The New York Age from New York, New York • Page 9

Ned WEacs OflmngWByll To Criticism la his "The Soap Box." published in The Amsterdam' Kcws, the Rtv. A. Clayton Powell pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Chnrch ind husband of a noted figure in the theatrical world; charged that Irving Mills, manager of Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington and othtr band was exploiting Negro musical talent to his own benefit Rev. Mr. Powell compared the Negro band leaders with the share cropper farmers in the South, and inti muted that tltey were just as badly off.

Jiea It. imams, a member of the publicity staff of Irving Mills, has written a reply to this criticism, a copy ol which is republished Editor, N. Y. Amsterdam News: least a dozen telephone calls had advised me of "a vicious attack" upon Irving" Mills in the "oap Box" column written by copy of last week' issue of your Clayton Powell befofe the ia'lucd publication reached my desk. An analytical study of the article question, however, revealed not so much an attack upon the integrity of Mr.

Mills as an unfounded and unwarranted libel upon the sanity and intelligence of two outstanding leaders o( the colored race, Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, as well as a deliberate, but ridiculous' challenge to the intelligence of your readers. Our voung Mr. Powell's appal ling isnorance of the subject on which he undertakes to enlighten your readers, as indicated by the rich fund of flagrant misinforma tion which he trie to dissemin inate, would be humorous if it were not so pitifuL I do not find it necessary to dignify this wild and wholly in accurate summation of the band business with any serious denial or correction. Powell jr. kindly obviates such necessity by contra iictinc himself frankly and open ly.

Your bright, young columnist arbitrarily fixes salaries in the Duke Ellington Band at $100 per week, wilfully ignores the fact that the attraction at one period worked steadily for three solid vears with neither a layoff nor vacation, then by his own peculiar method of accounting, states that the musicians "haven't netted $3,000 in years." If 52 weeks at $100 per week doesn't net at least $3,000. then Mr. Powell a band leader and I'm a smart columnist too. Since it is neither customary nor expedient (at least it was not until last week's Soap Box column was written) to conduct an audit of private enterprise or personal incomes in the columns of a news paper, I will engage in no further controversy with Powell jr. on salaries incomes or grosses.

His own information on these points is too woefully limited, and his multiplication is notoriously bad, as illustrated above. It is significant that onr volun teer champion of the down trod den colored musician makes no mention of the thousands of dol tars expended in advertising, pub licity ana exploitation to build thfe names and attractions from wholly unknown quantities to a height where they can command the "$4.000 jaooo per week' tnich he believes theatres pay for them. And if Powell bas the notion that theatre operators are shelling out that kind of import ant money for mere "horn blow ers, string strummers and cymbal dashers," he'd better discuss show business with someone who is fa miliar with it. and learn about box office value and how it is cre ated And in his extremely lucid, if inaccurate, word summary of the orchestra business, our campaign ing columnist likewise omits all reference, insofar as the Ellington band is concerned to the approx imately $50,000 spent for railroad fares in one year, to transport inese snarecropptng musicians tn a style and comtort to which no other orchestra, white or colored, in the country is accustomed And I regard it as. particularly significant that everyone but.

Mr. Ellington and Mr. Calloway seems to be so urgently concerned about the state of affluence of the same r. tllmgton and Mr. Calloway.

And it in defense of the seem. ugly singular (to Powell jr.) loy ally ot these two famous band leaders to the man who made them famous, that I am asking yon to puoiian this letter. I have been identified with the miiis enterprises for five vears. I mi i mmr nyseit mat i enjoy i Inl J. i .1 a I ev.A.CPdweD,Jr.

fair reputation among performers in general and colored performers and musicians in particular. It has been my observation that no man of either race (and I defy you, A. Clayton Powell jr. to name me one) has accomplished as much as frying Milts in advancing the Negro performer and musician to the heights of stage, screen and radio, and in helDinu to obtain general recognition of me genius and talent of colored entertainers, not only in every sec tion ot mis lair country of ours, but internationally, as welL The fact that he is no philanthropist (and never has claimed to be one), but that he has profited personally ay a result of these activities, is quite immaterial. Even a columnist is worthv of his hire.

SEEING the SHOW By ALTRID DTJCK1TT Earl Dancer's latest revue thing playing now at the 125th street Apollo Theatre is something especially nice. And just as it should be, Don Redmon is the li? noise of the presentation. Redmon and his boys have something special a thing which is becoming more and more uncommon with the big name orkies pep and originality. Swing and sentiment are equally 'delightfully pleasing on. the Redmon menu.

And there is something else Sir Redmon has that is distinctive. And that is the capable Carolling of Louise McCarroI, who possesses a beautifully rich and charming In the exquisite new number "Pennies From Heaven," Miss McCarroI is all to, the mustard. Beautiful stage personality, unusual voice and loveliness of face and figure. These are her assets. And the audience goes wild over her.

Redmon's surest road to an encore comes in his original Harlem adapted arrangement of "You Turned The Tables On Me," and if that' encore is "Sunny Side of The Street," what more can an audience or even a reviewer ask? Jeni Le Con. cute. But by all means adapted to dancing difficulties than to vocal vicissitudes. Alex Lovejoy. Extremely enter taining.

Trigger wit We liked almost as well as any other part of the show, the striking grand finale. It's a honey. The real thing: has come along. 0 African Drama For WANegrolueatre The African dialect play "Bassa Mona" will be the next offering at the WPA Federal Theatre Project's Lafayette opening there Tuesday evening, December 8. George McEntree's drama, "Eleven P.

will open later in the month following the limited engagement of "Bassa Mona" at this "Bassa Mona" Is a stirring tale of the African country written by Margaret Laseur and Momodir Johnson. Mr. Johnson has also functioned as director for the play and choreographer for the numerous native dances performed during its three act coarse. Seventy dancers and actors; including Joe Adams, Jon Antiga, Norman Coker. Emmy Scaly, Alice Ramsay and Donald St.

John, 'comprises the large cast From several angles, it appears that "Bassa Mona" may well equal and surpass the rich color and entertainment that marked last season's WPA production of "Macbeth." The exciting dances, the rhythmic beat of the native drums, and the splendor of the aettinra and roatumes avernlerf and kv Farnel promise Harlem a set sinn of novel and intereatintr piaygomg. Telephone AUdobon S495S PATSY'S DAQ end GRILL RESTAURANT ROTISSERIE CHINESE A AMERICAN COOKING 2623 Eighth Avenue Corner 140th Street Tcahircjr ckSce vbzs, lzrs, beer fb ccf 2496 Seventh Atc (S.W. corner 145th St) Phone AUdsbon M15 GEORGE H. FERGUSON BOY STANLEY The Music Goes Round 'And Round, And Prices Are Golnjv Down And. Down NEW POLICY NOW IN EFFECT Ho Cove? Ctcrge Featuring Chsrlle Johnson's Hoi Syncopstors Two Shows Nightly.

1M0 and 2 JO Tel. AUAibon 1 922; FRANK GIBBS, Manages GENE TYLER. Asst. Mr 133tb STREET SEVENTH AVENUE ayafriaBayen MILLS BROS. HEAD mVAPOliOBIIl Only N.

Y. Appearance Of Famous Four After European Tour The world's areatest auartette The Mills BrotWn will make their only New York appearance at the Apollo next week. They have just returned from a triumphant tour of Europe. The reception which they received in the larger theatres there exceeded anything ever accorded a colored act before. They are, undoubtedly, at the heigth of their career and are certain to give Apollo patrons the greatest treat ever given by this spectacularly outstanding stage, radio and screen act Leonard Harper is staging a show around the Mills Brothers, which givei promise of being the best scene in Harlem during the year 1936, A red, hot ntjpr swing band will play the music This band is headed bv Ovie Alston, the sensational featured player with Claude Hopkins' band.

Alston recently organised his orchestra and they have been an immediate sensation in the few theatres where they have played. Babe Matthews will also be a featured member of the cast: one of Lew Leslie's favorite Miss Matthews has not been seen in Harlem for more than a year. Others in the cast are Roy, Lee and Dunn, and Jackie. Arlethia Purdue. Dusty Fletcher, Sandy Burns, and George Wiltshire, the sixTeen lovely Hanperettes.

Gian and Giano, the danoing stars at the Paracentral Hotel The Apollo's talking picture fea ture next week will be The Girl on the Front starring Edmond Lowe. Mnsic Ilotes Election of officers of the Carl Di. ton Branch of the National Associa tion Of Negro Musicians, Inc, fold recently, resulted in the following be ing named: Mrs. Alice D. Crawford, president; Mrs.

Willim dent Mrs. Lisle CrpnMcr. uvnnil vice president; Mrs. imogene Muc ocele, recording secretary; Ur. Aaron B.

Carter, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. Annie Jordon Severy, treas urer. The Board of Directors composed of the following Mr. Will! Rowe. chairman; Dr.

John H. Eckles, vice cnairman: Mesdames Virgie Au gustine, Maggie Carter, Frances Mann and Marie P. I.tmitnn n. Aaron B. Carter, Miss Ruth Bunch ana Messrs.

tdward H. Waller. Robert H. Homer, Gilbert Allen and i tee. S.

Alonzo Lee, baritone, has just returned to Kew Yflrlr flr cessful trip South. White, on a vaca nwn re was we guest ot ur. and Mrs. Don Vinrem Smith rw. ton, Va.

Mr. Lee sang in Halifax. South Boston and Petersburg. He has resumed his studies with teacher. Suun W.

Ri lrfnn. at his the Sherman Square Studios. The Carl Diton Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians invited their friends' to a inanksirivinff Musical at the home of One it the mftihr Diath Inei Bunch. 201 Wm on Aunday atternroon. Mrs.

Fran ces Mann was the mistress' of cere moniet and intrnHurf fnllnur. ii ing artists to the assembled guests: miss Artmna Lawiar, soprano: tififv 1 ansa uncimina imams, ara matic reader; Anne Jordan Severy vpiaiiu, fjsic utccmugc, Dan tone; Bessie Burnett, soprano; Ed na Sampsone, dramatic reader: Ed ward Waller, tenor; Mrs. Alice Crawford, lyne soprano. Mrs. imogene Murdock, secretary of the rlnK in i hiro nf correspondence to other clubs, in vited tne reporter to the weekly meetings.

lWrs Victcrfa One of the most Powerful stor ies ever brought to the screen, a tender human narrative of real people, may be seen at Loew's Victoria Wednesday and Thursday when "In His Steps" will be shown on the screen together with "Bulldog Edition." The story revolves around two young people who become enmeshed in the toils of the law for no other crime Shan being too much in love with ach other. How they are comforted and brought through the hour of their. despair by the sacrifice and human tenderness and understanding of one man forms a story of unusually powerful dramatic appeal, with Eric Linden, Cecilia Parker, Henry Kolker and Olhrt Tell in featured roles. Hollywood's cycle of newspaper pictures has been fast and furious "Bulldog Edition" is one of the most refreshing and different films in some time. With Evalyfi Knapp, Fay Walker nd Regis Toomey in leading roles, it presents the human iide of a hectic life within a newspaper office which its predecessors failed to reveal.

A doren big time radio entertainers in audition to a strong lineup of screen an stage talent has been assembled to make The Big Broadcast of 19J7" which begins a four day engagement at f.oew's Friday together with "The Magnificent Brute." With Jack Benny, Rums and Allen, Martha Rare, Benny Goodman and his Swing Orchestra, Shirley Ross Ray Millsad and Eleanorc Whit nry, the story is a comic treatment of the broadcasting business. "The Magnificent Brute" a gi ant of a man is torn between two blondes. That is, two at one time. The battle vl blondes fot his affection starts at Loew's on Friday with Victor MeLapJen. Rinnie Barnes and Willi Hall in the ieaturcd (elc.

'If fea "aWaaaaWaWaaiWaWasaUBSaBWaBBnBWWaWaaB MMaaaaaaa ewaMaaMaMWMMMH iWMi wSWbbbbb j. v. wL i i 11 vx hM k. rm nn Here art the Mills Brothers Degtnning rriaay uecemoer iney nave ju rciurnea irom a inumpuam iuur wi uh making their only New York appearance this season at The Apollo. In the supporting cast are Ovie Alston and xlia sand and a large Mickey Rooney, Freddie Bartholomew, Jackie Cooper In MThe Devil Is A Sissv" I WEEKEND ATTRACTION AT THE ROOSEVELT THEATRE Ed Smalls Paradise Enlarges Floorspace And Opens New Bar Bv Amoving the bar upstairs, (just off the street adjoining the Dunbar National Bank at Seventh avenue and 135th street) Smalls Paradise, nearly doubled the floor space fof the cabaret last week.

Under the the management of the popular Edwin Smalls this popular night spot began its tenth fall season with a brand' new floor show last week. Smalls is now not only the largest and oldest night club in Harlem but i i wiin inc huuumi ui ii hsw n4 i.i:.: modernistic bar it can to ol ten the finest. The large number of floral tnecei at the opening attest the high esteem in which the proprietor Paine College Club To Present Musicale The annoal educational mass meeting and musicale under auspices of the Paine College Alumni Club of New York and vicinity will be held Sunday afternoon, December 13, at 130 o'clock, at the Williams Institutional M. E. Church.

218 220 VV 130th street the Rev. Dr. E. T. Woods, pastor.

The address will be delivered by the Rev. Mr. Thomas T. Taylor, pastor of the M. E.

Church at Pleasantville, N. a formei student at Paine College, Augusta, Ga. The musical program will be rendered by the Chauncey Northern Art Studios of 4 West Mount Morris Park, Chauncey Northern, tenor, directing. Members of the group will render solos, choruses and readings. Mrs.

Ruby McGill Webb, soprano, will also sing. Officers of the club are (ones, president; Mrs. Wilhelmina bright, vice president; Miss Wil helmina Hamilton, Mrs. Lillian H. Dr.

Channing Tobias, trustee sponsor; Lucien H. White, chairman rrosram ronvrittff SraAEsEsS' Wisbea To i TUB GRAND OPENIHS Ol Th.lT New IilcilerD Cocldail Bar and Grill At 2294 Seventh Avenue, 135th Street 0a Tbursday Aftcrnccn, Dec 3rd, 1936 Open Daily Two Shows Nightly 12. 00 P. M. 2:30 A.

M. Special Floor Show ODfiU, LL BOYD, who will appear ith their dad at Leonard Harp er revue cast. YMCA Players Score In Initial Presentation The Y. M. C.

A. Players, under the direction of Marion J. English, opened their dramatic season with a 1 highly entertaining and exceptionally smooth presentation of three one act plays, Friday evening, November 20, in the Branch's Little Thca tre. lvilT3 The plays presented were Paul Green's foiK traftcuy n.ic bn. with the following cast: Johnnye P.

Mitchell. Patricia Mitchell. William Simmons, and Linton Marsh; Wilbur Brown's one act mystery "White with Patricia tj i v.i.. Li ti. i.

Tm 'a Redman. and SuM GlaspcU's rilm iv, 8, anu Atari rviti The whole production was of a high order of excellence and bespeaks a line dramatic season for the group under Mr. English, their director. Mr. English is a product of the Talladega Dramatic Department nd is at present studying at New York University.

PRINTING Let The Age do your JOB PRINTING We print from COMING Tuesday, December 8 At :30 P. M. WPA Federal Theatre Presents "Bassa Mona" 70 AFRICAN ACTORS AND DANCERS LAFAYETTE EATR 13! st ST. 7th AVE. Phone TlUinghast 5 14 24 PAQAiD)! Announce Souvenirs To All GENE TYLER, Asst.

the Apollo Theatre for the wesk IN RECITAL SUNDAY 3'C 1 r. i j. vx f9s si i Miss Abbie Mitchell RENAISSANCE THIATftl 7th At at ISTUl tk Frl. gat, Dte. Hilt LBV TEMPLI ITiriH FITOHIT "DIMPLES" AIM JACK HOLT in ''End Of The Trail" un.

Tuec. Dae. "DODSVORTIT With W.m MUtTOa HMty AtTOH ruth OHArrnrroN Mat All Colored Cast in "The Vicious Circle Taeay te Thursday Oaa. 1 "III HIS STEPS" KMMJ UNDMctClLU PMKgft wMh tVKLVM MW LOII OIW 6AM OOnOVI Friday te anar Daa, 7 "THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1937" won wmr BUMtaja a allkn MarUia Naya ob Barm A Kanaka VWTOW ate UOLtS la He Qajpfficct Brute" 1 ROOSEVELT THEATRE Seventh Avenue at 145th Street w. murk o.

A Hane Wlleoaaa au. President's; Law Or LADY BE CAREFUlw 1 1 Adapts from the aua Hit "BAILOR WAftl" tat. Te Tuaa. Dae. 1 fraddla Barthelemaw Jackie Oeepte ine uevu Is A Sissy" PLUS ArUiu.

MM vAdvealcre fa )lr Symphonic Poem Is Featured At Monarch Band Monthly Concert By LUCIEN H. WHITE The outstanding feature of the program onereu last unday by the Monarch Symphonic Band, Lieut. Fred W. Simpson, conduct or, was the playing of a Symphon iK DstaavM i a I fiiiuaeea I 1 A A SIC VHllill 3l ment," by De Nardis. This composition, of unusual harmonic structure, was modernistic in content, and marked the first time that Lieut.

Simpson has oalled upon his band musicians to interpret a musical work of this nature. It was a splendid opportunity for these instrumentalists to display their versatility and it is to their credit that they responded most satisfactorily to the demands made upon both their musical sense of appreciation and their technical ability in interpretation It was not, perforce, at all perfect, but this lack was due more to inexperience than anything else With more opportunity, of course, they will become more familiar with music of this type, and there will come an ironing, out of the crudities evidenced in this initial effort. The guest artist was Olyve P. Hopkins, soprano, a longtime favorite with metropolitan artists, and she evidenced anew her claim on the public and its' plaudits. With L.

Franklin Dyer at the piano sang first "Danny Boy" by Dvorak, and, with the full band accompanying, then san? "II liacio" (The Kiss) by Arditi. Lieut. Simpson opened the pro pram with the usual march, "Old Glory Triumphant" by Duble; then came a mixed group "Lar Ko" by Handel, "In Old Madrid" by Trotere, and a popular song. lou, hy Donaldson an opera! ic selection "The Bohemian Girl" lv Balfe, with its familiar. airs, "Then you'll remember me" and "1 dreamt that I dwelt in marble "Cinderella'v Bridal Tro cession" by Dicker ended the first naif of the program.

Following an address by Mag istrate Myles A. Paige, the first member of the race to be anDoint ed a New York City magistrate, came the symphonic Poem al ready commented on, and Miss Hopkins' songs; The elosinar num bers were the U. Navy's song, "Anchors Aweigh," by Zimmer; man, with musicians joining in the vocal refrain, and that grand old hymn, "Rock of Ages." In his address Magistrate Paige spoke of hiv early activities in the musical field, and then touched It is announced that from the upon the responsibility revolving upon present day parents as revealed in cases that come before him in the Magistrate's Court. He deplored the actions of many parents who enter into children's quarrels, thereby causing' insignificant little snats often to be mag ni6cd into becoming serious conflicts. It is significant, he declared, that many "grown ups" are acting like children, with children acting like "grown ups." Dr.

Lawrence' J. Davenport was in his usual role as master of ceremonies, and Arminitis N. Hayne, chairman of the publicity committee, thanked Magistrate Paige and Miss Hopkins 'on of the band and the audience, and nude the appeal for finances to aid in promoting the series of free monthly concerts. NOW PLAYING LAST DOII REDMAN and BAND And An Earl THE WORLD'S All ACTIONS I 53 s3. itcrday, 5, 11 jmr 4.

turn i Abbie r.MeD Ad WnLAMenlnJchr RecftalTMsSunff; Abbie Mitchell, beloved and 5 mired star of concert, drama and operatic stage, who wiU A presented jointly with Willii Allen, noted pianist of nation' reputation, by the Musical Ll" Group this Sunday afternoon cembsr 6, in St James PretV; terian church, 141st street and Nicholas avenue, has enjoyed' varied and colorful artistic care" Hugo Bornn, well known piaiu will accompany the singer. Miss' Mitchell made her defc at a surprisingly young agea Hammerstein's Victoria. Sine then her art both vocal and dr matic has mellowed and maturg to a remarkable degree, by reas of the keen intelligence and ance that has always guided work. Ever able to captivate and thr' by means of her highly, develo' vocal art, the incomparable Al was last heard in recital here 1 1932 when she did an all Ne" program in Town Hall Si, that time she hay devoted, versatile talents to the more 1 crative fields of the drama, 1 radio, opera and light opera, ing the dramatic role of Clara, Gershwin's Porgy and Bess t' recently, and that of Santuxta 1 Cavallena Rusticana at Temple two years ago. In 1923 La Mitchell did a co mand performance before the tt Prince of Wales at York Ho and later at a private party in the prince', honor Lady Gwen Farm's.

She I studied under the famous Jean Reske of Paris and under Wil gartner of Vienna. William Allen has, won the claim of audiences in many of I largest cities of the country has come to be Chopin specialist; although plays' the other masters ofll pianoforte with equal and authenticity. He is a graduate of the CT lin Conservatory of Music has studied since under i world renowned masters eminent Leopold Godowski i Egon Petri. Mr. Allen has tar.

musical Howard University at present is professor of mi. at Fisk University." He brings the recital Sunday a technical a' interpreive skill that, is calcwit to stir a highly representa metropolitan audience. Mr. Bornn, the accompanist, a concert pianist in his own ri'" having been presented by the I sical Art Group last season. is a graduate of the Juilliard I stitute he has done sidcrabte post graduate work.

go Bornn is also a noted cor poser. In presenting these famous the Musical Art Group 1 tuated by a desire to enrich munity life in a cultural way. present recital is to be the t. in a high standard series of tt" Although advance ticket have been but average. Grf members are optimistic that I many true music lovers' of I lem will turn out in furl force thus encourage the continuant" the much needed community Z.

ries. GREATEST COLORED APPEAR HERE ONLY VC i IYSmH fl 1 LNX I Si I 1 1 '1 J'lL ur vftejc Cornel ItBJl' TIMES THURSDAY JEI1I LEG ON Dancer Show: NEXT WEEK BEGIN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27th Next Week World'8 fircates Quartttta 3 IVDOLLLl? Only Begin Frl Dec. 4th The Greatest Show of 1936 AND A SPLENDID OVIE ALSTOII Sensational LR REVUE CAST OP SO AND HIS TRUMPET AND DA2D New Swing Band THE FROIIT PAG? EDWUND LOWE Wed. Amitrar KtU Babe Mathews Roy, Lee and Dun: Gina and Giana Arlethia Purdra Dusty Fletcher Sandy Burns Geo.

WilUhin Bessie Jackie Billy White 16 Harperctts "THE" GIRL ON Thriller With Midnight Show Sst. mm STATE I LZZZJ TA DAI3. CIT.