New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 21

uy PROBDulS LAYOFF EV YORK, Jan. 19 (By VP i Noble Sissle, presi ft Mi has appointed a com 1 nM vcn to conduct an ln Wijiyoa into the situation con U.rr fc IropP'nff Negroes Uj tie' Federal Theatre project. Vi to ester into the fight to pre tactics In the tribation of dismissal notices. "si fcM Jso en' tele Roosevelt, CoL Kirnr.yton. Representative A.

ana senator v. azr.er. Til :r.vfj..;ation committer in a.T.:ree jinrnagion, j. Vnser.i Johr son. Cecil McPher Mri Far.r.ie Robinson, Noble Lt Zir.k Thomas and Lou a few davj after the eios xu drama of num a 4 bad dancing, the for the first r.ory took the entire a Broadway musical to t'i 'Z rrom this revue Dav i 3 tunes as writ Johnson and' Louis numbers Include Zi Pl.

Walkin My i a Ball." the Numbers To 1 Number Man. "You. You, You;" Tr. Vozie." Vr.e best part of the ri. oi the songs have white and colored Tommy Dorsey waxing "You.

You, Harlem Woogie." EST EM ttfi'S "iT7. Jan. 19 The of "Bronze Bucka Robinson Theatre was a gala sue i.er. and grown ups 1 Vbert Jeffrejy, the hrro of the wes besieged hira for raves beyond colored cast films i Richard C. Kahn, Production 'or.

play basing it fm that' moved Oklahoma. Kahn changed the to Arizona in the re was made on ranch, the only by a Negro in intj of white people ref late oar side of if they knew It! ner along to such Vrn XOGRAPH RECORDS and Blue tor Ptg for list. ht mtsic tmzsrr jitr. ini St, CUcag BASIE GETS HIS MASTERS DEGREE EAN ELDR10GE: GETS BIG BREAK THIS WEEK P. Johnson ones May e'39 Hits pr lOHK CITY, Jan.

19 It's 2 v.r.i tkit blows nobody goes the old adage. In tM tRe fated Policy came from the pen Ail and ran lor So. days on Broadway, f. a rt.oa could well be 1::: uie. BUFFALO, N.

Jan. 19 Jean, Eldridge, "Buffalo's Sweetheart of Song," who came here from Pittsburgh three years ago, jbade goodbye to this city, where she gained national acclaim while 1 singing at the Little Harlem Club, and left for New York last week with one of. the most promising futures of any young sepia singer In the entertainment world. For the last three years. Miss Eldridge has been the toast of Buffalo's night life.

A charming, heart warming, captivating singer, with si style all her own, she has been, hailed the the greatest sepia singer to ever thrill night club patrons in this city's history. On January 20. Miss Eldridge will make ber New York debut with Earl Hines and bis orchestra at Harlem's famous Apollo beatre. Night club critics of Buffalo predict a long and successful career for' this new sepia song bird. GIRLS' SYMPHONY TO PLAY BENEFIT NEW YORK, Jan.

19 (ANP) On Saturday evening, February 11, the recently organized Girls' Symphony Orchestra will sponsor a benefit dance at the Savoy ballroom, proceeds of which will go to enlarge the fund for instruments and music for the orchestra. FULL HOUSES GREET FIVE CABIN KIDS HOUSTON, Tex, Jan. 19 Thje Cabin Kids have been playing capacity houses on their current personal appearance tour. More than 3.000 persons attended 'their performance at the Lincoln theatre here Tuesday night. Miss Geneva Garnere accompan ied the group at.

the piano in the tsKproTo lnteTracial Miss Bertha Lee. tutor or ine children, who was called to Asne ville. N. to attend the funeral of her father will Join the company in Jackson. Miss, this week.

COUNT BASE ARI0TIF1D.C. By WILLIAM FORSYTHE, JR. WASHINGTON. D. Jan.

19 Swing, with an IBs a imirable features, won the accUim of Washington's critical as Count Basie and his famous orchestra with a speedy show opened at the fcoward here last week. Jlmmie Roshinr and Helen Humes were warmly received, and the Count one moe scored. The band was flanked by a ateHar east of performers: John Mason and Johnny VigaJ. Moko and Poke. Smiles and Smiles, Blind Terry and th Addison Carey Dancing Dona.

to a i Roland Hayes To Sin; At West Virginia State INSTITUTE, W. Va, Jan. 19 Roland Hayes, world famous lyric tenor, will apepar at West Virginia Stata College, under the auspices of tha department of music Sunday evening. January 22, as the fourth attraction on tha artist series. EARL HINES TO PLAY FOR VALENTINE BALL JACKSON.

Tenn, Jan. 19 Earl trainer; Hintci ana his urana Terrace orchestra will put the Jitterbugs of this city in the Groove they swing out at the Orien jtal Palace here Feb. 14 for the i Vipers Culb annual Valentine ball. i. w'v 'y 1 'i; i I 4 Count Basie, whose band is recognized as one of the three leaders in the world of swing, shown (at top) receiving his Master of Swing degree from Vernon Bailey of Wesley College of Hunterville, W.

Va. It marked the first time that a Southern college had so honored a colored bandleader. Bottom Basie meets Lola Lane, right, the movie star, backstage at the Paramount theater in Newark, N. where swing leader and film star discussed swing and pictures. Hartley Toots' Orchestra, One of the Hits of the "Dixie to Harlem" Revue, Which Opened Ten Weeks Ago In St.

Louis, Making Southern Tour For Next Month. I Miss Colbert was forced to return to the stage for encore after encore. Coming in for top honors is scat singer "Snookum" Russell who has been with the band for sometime now and who has constantly enjoyed the plaudits of the crowds. Immediately following last engagement with the Dixie to Harlem Revue in Columbia, S. and before the show returns East, tbej orchestra manned by Hartley Toots will play a series of one night dance engagements.

The band will appear in Savannah at the Cherokee Theatre for three days beginning then back to Miami to fill some import ant engagements at the Rockland Palace, from which it is booked. Cabin Kids to Be Confirmed in Church HOUSTON. Tex, Jan. 19 The Cabin Kids win be confirmed in the SL Mark Episcopal Church in Plalnfield, N. early in February.

The ceremonies will bo conducted by Father Mills, the pastor, tor whom they expressed deep ad i 1 'i (SOT FAQILS RIIN'O'ES By EARL J. MORRIS Motion Picture Editor HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 19 The office of Harry M. Pop kins, executive producer of Million Dollar Productions, de nied the rumor that the film company had "gone out of business." The i rumor was circulated throughout the colored lllm colony late Wednesday night and Thursday that Harry M. Popkins "was disgusted" and had closed its doors.

The Courier communicated with the offices of Harry M. Popkins and the secretary, a Miss Brown, said: "it's just idle rumors. We are preparing to go Into production on "Reform School" starring Louise Beavers. Miss Smith, secretary to Leo C. Popkins.

brother to the producer and director, stated, "We are not going to close. I know nothing of the rumor." Alice Petty, secretary at the studios and director of the Internal activities of the Million Iollar Productions, also had no knowledge of the alleged action on the part of the Popkin Brothers Efforts to communicate with either of the Popkins or Harry Levette, publicity director, proved futile. The rumor which spreaded throughout the Central avenus districts and colored film colony were to the effect that Leo C. Popkins had called Lawrence Crlner, Moite Hawley, Reginald Fenderson and Mantan Mooreland and notified them that the studio was closing its doors. Daily newspaper reports of Har ry M.

Popkins losing management of the Olympic Stadium, a fight arena, and the allegation that the Stadium was $30,000 in the red aided in giving a semblance of cred ence to the rumor. FIRST SEPIA REVUE TO PLAY WHITE THEATRES IN FLORIDA, SCORES RUDOLPH CHARLTON AT FLORIDA COLLEGE JACKSONVILLE. Fla Jan. 19 Rudolph Von Charlton, musician of national renown, and faculty member of Florida A. Sc M.

College, i acieard in. a recital before the JACKSONVILLE, Jan. 19 Hartlev Toots fa student body of Edward Waters mOUS swing Orchestra, along with the much publicized "Dixie 'College here last Sunday and re to Harlem" revue which features Butterbeans and Susie, na 1 rJJ1 tionalljvknown comedy team; Wood Sisters, Bob and Joe, (history of the institution. Katherine Ragland, beautiful Cre ole chorus which started In St. Louis ten weeks ago setting rec ords, moved to Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati and then down to Dixie.

Miss Melrose Colbert, "Sweetheart of Swing." after a lay off of several weeks will return to L'i band. Miss Colbert was ordered by her physician while in Chicago to take a much needed rest. The news of her return to the orchestra is welcomed by swing absence of their stepmoiner, jar vif TX7ct aTt1 ri Beatrice Hall, who is confined In SoutilL Her greatest achievement a aanitorium In Asheville, N. C. wa in j3etroit wnen she appear ed with the Toots orchestra.

There IN THE 'BRONZE BUCKAROW i Herbert Jeffrey, cowboy idol, is showing Spencer Williams in "Bronze Buckaroo" that bad men always get their just Lucius Brooks, the new film comedy sensation, may be seen between the two fighters. Flournoy B. Miller, noted playwright and comedian of 'Shuffle Along" fame, stands directly behind Jeffrey. Earl Morris, Courier motion picture editor, makes ia tsrpesk cdoox a ua 2a as a bcxttridsaw DESIGNS SETTINGS FOR 'MAMBA'S DAUGHTERS' 0' Vt to 1 mji A i i The WPA was a blessing in disguise for Perry Watkins. Although he had graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, at Providence, which ranks with tho best in the his talents went begging until the WPA launched its Federal Theater projects.

Watkins started as a humble stagehand, but in no time at all he rose like a meteor. He designed several WPA stage sets and finally got his big chance when he was asked by outside interests to do the designing for "Mamba's Daughters," the play starring Ethel Waters. Watkins is shown above with Mrs. Watkins and their son. Garret, 3.

They have three other children, Perry 10; Barry, 5, and Ronald, 15 months. The Watkinses live at 856 Elsmer Place, the Bronx, New York City. ns 1 Earl Morrif Picks Out Best Pictures, Best Actors andj Tu credit in colored artists tan the screen. The colored film Industry Is still In its infancy. But here Is the record of Black Hollywood! Nine feature length films and one short Is on the credit side of the ledger for the industry.

The cycle starteva with "Dar Manhattan" produced by George Randol and Ralph Cooper. Then followed "Bargain With Bullets" by Million Dollars Productions "Life Goes On" a MD pix "Duke Is Tops." MDP "Harlem On the Prairie," Jed Buehl "Two Gun Man From Harlem," Hollywood Productions "The Rhythm Rodeo." George Randol short "The Bronze Buckaroo," an HP "Gang Smashers," an MDP and "Harlem Rides the an HP. The New Year schedule includes the Immediate production of "Reform School" by MDP and "Dawn Of Love," by Hollywood JEFFREY. COOPER HAD MOST STARRING ROLES Herbert Jeffrey, the singing, cow boy topped all other sepia artists with four starring vehicles. Ralph Cooper starred in three.

Artie Young had feminine leads in two films. The industry brought into being these new screen personalities for top honors: Ralph Cooper, Herbert Jeffrey, Lawrence Criner. Artie Young. Lucius Brooks, Mooreland and Monte Hawley. Those who win top laurels for dramatic ability, running the gamut of emotions were Lawrence Crlner, Spencer Williams said Nina Mae McKinsey.

Jeffrev leads in firsts. Herbert Jeffrey was the first sepia cowboy and the first Negro actor to play a dual role on the screen. The best heavies or villains were Lawrence Criner, Clarence Brooks. Spencer Williams anl Maceo B. Sheffield.

Manan Mooreland led the field In comedy, with Lucius Brooks, baas singer with the Four Tones proving the greatest sensation in comedy by his complete meta morphises. Herbert Jeffrey wins all singing honors. He was followed closely by Neva Peoples and the Four Tones. The three Negro executives who distinguished themselves were Spencer Williams. Ralph Cooper and George Randol.

Best supporting roles were portrayed by Edward Thompson. Monte Hawley. fipsaesr WUUoxas, Bogf I Fenderson and Charles Hawkins. Spencer Williams tops the list ss a film writer. Original stories, ral Harry Levette led the field as publicity director.

He turned out more than a million words in praise of four feature length films. CLINTON ROSEMOND TOOK HIGH HONORS Over on the major lots CHnton Rosemond took honors for dramatic ability. His portrayal of Dr George Washington Carver, the scientist, is immemorial. The best comedy was done by Eddie "Rochester" Anderson in "You Can't Take It With You." Best actress was Theresa Har ri In Tov Wife' and "Jexebrl." Lillian Yarbo stole feminine comedy honors in Tou Cant Take It With Yoa" and "Wives Under Suspicion." Spencer Williams, Clarence Brooks, George Randol and Ralph Cooper were the four Negroes of vision who foresaw the possibilities of screen entertainment. Clarence Brooks produced a series of pictures In the silent days.

Spencer Williams and Clarence Brooks pioneered in the talkies. George Randol and Ralph Cooper pioneered and established the present sepia Hollywood with their forerunner film. Mr. Randol sow heads his own film concern and plans to start producing within 90 days. The Big Four of the films are Harry M.

Popkins, khard Kahn, Alfred and Lester Sack. Alfred and Lester Sack have nature! colored films since the old aflent days, Today they have To them goae greal' establishing a marfcei Best Executives in Pointing Out Record of the for film Micheaox ..11 1. A. 1 has alt the East 11 1 1 1 1 ho on iiegro in nouywoodrr edicts An even ongmer Future. By EARLj J.

MORRIS i Motion Picture Editor HOLLYWOOD, Jan. Colored Motion Picture Industry looks back on 1938 as aj banner year ofxpioneering. The Negro motion picture audiences awakened ip a new interest senia films. A uatient! Nesro audience turned out In ever Increasing numbers to r.ew$ consistently produced pictures for two decades. Thi Sack Brothers entered tht sepia film business in the silent days and still are the chief dlo tributors of Negro products.

The! lost tlms and money trying to pro mote a market for Negro films Today Sack Amusement Enterpri es, are most confident in the future of Negro films, although at the present the market Is still in tha "curious stage." Harry M. Popkin entered the field as a producer. Invested sev young fortunes to turn out Best sepia continuity writer, in four feature length films. Popkins edv. Ralph Cooper was next F.

but he has kept faith and believes E. Miller, famous comedian and wrirht, was the best jrag man and writer of film comedy. The best film dance director produced by Black Hollywood was Lew Crawford. Musical directions. Including scores and incidental music by Phil Moore.

Buck Jones wins honors as a production manager. Best Negro casting director for sepia were Ben Carter and Clarence Brooks. Best in distribution were Kalley Harding and Clarence Film Editing Spencer Williams stands in a class by himself. He is the only Negro in that phase of the industry. Spencer Williams is probably the best all round Negro film man.

He is an executive, writ er, actor, film editor and writer. that Negroes wiU soon overwhelmingly support colored films. Richard C. Kann is a producer director and writer. He organized HoKywood Productions.

He, too, like the others, has a faith that can't be broken. His lot was probably the toughest of all four. Yet he produced three Herbert Jeffrey pictures. Went into a financial hole giving the Negro audiences their first dual role perform ance In Herbert Jeffrey. Th New Film Tear looks het tcr to the sepia Industry.

The Negro press has done It's share in publicizing Negro films. Colored newspapers have donated space to build a new black in dustry. Racial consciousness is developing and doing its share to promote song the sepia film Industry. In the earlier stages of the fa dustry rMegro audiences were prone to laugh cr disregard the colored movies. Just as they did when the young colored doctor or lawyer started to hanging shingles.

NEGRO AUDIENCES DO NT LAUGH ANY MORE Today, the Negro motion picture audience does not daugh. Tbeyfknow a 2 that White Hollywood Jspends t2 7 000 to produce a single picture, For that sum you can produce 15 Negro films. They don't expect the same lavish scenes In Negro prod nets. t' They also know that Whits Ho'i lywood spends this amount and grosses sometimes a million do! lars on the film, due to the fact i that their pictures in every civilized country on the globe. They know that the return on Ne gro films are small.

That tin pltv" tures play in from 300 to 800 eel ored theatres In America. No, th Negro notion picture audience not WcMtig at septs a 1 V. ium any more, jbotb ana bbsto. they are taming oat to see fhem They know that they are building an Industry. That they see Negroes on the shadow stags portraying roles denied then by major studios.

They have formed Fan Mail clubs and. are boosting the Indus try. The year 1939 wmbe a great er year. Mors and better flfcaa, The Negro film Industry Jaaya forward with the Negro churches, banks, inaursac companies, news papers ami other businesses in.