New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 20

PAGE TWENTY 1 I ilfiHTDEK viewpoint ol the colored movie goer but the characters portrayca by the colored actors aro decent, upstanding people. The picture presents a sociological drama. It may be described as a forthright account of actual cases which And their way to the Juvenile courts. The narrative is simple. Eill Robinson and Frcdl Washington givo performances deserving commendation.

The story describes a colored seamstress, who is rearing a white child. Quite accidentally, the child becomes an object of curiosity when three male newspaper reporters play a trick on a girl who is assigned to cover the courts. One of them telephones her' to go to a lot at 112 South Maple street where she will find a body. At tho Maple street address a junk dealer has his shop. Outride Tex Warren sees Henry Bangs complaining to Officer Joe because Sunny has thrown mud on his Desmond for sicking his dog on her cat.

Tex makes sevpral inquiries and reports the incident to her city editor. He telephones tho Juvenile court officer and asks him to investigate the case, and then prints the story. In a State penitentiary. Jim Tabor, a prisoner, ylls Moxie Mc Grath, another prisoner, who Is about to be released, the parentage of the chiid. Morle keeps his promise to smuggle a pistol to Tabor, but tips the warden that Jim Is to make a break tor freedom.

Jim Is shot down trying to escape, leaving "Moxie and Johnny, who is taken in on the plan to extort money from Sunny's mother. When the two gangsters go to By BILLY ROWK NEW YORK. Auir. 26 In a trans Atlantio telephone conversation with members of the Cotton Club Revue Monday, we learn that the revue, now appearing at the Falladlum Theatre in London, England, will close a six weeks' engagement Saturday, SMS "mm ONE MILE FROM HEAVEN, from a screen play by Lou Breslovt and John Patrick, based upon original stories by Judge Ben Lindsey, Robi Harris and Alfred Golden; directed by Allan Dunn; a Twentieth Century Fox production; reviewed at a special screening for BiU Robinson at the Warner Brothers' screening room, EarUs Theatre Build tug, August SO. OFFICER JOE LUCY (TEX) WARREffx BARBARA HARRISON JIM TABOR FLORA JACKSON SUNNY Bill Robinson Trevor Sally Blaine Dougiaa Fowley Fred! Carol MOXIE McGRATH Harolde JERRY HARRISON John Eldredge JOHNNY McVey MORTIMER ATLAS Walker PETER BRINDELL Rll Hopton HENRY BANGS Eddie Anderson TTmmr r.KrtKV.

Howard Hickman By LOUIS LAUT1EU WASHINGTON. D. C. Hollywood is beginning to catch on, if "One Mile From Heaven," the Twentieth Century Fox production is any criterion, it is tne nrst Aiuenuiiii mauc picture with a mixed cast, in which there is not only no obiectlonable dialogue irom me the home of Flora Jackson to take the child away from her, they are rebuffed by Officer Joe. Tex follows, trails them.

She over hears Moxie telephone Barbara Harrison to bring $5,000 and meet him in a park, if she wants her child, whom she believes was killed In an accident. When tho two gangsters pick up Mrs. Harrison, Tex follows their car. They think officers are trailing them and toss Mrs. Harrison from the car.

Tex picks her up, stops at a gas station and phones the police the number of the car In which the gangsters are riding, pretending it is her stolen car. Police give chase to the automo bile and the gangsters are killed In an accident. Tex tells Mrs. Harrison where her child is. The next morning in juvenile court the identity of the child Is established, and Flora and the child go to live with Mrs.

Harrison. In the final seine Sunny has invited all the children of the col ored neighborhood in which she had livrd to a garden party. Washington gives a fine performance as Flora Jackson She Is perhaps at her best In the juvenile court scene when she is striving to keep the child. Bill Robinson, still the world's greatest tap dancer, portrays Of ficer Joe. the lovablo neighborhood cop, who is always dancing and buying ico cream cones for the children of the South Maple dis trict.

Claire Trevor also gave fine portrayal of the newspaper re porter. A round robin of appreciation must also include Sally Blaine, Douglas Fowley, and Joan Carol. OTTO CLUB RfEV mm UE Of Beginning Sunday, members of the sensational show, will take a 14 day vacation and a much need ed one, too, according to the mem bcrs themselves. 1 Followins the lay off the whole troupe will return to the States. The revue created a sensation both in England and in France.

tits HlXJJki) Eras FOEL OTE WEEK NEW YORK, Aug. 28 The dominant position colored swlng strrs hold In tho phonograph record field is forcefully illustrated In last week's list of the best record setters for each label. Of the soven principal record labels on the market, five report that waxings by colorpd musicians completely top the lists of their respective best sellers. On the Decca label the mighty Bing Crosby has los'. his selling supremacy to trumpet man Louis Armstrong, by virtue of the lat ter's recording of Public Melody Number One" and "Red Cap." Songiird Billie Holiday reigns supreme fcr vocalion with "Sailboat in the Moonlight" and "Born to Swing." Xuke Ellington's position as number one man on Master for hU "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm and "Alabnmy Home" Is a natural one, for holding top place has become a habit with the famous composer orchestra leader.

'Smarty' and "I'm Gonna Put You in Your Place" insure Waller the highest ranking for if LET'S FOLLOW THE DUKE FOK A MONTH For the next month Duke Ellington will not only "step out," hut ho and his famous hand of excellent musicians will be "stepping around." Here's the Duke's schedule up to and including September 15: Aug. 26 Des Moines, Iowa. Aug. 87 Lincoln, Nebr. Aug.

38 Waterloo, Iowa. Aug. Kockford, 111 (theatre date). Aug. SO Kockford.

111., (theatre date). Aug. 31 Madison, Wis. Sept. 1 Madison.

Wis. Sept. 2 Milwaukee, Wis. Sept. Milwaukee, Wis.

4 Highland Park. TIL Sept. 5 Milwaukee, Wis. Sept. 6 Milwaukee, Wis.

Week of Sept. 8 Minneapolis, Minn. the presence of Benny Goodman on this label. Host alfiniaciat ut all lb 1 STARDOM AFTER 17 YEARS 7 Clinton Rosemond, veteran actor, whose performance in the sensational new Deep South anti lynching film, "They Won't Forget," produced by Warner Brothers, has skyrocketed him to stardom. He has appeared on the stage and in films for 17 years.

Director Mervyn LeRoy said after "They Won't Forget" was finished that he had never seen "a greater Negro actorP ANP. will be in this JIMMIE LUNCEFORD TO FEATURE PORTER ROBERTS SONG HIT AT BIG AFFAIR HERE ON SEPT. 3 Eva Jessye Choir, Duncan On the Air NEW YORK, Aug. The sensational Eva Jesaye Choir, starred in the late Georgo Gershwin's opera, Porgy and Bess, will appear with Ben Ber nle and all the Lads on the American Can Company pro grom, Tuesday, August 31, at 9 p. EDST.

Tod Duncan will assist the choir. Eddie Green Stars In New Radio Role NEW YORK CITY, Aug. 26 Eddie Green, famous radio comedian, has been set for a series of broadcasting dates on the Maxwell House Showboat hour. Sur rounded by a galaxy of white radio stars, the droll comedian got off to a great start last Thursday evening. Green can be best remembered for his radio work with Louis Armstrong just awhile back on the first all colored commercial for the Fleischmann Yeast, company.

In the past he has done much radio work, enhancing sponsored programs, which starrod such talent as Rudy Vallee and Joe Cook. In between radio time he has play ed to great success In theaters throughout the country and was the first and only black faced comedian to cofeature a bill of en tertainment at a Broadway nitc Club. The deal setting Kddie Green for this new commercial program was completed by the Hesse Mc Caffrey booking offlee. Though contracted for the hour, no time limit has been set. Therefore it ran be taken that his performance will be an Indefinite one.

REJOINS SPEED WEBB ORCHESTRA ATLANTA, Ga Aug. 26 Wilbur Stroder has rejoined Speed Webb and his orchesctra lifter an ab sence of eight months. Stroder plays guitar, bass fiddle and piano as well as being featured vocal ist. Until the band heads west in September, mail will reach the boys in care of the Famous Orchestras or America, Kimball House, Atlanta. spurt of Don Redman to Variety's best selling peak.

The "Little Corporal of Jazz," already well in his forties, is staging a comeback that may sweep him straight Into tuc high throne of swing. 1 And there are not a few Redman enthusiasts who claim that his Is by far the best rwlngband In the country, ex cluding only Duke Ellington, who Is more or less ia elasa by bina 'Honey Keep Your Mind On Me' and Tosin Sweeping Country As Oxley Attraction Continues to Draw Huge Crowds Jimmie Lunceford, streamlined "Prince of Rhythm" and Porter Roberts, famous Courier columnist, whose, writings under the heading of "Praise and Criticism," are perhaps more widely read among theatrical reople than any other in the country, have collab ated to write a song hit which is sweeping the country. The title of the song. "Honey. Keep Your Mind On Me," has just been released, but already record sales threaten to reach a new "high." This song and "Posln'," another lunceford recording, which is also proving extremely popular, will be among the big hits Lunceford will feature when he brings his famous aggregation to Pittsburgh's Olym pia Park next Friday evening, Sep Beason.

The play, entitled "Home Sweet Harlem," will hit the great white canyon as the well known producer's first for the fall season. Its cast will be entirely colored and will take up the Biltmore Theatre where his current hit, "Brother Rat" is now holding sway. "Home Sweet Harlem" is a play with muolc, and is from the pen of Bernie Angus, and is due for a Broadway showing early in October. Already through several agencies, casting has began and Harlem's legit actors and actresses, most of them now working for the Federal Theatre Project, are digging into their publicity scrap books with hopes of hitting the illuminated lane via a big time production without the government stamp. Cirker and Bobbins will design the five sets for the show that will bring the first all colored drama to Broadway in more than two years.

tacky Plays For Harvest Moon Ball NEW YORK, Aug. 8 Lucky Mllllnder and the Mills Blue Rhythm Band played tho Harr est Moon BaM at Madison Square Gardes last night. The band will, fill a two week's en gagement at Park Jbefora going Into Vtm Savoy to sroelh. tember 3. The affair, being sponsored by the Dunlap Lodge of Elks, of Brownsville, will climax an afternoon of events which promises to draw the largest crowd ever to attend the park.

Harold Oxley, genial manager of Lunceford, who Is also booking Edgar Hayes, announces that Lunceford, who ends a short vacation this week, has been swamped by offers from managers In every section of the country. 'Etoe Street talem' To Open Ora Broadway NEW YORK, Aug. 26 From all indications, Harlem will be well represented on Broadway this fall in more ways than one. At present George Abbott, who has given the stem a varied collection of plays of all races, has plans for an all colored one the comings SIL AS GREEN Show News The Silas Green Show, best known all Negro aggregation traveling on the road today, enters the State of Tennessee on August 23, playing Bristol, one of the most popular stands on the route. West Virginia and Virginia were toured during the months of June and July.

While in Keystone, W. the company was entertained with an annual dance, sponsored by the Collegiate Club. The president ie John Redd; vice president, Nathaniel Thornton. Edward Washington, cornctist and band leader, was suddenly stricken with pneumonia on Friday. August 13, and waa rushed to the Providence hospital in Blue field.

W. Va. His condition Is reported much improved. NOBLE SISSLE BAND PLAYING IN ST. LOUIS ST.

LOUIS. Aug. 26 Noble Slssle and his internationally famous orchestra will play a two week's dance engagement at Mead owbrook Terrace, a white nite club, located just outside St. Louis. Sis ale follows the world famous Ted Weeras orchestra into the spot.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 a H' Tin" L3' Fats Wallet. To Plav Bechley 's A uiitorinm For George Morton BECKLEY, W. Aug. G'Tats" Waller, radio's "Harmful Lil Armful," who has "threatened" to quit the road next year, is heading this way again. The famous radio pianist and his equally famous or chestra, which has always been crime favorite in these parts, Is scheduled to return here to the Beckley Armory this Saturday eve ning, August 28.

The Saturday engagement will mark the first time in more than year that colored people have danced In the Armory, and the place was secured only through the Influence of George Morton, local dance lmpressarlo, under whose auspices the affair will be held. Mere announcement of the name of the attraction and the date has started an unprecedented jwave of advance sal, tickets, with hun dreds of dance lovers promising to attend from all towns radius of fifty miles. The Satui day dance Waller's only appearance section. Advance sale tickets are on sale at Morton's Dnjg Store here. Louie To Charleston It has also been announced that a group or coiorea Dusinessmen have secured Louie Armstrong and his famous orchestra to play at the Charleston Armory on Satur day night, September 11.

Complete details will follow in subsequent editions. within a IN SKY is in 8 By BILLY ROWE VACATION LAND, Aug. 26 The summer theatre season is 1 approaching its end, and with it we hope, the box office slump which has detourned the most strong hearted theatre manager from the gamblers side of things. From now until a much later date, we have been allowed to take a vacation from that which we call work. That to be sure Is an easy thing to do and a very pleasant thing.

But though this is our period of inactivity, we find that the coming crisis of the delayed theatrical season plus the unprecedented and unheard of trends that colored entertainment has been subjected to, leave our minds anything but inactive. Minsk) Going White At the beginning of, the summer season, the usual predictions and plans of men interested in the doing of colored show business, painted a picture of coming security and achievement that startled tho most casual observer, leaving him with the impression that surely when fall sets in, things would undoubtedly be great fo the man of color in the theatre. Today when things are at a fever pitch with theatre managers and the like running here and there, seeking the type talent to barter for the new season soon to predominate, less and less light is thrown upon the man of color. The rose that was to be his Is fast loosing its hue. Unless we miss our guess, he will find himself in tbe same rut of former days.

Down on Broadway where the Min sky Brothers once ruled supreme with acts of the "Strip Tease" and the like, he was promised a stronghold. After rehearsing for six weeks or more and working one, the theatre closed without warning. But it left the hope that in September it would open again and give the colored performer the chance to do that which he missed before. With the paint not yet dry on the signs that heralded the coming back of the race performer, the Minsky Brothers have changed their minds and will return to white burlesque on a so called modified scale, counting the man of color out but definitely. Ktelfel and Cuts Of course something like hat isn't the real problem of thtf colored performer, for others have been exploited in such a mannex by men like the Mlnskys who hav been allowed to take advantage of a situation.

But the real danger for the race entertainers to be on their guard against Is the supposed announcement made by Sam Steifcl, of Philadelphia and points South, that all performers will open and continue through the new fall season at a lower rate of pay. Last year, owing to a battle betweel Stlfel and Slatko, both of the Quaker City, salaries were of course boosted. This year that war Is ended, Slatko Is out of the business and Frank Schiffman Is too far away and single handed to hurt the czar seaboard theatricals. Therefore without fear of harm, Steifel comes forward and asks that all performers working for him. return to what he calls a normal salary, notwithstanding the fact that show business today Is enjoying a far better profit than show business of two or three years ago when his predominance of the field made performers work for him at his orice.

Should that plan go through, the buying of colored talent will be far lower than its re sale, performing for dollars and receiving pennies. Union Salvation Up until a few days ago, one Harry Brock of the Independent Vaudeville circuit was looked upon as the greatest out for such treat ments. He with the opentng of the West End; theatre here In Harlem and others throughout the country was expected to give the desired competition necewary to bolster the already pay for the per i Praise and Criticism By PORTER ROBERTS DEAR READERS, TATS" WALLER took time out la Chattanooga, Tina, to aing the bhjee to J. T. DunrSa pj BURGH COURIER writer.

about the "harm" this cpiumil fai big time band leadera on the road! Here's just what "Ftr means: Because oX the fight carried on by this column in the hi: of all legitimate colored dance promoters; ROBERT hooker no longer get that old $1,000 a night th way acro.the.jlfl1 Yeah, I have awakened some dance promoters, and thrv i ing zair prices xrom ine pooaers lor oanas: now can 'you jm "FATS" WALLER yelling about hurting HIM, and other bund Can you? Now get this: In most cases the BOOKERS em ac than the COLORED sand leaders booked through their course they are bow telling band leaders to yell! Haw: Now pardon dear readers, while I write "FATS' Wxmf tnia note: yata, see oy in paper mat you arc plannias retiring nexi year irei, wni 10 ten you I don't btlir and then write what I started to write: I have been trying, column, all I Jtnow how, to get a better break for colore nr.iiu elzed colored band leaders for taking robber contracts! I even out the fact that white band leaders become rich within a verv year, because they won't sign robber contracts! Now, my dear "FAT WALLER here what you probably dislike about "PRAISE A. I write what I think will benefit the race as a wh love JOURNALISM, therefore, the nickels and dimes too many cd ored writers accept to write "SWEET NOTHINGS" all of th tic about everybody. Just don't Interest don't y' know? vcar icaucts, uiu jruu ud.i vjk urvvwvC' Well, groovM is a new substitute for old fashioned "RUT." That's Just whtri radio networks are trying to keep colored talent! Uh huh, Here'j vh I brought it up: Don't you get tired of hearing thoss old sonj that slaves (I mean the 1860 variety) used to sing? Don't you i disgusted when all Negro servant characters are depleted as due bells? Are you also tired of hearing the announcers u.e th "darky" when refering to colored people? A few letter of pro(et help close that awful ATTENTION DANCE PROMOTERS: Put the nam EDCl HATES in your book! He has the most sensational band It hat my pleasure to bear In many a moon. If you have caught any of i NBC broadcasts, I don't need to tell! This marks the second straight I have presented one of America's best bands. I don't urn, best known.

EDGAR HATES Is now taking 'a swing through Virginias and middle western states. Now, If you book EDGAR, .5 better book TWO dates at once, because! his "return" will make you too much money! By the way, EDGAR HATES will k' the NBC again after bis tour! Now, dance lovers, when you tt name, remember, you are In for a real treat! As we know, that gangster theme bas been over worked In tures by the white producers. I said that to say: I think any colon! motion picture producer makes big mistake to try to sell u. picture going world on colored gangsters! there si n't bo animal! Hey, fellows why not get out your TAPE MEASURES v' start to really CJLORIFT our perfectly shaped women; Ssr, would all like really! THE CBS announcers are still calling Benny Goodman tha "k.r of swing, after CHICK WEBB booked him out from HARLH Savoy ballroom! Here's why I am writing about. It again: Wow! why the NBC won't let CHICK WEBB broadcast Just befors Goodman, and bill HIM the real "KINO" of swing? Then too, public would get a 'good chance (I mean the white public) to contrasts! Attention NATIONAL BROADCASTING STSTEMI let the CBS take credit for a title that belongs to NBC? PASSING THOUGHTS: Be sure to read here next weak, I something to tell you about one Fletcher Henderson.

Maybs' Bj guess what. No, you are wrong, never go in for scandal, ul never say anything about a person's CHARACTER! But ba tune In! Hey, do you know where I can get a good E0I, GUARD? HAW! It IS klnda funny: Ever since that ERSKT, HAWKINS gang got that orchid from Walter Winchell, It seemi have turned their heads. Did you ever bear of the HIGH SIGN? WHOO! WHEE! It tmre is dark behind Uj eight ball! WaR minute. I want to take time. out to thank CAB CALLOWAT for ing "AMEN to what I have been writing here for mors than about colored Uh huh, he said It in his guest eoluBij this paper a couple issues ago! Did you catch COUNT BACT, CBS broadcast from Boston's Ritx Carlton Hotel last week? WC7, what a band! Go COUNT Go! REMEMBER, I LOUIS In round S.

Teah, wins by knockout! really! Orlando's Orchestra To Play Akron's East Market Gardens Sept. Famouf Singer to Bririff Great Musical Agjrejib'oB Ohio Town for Affair AKRON, Aug. 26.Orland6 Roberson, the singer" and his famous orchestra, which has been throughout the mid west as the forerunner of a iJjp music, will make their first appearance in thin metropolis at a mammoth mid I bor Day eve, Sunday, September 5, at the city's palatial East Market Gardens. Roberson, whose band has been meeting with unusual success. formers, but like the Minsky Bros, be backed out." As a result of those things, the colored performers have but one out, one chance for salvation and that is to unionize In some form or fashion.

Tbe evils of show business cannot be fought otherwise. Single handed nothing can be done, for when, tha profession cheapened those who make it are likewise cheapened. waa formerly feature" Webb, and it was thrcujn ity as a singer of sentimental that the band first soard tion wide popularity. His aongV Trees." International fsvorlte, year he decided to on" own band. Thla Is the reiI: Booker T.

Brooks 1 bis annual Labor Dsy and advance indies! lon another record crowd. The Ellington dsr.r. last week, drew a cro to a.000 dance lovers, Roterson Is expected eber big atUndaao.