH of Columbia or some of the others before setting to the road for several months of tour. Playing in a battle of music here Saturday night against Isham Jones at the Bronx Winter Garden in upper Manhattan, Hawkins again proved that he was the master of the pale faced man of music. The coming Saturday, the band will return to Broadway for a one day night stand at the famous Roseland, both here and in Brooklyn. Well known here after his long stay at the Uproar House on the stem, Hawkins is expected to do a turn away business at both places. Beale Street Awaits Lunceford's Return MEMPHIS Jan.

IS (By Jsmes C. Dlckerson for ANP) Jlmmle (Memphis) Lunceford's coming to Bluff City has set all Memphians agog. He will be royally entertained when he arrives here for a one nlghter at the Church Park auditorium on Friday night January 21. TO THE MANOR BORN (Jj)) i By JAMES E. HILL BALTIMORE, Jan.

13 According to the buxom, lovable lady who gained international fame as "Aunt Delilah" in the famed "Imitation of Life," histrionic art was in her bones the day she was. born; and just as a flower Savoy Ballroom to Be Scene of Competitive Rhythms All Harlem Is. Taking Sides In the Argument. NEW YORK, Jan. 13 Incited by the many musical ratings which put Count Basie above him in the world of swing music, Chick Webb, the reputed "drum king of accepted the challenge hurled his way by Basie several months ago.

For the bene spirituals from your station which I understood came from the cotton Melds of Alabama. The clarity of the broadcast was Indeed remarkable on snort wave and was received by' me between 6:30 and 7:00 p. m. (1:30 2 p. tn.

U. S. Time). I should be very pleased If you will convey to the conductor and the choir my warmest thanks for such remarkable singing. Excellent Choir I had only just remarked that there was no choir in this country who could sing so well, when your announcer said that the choir was claimed as one of the best in the world for singing Negro spirituals.

I can truly verify this and look forward again very much to hearing this choir. I wonder if you could let me know how often this excellent choii broadcasts. Again my warmest tahnks and appreciation aotll con appreciation" to all concerned. Hop ing you will convey to thel doctor who conducted and the choir my congratulations, and inform tuem fit of a public which has been well keyed up over a real honst to good ness swing duel, the two monlters of sharps and flats will come together at the Savoy Ballroom here next Sunday. Notwithstanding the many rumors of postponement and doubt the affair Is expected to prove as great a box office boon as did the previous battle between Benny Goodman and Webb last spring.

Threatening to capture the betting favor away from prize fighting, horse racing and football, followers of the two musical aggregations are piling heavy dough on each note. Those who hajfccone along with Webb, mostly the rank and file, believe that the little drummer will blow Basie right out on Lenox avenue, while musicians seasoned in the manner of music, are aure that Basie will teach the drummer a thing or two about music. From both Webb's and Basle's point of view, either way the wind blows, the encounter will prove an exciting one and a grand atart for their 1938 swing exploitations. SAY YOU SAW IT IS THE PITTSBURGH COURIER BREAK DOWN' lntrrclal misunderstanding. Mail this copy of The Courier to some white friend.

bloomi with maturity, so her Thes plan pature aought expression when the time came. ''I've been In Hollywood ever since I was eleven," she told the writer, "and naturally, I call it home!" Pleasant and extremely amicable, one Is never ill at ease in the company of Louise Beavers. If she became bored with the writer's barrage of questions, she didn't show it. Always there was that radiant smile, releaving a set of perfect dental equipment. Her obesity Ls generously distributed; she is agile on her feet.

"I owe a great deal to Universal Studios, too," she went on "It was Universal who sent for me to play In 'Imitation of Just on the strength of my performance In bit parts." And the world knows how wisely the studio picked when they cast Louise in the ro stsrrlng role place backstage at the Royal the with Claudette Colbert. She wasn't discovered; that Is, il iM 'A i 11 Louise Beavers, who packs a real punch in the all colored flicker, "Life Goes On," admits that she is a natural born actress. "I've never had a lesson in acting in my life," she told The Courier last week; also "admitting that her REAL NATlE is Louise Beavers, and confessing that Claudette Colbert is her favorite star. not In the aense one generally takes for clnematlo discovery. They didn't have to go scouting about this vast United States to find her.

Louise Beavers has been in Hollywood since she was 11 years old, and she's been In the films since 1927. Louise's mother was a school marm in the public schools of Cincinnati when her health began to fail her. So she went West to Hollywood In hopes of restoring her decaying health. Louise went with her, grew up" in Hollywood, came to know people. She was in the fifth grade then.

Further, the star confided that Louise Beavers Is her real name, and not a stage monicker. Since 1927 she has made a total of 263 pictures, which constitutes plenty of celluloid in any language. When asked about the legitimate stage, she replied: "I have never done much stage work, and don't care particularly for It. I started, out in pictures." She likes everybody In Hollywood, being especially partial toward 'Claudette Colbert. She lauds Fredl Washington as one of the best actresses In the business today, modestly swerving from parley anent her own histrionic prowess.

The foregoing interview took ater here in Hollywood, and even offstage there ls a motherly element In Louise's every gesture, a maternal Indulgence for which she Is so noted on the screen. TIHF 'MILMMfiHT MAT JJLOjJCAGJl Li THE COLUMN GOES To Saint Louis STLOUIS, Jan. 13 What Is there about thU town the Mld Nght Mans head go 'round. Briefly this whirl Villlant breakfasts by congenial hostesses that makes the night dainty din oalr pullers and on, and on, and on. Saint Louis Lowdown Clynell C.

Jackson and Bunk Manning of Chicago, got their kicks in this burg. They claim that it's famed Never saw auch brightened fales as these fellows displayed on their arrival in the heart of the sepia section. Highest compliments for breakfasts go to Miss Eva Patton. Tha happened at the Love Joy apartments. Dinner hosts go to Miss Helen Davis.

The Cathrell Printing Company Is still In existence. Sally Cathrell is in New York while her mother carries on the business here. Jessie Houseley ia still dabbling in artwork. Finds that Abner Hopkins, compositor for the Cathrell unit, is working in the Post Office Department. It la definitely understood that thia young LOUIS FILM TO LINCOLN Joe Louis' new feature length MEBS, 'TOPS' AS ARTIST Courier Critic Sees Premiere of All Colored Production In Baltimore Praises Work of Seasoned Performers.

By JAMES 1 1. HILL (Staff Reviewer) BALTIMORE, I Jan. 14 "Life Goes On," duction of Million Dollar Productions, featuring a pro Beavers with an all colored cast, is possibly one of the best all colored pictures shown in these parts. The atory is not very unuaual.O and reeks of banality in some parts, such as therscene where Mrs. Weston (tx.alse Beavers) works doggedly to and educate her two loni, ori of which it devoted to tier, and the other naturally felonious.

Mrs. Weston, whose mate has passed on, leaves (he aouth and her dear friends jto seek her fortune in the north where her sona may have a better chance in life. Bob, thn elder, and Henry, the younger, take different paths. Bob is studious and Henry miscreant. Bob graduates from college with flying colors and is admitted to the bar while Henry is expelled and falls in with local gamblers.

The gamblers headed by one Bull Connors are scheduled for a crackdown from John Law. Connors vainly attempts to solicit the counsel of Bob Weston who has become a famed lawyer In the town. An altercation In which Weston is the victor follows, and Connors revenge. The gambler hangs a murder frame on Henry Weston, who masquerades under an alias to spare his mother's feelings. Singularly enough.

Bob Is' named by the court to dofend his brother. But a truly dramatic splurge is envisioned when Bob breaks Connor's textlmony in the witness chair. The young lawyer wears a cafs eye amulet which he purposely fondles Cincinnati Born Louise Beavers Never Had First Lesson In Acting; And, Believe It or Not, She Uses Her Real Name In Films Claudette Colbert Is Her Favorite Star. Count Basie And Chick Webb To Start Battle For 'Swing Sumemacv' Sundav while questioning Connors, armed with the knowledge that Connora li afraid of anything belonging to a cat. Aa UMiial, Louiae Beavera turned In an excellent performance.

She was ably supported by Reginald Frnderson, who portrayed tha lawyer; and 'by Edward Thompson, who played the role of Henry. The latter la the huaband of Evelyn Preer. But the writer's hat's off to Lawrence Crlner, famed for his work with the Lafayette Players, whose role as Bull Connors was commendably executed. Looking at Connors in this role, one is invariably reminded of the hard boiled Edward O. Robinson.

His sneers and amlrka and hard boiled gestures are as real as life, and he is at home in the role. However, the youngsters who played in this Aim seem to lack the polish and reality of the foregoing. There is a definite stiltedness in their juvenile action, and tha roles are executed without real conviction. Time and practice should amend these deficiencies, and later Million Dollar Productions featuring juvenile colored players, should be a real cinematic treat. Ralph Coper, who made quite a sensation In 'Dark Manhattan, which he produced, and In which he had the lead role, has doni much to convince the peers of Hollywood 'that there's a goldmine li colored actors and artreset.

Louis Beavers lauda Cooper as a pioneer. So "Life Goes. On," ran safely down as one of the better type of all colored productions, which was shown this week at the Royal Theatre in conjunction with the stage appearance of Miss Louise Beavers. SAV YOU SAW IT IN THK PITTSBURGH COURIER picture, "Spirit of Youth," wl have Its world premiere at tht Lincoln Theatre In Washington D.C., on January 0. The film wlf play an extended run at this thea.

tre at advance pricea. The world'a heavyweight champion, Louis, himself, will make a personal appiatv ance at the Lincoln Theatre the opening day. gentleman will make a masterful trek to the altar with the cbarnv ing Helen Reynaud at an early date. I vote Vera Howard as the most sophisticated and Floretta How ard as the moxt quiet. Then there's Laura Howard as the mosi versatile being an accomplished pianist.

Ted Smith is croon ing to new heights at the Club Plantation. Charles Young, of times called "Norty" Boy Young feted strongly the Mid Night Man and his party at the Four Roses, a keen modernized spot thai la being sponsored by Jim McMlnn, who is not new in Sant Louis nightlife. One swell fellow is this McMlnn. And he is put ling on a great show at his One of the highest paid floor shows in the city. Floyd Flint, formerly of the Vogue Cafe, an 4 partner in the business with Charles Young, ia on the floor at the Four Roaes.

Pha Terrell made his appearance at thla spot as die Jeter and Pillara, Little Zlggle Johnaon, Slgmund Smsh, Ben Thomas from the St. Louis Argus and" Eddie Johnson, bandleader. By the way, Eddie John on and his grand swing band wlU acln tillate In the output of rhythmic details for the augmentation ball on January 15th. For the Town Club. (Carloea Ballroom) Luther Hogan, Elmer Hopes, Ernest Koonce, Ben Rodgera, Charlsl "Norty Boy" Young, Ben Thomas, Floyd Flynt and Slgmund 8mlt are the Townsmen and will act as hosts to the public.

Xndy Kirk and his band played the Arcadia Club on the week end. JU the Dragon Inn, Johnnie Manestar is the heavy proprietor. Wb lie Davis acts in the cspacity of bartender. Pauline" Rubye, tt dainty chorine, Isn't doing so bad for herself as seen by her ce, ncction with Charley Young. She Is performing exacting woij at, Club Four Roses.

Here's to a speedy recovery for Mrs. C. Roberts, who, at this writing, Is ill abed. Mrs. Roberts is wlfe of C.

W. Roberta, well known undertaker in this city, "LOWDOWN ON THE SHOW DOWN" At the Four Roa Club, Jim McMlnn Is presenting one of the greateat floorahowa I town. A fast, peppy revue worthy of plenty of column comment In this show, which is being produced by Robert Freeman, great showman and versatile comedian, Motorcycle, eccentrlo novelt) dancer, who shuffles like a Hal Le Roy, Is the show stopper. LlttU Bl Turner Is the famed comedienne who presents worthwhile bits. Lem and Angle, novelty tapplat, Blossom and Walker, black face They keep the patrons In a laughing state wltk tque Jokes Tony and Billy is another tap team in the show Their costumes retard their progress.

They have, fair pre ation yet amateurish in execution. Oeneva Washington la in the show. Mlsa Washington, formerly played with Brown skinned Models. Leland Longley'a band plays tha thaw down swell while Billy Knlghtengale, as emcee, dances to niw heights. Lucretla Williams is doing torch work along "with the show.

This unit of fine performers gives patrons of Four Rosea Cafe something that is different in presentation of night club shows and that's saying a plenty. ON THE BOTTOM Doris Simms, who played with the Brown Skinned Models for four years, was also spotted at Foul Roses on the 'Mld Nlffht Patrol." Hold on for future development. mM Ted Watson, 450 East 45th place CWeao..