Indianapolis Recorder,Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 September 1949
Page 12
12—The IwJianapoiis Recorder, Sept 3 # 1949
Billy.: Eckstine's Band on Avenue Screen Sunday
''Rhythm in a Riff" Tops Bill at Cool Avenue
WILD CALL: Lex Barker, making his screen bow as the famed jungle hero, voices the thrilling ape cry in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ ‘‘Tarzan’s Magic Mountain,” which starts Tuesday at the Park.
Read The Story of 'Sepia' The Symbol for Purity EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of articles tellingr the story of the Negro through the finest Negro musical ever p oduccd, “Sepia,” an imaginary’ symbol standing for all that is pjre, fine and good in the Negro people and their culture. Follow these articles on this page each week.
-
“How would you have us, as we are — Or sinking ’neath the load we bear? Our eyes fixed forward on a star — Or gazing empty at despair? Rising or falling? Men or things? With dragging pace or footsteps fleet? Strong, willing sinews in your wings * Or tightening chains about your feet?” t * Sepia, the standard of the Negro people representing the finest in Negro achievement symbolizes all that is fine and rich in the Negro people and culture. Sepia has been a major force in aiding in the figbfc to penetrate and destroy the barriers that still exist between people on racial problems. Acclaimed by religious, social, industrial and educational agencies as well as by the press and radio as an inspiring symbol behind which Negro people can unite in their endless fight to receive a first-class citizenship. W'ithin a short time Sepia has been transformed into one of the most promising musicals of the year. Lauded by the nation’s press and Billboard and Variety magazines for its visually entertaining and educational appeal, Sepia tells the story of the Negro people in the universal language of music. Major network stations on the West Coast are already tedding for the musical extravaganza in the hopes of contributing to the national public service with this musical program. Sepia, in an entertaining way, cleverly tells the story of the Negro’s problem without lecturing or preaching; allowing all to draw their own conclusions and form their own opinions on the Negro problem, the people, their achievements and their culture. As an outgrowth, the Sepia scholarship was established to assist Negro youths in furthering their educational desires at accredited universities, colleges and trade schools. Awarded through competitive examinations to be held annually, the ipa Schdlarship affords the opportunity for Negro students T to satisfy their thirst for knowledge enabling them to better aid themselves and their race and their community. To the Negroes making outstanding contributions in science, medicine, education, social welfare, art, industry, sports, music and the entertainment world, miniature ebony figurines of Sepia - symbolizing the best - will be presented yearly, thus creating for the Negro people the necessary incentive and desire to create, accomplish and satisfy their normal desires to advance. For it will be through Sepia that the accomplishments of the Negro in the past, in the present and the future will be told to the world.
SHOWN ABOVE is a scene from “Colorado Territory,’ which is due to start Sunday at the Walker.
DANCING IN TIME to the rhythms of Billy Eckstine and his band is shapely Hortense Allen. Featured in the smash screen musical “Rhythm In A Riff,” opening Sunday at the Cool Avenue.
Something new and fresh in allNegro film entertainment was ushered in last night at the Avenue theatre). It was ‘‘Rhythm In A Riff”, produced by Associated Producers of Negro Motion Pictures and starring bartdleader-vocalist,
Billy Eckstine.
Jampacked full of music, pep. and vitality, “Rhythm In A Riff ’ is the story of a wbe-begone night club owner who is about to open a new show when he finds that his band has walked out on him. About the same time, a bandleader (Billy Eckstine) is in danger ot losing his musicians because no bookings are in view. Interspersed with a good deal of melody, the fun begins when the two
get together.
As Tom, the bandleader in search of a booking, Billy Eckstine deserves a good deal of praise for his work in this part. Advance re-
ports have informed this reviewer that this is Mr. Eckstine’s initial venture in pictures. If this is so, he certainly carries off his acting chores with all the skill of a Hollywood veteran. This may be because Billy is playing a role —^ that of a bandleader — long familiar to him in-real life. Whatever the reason, however, Billy handles his film tasks with honors whether singing or emoting. In the vocalizing department, Billy proves more than once his versatility by singing sweet or hot. ... or both. At last night’s opening the audience seemed to be eating right out of Biily’s hand when he crooned “Prisoner Of Love” and had just as vigorous an appetite as when he jived it solid with the picture’s title tune, “Rhythm In A Riff”. However, the picture isn’t limited to just a pair of tunes.
Colorado Territory" at Walker Sunday
• “Africa Screams’, is the current screen fare at the Walker theater with “Mine Own Executioner” as the other half of a popular bill. Both pictures continue through Saturday. Opening Sunday is “Colorado Territory” starring Joel McCrea and Virginia Mayo. A new high in entertainment from
Warner Bros.
Come out and bring the family and enjoy a real down-to-earth movie with thrills galore. Also on the bill is “Jungle Patrol” and added features, including “Negro
News.”
'Tarzan's Magic Fountain' At Park Tuesday
JOE THOMAS PREEMS
BICi BAND IN N. Y.
NEW YORK—Joe Thomas, hardriding tenor sax sensation and his new band are making their public
bow this'week with Dinah Wash- Dinah Washington believes thu inglon and the Ravens at the Har- mus j c jjy friendly artists might he’p Inn Apollo theatre, famous show- . , .... . ... case of Negro show business." m building a cusnton ol goodwill
behind the iron curia.n and bring
DINAH WASHINGTON EYES RUSSIA FOR GOODWILL TOUR
s’t a r
Tarzan’s efforts to help a native tribe keep a secret motivates the newest film adventure of the famous ape man. “Tarzan’s Magic j Fountain” co-stars Lex Barker, 197-pound former college athlete, making his screen bow as Tarzan, and Brenda Joyce, as Jane, Evelyn Ankers, as an aviatrix who has discovered the waters, and oth-
NEW \ ORK Buddy^Jo^hnsom er we n_k n(>W n players are cast in
the Sol Lesser production for RK-
of Negro show business.” Thomas’ newest aggregation carries fourteen ace musicians.
NEW YORK — Singing
together. To that ehd, the provocative song delineator has instructed her managers to investigate the possibilities of a goodwill tour of the Soviet Union at the close of
the people of the different nations the coming winter season.
BUDDY JOHNSON STILL CLIMBIN'
the youthful creator of
Rhythm”, is currently standing on the threshold of admittance to Decca’s exclusive “Gold Record Society”, membership in which is open only to those Decca recording artists who have had a record go over the million mark in sales and Buddy is just about to win membership on the strength of his smash hit platter of “Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?” which is rapidly approaching the
coveted million mark.
O Radio release of the latest new Edgar Rice Burroughs character’s exploits. A volcanic spring that produces waters of remarkable properties and is jealously guarded by African natives, plays a vital part in the exciting action of the picture. The pix starts Tuesday at the Park.
IT'S COOL AS A POOL AT THE
YOUR ERST SIDE's/M^THEfllRE
SUN., MON., SEPT. 4-5 — MATINEE DAILY FEARED AS OUTLAWS! FAMED AS HEROES !
Directed by c ca EDWIN LMAM AND RANDY SCOTT "LAST DAYS OF POMPEII' - EXTRA "OREGON TRAIL"
3 DAYS — TUE., SEPT. 6 — COOL MATINEE THE MOST SOUGHT-FOR SECRET f SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME... 5
EDGAR MCE BURROUGHS’
■’•w ' radio LEX BARKER W
BRENDA JOYCE e ALBERT DEKKER EVELYN ANKERS CHARLES DRAKE
Pr«WcM by SOI LESSER * Mmctad by ill SNOttM (mW U»«. *• < rm br CUtr WOOMAK Md HAWT CHANMH MARNK Dick Powell — Marta Toren ROGUES REGIMENT EXTRA “KING OF ROCKETMEN"
NOW THRU SAT., SEPT. 1-2-3 45 MIN. CARTOON CARNIVAL Abbott & Costello — Frank Buck — Clyde Beatty A F RICA SCREAMS Burgess Meredith MINE OWN EXECUTIONER Extra "BATMAN & ROBIN"
4 DAYS
SUN., SEPT. 3
OPEN 10:45 A. M.
coou
COOL! COOL!
COOU
r>-
Directed by T RAOUL WALSH and EdmundH. North, ‘ And Thrill With Air Force JUNGLE PATROL Negro News '
NOW THRU SAT., SEPT. 1-2-3 DOUBLE HORROR THRILLS Karloff & Luqosi SPOOKS X Bowery Beys & Lugosi GHOSTS lo°o n S e i: 45 Mih. Cartoon Carnival EXTRA "OREGON TRAIL"
4 Days, Sun., Sept. 4, Matinee Daily
!- W&fam D. AfcxundUr |w.s.nu
TUfinm u. AiBKvjrvtfdf
t&Ss -
j, » A y** raws Van Heflin — Robert Ryan ACT OF VIOLENCE Wm. Gargan — Pine Thomas Thriller DYNAMITE
