That's Old News! (#8)

************

1929 was a great year for Black-Americans in Hollywood! You had the Christie Film Company shorts, Hearts in Dixie, Hallelujah!, and more. But just as the doors had open, they were slowly pushed closed again. 

Clarence Brooks, an unsung legend of race movies, talked to a Chicago-based correspondent about the lack of roles for black actors. His words were featured in the Sept. 1, 1934 issue of The Afro-American. Read it here ("On the Air" by Charles I. Bowen).

************

Joe Louis the entertainer???

Joe Louis
Photographed by Carl Van Vechten
From Wikimedia Commons

According to the Aug. 24, 1935 issue of The Afro-American, the Brown Bomber was set to join Bill "Bojangles" Robinson in a vaudeville show in September of 1935--either before or after his legendary fight against Max Baer. Get the details here ("Dapper Joe Louis to Make Vaude Tour With Bill").

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
Photographed by James Kriegsmann (New York)
From Wikimedia Commons 

************

A big night for Harlem's theater community...

Richard Wright (1943)
Photograph by Gordon Parks
From Wikimedia Commons

Black theatergoers, performers, and playwrights of New York may have had September 6 circled on their 1940 calendars. According to this Aug. 24, 1940 issue of The Afro-American, the Playwrights' Company made plans for a grand debut on that date. 

Paul Robeson (1942)
Photographed by Gordon Parks
From Wikimedia Commons

The purpose of the company was to create a "professional theatre for Harlem"--one that could be compared to (or even surpass) the "Negro unit" of New York's Federal Theatre. Set to make appearances at the event were Richard Wright, Paul Robeson, and Hazel Scott.

Hazel Scott (1956)
Photographed by James Kriegsmann (New York)
From Wikimedia Commons

************

Speaking of Joe Louis...

Marva Trotter Louis surrounded by Navy recruits (ca. 1941 - ca. 1945)
National Archives and Records Administration (Photographer Unknown)
(from Wikimedia Commons)

According to the Aug. 31, 1946 issue of The Afro-American, performer, model, and at this time, ex-wife of Joe Louis, Marva Trotter Louis signed on to star in the 1947 film, Boy! What a Girl!. The film was set to go into production on September 16th of that year. However, Ms. Louis didn't appear in the completed film. After the movie's completion, Marva would also fulfill a sixteen-week engagement at the Folies Bergère. Get all of the details here ("Marva Louis Gets Star Role in First Herald Film").

************

A September wedding...

Promotional photo of Katy Jurado for San Antone (1953)
Republic Pictures (Photographer Unknown)
From Wikimedia Commons

Actress Katy Jurado and actor Ernest Borgnine set their wedding date for September ("...just as soon as my divorce becomes final," said Borgnine). The couple made plans to wed in Katy's native Mexico. Read more about it here in the May 26, 1959 issue of Ocala Star-Banner ("Ernest Borgnine Prefers Easy Way of Mexican Life").

Katy Jurado and Ernest Borgnine in a promotional photo for The Badlanders (1958)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (Photographer Unknown)
From Wikimedia Commons

 ************

I hope you found the eighth installment of That's Old News! informative! See you next month! :)

That's Old News! (#3)

I found some pretty interesting articles for the month of November. Let's journey back...

************

From vaudeville.org

The late, great entertainer, Florence Mills received some flack (from an unnamed reviewer) for a cabaret show in November of 1925. Read The Afro American article here.

Warning: This article is ridden with shaming and sprinkled with some colorism. 

************

Legendary bandleader Blanche Calloway and Her Orchestra headlined a "big musical revue" at the Howard Theatre in early December of 1936. Click here to read more details on the show in The Afro American.

************

Paul Robeson in 1942

The Pittsburgh Press recognized the great renaissance man, Paul Robeson, for his achievements in school, sports, film, and on the stage in this 1944 article.

************

According to this Pittsburgh Press article written by the notorious Hedda Hopper, France Nuyen was set to star in the Raoul Walsh film, Marines, Let's Go (released in 1961). 

France Nuyen in a publicity still for Satan Never Sleeps (1962)

Ms. Nuyen doesn't appear in the credits for Marines, Let's Go--I'm curious to know why the casting fell through...

************

James Wong Howe on the set of Molly Maguires in 1969

Along with being a legendary cinematographer, James Wong Howe was also one of Hollywood's most considerate and encouraging spirits. The Sun calls him "an amateur psychologist" in this 1964 article. 

************

Unless noted otherwise, all of the photos above were obtained from their designated subject's Wikipedia pages. They are all being used for informational purposes only. If the rightful owner of any of these photos wishes to have them removed, please contact me, and I will do so immediately.

--Adrienne

Paul Robeson Online

Paul Robeson--the great actor, singer, lawyer, athlete, and activist. Witness the greatness of this pioneering legend online...

*********

In the Oscar Micheaux film Body and Soul (1925), Robeson plays a Reverend living a double life.

Paul Robeson as Brutus Jones in The Emperor Jones.

Watch Mr. Robeson in what would (arguably) become his most memorable role. He plays Brutus Jones in the 1933 film, The Emperor Jones. 

Paul Robeson plays a Nigerian chief in this 1935 film produced by London Film Productions--Sanders of the River. 

Robeson plays a dockworker with a rich, baritone singing voice in Song of Freedom (1936). Some would argue that this British film was Mr. Robeson's most iconic role. 

Mr. Robeson plays another dockworker in this in 1937 movie titled Big Fella.

ALSO

Click Here to listen to Paul Robeson in Concert in Moscow. Interesting information in the description box! 

**********

Paul Robeson starred in the early 1940's Broadway production of Othello (it ran from 1943-1945). This audio was recorded in the summer of 1944.