Beatrice Houdini, widow of the famous magician Harry Houdini, tries her luck with the slot machines while attending a party at Ray Gamble's "Elephant House" during a visit to Tacoma in July, 1941. The man in the sports coat and light colored slacks who is playing the slot machine is Edward Saint. Edward Saint was described as Mrs. Houdini's personal secretary, a former outstanding magician and the author of "The Life of Houdini." Mr. Gamble was a very successful business entrepreneur with a keen interest in magic. He had just been elected president of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians as the group met in Seattle. It is very possible that many of these guests were participants in the conference. (TNT 7-27-41, p. 2-A) ALBUM 7.
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);
Music was an important part of Lincoln High School in the 1950's. Their orchestra, under the direction of Robert Dezell, was considered one of the finest high school orchestras in the state. Musicians kept busy with many appearances locally, including the Western Washington Fair, Mid-Winter and Spring concerts, and participating in junior high school Christmas Vespers. In addition, 26 orchestral members were selected to join the Puget Sound Festival Orchestra. View of orchestra on stage at Lincoln High School; names of individuals are listed in the 1956 Lincolnian yearbook, p. 83. Photograph ordered by the Lincolnian yearbook. TPL-8135
Orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma);
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.
ca. 1910. McClintock's World Famous So. Tacoma Band. Men dressed in costumes for a parade. The bell of one of the horns says "So. Tacoma Tigers - Pacific Coast Champions, 1910"
Hyde, Beulah L. (Mrs. Robert), artist. Mrs. Hyde was a well-known, award winning Tacoma area painter who exhibited her work at many shows primarily in the late 1940s to the mid-1950s. Her husband, Robert, was the founder of West Coast Grocery. She is photographed here at the preview of the December Tacoma Art League show on November 28, 1954. Mrs. Hyde, whose paintings were signed B.L. Hyde, was the guest that evening of the Delta Phi Delta, College of Puget Sound art honorary. A special exhibit of her paintings, one of which is pictured above, was shown along with other Tacoma-owned work. Mrs. Hyde, a native of Kansas, came to the Tacoma area when she was 10. She was a graduate of Annie Wright School (then Seminary) and attended Abbott Academy in Andover, Mass. Mrs. Hyde died at age 96 in January of 1983. She was a longtime patron of the Tacoma Art Museum and a member of the Tacoma Country & Golf Club. (TNT 11-28-1954; TNT 1-21-1983, obit.)
The junior class of Annie Wright Seminary presented as its class play, "Innman's Ranch," in December of 1923. All the characters were played by the female students including the male roles. G10.1-098
Maid Marian modestly accepts the courtly bow of an admiring man in this June 9, 1928, production of "Robin of Sherwood." Smilingly, he has doffed his plumed hat. "Robin of Sherwood" was a production of the Mountaineer Players, a division of the Mountaineers Club, set in a natural amphitheater designed by William C. Darling and located near Bremerton. The site, located on 21 acres called the Kitsap Cabin, is owned and maintained by the Mountaineers Club. The Mountaineer Players have presented a spring show since 1923, with the exception of the war years 1943-1946, with the first production being "Robin of Sherwood."
These nine fair maidens were part of Stadium High School's Senior Class play, "Sherwood," in May of 1922. "Sherwood," by Alfred Noyes, told the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian in five acts. Directed by drama teacher Alberta Black, it played to packed houses on its two-day run. It was deemed a success by the News Tribune in their review of May 20, 1922, and acquired equal accolades noting "true talent combined with earnestness and enthusiasm" from the Tacoma Daily Ledger. The actresses in the above photograph were not identified. G64.1-051 (TNT 5-20-22, p. 7-article; TDL 5-20-22, p. 10-article)
Actresses; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930;
The assembled and costumed cast of the patriotic pageant, "Democracy," appear on stage at the McCarver Intermediate School on May 6, 1927. Many were dressed in clothing reflecting their various cultures. 100 pupils participated on stage in episodes of American history. The pageant was written and directed by history teacher Zeta Dalton. TPL-1553 (TNT 4-19-27, p. 17-article)
Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Costumes; McCarver Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930;
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)
