Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 September 1928 — Page 3
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The Indianapolis Recorder, Saturday, Sept. 22,1928 . | Page Tl
OUR
% Theatrical and Amusement ^ l^c
BY HARRY W. JACKSON
Applause From Audience Makes Performers Work Harder And Better
There Is nothing more encourag-; of the profession. The brain that
ing than the applause of the audience. Few people other than those in the theatrical world really know or appreciate what it means to the thespean before the footlights for an audience to "clap their hands.”' It means to him just what a slap on the back from some well-wishing friend, who would encourage you in an undertaking. Some times an actor is hurt to his very soul, when an audience fails to show an appreciation for his work.
Sometimes he leaves the stage in utter disgust with himself, because his wares did not sell to the audience. Occasionally (this is between us girls) an actor will say 'somethings that we cant publish here about an audience when he fails to get a hand.
There are two things that’s noticable for regard to the non-ap-plause of an audience, when a performer has done his bit and makes his exit. One is the lack of intelligence on the parts of the audience to grasp the “idea of what it's all about. The other is the conceit of the performer himself, especially when that conceit pokes out so ostensible that the audience rebukes his offering, because of the open conceit. Actors are human. And so is an audience. No cares for a conceited individual. Human beings are appreciated by the world when they produce or deliver and still maintain their balance—and still not a victim of conceit. A conceited performer retards himself Just like any other person. Of course, one has a free born right to be proud over his accomplishments, but when that proud fdeling begins to develope into conceit, he will find himself a disliked individual with enemies sprouting up on all sides—sometimes without his own personal knowleileti. Whereas applause has been and is a stimulus to the performer, it has caused the ruin of many. It has caused many of them to get the “big head” as it were, to such an extent that they thought that what they did not know was not worth knowing. Bert Williams (once said) “I learn something new every day. I even learn something new about myself every day.” There is a tip for those in and out
has a mind that will take in new ideas .will never expand beyond the limits of its skull bone. And that is “no social error.” Applause! Who is it that does not like it. Who is it that does not like to applaud the deserving. If there are any speak for we would not offend you. Give to the world w r hat is due it when it deserves it. Applaud the world more, and incidentally, let’s say knock less. The world is doing its best to do its best. Applaud it and it will do better in the things that it is trying to do. Let’s applaud more. Every member of the Race doing anything worth while should be applauded. The performer is trying to amuse and entertain you, applaud him. The next time that you go to the theatre leave your handcuffs at home, w’here they belong and give your mitts a chance encourage the performers to give you all that they have in them. Applause helps you to get your money’s worth. jd Perhaps in. no other profession n the world, is there as much jealousy as there is in the profession of acting. Performers are as a whole a jealous lot. That jealously is confined of course to the environs of their own circles. Recently. we heard a performer say that so and so thought herself so much better than her, since she has been made a principal. A lot of ugly things were said about the new principal, as the means by which she got the job. Judging from how the audience went wild over his offering, she should have been one some months ago. With the public it is not discriminating as to who is the “more than any--one else in a company. It does not care. One man to our knowledge w r as on the verge to battle with his actor-wife because she received a heavier applause than he did in his turn. Although they were man and wife, this male performer was jealous of the woman with whom he stood before the altar of matrimony and avowed his alliance with her for life— “until death do us part.” Hence we see the bounds of matrimony is no barrier to jealousy. The actor likes to be adpiried. Both on and off he likes attention. He studys to win it. He covets the publicity of his fel-
low actor. He likes thrill of riotout applause. He envies the actor who gets what he does not get. “All The World is Jealous Of Me” said an actor, who had gain prominence over night. She referred to the theatrical world. A lot of the old timers sneered at her because she had gained prominence, as it seemed, from down to twilight, that they had struggled for many moves to get. Some poet said that the innocent bloom of the rose caused the other flowers to be jealous.
Tl
I went to see a ball game at Washington Park, a colored team with the word Indianapolis, on their shirts played a white team with Columbus, on theirs. Attendance grossed the gate receipts around about seven hundred and fifty dollars, at fifty cents per capita. It v/as a beautiful day, park should have been crowded. There was something lacking to bring the crowd out.
One thing noticeable, was "advertisement.’’ One of the best men for advertising Out - of Door Sports, Theatricals and such like,” lives in Indianapolis, Ernest
Butler is his name, Mr. Butler is a Union man and the only colored man in a white union of such nature. Butler, has years of exper’ence. Wonder why! Colored men who have money to invest do not engage such like men to protect their investments, especially when they are not acquainted in such lines. The paramount isue with white men in business is “money” and they protect their invested interest always, if possible, with experience. At one time Mr. Pratt, of the Pratt Poster Printing Co., owned the Indianapolis Colored A. B. C’s. The public^as a whole thought that the A. B. C’s belonged to C. I. Taylor, what difference did it make? Pratt
if he caught either showing her ted* dies, to his next door man neighbor. Any producer, backer of a show, actor, comedian, singer or dancer can give a decent performance and gain all the laughs, applause as well as box office business business without resorting to vulgarity in speech, or actions of the body. Even the most preverted mind that attends such amusement gets tired of it. Box office receipts prove it. Once •n a while a show can get away with it. But the producer backer of a show, actor, comedian, singer or dancer that forgets decency, will not insult or offend the propriety of his mother, sister, wife, child or sweetheart, and is always ready to defend them against the insults of others. Then why take the advantage of the families of other men to practice that which they
first
An actor who comes to our town occasionally Inade his public appearance in the spoken art ‘ in church concerts in the great city of Chicago. He got nothing in the way of lucrative compensation for his services. As years came and went they found him the father
Plantation Follies At The Walker Beautiful; A Young Choi
bright and happy family. The bread winning strugg e be-
have
gan to get too “tough” for him. The little ones must food. He had a talent that he thought was developed chough to assist him in making a living. He ventured before the footlights and made good. He is now a veteran in the show
game.
The church concerts and church choir boxes arte the
starting places where many actors got their early inspirations to mount the boards in the glare of the footlights,
j One well-known actress, who travelled for many with some of the biggest productions ever on the among our group has gone to the choir box.
U. ST^IN BERLIN
years
roac
COOP” SPEAKS
them-selves keep from their families-
TZ7. Z <?<!” d b o f °™ «.* "product 1 Fofmer Indianapolis
producer
or barker of the show won’t allow us to. And we become great, and make larger sums of money then we get to appearing before our own people. The public show you a Pat your work is over on the stage about what they think you are when you are off, you can make them think better of you or less, it’s up to you in your words and actions when performing. The producer of shows, actors, comedians, singers and dancers may say, I’m making money,
what are you doing? My
Man Says A Word
Or Two
Here’s a good thought or two by my old friend Jack L. Cooper or’ the Bee. Coop and I. (Runaway Pen are old friends. We never played marbles together but at that I think I could put a moon in his agate. Well here goes “Coop.” THE PRICE we pay to satisfy
answer j a Petty grievance according to our
of thinking.
To Stage Dances German Theatre Revues—Will Also Appear
BERLIN, September 20. Thompson, colored, new play
the Kabarett der Komicheri
U. S. ng at
has
been engaged to stage the dances in
will be, Who do it. I am living with ! "W ^ thinking, is too great, a far greater thoughs of tomorrow Hatreds carried around on our than you without resorting to jti-i s l eev es are but dead-weights on decency of nefarious acts to gain: °, ur mentality. By that we mean and if you gain all , tie: i f we . aro « n d ever. mindful of
a revue which will open thA theatre there operated by the
ers of the Kabarett.
Thompson is to appear in show as well as some other Am
entertainers.
-oOo
money;
"money” in the world. Death can plunder you bare. And even the grave that you sleep in, can belong to others. —TIM OWSLEY. oOo
TIE IN
CONTEST
der
All Singers Ren Splendid Rendi-
tions
BARE LEGS
new own-
the
erican
Critic Writes Paragraph On Them
A dramatic critic on the Variety
„ ^ ^ ^ .has this to say of stockingless
made ’’money” C. I. had the ex b er -• g } r ig :
-o* stockingless girls again com-
ience, and his experience made Pratt money and himself to. Ernest Butler, was the Advertising man. Butler, is still an advertising man, it pays to advertise, wise men try it, Butler makes it a business and is experienced. The largest Newspapers in America, whose Editors and Publishers are 'white, may be thinking only of their people when they print, "Undress Ladies bore Theatre-goers, Nothing could be more Hideous than Pronuscuous Nudity” and as we read on they say "Theatre Managers and the younger s<t may not know it, but the Human Race got tired of Naked women more than a hundred thousand yearrago. W'e Americans of color don’t enjoy it either, some of us pretend we do, but that same some, |ho will, and do sit and watch the Unnecessary actions of some half-nak-
mand the attention of the editorial writers and investigators report varicose veins, bruises and hair the outstanding features of the fad. But I know one actress who was recently mighty thankful that going stockingless is not frowned upon. She received an invitation as a week-end guest at a mountain camp, and on arrival was dismayed to learn that an elaborate dinner party had been arranged in her honor. She had taken with her but one evening frock and the stockings in her limited wardrobe didn’t match. She decided the way out of the dilemma was to go stockingless and attired herself accordingly. The hostess noted that the actress’ legs were au nature!. “Oh, fine, she explained delightedly, "I was just hoping
how we dislike some individual, we are but crowding out the space that may be devoted to the formulation of plans of our betterment. 'Tis but natural that somebody, at sometime, must do that which does not dovetail with our way of thinking. Oftimes we arrange a program that is all wrong to the fellow ^hose assistance we must rely upon to carry it out successfully. Stiff opposition on the part of ourselves and the party in question
serves as a source for ill-will and 1 splendid music, which enmity. We then oftimes lose | hi "bly appreciated by the
track of all potential things in our j audience -
set convictions that the other fel-; 000 low is "no good” and we want 1 Slinnow nothing more to do with him re-! ^ M ' Oingtl S
gardlfss whether we may gain
NORFOLK, Va., September The contest between the eholk-s the first Baptist Church'''of Po ville, N. C. and Piney Wood 11 result in, a tie. Both choiri
20. —
of
wersChap-
renwas
large
through dealing with him In busi- 1 I,KTROIT - N ’ kh - Sept. 20. ^ The neas.' Then too, it la not good to , " nK,,r! ' of th0 °- cl " s,n *e ra
ed women on a stage would kill his somebody in this party would take
wife, daughter, sister or sweetheart the lead.”
Announcement!
MRS. ADA AIRHART Teacher Of Voice And Piano
avoid at all times a bit of association with the fellow we do not like personally for there are times when we benefit materially by having someone tell us the truth about ourselves. We are but fools when we believe and accept every “sugar coated” credit tendered us by those who seek to make us feel good. We take such ,flatterly > for real and go around elated over the fact tnat we are “the best that ever done it’”—that is our friends tells us we are. But as we have befor^ stated, it is good to be stung with the truth and while we are smarting under that truth, we will do a lot of thinking and at the same time “tighten up" on our interest in our qualifications which our flattering friend has okayed, but iq truth is far below the most ordinary. Seek the company of those who you know do think so much of you some as well as the friend who carries you around on plush gloves “Pardner” and you will learn something about yourself. I We thank you. S’long. I *- —oOo
BLUES MOANER
§t@aiffliillj><o>ati Mam Himes ^ Sung by CLARA SMiTH
Come on, all you lovers of Blues; hear Clara Smith sing about the lovingest steamboat man on the Mississippi from Cairo down to New Orleans. The coupling “Sobbin Sister Blues” is another great Blues number; two smashing hits
Vocal Course Includes PREPARATORY INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED Theoretical subjects—Music, History, Harmony, Piano. Full conservatory Piano Course Includes t ELEMENTARY INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED GRADUATE Text Lesson, Theoretical Classes. Accredited Certificates and Diplomas awarded through the SHERWOOD MUSIC SCHOOL CHICAGO, ILL. New and interesting methods used in all branches especially for young children. Enrollments may be made at all times. To take advantage of all theory classes an early enrollment is advised. For further information call or write 350 W. 25TH ST. PHONE TOLBERT 2590
Makes Her Hit At S City
Usual m o k y
PITTSBURGH. Pa.. Sept. 20. — Bessie Smith, popular chirper of the weary blues, moaned to Smoky city theatre followers last week. Bessie w’as in "Steamboat Day?" and she was ably and creditably backed up with a whopping good chorus and a gang of snappy performers. Why introduce Bessie to any one who likes the blues for she is one of the best known blues singers in the business. At the Elmore theatre where she and her bunch played patrons are urging her return. 1L_ i—oOo
•It
M. W. JOHNSON
Howard U. President To Be Speaker At Fair
BllliBllllBiillB>l!iBi!liBllilBI!llBliilBll>IBi;ilBlillBlti!Bi!HBIUlBiU!BI!llBI!IIBil!IBIiiifll>ilBI!l!BllllBi;!IB!IH
Record No. 14344~D, 10-inch, 75c “Steamboat Man Blues” “Sobbin* Sister Blues’* Vocais-Clam Smith
Miiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiir-iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniHiir:
A-
OTHER POPULAR RECORDS Record No. 14345-D, 10-inch, 75c “I Heard the Preachin’ of the Elders’* f*Where Are You Running Sinner” Vocals—Birmingham Jubilee Singers Record No. 14346-D, 10-inch, 75c <r You Can Tell the World About This” f 4 Lord I Just Can’t Help From Crying” Vocals—Reo. H. R. Tomlin Ask Your Dealer for Latest Race Record Catalog Columbia Phonograph Company, 1819 Broadway, New York City
Emancipation Day CELEBRATION! I Shelby ville (Ind.) Fair Grounds
2:30 to 6:00 P. M. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND
IvV*
m
Columbia Records
jNewAVky ^ tElectrically ’ • Ths JUcan
Under Auspices of ^ FIRST REGIMENT BAND And MARION CO. NO. 2, UNIFORM RANK, K. OF P. GOOD SPEAKING, MUSIC AND DRILLS AT GROUNDS Admission — 25 Cents BAND CONCERT At Court House Square, 7:30 to 8:30 P. M. MILITARY BALL At Armory, 9 to 12 P. M. Admission — 50 Cents PUBLIC INVITED
IliilBuiHniHBiflHIiBHHHHHHl
SUFFORK, Va.., Sept. 20. — Great preparation? are being made for educational day at the Colored State Fair, to be held here next month. Dr. Mordecal W. Johnson, president of Howard university will be the speaker of the day. Dr. Johnson is
one of
today £nd it is expected that there
a number of presidents of ce’s educational institutions
here 6|t that day. oOo — -
will be the ri'
Large
LOS
21. —(A Spence)
ANGELES, Cal., September NP)— “Tenderfeet," starring Bell, Mildred and Flora
has bet tractiof at 42nd
Whei
district interest
critics
.. . i .
the ablest orators of the race
House Books All Colored Pictures
Washington, with an all-colored cast,
n booked for its week-end at at the Tivoli theatre, located
and Central Ave.
pre-viewed in the Wilshire at the Forum theatre much ai^iong theatregoers and was aroused. It is said to be
most humorous, with a. serious strain, tempered throughout the picture. Producers say that “Tenderfeet,
one of the .best playing reels
of its k)nd ever released in Los Ange-
les.
over re a
Mich made
a. great impression upon an aufclience
here, when they recently put a group of Negro songs befo mixed assembly. The occasioi sponsored by a committee charge of an interracial-progranji at the Woman’s center in East
boulevard.
oOo
was
Ijaving
held
Urand
Negroes Stories On Sounc
LOS ANGELES, September 2p. Christie will make Octavus Cohen’s negro stories, which been appearing in the Saturday Ing Post, as short subject talk
oOo -
—A1 Roy have
even-
ers.
Wooding In Vienna Sam Wooding’s band (colored), now- in Berlin, will play two we^ks in \ ienna following their present gagement. ■oOo
Tiie eighteenth week of the ”E lack-
birds” drew- $20,000. The due to tour in October. oOo,
show is
Voodoo a colored Jazz opera played at the Palm Garden, N. Y. oOo
FOLLIES REOPENED
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20. follies has reopened with ored entertainers featured in opening burlesque production.
oOo
The
26 eol-
the
Oscar Newman Players PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 2. —
Oscar Newman Players are p the week here at the Pearl th< They are offering "The Road
Ruin.”
oOo
The
laying
atre.
NOTICE!
All news to appear these columns must directly to this office.
—The Edito
oOo
come
NORTHSIDE VOTERS ORGANIZE Cl
Plantation Follies is the attraction at the Walker Beautiful this week. The company carries a group of dancing girls and singing and talking principals. The chorus girls are noticeably young, but execute some nice formations many of which are new' to the local theatre goers. The show opens with a tent show scene showing the participants in the- circus. Whereas the opening was a new one there could have been a little more pep injected at the start.. Theatregoers have gotten use of musical comedies and they expec t to see it in each musical production. The comedy of the comedians under the lamp black kept the audience m humor on the night that we reviewed the show. The lineup includes:—Hooten and Hooten, Bill Mearen, Willie Williams, Teddy Frazier, I.airy Seymour, Ruth Trent, Frank Lloyd and Bee Middleton. — oOo
rocky, have charge of the pre tion department, while the city is handled by Morris E. Cat Jack Goldberg is president at organizer; J. J. Meyers, vice pr dent; Lew Goldberg, Tim Byrm is general musical rector of the entire circuit. Mi Ona Welsh is at the piano for drew Tribble’s show. oOo-
DIES
PARIS
Investigation Of The Cause May Take Place— Body Is Cremated.
JACK GOLDBERG
His Circuit To Give 600 Race Men And Women Employment
By CHAPPY GARDNER NEW YORK, Sept. 21. —Daily rehearsals for the revues soon to go out over Jack Goldberg’s new Majestic circuit have been going on for three weeks. Lafayette hall, at West 131 street, is the behive of activity these days for many performers who hope to make the grade and be placed at work. It is estimated that more than 600 race men and women will be employed this fall at wages never before payed a colored performer. Jack Goldberg, who heads the new theatrical enterprise, says that he has 40 houses all over the country waiting to play the new productions. He states that his only trouble now is to get enough skilled actors to fill the ranks. He is determined to give the people the newest kind of shows. Having all new faces, new bits and situations that are sure to please those waiting to see what the new circuit has to offer by way of improved entertainment. Performers with wellknown reputations have been signed up to lead various companies. Their names appear in all advertisements as presenting this or th,?t revue. This feature has in itsV a new brand of drawing pov\ r for the Mejestic circuit. Two shows have already hit the road for early openings. One by Bessie Smith called Opening in the Palace, Norfolk, 27th, and another led by the veteran showman and female impersonator, Andrew Tribble, whose show bears the name “Ophelia Snow from Balto,” that opens in Cleveland on the 27th. One thing certain, the Majestic begins with men back of it whose years of experience at show business counts for much. Besides, they go into this business with ample and unlimited finance. They firmly believe they can make money for themselves and the actors. Mr. Sam Grisman, assisted by Irving Filial and Louis Azo-
PARIS, September 20. — Suspi- j rions and probable investigations surround the sudden death of Palmer Jones, colored entertainer. Acute Indigestion is the ascribed <-euse, but rumors persist. Florence ; Jones, the wife, runs a cafe for white folks in Montmarte. Nathaniel Palmer Jones, colored entertainer and owner of Florence’s cabaret, died in Paris hospital following a sudden seizure of acute indigestion. Jones, who was 40, was stricken on the street and was hurried to the hospital. His wife, Florence, cau£__ the body to be cremated in obedience to the expressed wishes of the dea n.an. oOo-
UNIONIZE
Stage Hands In Baltimore To Organize—Editor Speaks
The getting together of any group, class or set of ouj people wherein they can derive any benefits that will not reflect ill-credit 1 upon the race meets the approval of The Recorder. We understand that there is talk of unionization of Negro stage hands in New York. There would be greater progress among our people if they would organize and work as ardently toward the longlivity of the same, as they do in lodge work. Romeo L. Doughtery dramatic editor on the New York Amsterdam News, has the following to j say:—• We notice that £ move is on foot to unionize Negro stage hands. Hurray! The Negro motion picture operators not only are today enjoying the fruits of becoming unionized, but from what we can learn have recently enjoyed a raise which will help to make it pos-’ sible for them to live better:—to live like the w'hite men occupying the same positions in their lines in this big city. We are told and we are told that the white union men would immediately see to it that all Negro stage hands are given the gate shortly after they become unionized. We doubt it. With a ^ few Negro newspapers with guts enough to send up a howl in behalf of their own the union would do the same thing as they did in 'the case of the motion picture operators. Lest we forget the files of the Amsterdam News are here to L be consulted by anybody desirous 4 of seeking information in the - matter.
RnBiiKiS ■ ■
WALKER
THl, ATP J* RITAIITIPITI
-^3 The THEATRE BEAUTIFUL^
EVERYBODY WELCOME AT THE WALKER
C. B. ERWIN, Mgr.
Asst. Mgr. EVERETT R. SMITH
Week Beginning Mon., Sept. 24— Majestic Theatrical Circuit, Inc. Brings You The Tingling Jingling Musical Comedy
The Northside Voters club was
organized this week by a group of
;eek.
Northside citizens early this w< The headquarters are at 322 West 26th St. The club is sponsored by] V. McDaniels, John Hubbard, Fant, Clyde Turner, Elversa
2 0 All-Star Artists
THat’s It
A Musical Treat
Daniel and the Rev. J. [. Siun-
With
ders acting as chairman of speakers’ bureau. The club meet each Friday night.
Apartment for Rei
Modern Apartment, large li’ room with In-a-door bed; Pull] dining room, kitchenette, dres >i room and bath. APPly custodi Trinity Apts. 21ST & BOULEVARD PLJ
The Ever Welcome Funmaker ED OAR MARTIN Elizabeth Smith (The Ukulele Tom Boy)
SAY! Fallows Send In "Your News
and P
This department was started is being maintained for the benefit of you, but it is up to you to make it a SUCCESS as without your cooperation it will be a
ure.
Now if y«u want this, "Yfour Page, to coiitinue, show it
Campbell and Farrow, Albert Jackson,
Myrtle Russell, Slick Chester, Mary Dixon, Hazel Van Vlerah A Chorus of Nifty, Shifty Singing
And Dancing Girls
V!
lail-
shooting your stuff to this depart-
ment. All copy must be in this flee not later than Tuesday noon of each week. You are invited to use this department as a permanent address. Mail list will be published each week and mail
Warded as you .writs ig, _ _____
GOOD PICTURES AND HOW!
3 Days Beginning THURS., SEPT. 27-
' ^j
4 Days Beginning
SUNDAY, SEPT. 23—
Gilda Gray In
“The Devil Dancer
Richard Dix In
Warming Up”