These three children were the principals in an operetta version of Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel" performed before large crowds at the Northwest Music Educators' March, 1939 conference in Tacoma. Harry Lue Aldrich (Hansel) has been lassoed by the wicked witch Charlotte Sands as Dolores Klaiber (Gretel) stands aghast. All three were elementary school students.

Operas & operettas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Klaiber, Dolores; Sands, Charlotte; Aldrich, Harry; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Magician Ray Gamble, seated facing the camera at near right, enjoying a meal with friends in Hollywood. Mr. Gamble and his wife Addie had apparently paid a visit to the famed Sardi's restaurant about 1936. Beatrice Houdini, widow of Harry Houdini, was seated in the next table along with Edward Saint. Caricatures of Eddie Cantor and Peter Lorre, and others, decorate the wall behind Mr. Gamble. From left to right are: Capt. Charles Howard of the Canadian Mounted Police; Mrs. Howard; Dr. J.E. Evedon of Hollywood; Mrs. Gamble; Mrs. Evedon; and Ray Gamble.

Magicians; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Gamble, Addie; Howard, Charles; Howard, Charles--Family; Evedon, J.E.; Evedon, J.E.--Family; Sardi's (Hollywood, CA); Caricatures;

Beatrice (Mrs. Harry) Houdini, dressed in a long white coat and hat, photographed at the Hotel Winthrop where she is a guest. She is standing beside an elaborate table on which an ornate potted palm has been placed. Mrs. Houdini was visiting in Tacoma after attending the convention of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians in Seattle the prior week. As Harry Houdini's assistant for 42 years, she was the only living person who knew all the secrets of his famous tricks and she wasn't giving any away. Houdini had not been able to perform his greatest trick after death, the communication to his wife of a prearranged word and message psychically from the "Beyond." Mrs. Houdini planned the "Seance to end all seances" for October 31, the 10th anniversary of his death. Psychics would be linked by radio coast to coast in a psychic circle to wait for the message, but none came. (T. Times 7/14/1936, pg. 3)

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice;

ca. 1936. Beatrice (Mrs. Harry) Houdini, Ray Gamble and other guests sit around a restaurant table believed to be located in the famed Sardi's restaurant in Hollywood circa 1936. On the walls are caricatures of famous visitors . At the table, left to right, are Edward Saint, unidentified, Ray Gamble, Beatrice Houdini, unidentified woman and another unidentified male.

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

College of Puget Sound Homecoming play "Night of January 16th" by Ayn Rand. Popular play with a "hook"; the jury was selected from the audience before each performance and asked to find the accused guilty or not guilty of murder at the end of the staged trial.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Johnny Sheffield, "Boy" in the "Tarzan" films, attends to his studies with tutor Fletcher Clark at the Winthrop Hotel. Sheffield was in Tacoma for an appearance to sell War Bonds. Fletcher Clark was the former teacher of child star Mickey Rooney. (TNT 6/16/1942)

Sheffield, Johnny; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clark, Fletcher; Tutoring; Teachers;

Johnny Sheffield, "Boy" in the "Tarzan" films appears at Liberty Center, 10th and Pacific Avenue during his national "Buy Tanks for Yanks" tour for the Treasury Department. Man on his right is Leon Titus, Pierce County War Bond Drive Chairman. The 84 lb. sixth grader was making his fourteenth appearance as a bond salesman for Uncle Sam. Dressed in his Cub Scout uniform, Johnny would deliver a speech entitled "A Boy's Place in America" which was written for him by the Treasury Department. He had been hand-picked by Johnny Weissmuller from a crowd of 300 boys for the role, even though he was unable to swim a stroke. Tousled hair Johnny would play "Boy" in eight Tarzan pictures before finally outgrowing the part. (TNT 6-13-42, p. 3, TNT 6-15-42, p. 15)

Sheffield, Johnny; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus, Leon E.; Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma;

Johnny Sheffield, "Boy" in the "Tarzan" films appears at Liberty Center, 10th and Pacific Avenue during his national "Buy Tanks for Yanks" tour for the Treasury Department. Man on his right sharing the microphone is Leon Titus, Pierce County War Bond Drive Chairman. The young MGM star followed Lana Turner into Tacoma days later on a similar bond drive. As the large cutout of the eleven-year-old actor indicated, U.S. war bonds and stamps would be available for purchase during his brief appearance. Johnny declined to kiss the purchasers of large bonds, as Miss Turner had done, although he did offer to "rassle" them instead. (TNT 6-13-42, p. 3, TNT 6-15-42, p. 15)

Sheffield, Johnny; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus, Leon E.; Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Actress Lana Turner with Mayor Harry P. Cain at his office in (Old) City Hall where she is appearing for a press interview on Friday June 12, 1942. She had just arrived from Portland in the company of Leon Titus, local chairman of war bond sales. She stopped in the Mayor's office for an official greeting and to speak with reporters. Her grace and charm earned the Tacoma Times reporter's respect and the observation that she was unspoiled and undemanding. (T. Times 6/13/1942, pg.1)

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Actresses; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Harry P. Cain shows Actress Lana Turner a list of facts about Tacoma during her visit on June 12, 1942 to the Mayor's office in (Old) City Hall for a press interview. Miss Turner, also known as the "Sweater Girl" for her curvy good looks, was in Tacoma on a War Bonds Sale junket. While in Pierce County for her 24 hour stay, she would visit Fort Lewis, the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard, dedicate Tacoma's new war bond selling center ("Liberty Center") and dispense kisses and autographs to those who bought bonds. (T. Times 6/12/1942, 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 sells War Bonds at the dedication of the new Liberty Center, South 10th Street between "A" and Pacific. 22 at the time of her visit to Tacoma, she had already made many appearances in films, including Adventures of Marco Polo, Love Finds Andy Hardy, and Johnny Eager. During the war, she participated in successful railroad tours to sell war bonds and wrote her own speeches. The MGM star personally autographed bond applications made during the noon dedication ceremony. A big kiss was promised to some of the extra large purchasers of bonds. (TNT 6-11-42, p. 1, TNT 6-12-42, p. 1, TNT 6-13-42, p. 1, TNT 6-14-42, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Actresses; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On June 13, 1942, Actress Lana Turner signed autographs for soldiers stationed at Fort Lewis while they sat in a bus. She was visiting the Tacoma area for a War Bond rally. After her long trip from Portland, and many stops in the smaller cities of Centralia, Chehalis, Toledo, Tumwater and Olympia, Miss Turner extended her stay in Tacoma by spending time at Fort Lewis to raise military morale. Miss Turner, already a seasoned performer at 22 years old, spoke to hundreds at Tacoma's new Liberty Center on Saturday, June 13, 1942. (TNT 6-13-42, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Actresses; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Actress Lana Turner arrives at the Winthrop Hotel in Titus Motor Company's 1923 Lincoln Touring during her visit to Tacoma for a War Bond rally. Mayor Harry P. Cain is to her left. The woman in sunglasses holding a white hat is her mother, Mildred Turner. Miss Turner, a popular actress, would be appearing at the dedication of the new Liberty Center downtown to personally autograph bond applications made during the noon ceremony. Big bond purchasers would be the recipients of kisses from Miss Turner. The bond drive was to be a huge success with over $120,000 sold in 24 hours.

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln automobile; Actresses;

On June 13, 1942, actress Lana Turner kissed local contractor Henry J. Schneider on the cheek as a "receipt" for his purchase of a $500 War Bond at Liberty Center, 1000 Pacific Ave. Miss Turner sold $25,625 in bonds during the rally. Mayor Harry P. Cain, far left, looks on with amusement. Mayor Cain had designated June 13th both "Bond Day" and Lana Turner Day, and named the block on 10th Street between Pacific and A Street "Liberty Center". Besides personally autographing bond applications made during the noon rally at the center, Miss Turner promised to give a big kiss to some of the extra large purchasers. (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; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Schneider, Henry J.; Kissing;

Actress Lana Turner on stage at Liberty Center, South 10th Street between "A" and Pacific Avenue, during a War Bond rally. The men flanking Miss Turner were not identified; man in background to the far right of the photograph is Pierce County War Bond drive chairman Leon Titus. Radio station KMO broadcast the dedication ceremony of the new Liberty Center for those unable to attend. The one-hour ceremony featured an Army band, Army talent, and Miss Turner, who personally autographed bond applications made during the noon ceremony.

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actresses; Titus, Leon E.;

Throngs gather at the new Liberty Center, South 10th Street between "A" and Pacific Avenue during personal appearance by Lana Turner for a rally to stimulate the sale of War Bonds. The center was dedicated on June 13, 1942, with Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain as Master of Ceremonies. An army band and army talent performed during the one-hour program. Miss Turner indicated that this was her first extensive personal appearance tour which she was enjoying greatly. Over $120,000 was raised during her brief Tacoma appearance which included visits to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards and Fort Lewis. (TNT 6-11-42, p. 1, TNT 6-13-42, p. 1, TNT 6-14-42, p. 1)

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; War bonds & funds; Crowds--Tacoma;

In June of 1946, to raise money for the Tacoma Jubilee, the Young Men's Business Club brought Bob Hope to Tacoma for a special show in the Stadium Bowl. Over 7,500 Tacomans came to see Mr. Hope, a collection of local performers, a small group of Hollywood starlets, and the "Skinnay" Ennis Band. Although the Y.M.B.C. did not make much beyond expenses, a fun evening was had by all who attended. The musical troupe had arrived at Boeing Field earlier on June 7, 1946, in two chartered planes. An avid golfer, Mr. Hope had played golf with good friend Bing Crosby in Spokane the day before and had beaten him by two strokes. He managed to squeeze in a PGA sanctioned event the day of the show but lost to "two Chucks." The man sitting next to Bob Hope is Walter Geehan. At the time this photograph was taken he was the manager of The Rudder Club. (TNT 6-7-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Hope, Bob; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Geehan, Walter;

Dorothy Bernard's sixth period literature class at Mason Junior High was sponsoring an assembly for the "I Am an American" program. They were posting posters throughout the school to advertise their upcoming event. The class would be putting on a play and quiz program for the school. View of Mason Junior High students doing research for their "I Am an American" program, names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 5/21/48, p. 2).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Drama clubs--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mason Junior High School (Tacoma);

Actor Keenan Wynn, right, with unidentified USAF officer at McChord Field Officer's Club dance. To boost the morale of the area's armed forces, Mr. Wynn and his nine member troupe performed at Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base and Madigan Hospital. Each military post saw a 90-minute performance. Mr. Wynn's wife, Betty Butler, was part of the cast. (TNT 11-6-51, p. 3)

Wynn, Keenan; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In April of 1944 Lenny Hagen and his Orchestra could be heard playing at the Fellowship Ballroom in the Temple Theatre at 49 Saint Helens Avenue. A life member of the Musicians Association of Tacoma, Local 117, Lenny Hagen (second from right, playing the violin) was one of the best known orchestra leaders in the Puget Sound region. He received his early training on the violin in Tacoma before going east to study at the Boston Conservatory of Music. In the 1920s he conducted orchestral groups that accompanied silent movies in Tacoma, Seattle and Portland. For a period he was concertmaster for the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and he was also the leader of the orchestra at the Tacoma Hotel. TPL-9896

Orchestras--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma; Hagen, Lenny;

Comedian, radio star and actor Jack Benny signed an autograph for Eunice Sumblin (far right) at Tacoma's Union Station on April 18, 1944. Mr. Benny's wife, Mary Livingston, a former Seattle showgirl, stands next to him; Donna Mae Murphy is to the left. The Bennys, accompanied by comedian Eddie "Rochester" Anderson and bandleader Phil Harris, were on their way via train to British Columbia to open a War Bond show. Word had leaked out that their train would be passing through Tacoma. Although they paused in Tacoma for a mere two minutes, they were caught by both Miss Sumblin and the local press. (T.Times, 4-19-44, p. 1) ALBUM 7. TPL-143.

Benny, Jack, 1894-1974; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Comedians; Livingston, Mary; Autographing--Tacoma; Murphy, Donna Mae; Sumblin, Eunice;

Comedian and actor Jack Benny shakes hand with an unidentified man at Tacoma's Union Station on April 18, 1944. Benny's wife, Mary Livingston, former Seattle showgirl, is to the right. Mr. Benny and his troupe were on their way to British Columbia to open a War Bond show and had stopped at Union Station for a mere two minutes. Mr. Benny was surprised to see reporters, fans, and photographers since it was supposed to be a "secret" stop but he and his wife gamely stood on the platform in the chilly weather and greeted the crowd. (T.Times, 4-19-44, p. 1) ALBUM 7.

Benny, Jack, 1894-1974; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Comedians; Livingston, Mary; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

On July 15, 1949, western singer and motion picture actor Gene Autry and his horse Champion took a bow during a show at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. The well-trained horse was kneeling on his forelegs with Mr. Autry, in western garb, in the saddle. The audience of 5,000 was treated to singing, skits and the special appearances of Champion and his son, Champion Jr., during the joint College of Puget Sound - Tacoma Athletic Commission one-night variety show. Gene Autry was America's favorite "Singing Cowboy" and he became famous in film, radio, television, and live theater and rodeo performances. (TNT 7-15-49, p. 13, TNT 7-16-49, p. 3; www.autry.com) ALBUM 8.

Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singers; Autry, Gene, 1907-1998; Horses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trick riding--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

St. Leo's High School and Bellarmine High School presented "The Spanish Belle", an operetta in two acts, at St. Leo's auditorium April 30 and May 2, 1950. A line of tap-dancers are shown in costume. Bob Columbini originated and directed the dances. The orchestra was directed by Louis Greiner. Ordered by Sister Lavinia. Names of the more than 20 dancers in the operetta are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 4/30/1950, p.C-13)

Operas & operettas--Tacoma; Stage props; Costumes; Students--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); St. Leo's Parochial School (Tacoma);

The play has 30 experienced professional actors travelling with the production throughout the United States. More than 75 actors were local talent, including students from Lincoln High School and Stadium High School. Music is provided by 18 chorus members from Tacoma, under the direction of Clayton Johnson, music director at Stadium High School. View of actor, 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);

The original Black Hills Passion Play was playing at Tacoma's Temple Theatre for four days, the performances were being sponsored by the tacoma Council of Churches. View of actress portraying one of the characters from the Black Hills Passion Play, she is fully dressed in her costume (T.N.T., 10/5/49, p. 8).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Actresses--1940-1950; Costumes; Historical dramas; Stages (Platforms); Biblical events; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

The entire cast of the 1956 Elks Extravaganza. Once a year, the Elks donned costumes, many masquerading as women, and cavorted for the amazement and amusement of their fellow lodge members, friends and families. This year, the cast includes some real women, as well as the Elks. The show in 1956 was once again under the direction of vaudeville and music star Max Frolic, who was unable to direct the previous year due to ill health. The show featured 20 outstanding acts. The backdrop depicts the "Damfino Saloon" and the Union Hotel, with the drawn window shades saluting Elk member businesses. (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);

Four members of the Tacoma Elks Club await the call to perform in the 1953 annual Elks Extravaganza. While all four are wearing tights and skirts, apparently two are supposed to be more masculine in nature--witness the buckskin jacket and derby hat. There were a variety of skits presented during the evening's entertainment, to the amusement of the large audience. Max Frolic, former vaudevillian, produced the two-night extravaganza, with a cast of over fifty individuals and a 35-piece Elk band. One performance was for members only. (TNT 3-24-53, p. 14)

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

Television star Duncan Renaldo seems to give a warm greeting to one of his many fans during his appearance at the B&I Circus store on October 24, 1953. Best known for his work as the "Cisco Kid" in both movies and television, Mr. Renaldo was stranded in the United States when the Brazilian ship on which he was employed burned in the early 1920's. He moved into the field of film production and then into acting, with some of his early roles in "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" (1929) and "Trader Horn" (1931). Because there was some confusion as to the legality of his entry into the United States, he was imprisoned at McNeil Island for about a year in the early 1930's. He was eventually pardoned by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-1980--Public appearances; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store;

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with a group of unidentified women during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store. The store was celebrating its $100,000 expansion on Saturday, October 24, 1953, with the exclusive public appearance of Mr. Renaldo who had flown to Washington on a West Coast Airlines DC 6-B. A full page ad in the News Tribune on October 23rd promoted Mr. Renaldo's visit heavily and also thanked the television show's sponsors, Mission Macaroni and Sunny Jim peanut butter, for relinquishing previous claims on Mr. Renaldo's time so that he could appear at the B&I. (TNT 10-23-53, D-1, Ad) ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);