Black Hills Passion Play was a great success in Tacoma, this famous play offered a wonderful story with beautiful costumes and talented actors. All performances at the Temple Theatre were very well attended. View of actor, Joseph Meier, portraying Christ; he is fully dressed in his costume for the Black Hills Passion Play (T.N.T., 10/5/49, p. 8).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes; Historical dramas; Biblical events; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (Tacoma); Meier, Joseph;

The play is said to have offered their audiences wonderful acting by actors with a great deal of experience and beautiful costumes and scenery. View of actress, Mrs. Joseph Meier, she is portraying Mary the Mother of Christ; she is fully dressed in her costume for the Black Hills Passion Play (T.N.T., 10/5/49, p. 8).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Actresses--1940-1950; Costumes; Historical dramas; Biblical events; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (Tacoma); Meier, Joseph--Family;

Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition, the hand painted opening curtain for the show. The curtain features advertising from many Elk-owned businesses, with Art Emery's American Outdoor Advertising featured prominently in the center. Many of the ads have caricatures of the business owners. Rinaldo Keasal's reads simply "Out of Business. Retired to the Farm on I Street. Take your problems some where else."

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Reina L. Dougherty presents comedian Chico Marx with the "Key to the City of Tacoma" at the ground breaking of the U.S. Oil and Refining plant on the Tideflats. The blonde "Indian Princess Ah-pu-ya-ki" would be participating in Fun Fair events held in Tacoma that same weekend. Miss Dougherty was the granddaughter of George J. Dougherty, interpreter for Ezra Meeker, and the first Territorial judge of Washington. (TNT 7-21-55, B-6, TNT 7-23-55, p. 5) ALBUM 5.

Actors; Marx, Chico (Leonard), 1891-1961; Dougherty, Reina; Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma;

Comedian Chico Marx speaks at the ground breaking of the U.S. Oil and Refining plant on the Tacoma Tideflats. A packed platform of local and state dignitaries, including Congressman Thor Tollefson, 2nd from left, front row and Mayor Harold Tollefson 3rd from right, second row, enjoyed the witty comments of the famed Marx brother. Mr. Marx was also to assume the duties of master of ceremonies at the Young Men's Business Club invitational luncheon held at the Winthrop Hotel. He dazzled the luncheon crowd of refinery officials and dignitaries with his lightning fast repartee and samples of his piano virtuosity. (TNT 7-21-55, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Actors; Marx, Chico (Leonard), 1891-1961; Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma;

Three costumed men participate in a skit during the Tacoma Printers Association's banquet held at the University-Union Club on December 2, 1952. Two masked men clad in white coats and wearing "Steilacoom" hats are escorting a rather disheveled looking individual in a straitjacket through an open doorway. Although the masked men are unidentifiable, the man in the straitjacket is believed to be longtime Tacoma Public School faculty member Robert C. Evans. Mr. Evans taught English, as well as working with music and drama students. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Printers Association.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Physical restraints--Tacoma; Tacoma Printers Association (Tacoma); University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

One of the skits for the 1956 Elks Extravaganza, March 14 & 15, involved a crooning duo, backed up by the All Girl Elks Band. Some of these "girls" look quite muscular handling those instruments because they are really Elks brothers. Once a year, Elk members could doll themselves up for the amusement of fellow members, friends and families. The Wednesday show, the more risque of the two, was viewed by members only. The Thursday show was open to members, ladies and friends. In 1956, the show was once again directed by old time vaudeville star Max Frolic, who had been prevented from participating in 1955 by ill health. (TNT 3-11-1956, pg. A-3)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Area residents would be fortunate to be able to see Academy Award winning actress, Luise Rainer, appear in the play, "Joan of Lorraine", which was held during Pacific Lutheran College's third annual drama-music festival in May, 1954. She worked with a student cast of 22 actors; here she is gesturing during rehearsals while three young men watch intently. The play, directed by Theodore Karl, was performed once only on May 7, 1954. (TNT 4-25-54, D-12, TNT 4-29-54, B-5)

Theatrical productions--Parkland--1950-1960; Actresses; Rainer, Luise; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

Luise Rainer extends her arms wide as she speaks to fellow cast members on stage during rehearsals for Pacific Lutheran College's play, "Joan of Lorraine". She would be performing the lead in the Maxwell Anderson play on May 7, 1954, as well as giving a matinee program of interpretive readings and selections from the Bible the same day. Pianist Jakob Gimpel, who was also a guest artist in the drama-music festival, accompanied Miss Rainer in the matinee program. Miss Rainer, Viennese-born, was a stage and screen actress who won Academy Awards for The Good Earth and The Great Ziegfeld. She also appeared in the plays, "Kiss for Cinderella" and Ibsen's "The Lady from the Sea." (TNT 4-25-54, D-12, TNT 4-29-54, B-5)

Theatrical productions--Parkland--1950-1960; Actresses; Rainer, Luise; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

Actors John Russell (TV series "The Lawman"), and Arthur O'Connell (TV series "The Second Hundred Years") flank actress Tippi Hedren ("The Birds") outside the Lakewood Terrace Restaurant while in Tacoma for the Tacoma Mall Theater's grand opening. In addition, Jody McCrea, Madlyn Rhue, Diane McBain and Troy Donahue also appeared at the theater's premiere. The stars were quartered overnight at the Lakewood Motor Inn. They had spent a busy day visiting the sick and wounded at Madigan Army Hospital prior to the 8:00 p.m. start of festivities. (TNT 5-16-68, C-6) ALBUM 5.

Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Russell, John; O'Connell, Arthur; Hedren, Tippi; Actresses; Celebrity touring; Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood);

Actor John Forsythe on stage during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Hands in pocket, Mr. Forsythe addresses the crowd attending "Topaz," an Alfred Hitchcock-directed spy film which also starred Philippe Noiret and Michel Piccoli. He eventually became best known for his work in television on "Bachelor Father" and the unseen, uncredited Charlie on "Charlie's Angels." ALBUM 7.

Forsythe, John; Actors; Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila);

Actor John Forsythe signs an autograph during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Moviegoers are dressed in their best for the theater premiere. Mr. Forsythe's film, "Topaz," was the first film shown at the new theater located in Tukwila. ALBUM 7.

Forsythe, John; Actors; Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila);

Actor John Forsythe with two men during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Mr. Forysthe, on the far right, grasps the arm of an unidentified man as he stolls down the aisle of the new Southcenter Theatre. His film, "Topaz," would be the first movie shown in the new theater. It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and was one of his two "cold-war" themed motion pictures. ALBUM 7.

Forsythe, John; Actors; Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila);

The cast of "No! No! A Thousand Times No!" posed for a variety of photographs on March 10, 1969. They were preparing for the opening of the two-act musical melodrama on March 19th. One actor, straddling a wooden chair above, gapes in astonishment at the exhortations of an aproned actress. All performances would be held at Steve's Gay '90s, 5238-40 South Tacoma Way, and include twelve big musical numbers. Members of the audience were invited to a community singalong prior to the 8:00 p.m. opening curtain. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. (TNT 3-16-69, D-17)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Melodramas; Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Actresses; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);

In case Jack Richardson's handlebar mustache, sinister black cape and dented black derby didn't give away the right clues, Rory Ogburn, a member of the Opera House Players, gently reminds the audience that they should reward the "villain" with appropriate greetings. Mr. Richardson portrayed the city slicker, Stafford Blackman, in the 1890's musical melodrama, "No! No! A Thousand Times No!," at Steve's Gay '90s during the spring of 1969. He had also appeared in another villainous role in a previous Opera House Players production of "The Drunkard" in 1967. Mr. Richardson was known as the "King of MCs" in his regular entertainment role at Steve's. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. (TNT 3-16-69, D-17)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Melodramas; Richardson, Jack; Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Actresses; Ogburn, Rory; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Bill Thurmon is surrounded by a bevy of beauties while in rehearsal for the musical melodrama "No! No! A Thousand Times No!" at Steve's Gay '90s. His mouth is wide open, either in surprise or dismay. The Opera House Players, consisting of many of Steve's entertainers, made up the cast of the melodrama. Performances were held mid-week for about a month during the spring of 1969. Mr. Thurmon was a member of the barbershop quartet, the "Most Happy Fellows." Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Melodramas; Thurmon, Bill; Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Actresses; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);

Actor Dale Robertson belted out a song with backing from the Doodletown Pipers during a September 24, 1970, afternoon Grandstand Show at the Western Washington Fair. The group performed six shows in three days from September 22 through the 24th. Mr. Robertson, best known for his television and motion picture acting roles as a cowboy, was also a country western singer. He was booked as a last minute replacement for singer Patti Page, of "Tennessee Waltz" fame, who cancelled because of illness. ALBUM 7.

Actors; Robertson, Dale, 1923- ; Singers; Doodletown Pipers; Singing; Fairs--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Concerts; Celebrities;

Beatrice Houdini, widow of the famous magician Harry Houdini, with Tacoma's Ray Gamble seated at a restaurant booth. Caricature drawings on the wall in background. Ray Gamble was a Tacoma business magnate and a dedicated amateur magician. It is as a magician that he made close friends with the magic community as well as the Hollywood film set. He was also a world traveler and collector. TPL-5100, TPL-6693

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972;

Beatrice (Bessie) Houdini, in white, is in Tacoma to visit Ray Gamble, left, and Gamble's wife Addie, right. Bessie worked alongside her famous husband as his stage assistant from the time of their marriage in 1894. Harry Houdini, the world renowned escape artist and magician, died in 1926. Mrs. Houdini visited with the Gambles on several occasions. Gamble, an industrialist by trade and a magician by avocation, is sitting next to Mrs. Houdini's personal secretary Mr. Edward Saint.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Rowboats; Fishing; Saint, Edward; Gamble, Addie;

Beatrice (Mrs. Harry) Houdini being helped out of a boat. Ray Gamble stands on dock at left. Edward Saint (man in dark hat) steadies the boat. The woman seated in the boat is Addie (Mrs. Ray) Gamble. (T. Times).

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Rowboats; Saint, Edward; Gamble, Addie;

College of Puget Sound Play. "Petrified Forest" by Robert Sherwood. Full cast on stage, character of Duke Mantee is at far left in photo. (filed with Argentum)

Actresses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stages (Platforms); Stage props; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Actors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Actors Jimmy Durante, right, and Lionel Stander, left, sitting on a bench in a locker room circa 1939. Both are wearing San Diego baseball uniforms. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Actors; Baseball; Durante, Jimmy, 1893-1980; Stander, Lionel; Uniforms; Locker rooms;

John Russell, one of the stars of the TV series "The Lawman;" Tippi Hedren, memorable in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds," and Arthur O'Connell, who was in the TV series "The Second Hundred Years," dined in Lakewood at the Terrace Restaurant, 6114 Motor Ave. S.W., on May 16, 1968. They were visiting Tacoma for the grand opening of the Tacoma Mall Theater. While in Tacoma they made a special trip to Madigan Army Hospital to visit with injured soldiers. Other actors in Tacoma for the theater's premiere were Jody McCrea, Troy Donahue, Madlyn Rhue , Tony Young, and Diane McBain. (TNT 5-16-68, C-6) ALBUM 5.

Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Russell, John; O'Connell, Arthur; Actresses; Hedren, Tippi; Fur garments;

Gerrye Schmitt starred as "Nellie Quakenbush" in the musical melodrama, "No! No! A Thousand Times No!" during the spring of 1969. She was part of the Opera House Players who performed in the two-act theatrical review held at Steve's Gay '90s in South Tacoma. The melodrama was directed by Dorothy Jean Heffernan who had previously directed "The Drunkard," held at Steve's in 1967. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. (TNT 3-16-69, D-17)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Melodramas; Actresses; Schmitt, Gerrye; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);

Knees high, three unidentified song-and-dance men prepared to do their part in the March 10, 1969 rehearsal of "No! No! A Thousand Times No!" The two-act musical melodrama was held in the Opera House of Steve's Gay '90s, 5238-40 South Tacoma Way, in the spring of 1969 and utilized the talents of many of Steve's entertainers. The role the trio played is unknown but apparently involved grasping their straw hats and stealthily crossing the stage. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Melodramas; Entertainers--Tacoma; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);

Actor John Forsythe on stage during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. The theater, with one of the nation's last mammoth screens, has since been demolished. Mr. Forsythe had made a special appearance at the Tukwila theater to promote his new film, "Topaz." ALBUM 7.

Forsythe, John; Actors; Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila);

Actor John Forsythe on stage during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. His film, "Topaz," was the first film shown at the theater. It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and also starred Philippe Noiret and Michel Piccoli. Based on the complex Leon Uris spy novel, Mr. Forsythe played a CIA agent who uncovers Soviet plans to place missiles in Cuba. Mr. Forsythe was perhaps better known in later years as a television star, appearing in "Bachelor Father," the unseen Charlie in "Charlie's Angels," and as oil tycoon Blake Carrington in "Dynasty." ALBUM 7.

Forsythe, John; Actors; Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila);

Actor John Forsythe on stage during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre April 1, 1970. His name was prominently displayed on the theater's marquee as the star of the Alfred Hitchcock film, "Topaz." Motion picture stars at that time still made personal appearances, when requested, at theater openings. Tippi Hedren and Troy Donahue were among many stars who were invited to the grand opening of the Tacoma Mall Theater in 1968. ALBUM 7.

Forsythe, John; Actors; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila); Motion picture theaters--Tukwila;

Actor Dale Robertson performs with the Doodletown Pipers at the Grandstand show of the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup, September 24, 1970. He holds a microphone in one hand and a pistol in the other. Mr. Robertson performed two shows a day for three days at the Fair, concluding the evening of the 24th. He stepped in as a replacement for singer Patti Page who cancelled because of illness. Better known as a motion picture and television actor, Mr. Robertson also sang country-western. He had hosted television's "Hollywood Palace" variety show three times before his appearance at the Fair and performed "I've Been Working on the Railroad" and "Turkey in the Straw." ALBUM 7.

Actors; Robertson, Dale, 1923- ; Singers; Doodletown Pipers; Singing; Fairs--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Concerts; Celebrities;

Mrs. F.F. Paige, the grandmother of the actress Janis Paige, was shown a special screening of the movie "Her Kind of Man" on Friday May 3, 1946 at the Music Box Theater in Tacoma. Warner Brothers sent a special print of the film to Tacoma because Mrs. Paige had been seriously ill. Janis Paige, the former Donna Mae Jaden, was a 1941 graduate of Stadium High School. "Her Kind of Man" was her first feature film to be released. (T.Times, 5/4/1946, p.4) Album # 5

Actresses; Paige, Janis--Family; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Motion pictures--1940-1950;