Sunday Chicago bee. [volume], May 01, 1938, SECTION ONE, Page 7, Image 7

About Sunday Chicago bee. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1925-19??

Image provided by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

                
11 screen Theatrical QfcSgig Bb» Page Z^ecI^s0 |
Popular Eastern Orchestra to Swing at New Savoy Ballroom
‘ ' ■ w ■ V. x ■ ’ ’ v
WBBNI BANDj
STARTJfflJRS.
Begin New Policy
of Savoy
Willie Bryant, orchestra lead
er, emcee, dancer, comedian and
entertainer par excellence, ush
ers in the new dance policy at
the Savoy with his famous or
chestra on Thursday night, April
28, in a gay and colorful spring
dance festival planned by the
management of the famous
southside dance palace.
Willie Bryant— called “Snoz
zola” by his many intimates—
has one of the most popular
dance bands in the East. He has
just closed a ten weeks’ engage
ment at the swanky Savoy ball
room in New York City, broad
casting over the coast-to-coast
net work of the National Broad
casting Company.
When Bryant arrives in town
hb will bring along one of the
greatest ensembles of “swing”
musicians in America. They play
a style of music which the young’
folk will enjoy, the kind of
rhythm which is danceable, de
lightful and contagious.
While at the Savoy in New
York Willie became the idol of
the “jitterbugs,” the “Big Ap
piers” and the layman swing
fan. He has the distinction of
having drawn some of the great
est crowds in the history of the
Harlem J dan,ce • • -palac?, apd has
battled Chick Webb, Count Ba
sie and Tommy Dorsey to a
standstill.
Other than Willie Bryant and
orchestra, one of the entertaining
features will be Belle Powell,
the new vocalist with the Bryant
crew. She has been ranked as
one of the up-and-coming song
stylists of the dance world, and
when she “swings out,” you will
surely delight in hearing the
girl who gives Ella Fitzgerald
and Maxine Sullivan their keen
est competition.
Paul Robeson’s ;
Return to London
Is Triumphant
By RUDOLPH DUNBAR
(Associate! Negro Press Correspondent)
I.ONDON, England, April 28.—
After an absence of about two
years, Paul Robeson returned to
Albert hall with triumphant suc
cess on Sunday afternoon, April
3, in a recital with Lawrence
Brown, assisted by other artists.
People generally gaze with won
der at the enormity of Albert
hall, yet the vast interior was
crowded with every nationality
who gave Robeson a spontaneous
reception as he walked on the
stage.
Nature has been very kind to
Paul Robeson by the endowment
of a rich sonorous voice, whicn
he uses to great advantage. Aside
from this, Mr. Robeson is a su
premely great artist, because of
his simplicity, candor, and un
compromising fanatical honesty.
In referring to his simplicity, I
do not wish to imply the ineffa
ble innocence shown by children,
saints and idiots; I refer to the
simplicity of a man who has de
voted patience in exploring and
unravelling to his own spiritual
satisfaction the complexities of
life and art, and has achieved,
like all great artists, the lucidity
of emotion that contains all the
wisdom of experience. He has
solved his problem, and there
fore benignly wishes to elucidate
ours through song.
So I reflected as I listened to
the Russian songs which he sang.
Unfortunately, Russian is not
among my list of languages,
hence I did not understand the
text of these songs; but it was
not necessary to know Russian
in order to sense the emotional
Slav naivity and the incisive
clearness of enunciation which
Mr. Robeson expressed in them.
Sitting besides me were Rus
sians who seemed to have been
deeply moved by his utterances.
His voice was rich, even and mi
raculously controlled. “Go Down,
Moses,” “Every Time I Feel de
Spirit,” “Oh, No, John,” “Some
times I Feel Like a Motherless
Chile,” and “Joshua Fit de Bat
tle ob Jericho” were all express
ed in a model of style and shape
liness, portraying the beatitude
of Negro folk-music.
■All the settop vere ujjade by
By SALLYE BELL,
(Associate! Negro Press Correspondent)
Last week we were going a bit
into detail about our fan mail j
campaign, and we got so warmed I
up on the subject that the class ;
lasted much longer than was my :
intention. I shall take great care;
that this does not happen this ]
time, because for one thing 11
can’t find the material I had
compiled to use this week, and
for another I haven’t much time
today.
Our attention now turns to the
coast, where Negro radio pro
grams have come into vogue just
within the past two months.
There are now three programs
there sponsored by Negro firms.
On various coast stations, the
Golden State Insurance company,
Benton’s Manufacturing D r u gj
company, and the “California
Eagle,” are bringing favorable
comment with their impressive
Negro programs.
The “California Eagle” broad
casts nightly except Saturday
over the 24-hour station, KGHJ,
and gives news flashes which are
not confined to Negro activities
only, but embrace general news
of interest to all races. The
broadcasts are made by various
members of the staff with John
Kinloch announcing, and vary
from day to day. On Sunday
there are timely comments by the
editor, Mrs. Charlotta A. Bass,
on Monday a discussion and
news of women's affairs
by Helen Chappelle, socie
ty editor; Tuesday, drama
by Fay M. Jackson; Wednesday
sees some notable guest speakers
on the program, Thursdays are in
charge of Almena Davis, feature
writer, and Fridays are presided
over by J. Cullen Fentress,
sports.
The broadcasts are made pos
sible through the courtesy of one
of the leading white automobile
firms, and many letters compli
menting them come from persons
of all races. This is n splendid
opportunity for you west coast
fans to do a bit of extra curric
ula fan-mailing, and let these
sponsors know that you enjoy
their programs and appreciate
their initiative.
But back to the colored stars
on radio, did I mention Nicode
mus last week? I know you’ve
heard him and also Hattie
Knowles on Eddie Cantor’s pro
grams. . . . Then there’s June
Richmond, with Jimmy Dorsey’s
orchestra, and Billie Holliday
with Artie Shaw’s orchestra,
which shows that the color line
is slowly but surely being erased,
since these are Negro girls star
ring with leading white swing
bands. Not only because we reab
ly and sincerely enjoy these girls’
performances, but also because
we appreciate the opportunities
such examples open for other
Negro artists, we should not hes
itate to express our appreciation
for these artists’ work. So fall to,
my worthies, and whenever you
feel disposed to grumble about
about the Negroes’ lack of op
portunity, you can just remember
that the “Lord heips those who
help themselves,” and we can
help ourselves by co-operating
with these Negro stars and try
ing to keep them on the air by
swelling their listening public.
Chicago’s Savoy Ballroom has
been renovated and is planning
to open four nights a week for
continuous dancing. Willie Bry
ant of New York’s Savoy is
scheduled to open there on April
28 for a seven-week’s engage
ment during which time he and
his orchestra would be heard ov
er station WBBM and the CBS
network.
Leo Watson, colored scat sing
er and trombonist, will be heard
with Gene Krupa’s band now.
. . . Sabu, the little lad who
won acclaim in “Elephant Boy”
last season has been engaged by
RKO for one of the principal
roles in “Gunga Din,” with Jack
Oakie, andj will leave London
where he recently completed
“Mutiny in Mountains” and will
arrive in Hollywood within the
mxt two weeks.
Although radio is really out
line, there’s such close relation
between radio and screen that I
am constrained to suggest that,
when you see little Sabu (or ev-r
en before you see him) in hio
next picture, you write to RKO
and iet them know you'enjoy his
performance.
That’s all for today—so good
bye, please, until we meet again.
THE A TRES
/ \ a - oao st « t
V/TlL STREET
Sunday and Monday, May 1-2,
Giant Double Feature. “OF HU
MAN HEARTS” with Walter
Huston and “PRISON NURSE”
with Henry Wilcoxon. Added,
Donald Duck Cartoon, “MOD
ERN INVENTION.”
Tuesday, May 3, BARGAIN
FAMILY NIGHT. ALL SEATS,
10c. TWO BIG FEATURES.
Wednesday and Thursday, May
4-5, Big Double Feature,
“STAGE DOOR” with Katherine
Hepburn and “MAN PROOF”
with Myrna Loy.
Friday and Saturday, May 6-7,
Double Feature Program. Jane
Withers in “CHECKERS” and
“HEADING EAST” with Buck
Jones. Added latest episode of
“ZORRO RIDES AGAIN,” serial
and cartoon.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Sunday and Monday, May 8-9,
Mammoih Double Feature Pro
gram, “EVERYBODY SING”
with Judy Garland and “LOVE
IS ON THE AIR” with June
Travis.
Extra added attraction, first
episode of the new thrilling
serial, “THE LONE RANGER.”
QTATF^ 3507 SO- STATE
J A ri A LUJ STREET
Sunday and Monday, May 1
and 2. Jane Withers in “CHECK
ERS.” Plus Buik Jones in
“HEADING EAST.” Also last
rhapter of “TIM TYLER’S
LUCK.” Tuesday and Wednes
day, May 3 and 4, Two big Fea
tures. Sonja Henie in “HAPPY
LANDING,” plus John Barry
more in “BULLDOG DRUM
MOND’S REVENGE.” Also add
ed attractions.
Thursday, May 5, one day
only. 3 Big Features. Zasu Pitts
in “FORTY NAUGHTY GIRLS,”
and Harry Carey in “ANNAPO
LIS SALUTE,” plus Ann South
ern in “THERE GOES THE
GROOM.”
the art department and the wed
ding cake was baked in the
foods laboratory of the depart
ment of home economics. The
Ask your newsdealer for The
CHICAGO BljE. __
Friday and Saturday, May 6
and 7. 3 First-Run Features.
Jack LaRue in “PRISON
NURSE,” and “PARADISE FOR
THREE.” Also “SCANDAL
STREET,” Big Gang Thriller.
Added attractions.
COMING ATTRACTIONS.
Sunday and Monday, May 8
and 10. George Brent in “GOLD
IS WHERE YOU FIND IT.” Plus
“RACKETEERS” and “PAID TO
DANCE” with Don Terry.
Added: 1st chapter of “FLASH
GORDON’S TRIP TO MARS.”
“Willie” Has
New Method
of Swinging
Being Penny-wise hurts. But
it pays.
That conclusion has been
reached by William Stevens Bry
ant, Jr., known to millions of
radio listeners as just plain Wil
lie, and who has been heard reg
ularly coast-to-coast on the Na
tional Broadcasting Company’s
network, and who will be seen
and heard with his orchestra on
Thursday night, Apr. 28 at the
Savoy ballroom, 4731 South
Parkway.
Bryant sky-rocketed to fame
due to his informal method of
presenting popular tunes, found
that the monetary returns were
as large as the return in plaudits.
And the temptation to splurge
with the former was equally as
large.
The number of things which
he could afford was limited. Pre
cedent of former and present j
radio stars demanded that he be |
lavish. Even the largest pay |
check can disappear like water
in the desert under such condi
tions.
Bryant, though only 24, has
been a “trouper” since the early
age of 14, and realized the value
of money. He is rated as one of
the wealthiest of the newer crop
of radio celebrities. He owns a
beautiful home in Harlem, New
York, and a farm of 257 arces
on Long Island.
A real “success-story” in the
person of Willie Bryant will be ;
seen at the Savoy ballroom on*
Thursday, Friday and Saturday
nights of this week when he
| brings his famous “Hoppin’ ”
‘John orchestra there.
'Vogue in Review’
Is Presented
By CHARLES SATCHELL
MORRIS.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 23.
—On Friday evening, April 15,
in the college’s auditorium, A
and I. State college presented
for the approval of the State
Teachers’ Association a most
novel offei’ing styled as “Vogue
in Review”—a distinctive and
unusual effort of the Department
of Home Economics and Art
with the assistance of the De
partments of Music, Dramatics
and Physical Education. The
original theme was developed
around the story of a bride-elect
in the midst of her wedding
preparations, busily selecting her
trousseau, receiving her gifts,
enjoying the pre-nuptial social
affairs given in her honor and
finally being wed to the sweet
heart of her college and univer
sity days.
The program opened at 8:00
with Mrs. M. B. Strange at the
organ console for a brief prelude,
followed by Miss Hazel Rogers
with “A Tribute to our Guests.”
Scene I showed the bride-elect
in her boudoir, busily poring
over the pages of “Vogue” and
exchanging suggestions with her
bridesmaids. In the background
might be seen a large replica of
fficTfnagaziftg, from whose pages
emerged models clothed in the
varied apparel so necessary for
the honeymoon. Scene II had its
seating in a tea room on the av
enue, wh.le Scene III was tha.
of a garden party honoring the
bride-to-be. The climax of the
entire affair was the wedding
scene with all the splendor, dig
nity and beauty of the most im
pressive church service. At the
close of the ceremony the bridal
party marched slowly out to
foi'm a receiving line in the lob
by of the second floor where the
guests were invited to- view the
wedding gifts and sample the
wedding cake.
Special features, in addition to
the incidental organ music, wer~
the vocal rendition of “Rose in
the Bud” by Mr. Donald Officer,
and the spring dance by Miss
Celeste McMahan—b o t h as en
tertainment in connection with
.he garden party scene; the wed
ding solo “At Dawning” by Miss
Mcdestine Young; and the entire
act dramatic interpretations of
“The Village Dressmaker,” by
Miss Walker Chavers, “The Mil
liner’s Shop” by Miss Mildred
Field, and “Little Mary Enter
tains Her Mother’s Seamstress’
by Miss Gladys Shockley.
A total of perhaps two hun
dred or more dresses, coats and
accessories for all occasions in
C
Great Northern
26 W. Jackson Blvd.
WABash 8111
“BIG WHITE FOG”
A SMASHING NEGRO
DRAMA
By Theodore Ward
“It’s a sheer joy to watch those
Federal theatre Negro players
in action.”—Gilbert, Examiner.
“Mr. Ward should keep on
writing plays.”—Louis, News.
“It appeals to both audience
head and heart . . . Excellent
d’rection. Splendid.”—Borden,
Times.
“Acted with dignity and poise
—intelligent use of racial ma
terial.”—Collins, Tribune.
Performances Nightly
Except Monday
Prices—S1.10, 83c, 55c, 40c, 25o
Federal Theatre — WPA
Frankie’' Files
bait for Libel
Against Film Co.
ST. LOUIS, Mo., April 28.—
'ANP)—Suit for $200,000 dam
ages was filed by Attorney Jos
'ph L. McLemore in circuit court
Thursday for Frankie Baker of
Portland, Ore., who says she is
he original “Frankie” of “Fran
kie and Johnnie,” against a Hol
lywood film company and several
stars who appeared in the pic
ture of that name.
Defendants listed were Helen
Morgan, Lily an Tashman (now
deceased), and Chester Morris,
actors; Jack Kirkland, author;
Chester Erskine, director; Repub
lic Pictures, Inc., and two of its
distribution companies.
McLemore said the suit was
filed in St. Louis because the
story made famous in song oc
curred there. It charges the pic
ture is a portrayal of incidents
in Frankie’s life and “was
wrongful, wanton, willful and
malicious.” The film showed a
barroom scene for the 1899
shooting in which Frankie “pull
ed out her little 44” in her home,
then in St. Louis.
According to the attorney,
Frankie was subsequently ac
quitted on grounds of self-de
fense. In the petition, Frankie
said she did not take the life “of
said Johnnie because of any en
ragement concerning Nellie Bly.”
household articles were display
ed during the evening and in
each instance the work was sole
ly a product of the Department
of Home Economics or of Art. In
all save, perhaps, three or four
instances the work was begun
and completed in the depart
mental laboratories since March
15 of this year. The wedding
gown represented the outstand
*ng exception to this statement,
lor it was made and worn by
Mis. Fort for her wedding in
June, 1933.
iPilaris* i«. A ■
k^uCu'.lit., k k B1£ ytatfBJti
APPEARS IN
NEWJM.AY
“Spirochete” Will
Open Soon
Miss Violet Manning, whose
start in the theatre sounds al
most like fiction, is one of the
featured players in “Spirochete,”
a play by Arnold Sundgaard
which has as its theme—syphilis,
opening an indefinite engagement
at the Blackstone theatre, Fri
day, April 29. She began her ca
reer in Denver, Colorado, at the
age of six, after her father had
lost practically all of his money.
She applied to the manager of
the Stock Company at Elitch’s
Garden for an engagement, and
when asked what she could do,
replied that she could dance; the
manager let her dance in his
current play, “The Japanese
Nightingale,” and thereafter she
played ail the child parts for
three years, with a company of
people who afterwards became
famous: Douglas Fairbanks, The
odore Roberts, Cecil B. DeMille
and Tyrone Power.
She has played leads in stock
in Omaha, Kansas City, Wichita,
etc., and has appeared in road
productions and a season with
Mrs. Samuel Insull at the Stude
baker theatre here in Chicago.
Miss Manning’s favorite roles
are those of “Madam X,” “The
Man Who Came Back,” “Eyes of
Youth,” and__“Bixd. aX.iga£adise>~
which indicates that she prefers
drama.
The Chicago Bee has more net
paid Chicago circulation than
any other local newspaper.
--
DETURNING lo our city three
weeks ago, Juan Florer, luc
ky stiff, went to work on the
Mutual Broadcasting System,
station W-G-N. He has a six
month contract with options.
-Aside from playing the piano
Juan sings in seven languages,
and composes a lot of the num
bers in his extensive repertoire.
He broadcasts in the early aft
ernoon. For further particulars
watch the radio column in your
daily paper. Don’t miss it, if you
like something different; and 1
Know you will.
Out south at the Club 65, we
learn that Ann Simms and her
swing buddies have left for oth
er parts, them place is being fill
ed by the one and only Count of
Rich who reports that he has
the situation well in hand.
On our sick list this week we
find Mrs. Vi Eldridge, wife of
band leader, Roy Eldridge. She
is at Provident hospital, where
she is rapidly recovering* from
an operation she underwent
last Tuesday. . . . On the eve
ning of the twenty-second at the
Savoy Ballroom, a style and
fashion show was given by the
staff of Provident hospital. It was
a social success. The music was
played by Roy and the rest of
his band.
John Simmons, prominent
bassist about town, left the city
for Los Angeles, Calif., Thurs
day. We wish him a nice trip
and hope his return will be very
soon.
Returning to the city from
Los Angeles, California;* ‘One';
John Thomas, wants it known
| that he is back to stay a while.
; After appearing in such pictures ,
as “52nd street,” “Spirit of
Youth” and “Every Day’s a Hoi
iday,” he wants to swing! “There
| is no place like home.”
Seen at the new Pioneer
Lounge on Fifty-first st. Friday
morning were Pha Terrell, Mary
Lou Williams, Dick Willson,
John WilLams, Katherine Perry,
Red Saunders, Roy Eldridge,
Billy Adams, Victoria Spivey,
and Ruth Harris, who acted as
Missus M. C.
—o—
To all you skin beaters: Let
me beef to you that there is a
new cat in town who is solid
from the meow out. His name is
Jesse Price and he definitely has
brought us something different.
If you are one of those people
that like to find something dif
ferent in your amusements, may
I suggest the Creole Inn on 30th
st. Red Brewer and his band
hold the musical end very nicely.
That’s all for now. See you
next week.
company ends, she plans to re
turn to Chicago, her home. The
young star intends to study ad
vanced ballet dancing in a New
York school next fall.
“BIG WHITE FOG” TO
HAVE INDEFINITE RUN
“Big White Fog”, the powerful
drama of Negro life, originally
scheduled for a two weeks’ run
at the Great Northern Theatre,
has been extended and will con
tinue indefinitely.
Acclaimed by both theatrego
ers and newpaper critics alike,
the business for “Big White Fog”
has been far beyond the expec
tations of Harry Minturn, region
al director for the Federal The
3. re i&_411inois, and bids fair to
break the1 previous high mark
which was made by the musical
show “Oh Say Can You Sing?”
Ask your newsdealer for The
CHICAGO BEE.
A Thrill For Dance Lovers
At The
avoy Ballroom
NEWLY REMODELED AND RECONDITIONED
Inaugurating
” ew 4 ntertainment rogram
DANCING
4 Nights A Week
1 . . i ...
ISa™ay Friday Thursday 0 ,
cabaret F th Sundav
night” F th wiii Be ounuay
ACTS SOPHISTICATES CLUB NIGHT
Table Service Dancing A Bit Admission EVERYBODY
Minimum More Sedate To All n*Mrr
Prices UAINCL
Featuring The Nations Leading Dance Orchestras
Starting April 28
Willie Bryant
AND HIS SENS A TIONAL BAND
Broadcasting Nightly Over WBBM
FROM THE NEW AND BEAUTIFUL
WILLIE BRYANT.
Savoy Ballroom
South Park at 47th Street
SEE OUR SILHOUETTED BAND STAND
WITH THE MOST MODERN LIGHTING SYSTEM TO BE FOUND
_ ^ • m * ”■’