Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition. A man in a tuxedo, most probably show director Bert Kool, interviews a well dressed "lady" in front of the curtain. The "lady" is actually a fellow Elk dressed as a woman. The one and a half hour show featured many Elks dressing as the "other half" all in good fun, for the amusement of their fellow members and guests. The annual show featured music, magic, dance and vaudeville routines. The 1955 show was dedicated to former vaudevillian and previous years' director Max Frolic, who was recovering from an illness of several months.
Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);
The cast of the 8th annual Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition. The two and one half hour event would take place at the Elks Temple March 30 & 31, 1955. The Thursday night performance would be only for Elks, their wives and friends. This year's cast is honoring Max Frolic, the director of the show in years past, who recently recovered from an illness of several months. Bert Kool served as entertainment chairman and musical director in 1955. The "Elks Dolls," the rather frumpy looking "women" in the back row opened the show. They are Mike LaVelle, Bob Morgan, Swan Johnson, C.J. (Bud) Weller and Jack Thomas. (TNT 3/27/1955, pg. B-8)
Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);
Comedian Chico Marx speaks at the ground breaking of the U.S. Oil and Refining plant on the Tideflats. His remarks are carried live over radio station KTAC with dignitaries on the packed platform appearing amused at his comments. Officer center may be state draft chairman Captain Chester Chastak. A 10-million dollar plant would rise from this 120-acre location, bringing fresh employment and new dollars to Tacoma. ALBUM 5.
Comedian Chico Marx, center, entertained at the ground breaking for the new 10-million dollar oil refinery built by the U.S. Oil and Refining Company on the Tacoma tideflats. Construction began in July of 1955 on the 120-acre site. Tacoma Mayor Harold Tollefson stands next to Chico. The site had been a favorite spot for fishing, swimming and duck hunting in earlier years. ALBUM 5.
Actors; Marx, Chico (Leonard), 1891-1961; Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Congressman Thor Tollefson speaks at the ground breaking of the US Oil and Refining plant on the Tacoma Tideflats. Chico Marx is in third row, with dark glasses. It was a gathering of powerful political forces as Mayor Harold Tollefson is at far right, second row and Senators Warren G. Magnuson and Henry "Scoop" Jackson were also in attendance. Congressman Tollefson's remarks were carried live on KTNT and KTAC stations. The wet, marshy acreage can be seen behind the crowded platform. ALBUM 5. TPL-9630
Actors; Marx, Chico (Leonard), 1891-1961; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma;
Actor John Forsythe shakes hands with a young woman during grand opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Mr. Forsythe was present to greet his fans and address the audience from the stage. His film, "Topaz," was the first film shown at the new theater. It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the Leon Uris spy novel. ALBUM 7.
Dale Robertson, actor and singer, poses with two unidentified men at the Western Washington Fair on September 24, 1970. Mr. Robertson filled in admirably for Patti Page, who cancelled her appearance at the last minute due to illness. Mr. Robertson first made his mark in movies due to his reportedly physical and vocal resemblance to Clark Gable. He was cast mostly in Westerns; the trend also followed through in television as he appeared in "The Iron Horse," narrated "Death Valley Days," and later appeared in contemporary mode in "Dallas" and "Dynasty." ALBUM 7.
Actors; Robertson, Dale, 1923- ; Fairs--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup);
Celebrities arriving for the May 16, 1968, grand opening of the $1 million dollar Tacoma Mall Theater. Actresses Tippi Hedren, left, and Diane McBain, are escorted past waiting throngs lined up before the theater. Both are prepared for an enjoyable evening viewing "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," as they stroll down the red carpet, carrying in their refreshments. The women had spent the afternoon on a goodwill tour of Madigan Army Hospital, where many of the patients were Vietnam veterans. Miss McBain, along with actor Arthur O'Connell, had recently entertained troops in Vietnam. TPL-6524
Celebrities in town for the grand opening of the Tacoma Mall Theater pose with courtesy car from Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile at the Lakewood Colonial Center. Actor John Russell, TV's "Lawman," is at right. Mr. Russell, as well as fellow actors Arthur O'Connell, Troy Donahue and Tippi Hedren, was staying at the Lakewood Motor Inn nearby. They, and other stars, would be motoring to Tacoma for the opening of the new 1200 seat theater later that evening. The 8 o'clock showing of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" was completely sold out; the Hollywood stars would only be appearing on stage at that time. There were apparently tickets available for the later 11 o'clock viewing. (TNT 5-16-68, C-6) ALBUM 5.
Actor John Forsythe in conversation with an unidentified man during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Mr. Forsythe's film, "Topaz," was being shown that evening and he was present to greet his fans. Mr. Forsythe has had a long career on Broadway, in motion pictures and on television. He has starred in television's "Bachelor Father," "World of Survival," and "Dynasty." ALBUM 7.
Actor John Forsythe escorts a young woman during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. The young lady and the young man accompanying her are dressed in prom fashion; she has a large corsage, elbow-length gloves and evening gown. Mr. Forsythe was in town to greet his fans at the showing of "Topaz," where he appeared as a CIA agent. TPL-6527 ALBUM 7.
Actor Dale Robertson performs with the Doodletown Pipers at the Grandstand Show of the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup, September 24, 1970. Mr. Robertson was a well-known motion picture and television actor who had just concluded his narrative role in "Death Valley Days." He also possessed a fine singing voice which he had previously exhibited in hosting episodes of "Hollywood Palace," a hourlong variety program. He was accompanied in his three-day appearance by the Doodletown Pipers, a popular recording group which had already had six television specials. ALBUM 7.
Actors; Robertson, Dale, 1923- ; Singers; Doodletown Pipers; Singing; Fairs--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Concerts; Celebrities;
Actress Shirley Temple rides with a man in the back seat of an open automobile in a field parade at a sports stadium. The California World's Fair event may be a San Diego Padres baseball game. A uniformed policeman stands guard over 11-year-old Miss Temple.
Tacoma Schools' combined music departments presented the operetta "Hansel and Gretel" during the Northwest Music Educator's Conference in March, 1939. Hansel, Harry Aldrich, and Gretel, Dolores Klaiber, are pictured lost in the forest. Both of the performers are elementary students, Harry from Franklin and Dolores from Grant. The third child on the right was not identified. The operetta by Engelbert Humperdinck is one of only a few with children as the principals. It is based on the Grimm Brothers fairy tale. (T. Times, 3/3/1939, p. 13)
Operas & operettas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Klaiber, Dolores; Aldrich, Harry; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Dolores Klaiber, as Gretel, Charlotte Sands, as the witch, and Harry Lue Aldrich, as Hansel, appeared in an operetta version of Humperdinck's opera "Hansel and Gretel" in March of 1939. Many of the original solos were transposed into prose to shorten the performance, and make it easier for the young singers. All three of the performers were elementary students. The operetta was presented by the Tacoma Schools' combined music departments for the entertainment of delegates to the Northwest Music Educator's conference in Tacoma. The young people gave four performances to capacity crowds at the Jason Lee auditorium. The conference was held March 28 through April 1, 1939. (T. Times 3/3/1939, p. 13)
Johnny Sheffield, "Boy" in the "Tarzan" films, grips the barrel of a 13 ton tank as Leon Titus, Pierce County War Bond Drive Chairman, addressed the waiting crowd. Johnny was on hand in Tacoma as part of his national "Buy Tanks for Yanks" tour for the Treasury Department. He was making his 14th appearance as a bond salesman for Uncle Sam. When told that Lana Turner, who had recently visited Tacoma on a similar bond drive, had bussed purchasers of large bonds, the sixth grader frowned and said "I wouldn't kiss anybody for anything. I might rassle them, though!" The young actor was personally chosen by Tarzan star Johnny Weissmuller to play the part of "Boy." The son of British actor/director Reginald Sheffield, he appeared in eight Tarzan movies and went on to successfully star in a dozen Bomba the Jungle Boy films. (TNT 6-15-42, p. 15) ALBUM 5.
Sheffield, Johnny; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus, Leon E.; Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma;
Movie star Lana Turner in a 1942 War Bond sales appearance at Victory Square, South 10th Street between "A" and Pacific Avenue. Harry Cain II (Buzzy) leans on the shoulder of his father, Mayor Harry P. Cain, to Miss Turner's right. Other men and small boy in the photograph are not identified.
Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Actresses; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979--Family; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Actress Lana Turner receives a corsage from Mayor Harry P. Cain during a visit on June 12, 1942 to the Mayor's office at (Old) City Hall for a press interview. Miss Turner was in Tacoma on a War Bond Sales tour. She came to Tacoma from Portland and stopped by the Mayor's office to receive an official greeting and hold a press conference. (T. Times 6/19/42, pg. 1)
Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Actresses; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;
Actress Lana Turner holds a hard hat and chats with a naval officer and another man from the back seat of Titus Motor Company's 1923 Lincoln Touring Car at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, where she made a War Bond appearance. Mayor Harry Cain and Miss Turner's mother are seated besides her. She spent 30 minutes at the shipyards prior to the dedication ceremony of the new Liberty Center in downtown Tacoma. $94,545 was raised in war bonds at the shipyard alone. (TNT 6-11-42, p. 1, TNT 6-12-42, p. 1, TNT 6-13-42, p. 1, TNT 6-14-42, p. 1)
Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma; Actresses; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln automobile;
Beatrice Houdini, white-haired widow of the famous magician Harry Houdini, center rear raising glass, and other party guests at Ray Gamble's "Elephant House" during a visit to Tacoma, July, 1941. Mr. Gamble is at left rear by door. An avid amateur magician, he was foremost in establishing the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians and was elected president during their recently concluded ninth annual convention in Seattle. (TNT 7-27-41, p. 2-A) ALBUM 7.
College of Puget Sound's Campus Playcrafters performed Thorton Wilder's "Skin of Our Teeth" as their spring production. The play depicts man's survival through the ice age, deluge and war. The play starred: Irene Fearn, Troy Strong, Helen Strong, Shirley Milstead and William O'Connell. View of the cast of characters with Atlantic City Boardwalk scenery.
Actors--Tacoma; Stage props; Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;
College of Puget Sound's Campus Playcrafters performed Thorton Wilder's "Skin of Our Teeth" as their spring production. The play depicts man's survival through the ice age, deluge and war. The play starred: Irene Fearn, Troy Strong, Helen Strong, Shirley Milstead and William O'Connell. View of the characters, Maggie and George Anthrobus.
Actors--Tacoma; Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;
Actress Arlene Dahl and announcer Arnold Benum at KMO Studios. Prior to her reporting to Hollywood, Miss Dahl spent several days visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Dahl, of Tacoma. Dressed in street attire, Miss Dahl holds a packet of handwritten notes in her gloved hand. Known for her redheaded glamour, Miss Dahl modeled for several department stores after high school before being named New York's "Miss Rheingold" in 1946. She appeared in many magazine and newspaper advertisements. As an actress, she was perhaps best known for her performances in "Slightly Scarlet" (1956) and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1959). The actor Lorenzo Lamas is her son through her marriage to Fernando Lamas. TPL-7148 (T.Times 4-24-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.
Actresses; Dahl, Arlene; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrity touring--Tacoma--1940-1950;
On Friday June 7, 1946 an estimated crowd of 7,500 in the Stadium Bowl cheered and "chortled" as Bob Hope mugged, pranced and wisecracked his way through a special 2 1/2 hour performance sponsored by the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club. When two unidentified performers began playing harmonicas, Hope picked up a small stand and began playing along. Skinnay Ennis' 16-piece orchestra can be seen in the background. The show was brought to Tacoma to raise money for the Greater Tacoma Jubilee to be held later that month. The 40-member ensemble had flown into Boeing Field earlier that day from Spokane. (TNT 5-28-46, p. 1, TNT 6-7-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5 TPL-1400
