The Michigan chronicle. [volume], April 10, 1943, SECOND NEWS SECTION, Page PAGE NINETEEN, Image 19

About The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current

Image provided by: Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library

                
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1943
- - ■?■ L’»L L ■■■■«■■■—■- ' ■ ■" = —TT ! = V T^. 1 =- TZ ■
EASIER SWING
TIME PROVES
ENTERTAINING
Len Reed Produces
Show Tops In
Talent
By NITA CHISM
Boasting of 1 galaxy of theatrical
■tars and outstanding stage celebri
ties, Led Reed's current floorshow
at Club Zombie is entitled Easter
Swing Time and offers a variety of
talent for the benefit of first n.ters
and cabaret lovers.
For the second show D'em’ere,
that twin star attraction of Misses
Helen Humes and Connie Berry as
feature attractions of tr.c show
prove their ability to thrill Detroit's
most discriminating nitt club pa
tronage.
Reed's new show opened on Mon
day night with the ensemble doing
a skit labeled, "Let's Dance." for
some goodly applause. To tnen
bring on the two Nit Wits, a clever
dance duo for tapsters, winning
ti.em much approval.
Rhythm Willie, the harmonica
wizard, as usual holds the audience
spellbound with h.s interpretations
of your favorite, old and new songs
He rated an encore for hia ‘fine
work.
S-»ubrette Mary Stevens and em
cee Marcellus Wilson, formed a ro
mantic team to send you with the
mi Idle number, set to musical
background of “For Me and My
Gal" The rir.gjiders respon ted
warmly to offering and rewarded
Mary and Marcellus with some
goodly applause.
and Jill are next with their
rendition of fast, smooth and well
received footwork art.
Making the.r d'but ! n the la«t
ahow as a tw.n-star ‘earn.
Misses Helen Humes and Conn'e
Berry have won the hearts of local
n.telifcrs with their sing.ng-piano
playing combine.
St. Louis Blues when done tip the
Helen Humes way is altogether a
d.fferent song which tugs at your
heart rings with its biuencsi.
Whi'e Boogie-Woogie dished out on
the keys by Connie Berry w.ll d g
you deeply and make you clamor
for more of her solo offering.
TTiis team making their firs* sp.
pearanee fn Detroit as a team may
well prove to become an outstand-
Ing nite club offering for the cur
rent season at any of the ltKal
n teries.
Music for the Easter Swing Time
offering was provided by Cecil Lee
ar.d his fine music note readers, al
ways playing the right songs for
y *ur romantic and dancing pleas
ure at Broad s Club Zombie
Marcellus Wilson, the emcee cele
brated his birthday by emceeing
t ie show as only he could poss.bly
do to keep the hearts of those who
love and admire his versatility ar.d
ability as a tops show introducer.
TELL OUR ADVERTISERS YOU
SAW IT IN THIS PAPER
J§§[
tills isscs wIDV sttf ts its
tfH| Silt INSiil
Playing at the Astor Theatre. the
motion picture slmn'caae of Broadway,
is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film that
haaa big title—'The Human Comedy.**
* * * *
It'» about people real people—human
people— American people -all people.
# * * #
Involved are adventure, romance, feel
ing. beauty, decency, understanding
and alt the words like that in the
dictionary.
* * * *
Walter Winchell calls it *‘A Show
Stopper*’ and Time Magazine states:
**lmmensely moving. Electric with the
Joy of life. It may well be the moat
talked-about movie of 1943.”
♦ * * ♦
Clarence Brown produced arwf directed
the film with loving care. Mickey
Rooney gives an artist’s performance as
i’V
i T •
« • x , ..
* :i , i
•or
Homer Macauley. the messenger boy.
Frank Morgan as Willie Grogan, the
telegraph operator, is perfection itself.
** * *
One could tell about the entire cast: tell
about every single episode in the film.
It’s that interesting and true.
* ♦ ♦ *
May we suggest that you write this
column a letter after you’ve seen the
picture. * * * ♦
Someone once criticized the films ter
not giving the true picture of the beet
tide of American life. We'd like to hear
from that chap after he sees ’’The
Human Comedy.”,
We laughed —we
cried—we cheered.
Even a lion it
human.
MAKRS h. i Alth IIEBI I
One of the few girls courageous enough to tackle rhythm dancing
is Doris Smart. Miss Smart opened Sunday at Small's Paradise
in New York's famed Harlem. In the same show is Olire Brown
who is a Detroit favorite. Olive introduced her own compositions
about Paradise Valley in her opening selections. Both girls are
handled by the Rollo S. Vest enterprises.
Says Stormy Weather
Film Cast Was Okeh
HOLLYWOOD-(AND - "There
is ajso.utely i.o truth in the state
ment tnat appeared in several
newspapers that we are going to
re-fliin "Stormy Wealher” in oroer
to uke Bill Hobuuon out of the
romantic lead opposite Lena Horne, ’
enipuat.cahy stated Harry Brand.
puo.icity d.rector, to the Asso
ciates .Negro Press last Friday.
Since ine Associated Negro Press,
receives ttis; hand news from aU
me stud.or and the W.il Hayes of
fice, tne ANP representative read
wita surprise stories to the effect
tnat 20;u Century-Fox's all-colored
rr.js.cal feature was to De remade.
The story had been sent from here
stating tnat the studio realized it
had made a mistake in cust.ug 13.11
Robinson as the romantic lead op
pos.te I-ena Horne, hence it would
have to snoot all those scenes over
total.mg About one-third <*f the
production.
So a hurried trip was made to the
office of Harry Brand at the studio
in order to verify the statement if
true. Mr. Biand was quite indig
nant over the matter, and was at a
loss to know who could have sent
out the articles. He said. 'To the
contrary, it u a fine picture, and
we feel sure it is going to be big
box-office. It is r.dicu.ous to think
that we would mis-cast a picture
costing more than a million dollars.
Tn*» scenes tnat we have filmed
since work on the big sets with
crowds and complete cast were of
ficially finished, were closeups that
were in the or.ginal script and due
to be made separately." iThcse were
Bill's dance on 20 drums and tap
dar.ee recording by 14 dancers).
"Someone of Bill's own race evi
dently does r.ot like him, because
previous disparaging statements
have come to our attention, but we
like him. ar.d are 100 per cent be
Cabaret Stars In
Funfest For Boys
A group of prominent club
women have formed a service unit, !
the first of its kind, whose primary
purpose is to serve In whatever
capacity it can to make servicemen 1
happy.
In the past few months they ,
have taken over the first Sunday
in each month at the John R.
Adelaide USO club, during which
time they assume complete charge
of the place and supervise the as- i
fairs for the day.
Members of the service unit are
president. Mrs. C. S. Smith; vice
president. Mrs. Nellyc Gregory, re
cording secretary; Mrs Hattie Byrd,
treasurer; Mrs. Mary Matthews and
program chairman, Mrs. Katie
French.
Outstanding talent from severs*. |
large nlte clubs of the city donated
their artists l» talent to help enter
tain the aoldiers and service men a*,
the USO center.
• When the L.ghts Go On Again.**
is the name of the song Dick Bar
row. popular cmcec of Little Sam s
bar used to thrill the audience on
the regular Saturday evening fea
tu-e during guest hour at th: club.
Bobbie Davis, then sang two
numbers. **l Cried For You. for
some hearty applause. Bus Brown
introduced some tapsteps and was
well received by those present.
Closing the -how. D;c Barrow
sang, “You'd Be So Nice To Come
Home To.” as a special request, as
sisted at the piano by Margaret
Matthews, muyle teacher at Trow
bridge school.
Dave Spencer, musician second
class was a guest artist •• - piano
' soloist on “Body and Soul.”
All of these star* are from Little
Sam a bar where the management j
has been very cooperative it do
nating h.s show to help criteria in
i the servicemen.
I Xli-iigs really jumped at the USO
.THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE .
| hind him." continued the official.
Lene Happy To Work With Bill
1 Fact of the matter is that Lena
! Horne herself was not only happy
to work with Biii, but realized that
although she is rapidly rising on
the elevator of fame, the world
famous Bojangles is already there
so co-starring or playing opposite
1 him as his leading lady would aid
her greatly with the movie public.
She often expressed her pleasure
! in playing with him. and cheerful
! !y rehearsed all new steps or rou
! tir.es of their dances together. Bill
in turn treated Lena with the high
est respect, and pat.ently waited
long hours at t;m**s until the di
rectors finished with her separate
seems before they could shoot his
, individual action. Then too the pic
ture is actually a story of Robin
son's life, not Lena's life, so it is
only natural that she would be
I woven into it in the manner shaped
by the story.
Of course, it is not ethical to dii
■ c’.aj-e much of a movie plot before
! the picture is released, but in order
! to further prove that 8.1 l and Lena
I in a romance is perfectly rational,
they are first drawn together by the
fact that Bill and "Clem Rogers.”
Lena s brother killed in action,
i were buddies. Bill brings back the
dead hero's medals awarded for
bravery from overseas and pre
sents them to her. Incidentally.
Bills aptrera in becoming a great
dancer, coupled with his affection
and chivalry, does more to win her
than the handsome features and
rich vc.ee of "Chick.” Bube Wal
lace singer ar.d pianist at the cab
i aret where she entertains. "Ch.ck”
' is the youngest, but Bill wins, and
in fact do r.ct look any too old
: to win a beauty like Lena. Do not
s.r.ilar incidents happen every day
i in real life"
club Sunday afternoon when Misses
Connie Berry and Helen Humes of
Club Zombie entertained for the
service men.
Miss Humes sang two numbers.
“St. Louia BIum" and “As Time
Goes By.” to satisfy the musical
thirst of those present Miss Connie
Berry brought the house down with
piano renditions of boogie-woogie
numbers in her own artistic style.
As a special equest Miss Humes
sang. “I Had Craziest Dream.”
Mrs Katie French was respon
sible for the appearance of the
art.st* for the entertainment of 'he
servicemen, all of w hom had a gala
time on both Saturday and Sunday
afternoons.
EX-IIAMMON'DITE DIES
HAMMOND. Ind—Residents of
this city were saddened by the
news reporting the death of Mr
Poeejr, former Hammonditv and
father of Mrs William ?'..lm.
Eat Well To Keep Well at
Double ‘V’T
W BAR
SERVING THE BEST
BAR-BQUED CHICKEN and RIBS
BEER - WINE and CHAMPACNE
17910 Conant Avenue, near Nevada
(Few Blocks West of Sojourner Truth Project I
MANCO IONES. Prop. SANOY WALKER. M|«
Tw. 1 9686
LARRY CHISM
By LARRY CHISM
LONELY GAL'S LAMENT
Time on my hands
No love in my heart.
Nothing but loneliness in view,
Time on my hands
Aching for love
Don’t know what to do.
I cry all nite long
While my heart aches for a song
i dream all lay long
But everything seems so wrong;
So I ve got time on my hands.
THANX
(To MU)
Thanks
For the gift to me
HI wear it all my life
To remember you, my wife.
—Larry.
STREET SCENE
“Give me my money!” one voice
demanded. “But I haven’t got your
money. I spent it on some of the
boys in theft (indicating . tavern)
and I haven't got any left,” the
second person answered. "Why you
soandso. you'd better get my money.
I slave and work and give you my
money and you go out and spend
it." the big. fat woman loud talked,
while the other person, small and
short, seemed to tremble with fear.
Finally the crowd left in disgust.
Cause the argument was between
two women And ao, “What
Price Womanhood?"
STRICTLY JIVE
My pet team of nite owls. Ayem
and Pyem, come up with this oit of
showfolk gossip, such as; A pair of
new shoes has brought which coup
le back together after they had
traveled from club to club?
Which chick, frantically in love
went apartment hunting, only to
later learn that her heartthrob is
married and now living at a large
hotel with his new wife?..Which
chorus gal bought two dollars worth
of fried chicken for two men and
was left wondering 'bout the whole
affair?... .Which waitress at what
club Ls expecting?... .Which singer
and her one and only are row re
making their wedding vows?
Albert Morton, a nice guy and
Edna (fine talent) Selden are
matching heart-beats. .Dayne Hen
derson heads this year's list of our
AYT file. She works at Paradise
Lounge Julia Lewis is an SBT
charmer.
Herman Smith, Pepsi-Cola rep
resent;.ve ar.d Tom Ritcher. engi
neer, let Yours Truly record his
(fine) voice for the benefit ©f pos
terity. 'Huh?)
SEEN BOLT TOWN
Johnny "Lobo" Brooks from Pitts,
winsome Margie Wesley, Dan El
l.ngton. all helped us down a few
to, celebrate our ratal day....As
did Lorenzo Marvel, our favorite
bartender, Cnarlrs Young and Bur
me Peacock ...Heaps of thanx to
Ann Johns n and Willa Floyd for
remembering cur yearly birthday.
They are,fine people,...
Van E:ps, formerly of team of
Epps and Joe Mir,tor. is back in
town with his new partner, Ger
trude Calloway, now working at 3
Trees .Helen Ankston is newcom
er to B&C waitress lineup. She's
a BSG . Mary Ix'e is SBT and
BSG .W.trran Larue. mgr. of BAC
Club had Chicago visitors last week
in tiie persons of Joe McCallock.
Johnson Lynch, Charlie Jennings
and Bert Thomas Mr. and Mrs
S.dney Brooks were having fun
t other pyem... .A few of the Lieu
tenants making the gal's heart throb
with their pretty uniforms are Robt.
Deiz. Chas. Stanton, M. T. John
son and E L. Croom, now at Sel
fr dge Field. Michigan.
L.onel Reason, composer, arrang
er and pianist at ittle Sam's Cab
aret. has a r.ew song called. "Lone
ly Hours."... It sounded good to
ears and may become a na
tion-wide favorite
AND SO
Chryxtanna Buckner, long head
lined at Club B&C, now heads for
Kansas City for a stay... One of
the Ink Spots. Deke Watson, is still
critical at a local hospital. H«. had
several blood transfusions. Doctors
say he may never sing agaif,.Mr.
and Mrs Charles McClellan cele
brated his w.fe's 'Lillian) birthday
on March 31... Mrs Ola Steggcr
was in the party Margie Jeffer
son. Mrs. Ned Myler and Mrs. A
Ellis were seen out. ...William Tuff,
catcher with Henderson's TA C.
ball team, left for army this week .
X RET.TAM.E INDEPENDENT WEEKLY
'Swinging
With
Nitelifers’
Set up bar twice at 12 Horsemen
t'other pyem.
If you’ve loft him or her to an
other. then, "Half A Love," will put
you in your cups ...If the wine ls
fine and the chick’s on the line
and you’ve plenty of time to rerl.ne,
then dig, "Let's Beat Out Some
Love." is your tune-piece
HOW 'BOLT THIS IDEA?
Seems to me that what with all
the boys going off to war and with
most of them wanting to have a
last good time before leaving that
some of us should get together and
give the prospective soldiers a gala
fine time before their induction.
Would think that some fine talent
and young fellows would make it
a regular thing to fete the soon-to
be soldiers. Talked over the idea
with Bessie (Boots) Frost, who is
one hundred per cent for the p-o
--gram. If any of you gals and guys
are interested. Boots and I will ex
plain the proposed scheme more
fully. Let us hear from you.
INVITES ALL
“I’m still doing businew at same
old stand, with the best brands of
liquor still on hand." is the boast
of Raymond Sportree Jackson,
owner of Tropical Bar, 2030 Hast
ings street, where the hepcats play
and the flychicks stay till the bright
of another day, holding the wolves
at bay. »
Whatever your thirst might be.
Tropical Bar's efficient bartenders
and waiters are waiting to serve
you your pleasure at prices which
all can afford to pay.
So don’t tarry long when your
whistle is dry jist see old Sportree
and you'll get high, when you jump
into the grodve down Tropical Bar
way where cats, wolves and squares
w'hile the time away.
Rochester To
Send His Ace.
For Derby Cup
By ALVIN MOSES
NEW YORK—That funniest of
funny radio men, Eddie ♦Roches
ter) Anderson, hat his Kentucky
Derby nominee, "Burnt Cork,"
training at Douglas Park. Ky. Ed
die says that “Mr. Benny" will get
well powerful soon If his hay burn
er comes across the line a winner,
and he's plenty serious when talk
ing about Ms pony’s chances of an
nexing the blue ribbon classic of
the American turf
Kenneth
Spencer
On Stem
NEW YORK—(O The famous
singer, Kenneth jSpencer, returned
to New York a few weeks ago. but
this week he’ll begin another en
gagement at Case Society Down
to .n, where he was when sent to
Hollywood. Mr. Spencer appeared
in "Cabin In The Sky." and "Ba
taan Patrol," with Robert Taylor.
With him will be the famous
boogie-woogie boys. Pete Johnson
and Albert Ammons along with
Frankie Newton's band. In all
probability, Spencer will also take
part in the Case Society Carnegie
Hall concert in April.
Lawrence Tibbett, Metropolitan
Opera star raid of Spencert "He
has one of the finest voices I ever
heard.”
SERGEANT IN RET POSITION
CAMP LEE. 7a.—ln command of
more than 200 non-commissioned
officers and holding one of the Im
portant positions of the Post is Ist
Sgt. Edward C. Hard.man, 4815
Merion avenue. Philadelphia. Pa.
LEONARD REED Presents . . .
★ A Brand New Show Monday, April 12
'EASTER SWING TIME'
+ IIC ALL 1 STAR VARIETY ACTS With
o vir LD by HELEN HUMES
POPULAR ________ An « __ _ __
demand CONNIE BERRY
Featuring
BOBBIE AND FOSTER JOHNSON
* RHYTHM WILLIE
h MARCELLUS WILSON. MC.
THE LEN REID CIRLS
* TWO OTHER SURPRISE ACTS
Music by CECIL LEE and His New Orch.
DPJKJtTS CHDfS> AND TAN m
7U,A CLUB TflRRIt
as:s cam and At *Ol brook W
A PAIR OF SOLID SENDERS
jjf '-v JR * ufljjhMT RMPII
’ yjp 'g.' A“*5-VC'iA Jjjj
IjiU
1 * PYf 3QI
; y.r |
• IV 1 LA:JI.V7 4 ' it-,; s*
it til
LU 2?
Tiny Bradshaw and His Orchtstra
Two great personalities in person el the Paradise theatre.—Hone
other than the first lady of song, LU Green, "In The Dark" mama,
sensational singing star of "My Mellow Man,** "Knock Myself Oat"
and other sensational tunes. Co-starring with Lil Green is Tiny
Bradshaw, tha "King of the Jitterbugs" with his biasing orchestra.
Mexican Fiesta Is
Nite Club Offering
“Mexican Fiesta," a Dick Barrow
production currently .showing at
Little Sam s Cabaret set t'ne pace
for much gayety and entertainment
last week as 20th Century Gabriel
Erskine Hawkins and h.s band were
spec.al guests cf the cabaret on
last Tuesday’s Celebrity Nite.
Boasting of the finest nite club
atmosphere, this Beaub.cn street
spot has drinks to fit every purse
Bobbie Davis as torch s r.ger.
makes a good offering; Bus Brown
dishing cut tap steps; Marie Potter,
featured as a specialty artist; Torchy
Clark as soubrette and the Barrow
Dancing G.r'.s make up the show
which is fa>t making Little Sam's
Cabaret one of the best known cab
arets in the city.
Art Collins and his boys furnish
the music for dancing and for the
floorboard production at Sam
Brant'* ritery.
Among those at the celebrity
table were Margaret Norman. How
ard Storey. Harold Cromer. George
Wiltshire. Ersk.no Hawkins. Pig
meat Markham. Ida James. Tommy
Hudson. Martha Jamison, and Susie
Mae West, cousins of the club man
ager James Davis, F’.. rence Kuno,
Lea tha Wade. Ruth Taylor. Louise
N sbet. Henr et'.a Jaclusvm. Mozelle
Thomas and others
So if you are cut fc? a gr<nd time,
then Little Sam's Cabaret is the
place to go. for all that is fine in
entertainment, especially every
Tuesday when celebrity nite is ob
served by the management and the
capable hostess. Mrs Mildred Davis.
'LITTLE SAM’S
5027 BEAUBIEN AT WARREN
AIR CONDITIONED FOR TOUR COMFORT
KNOWN PKUM COAST ID COAST
• LITTLE SAM S PRESENTS •
DICK BARROW—EMCEE
- WHO IN rKOLMJCtS -
BOBBIE DAVIS, Torch Singer
ACE CRAHAM, Dancer Supreme
* MADACLIN CILL, Specialty Artist
* TORCHIE CLARK. Soubrette
and THE BARROW DANCING LADIBS
Featuring “MODERN MOODS’*
CELEBRITY NITE EVERY TUESDAY
TALENT NITE EVERY THURSDAY
AND FRIDAY NITE "THE POLE DANCE"
2 BIC FLOOR SHOWS NIGHTLY
10 30 pm and I am
DANCING AND FINK POOD
Music by ART COLLINS and his “Rhythm Masters'*
PRICES TO FIT EVERY PURSE
ATMOSPHERE THE FINOT
ADMISSION FREE Wed. & Thun. Nitat
For Reservations Call To. 2-5376 or Te» 24540
JAMES DAVIS. Haaaiet
"BUY A BOND AND
SAVE A LIFE"
War Bond Sales Drive
Our Club
Pledges to cooperate In this city-wide drive to promote
the sales of war bonds among our members and friendfc
Our Club Membership is persons.
We will appreciate additional Information concerning
the “Buy A Bond and Save A Life” war bond drive,
(Mr.) or (Mrs.) *
(Nan* #f Cluh FruMtU lira)
Mail this coupon te Larry CMaan, 269 BHet SteMt
PAGE NINETEEN
Bradshaw To
Open *Boogie *
On April 23rd
_____ j
CHICAGO—Tiny Bradshaw ang
his ?en*ational "Jersey Bounce*
tune ar.d band return to the Rhum*
boogie case Friday. April 3, with an
all-star show. Charlie Glenn hat
made several attempts to bring the
ork back into Ms case aince the
first show but was unable to do aw
urtil this time. Tiny, you will ra
member, was a sensation at the elute
fer the first three months of its
opening. I
In addition to the band Charlie
Glenn will bring several new sets
to spice the show which is to be
produced bv Joe Ziggy Johnaoa.
However. T-Bone Walker, guitar
plucking ace, and the Edward sisters
will remain. Just what other acts
will be signed Glenn haa not stated
but he does admit wo of Harlem's
finest will be in the cast There is
a plan afoot to land Pigmeat Mark*
ham now traveling with Tiny Brad*
shaw but the deal haa not been
closed.
Mixed Units
Make Discs
HOLLYWOOD —(ANPJ Rising
quietly but steadily is s havs of
recognition of colored musicians at
the motion picture studios that is
opening hitherto closed doors of op*
portunty for the group, another sign
of the changing times.
Last week two of Hollywood's
largest cinema plants, MGM and
RKO, added colored music makers
to white bands assigned to make
recordings of important music to
be used in forthcoming picture*.
In the latest modern method of pic
ture making, the music, whether for
a soloist .a group, or for dancer*, is
played before the microphone* of
a recording machine end perms*
nently registered on the sound-strip
of the photographic negative.
At the time of photographic Wm
ing, the singer follows the play
back of the melody, move* lip* aaf
body in accordance and the picturg
is completed. Similar procedure flfl
followed by dancers.
Following persistent effort* on fMj
part of President Tdward Ballsy «fl
Musicians Local T«7, the two shoo*
mentioned studios have been among
the first to use mixed bends tag
this work. Last week et MOM M
musical director* on two new m*
tures were highly pleated wttte M
results. The pictures were
Row," and “Beat Foot Forward."
The men used were Barney Bigavdk
Kirk Bradford, "Snooki#* Young,
Phil Moore. Bennie Carter, Irving
Ashby. Lee Young. Jack Ttalaai
and Eddie Davia. In Fred AatetNfl
new feature at RKO Harold Brown,
pianist. Barney Bigard. clarinet, eng
Lee Young, drums, were added tg
the big white band making Ik •
mixed one.