Orson Welles in “Jane Eyrie” !
One of the most versatile and
talented of present-day artists,
Orson Welles has made great con
tributions to the advancement cf
the Negro theatre. Though his at
tention is currently turned to the
Hollywood scene, he still cherishes
his ambition to found a theatre de
voted entirely to Negro artists and
he is keenly interested in the film
carter of one of his early theatric
al companions, Canada Lee. who is
currently working in Alfred Hitch
cock’s ‘‘Lifeboat.” Welles will
soon be seen in 20th Century-Fox’s
production of Charlotte Bronte s
: Victorian classic, "Jane Eyrie,” In
1 which be stars with Academy A
j ward-winner, Joan Fontaine.
I
NEW YORK COLORED ASSOCIATES STILL
HAVE FAITH IN WELLES’ ESTABLISHMENT
OF PERMANENT ALL NEGRO THEATRE
BY LUH AKU !i. I'fcKKY
Orson Welles’ former Negro as
sociates in the New York theatre !
are still eor.fi-i°rt that some day i
ihe will Keep an oft-made promise j
—to lay aside all else for a time i
and return to New York to aid in
the establishment of a permanent
Negro theatre.
Welles’ stage prominence began .
in the Negro theatre and has fol
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lowed a spectacular trail to Holly
wood. where he has recently com- j
pleted the roie of Rochester in the
Twentieth Century-Fox version of
the classic “Jane Eyrie.”
Welles was twenty-one when he
made his first splash in theatre
waters as director of the WPA.
Federal Theatre’s all- Negro pro
duction of Shakespeare's “Mac
beth.” It was not Welles' first
entrance into the theatre; he had
worked with the Abbey Players
in Dublin, Ireland, at the age of
16. At 18 he was playing Romeo
opposite Katharine Cornell in the
latter’s pre-Broadway tour of ''Ro
meo and Juliet,’’ and when the play .
opened on Broadway, he played
the part of Mercutio.
Welles’ association with the Fed
eral Theatre Project came about
through his friendship with John
Houseman. When the latter was j
appointed to head its New York
City Negro unit, he immediately
invited Welles to join his staff as ]
a director.
For sometime however, months
before the Federal Theatre Project
became even a vision, Welles and
Houseman had talked about the
idea of doing an all-Negro produc- |
tion of “Macbeth.” Welles began |
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an adaptation of the script, suit
able for his purposes. In the be
gnining it was nis idea to have the
late Rose McClendon, great Negro
actress, as its star, but unfortun
ately alie died before the produc
tion became % reality.
But when Welles joined the Fed
eral Theatre Project in 1935, he
had already completed his adapt
ation of the play and was ready
to place it into production. His
aadptation Of “Macbeth” had no
Negro idoms, unless one -xcepts
the fact that the scene of Shakes
peare’s tragedy was changed from
Scotland moors, the locale of “Jane
Eyrie” to Haiti’s jungles during
the early 19th century reign of the!
great Negro siodier- emperor,
Christophe. The only real change
in the play, however, was Welles
creation of a new part, that of the
Witch Doctor, Hecate, which was
simply done by giving him the best
of the Witches' speeches.
While there were some of Welles
theatre associates who doubted that
he would ever be able to do a suc
cessful all Negro production of
“Macbeth,” he never lost faith in
his own talent and ideas or in the
ability of the actors he had chosen,
to portray the roles. This was not
strange, since, he believed in the
beginning that Rose McClendon
was not only a great Negro actress
but that she was one of the world’s
great tragediennes, and it was be
cause of this he felt she would
have been just the right actress
for the role of Lady Macbeth.
When the casting of “Macbeth”
was completed. Welles began work
ing individually with each of the'
principal actors. There were long
nightly sessions with Edna Thom
as (Lady Macbeth) an Jdack Carter
(Macbeth) in his Greenwich Village
apartment. When the entire com
pany was finally brought together,
the Welles temperament could
not stand the noises in the theatre
during the day, so the rehearsals
began at midnight and continued
until early morning hours.
Those early morning rehearsals
will probably live long in the mem
ories of al those associated with
the Federal Theatre production of
“Macbeth.” After long hours of
rehearsing under the terrific pres
sure of Welles’ direction. there
would be a pause foi a few mom
ents relaxation, at which time san
dwiches and coffee... .and fre
quently beer_would be provid
ed for the company. All the re
freshments were usually provided
by Welles, it was one of his
friendly and generous gestures
which endeared him to the com
pany, since at that time his funds
were almost as meagre as theirs.
Those were the days, which prob
ably seem far away to him now.
when he had only the income from
a 15-minute daily radio stint and
his Federal Theatre job. So to bu
food for about 100 actors and oth
er workers in the theatre almo
every night put an awful dent i
his small income.
The opening night of “Macbeth"
probably began the Welles tradit
ion of doing things in the showiesl
manner possible. He saw to i1
that it was done with all of the
necessary fan-fare and glitter
Certainly Harlem had never before
seen anything like it. There were
tremendous searchlights playing
on the marquee and entrance cf
the theatre .newsreel sound trucks
and a bejewelled, ermined and top
hatted audience that was as smart
as any seen at a Gilbert Miller
opening. Forty-cent tickets (this
was the top price then for a Fed
eral Theatre show) were being sold
by sidewalk speculators for as
much as five dollars, and the
crowds around the Lafayette Thea
tre were so great that traffic was
detoured around it for three or
four blocks away.
All oi which went to show wn&t
the Welles imagination and genius
could stir up the first time he had
a chance to do something on his
own. Since then he has gone on
to the creation of many other far
more exciting things. ... his mod
ern dress "Julius Caesar" with the
Mercury Theatre on Broadway: a
Mercury Theatre radio progam a
hout some mythical Martians. .
adapted from H. G. Wells’ story.
"War of the World’s’.._which al
most created a panic throughout
the country: his motion picture de
but with the sensational "Citizen
Kane.’’, a magic show (all of the
tricks performed by "The Magnif
icent Orson_..Alive”) for service
men in Hollywood, and the power
ul part of Rochester in “.lane
Byrie”.
It is doubtful that Welles' more
recent associates, in and out of th>
theatre, know that he once played
the role of Macbeth or that he
played it with the above mention
ed all-Xegro Federal Theatre com
pany. This happened in Indiana
polis. Indiana, during the summer
of 1936, where Welles had been
sent by the administrative official
of the Federal Theatre Project to
”IT PAYS TO LOOK WELL
MAYO’S BARBER SHOP
Ladies and Children’s Work
A Specialty
2422 LAKE ST.
i
WAITERS’
COLUMN
V1
By H. W. Smith
WE. 6458
The Hotel Regis and tha waiters
of the White Horse Inn crew are
j tops at all times with a very pleas
ant smile trying to please and Mr.
Rierson and Mr. Branch serving at
all times
• •••*
The waiters at the Hill Hotel,
Mr. Gip Gordon and Mr. John Phil
ips and Mr. Stevens are real serv
ice men at all times.
*****
| Brother John Evans is the top
man at the Rome Hotel and is a
very quick stepper.
*****
I The NAACP is very much in
need of everyone to take out a
settle a series of inter-company
quarrels which were about to dis
rupt the “Macbeth" company's
highly successful tour.
Arriving secretly at the theatre
in Indianapolis. Welles informed
only a few of the leading players,
the company manager and the
stage managers of his presence.
After a short conference conced
ing the quarrels which had been
going on within the company, he
told them that for the sake of the
company's morale he had decided
to play the role of Macbeth that
evening. Immediately the question
of finding suitable costumes for
him came up. Maurice Ellis, who
was playing Macbeth during the
tour, is unusually tall and defin
itely on the lean side, so there was
no possible chance of Welles ever
getting into his tight-fitting vel
vet pants. After scurrying around
a bit, an extra pair of Hecate's
fthe Witch Doctor's) green tights,
one of his large capes and one of
Macbeth’s blousy shirst were the
only items found available. Had
it not been for the elasticity of the
materia! of which Hecate's tights
were made, it is doubtful that Wel
les would ever have gotten into
them.
Without any announcement to
: the audience concerning the change
n the play’s performance. Welles
valked onto the stage. Even the
ctors and dancers in the opening
vitches’ scene were somewhat
tartled at first, but from then oa
-very player in the company gave
an inspired performance. As for
Welles, his magnificent perform
ance of Macbeth in that Indianap
olis theatre on a hot August n:ght,
was a smash event.
Orson Welles’ faith in the talent
and ability of Negro actors to por
tray parts outside of their own rac
ial sphere was again well demon
strated when he cast Jack Carter
tn another Federal Theatre produc
tion of a great classic drama. This
was the title role of the Classical
Drama Unit's production of Christ
opher Marlowe’s “Dr. Fautus." in
which Carter was the only Negro
surrounded by white players. With
the critical praise which Carter
won for his performance in the
play. Welles again proved that his
judgement was right.
Welles’ next association with
Negro actors came about through
the Mercury Theatre’s production,
in 1941. of 'Native Son.” wh:cn
was a dramatization by Paul
Green and Richard Wright of the
latter's sensational novel of the
same name. This production also
ende tdhe Orson Welles-John House
ma nassociation, which began with
the Federal Theatre Negro unit,
continued in the setting up of the
Federal Theatre Classical Drama
Unit, and finally the establishment
of the Mercury Theatre, whose
several notable productions on
Broadway greatly enhanced the
Welles reputation.
"Native Son” is a powerful and
forceful drama of a young Negro
caught in the web of poverty and
crime in a large American city.
Welles in his staging of the play
used a large number of his most
imaginative theatrical tricks. Its
leading part that of the young Ne
gro. Bigger Thomas, was a sure
fire role for any good actor, but
Canada Lee (he played Banquo in
the Welles all-Negro ‘Macbeth”),
under Welles' direction played it
so impressively that he won the
most notable acclaim of any actor
on Broadway that season.
Lee is the only Negro actor, hav
ing worked Under Welles, who s
making the most of that opportun
ity. At present he is in Holly
wood. working on the 20th Cen'ury
Fox lot. where he is'being filmed
in one of the leading roles in ‘‘Life
Boat.”
/
REX INGRAM IN UNIVERSAL’S — — “FIRED WIFE”
The hilarious results of a secret
marriage are said to be revealed
with extraordinary effect in I ni
versal’s “Fired Wife”.
The new comedy-drama, starring
Robert Paige and Louise Allbrit
ton, is announced as one of the
most mirthful and entertaining
pictures in the current array of
fun films. Diana Barrymore and
Walter Abel have leading featured
roles.
Appearing prominently in an im
pressive supporting cast are Wai
ter Catlett, Ernest Truex, Alan
Dinehart, George Dolenz, Richard
Lane and Rex Ingram.
Comical complications follow
each other in quick succession un
til the exciting and satisfying cli
max of the story in which sparkl- !
ing dialogue is said to be featured '
in generous portions.
Michael Fessier and Ernest Pa
III
gano wrote the screen play from
an original story by Hagar Wilde
and the picture was directed by
Charles Lament.
Rex Ingram plays his part with
the dignity befitting a first rat? ac
tor. His long stay in Hollywood
and his numerous contributions are
doing much for a better understand
ing between the races.
membership as we all should be
very good .spokes in the wheel.
*****
The RR boys are on the up and
go on service on wheels. Mr. Roy
McCalister, Mr. Luther Johnson,
Mr. Lin wood Hall and all of the
boys are on the job.
*****
Mr. Jones formerly of the Atl' -
letic Club is doing the honors with
the other boys at the Blacks tone
Hotel.
*****
The Fontenelle waiters are very
much out in front on fine service.
*****
Mr. Hill and Mr. Geo. Thomas
the two streamlined room service
men are doing the job in a very*
fine manner.
*****
The Omaha Club waiters with.
Capt- Earl Jones and Mr. Frank
Buford are in the front line on
service.
*****
THE WEEK .
John L. Lewis was asked by the
WLB to call miners back to work.
Jck Fadden, 8, of 1518 South 27th
Street, struck by a dairy truck
late Friday afternoon, died on the
way to a hospital.
Wendell L. Willkie lists his pol
icy stand dedicated to removal of
the administration.
Jack Grunde a Brooklyn, N. Y.
grocer offers to turn the business
of his store over to the OPA.
Lend Lease Aid uses to be check
ed by U. S. Congress beginning
Nov. 1.
Bert C. Bertram told the nation
al railroad conference the nation
is in desperate need of scrap of
iron and steel.
Read the OMAHA GUIDE for all
the news.
The Nebraska Baptist conven
tion declared opposition to dis
criminations against Negro serv
ice men and women who are Un
able to secure adequate food and
lodging.
Mr. James Richardson entertains
some friends in a northside busin
ess place.
Supreme Justice Black surprised
other members by coming in the
court without his robe.
Sgt- Joe Louis makes many
friends by visiting in government
hospitals.
District Court Justice F. D'.ck
BOn Letis of Washington. DC., t'cs
up funds of a building labors and
hod carriers union in the capitcl
city.
A. B. Oliver victor Colorado min
er burned to death in his cabin. i
Eleander G. Batts and Frank D.
Smith found guilty in Chicago of
sending gold to Germany.
Capt- Grooms entertains some
friends in a northside business
house.
The Lake street shoe repair shop
is being dressed up and decorated.
Many people taken time out to
be on North 24th St. Sunday Oct
17th.
Attorney John Adams Sr., con
verses with a friend on a 24th and
Kansas street car.
Mr. Prestige the popular night
policeman at the Omaha main post
office made a call on the dentist
on Saturday. Oct. 16.
Dorothy Baker of Philadelphia
Pa., died in • hospital from an ov
erdose of sleeping powders.
Buckner the medicine man on
North 24th St., conversing with
a beautiful lady.
i
Mr. Kennedy the silent man on
the go in the north end.
Mrs. L. V. Gray on the street,
looking after business and at hom°
attending to the regular routine.
H. TV. Smith receives a copy of
the Camp Ellis, 111. news from his
grandson.
Dr. Lennox very much on th°
job looking after the sick and also
taking very good care of his office
practice.
Rev. C. C. Reynolds of Clair Cha
pel and his choir sponsored a very
lovely service at the Metropolitan
I Community Church on Sunday af
ternoon Actober 17th.
The following persons attended
morning Service at Clair Chapel
Sunday, October 17th.—
Mrs. Christine Brown and three
daughters of New Albany, Miss..
Sgt- Mett TV. Gatewood, Ira Bold- i
en of Ft. Crook, Nebr.
A complimentary fellowship fare
well service given in honor of Rev.
Father Stams of St. Philips Epis
copal Church and Rev. Story for
mer pastor of Cleaves Temple will
be given Sunday afternoon at 3:10
p. m. at Zion Baptist Church.
FLASH: The Musician headwat
er has crashed the front page.
This writer was invited to look
ot the streamlined food carrier de
signed by the wide awake head
water at the Chamber of Comm- j
erce. Oh say it is a head liner on.
transportation of food from the j
kitchen to the dinning room and !
Mr. Simon Harrold the top notcher ;
on working out plans for quick
service should be very highly
pleased and commended for draw
ing the plans of such a much need
ed rapid fire esign in these gloom
ie days of unrest of business as his
earnest effort could not be im
proved on.
SUGGESTIONS FOR A NEGRO
BUSINESS
The thoughtfulness of our group
during the times of today_..please
look info this matter of business..
_think of three years ago, two
thirds of our grou'p were jobless
and so forth. Now it is the r s
ponsibility of everyone to join j
hands in seeing that every person j
of our group will have the oppor
tunity to contribute his or ner
knowledge and skills toward indus
trial progress and cooperation with
one another. There should b; e
nough leadership in both indust
rial and laboring peoples to be able
to face realistically this problem j
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Before you go to see M-G-M’s “Lassie
Come Home , make room in your heart!
•k k * ★
Room for tender feeling, stirring emo
tion, the magic of laughter!
★ * * ★
“Lassie” is that kind of picture.
★ * * *
Produced from the glowing pages of
Eric Knight’s beloved novel.
* ★ * ★
You could say it was a story of a boy
and his dog.
★ * ★ *
And that would be true.
k k k k
You could say that it was really a story
about real people and love and laughtei
and the things that make life good!
★ ★ * ★
That would be true, too.
♦ ★ ★ *
But you have to see "Lassie” to catch
the living wonder of the storv —to know
its deep-down appeal! —
^ ^ ^ ^
Even the glorious Techni
color in which this picture
is filmed seems to have a
special glow!
★ ★ * ★
And Roddy Me- m ~
; Dowall and lov
able Lassie are
the kind of boy
and his dog
you 11 want to 1
adopt.
* * * *
Your heart will
adopt them both!
★ * * ★
“Lassie Come
Home” is now run
ning at New York's
great Radio City
Music Hall. fj
★ ★ ★ ★
Making audiences j L
happy while critics J •
sing its praise.
★ ★ ★ ★
I love a "Lassie” !
— to V
P.S. How about a Bond today?
J
WINTERTIME is a wonder musical
with SONJA HENIE, JACK OAKIE.
CESAR ROMERO, CAROLE LANDIS
and WOODY HERMAN and His
Orchestra! And what songs!
What fun!
— * * *
CLAUDIA is the picture you’ve
been waiting for...the picture you’ll
never forget! Introducing wonderful
new star DOROTHY McGUIRE with
ROBERT YOUNG and INA CLAIRE!
F DIANA BARRYMORE
WALTER ABEL
WALTER CATLETT ERNEST TRUEX
Alan Dine hart George Dolenz
Richard lane Re*
Sct—n Ploy. AAcnoe< ff»e' and £m*p Pogono Ongtnoi Story by Hogor Wdd»
Directed by CHARLES LAMONT Produced by ALEX GOTTLIEB
| A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
COMING SOON TO YOUR THEATRE
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