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.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972--Homes & haunts;

During World War II, the US military was still segregated. Despite the fact that they fought side by side, servicemen of color were not allowed in the whites only USO clubs. In Tacoma, a group of prominent religious, community and civic leaders addressed this problem by opening USO #2 at 713-15 Commerce St. and dedicating it for the use of African American servicemen and women. This photograph is of an unidentified violinist and accompanist performing at USO #2.

The 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest performed in front of the temporary bandstand, topped with unfurled flags, at the USO Music Festival held July 28, 1946 at Point Defiance Park. The young orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi, was one of the favorites of the 7,000 concert viewers. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

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

Hope, Bob; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mouth organs;

Bellarmine and St. Leo's together staged "The Sunbonnet Girl," a comic operetta, in February of 1947. Performances ran for three nights at St. Leo's auditorium. The show featured over 46 students in the chorus. Here a young man in white holds the hand of a girl in sunbonnet and long gown as he and the male chorus join in song. (T. Times, 2/11/47, p. 3-short article on operetta; T.Times 2-1-47, p. 2-list of chorus names; T.Times 1-25-47, p. 3-article).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stage props; Costumes; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); St. Leo's Parochial School (Tacoma); Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Comedian and actor Jack Benny shakes hands with fan Donna Mae Murphy at Tacoma's Union Station on April 18, 1944. Benny's wife, Mary Livingston, former Seattle showgirl, is to his left, Eunice Sumblin is at front right. Even though Mr. Benny's train only stopped for two minutes in Tacoma and was not publicized, his fans, reporters and photographers somehow managed to arrive at the scene in time for greetings. The Benny troupe was on its way to British Columbia to open a War Bond show. Also aboard and playing pinochle when the train pulled into the depot were bandleader Phil Harris and comedian Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. (T.Times 4-19-44, p. 1) ALBUM 7.

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

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. Here we see two of the young male actors dressed as Spanish women and an English tourist as part of the humorous sketches that were worked into the action. Ordered by Sister Lavinia. (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 original Black Hills Passion Play was said to one of the most colorful ever presented on a Tacoma stage. The show was sold for most of the matinee and evening performances. The play takes us through the last supper, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension. View of one of the actors in full costume, possibly Pontius Pilate; he was part of 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);

Joseph Meier came from Germany during the 1930's, he has been a part of biblical plays for many years, and has won the reputation of being the world's outstanding "Christus" portrayer. 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 "1947 Follies" by Tacoma's Junior League was said to be an outstanding show. The Temple Theatre was filled up both nights and all contributions were donated to the Occupational Therapy Workshop. View of Junior League members performing "Squaws in Hollywood," which was one of the audiences' all time favorites. Performers are wearing full head dress, matching dresses and no shoes. (T. Times, 11/12/47, p. 15).

Actresses; Feathers; Head-gear--Tacoma; Costumes; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma; Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Junior League (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

Bob Dickinson's Orchestra had just opened up at the Winthrop Hotel's Wedgwood Room. Bob was a talented musician who could play six different instruments and sing solos. Dickinson had been the musical director of KOMO and KRJ, two Seattle based radio stations. Bob was said to have a longtime friendship with Bing Crosby. View of orchestra leader, Bob Dickinson (See images D33864-1 & 5).

Orchestras--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Portrait photographs; Singing--Tacoma; Portraits; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Dickinson, Bob;

Western singer and motion picture actor Gene Autry at the microphone of Studio A at KMO in the Keyes Building in Tacoma. Mr. Autry was a guest on Cherokee Jack's live 5 pm. broadcast on July 15, 1949. Later that evening Mr. Autry would appear at the College of Puget Sound's Memorial Fieldhouse with many other radio and motion picture entertainers in a Western variety show. Cherokee Jack Henley, guitar in hand, is standing to the right of the versatile singer/actor. Shorty Justis is sitting behind, and to the right, of Jack. Shorty went on to work at KTNT-TV, Channel 11 as a switcher. ALBUM 8.

Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singers; Autry, Gene, 1907-1998; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma); Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henley, Jack;

Western singer and motion picture actor Gene Autry (left) was photographed with Cherokee Jack Henley of the Western Rhythm Ridin' Wranglers during a broadcast from the KMO studio in the Keyes Building on Broadway on July 15, 1949. Cherokee Jack appeared with his Wranglers at dance halls throughout the area. His radio program frequently featured country/western celebrities when they were either performing in or passing through Tacoma. Mr. Autry had flown in that Friday, July 15, 1949, in his own private plane for a one-night variety show co-sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission and the College of Puget Sound. Mayor C.V. Fawcett had proclaimed July 15th as Gene Autry Day in Tacoma. TPL-4753 ALBUM 8. (TNT ad for Cherokee Jack, 7-14-49, p. 27; 7-14-49, p. 27-proclamation)

Autry, Gene, 1907-1998; Singers; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henley, Jack;

Each year the officers of the Pre-school section of the Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations gave a get-acquainted party to welcome the new presidents of the local pre-school associations.The theme for the party held on October 3, 1951, at the Jefferson Park fieldhouse, was "Bibs and Pinafores." Here we see Mrs. Oscar Nero creating a fingerpainting while Mrs. William Larson and Mrs. Raymond Telling offer good hearted encouragement. (TNT 9-30-51, D-9, TNT 10-6-51, p. 5)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (Tacoma); Educational organizations--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nero, Oscar--Family; Larson, William--Family; Telling, Raymond--Family;

Actor Keenan Wynn, right, in earnest conversation with French actress Denise Darcel and an unidentified military officer on November 5, 1951, at a McChord Field Officer's Club dance. Mr. Wynn was the son of legendary comedian Ed Wynn but developed his own niche as a first-rate character actor. He appeared in varied roles in such films as See Here Private Hargrove, Kiss Me Kate, Dr. Strangelove, Finian's Rainbow, and Disney's Absent-Minded Professor and The Love Bug. His first wife, Eve Lynn Abbott, would eventually marry movie star Van Johnson. Mr. Wynn and his cast of nine, including second wife Betty Butler and actress Debbie Reynolds, had just concluded a two-day visit to Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base and Madigan Hospital. Miss Darcel, who had appeared in Tarzan and the Slave Girl and Battleground, was one of the lovely ladies in the cast. The troupe put on 90-minute peformances at each military post. Sepia photograph taken on November 5, 1951. (TNT 11-6-51, p. 3) ALBUM 5.

Wynn, Keenan; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Darcel, Denise; Actresses;

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with a group of unidentified people during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store in October, 1953. The store had just completed a $100,000 expansion project which included a new children's department. Mr. Renaldo was asked to attend the grand opening of the newly refurbished B&I; his appearance drew 75,000 shoppers in one day. ALBUM 7.

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

Carl Dollina sees himself rapidly aging with the help of makeup, a wig and a false beard. Morris Summers, the drama coach at Lincoln High School uses a grease pencil to add age lines to Carl's forehead. Carl was cast as Simon Peter in the 1954 senior class production of "The Robe". Joanne Deatherage, the makeup chairman, holds hair attachments, a bottle of Stein's Sweet Gum, and part of Carl's stage beard. Fortyfive seniors took part in the production that was presented April 7-9, 1954. (TNT 3-21-54, D-11, TNT 3-28-54, D-1)

Actors--Tacoma; Theatrical makeup; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Dollina, Carl; Summers, Morris; Deatherage, Joanne;

Luise Rainer is shown in rehearsals for the Pacific Lutheran College production of "Joan of Lorraine", a play by Maxwell Anderson. The play was part of the third annual drama-music festival held at the school in May, 1954. Miss Rainer was a two-time Academy Award winner for The Good Earth and The Great Ziegfeld. Although she had performed the lead in "Joan of Lorraine" many times before, this would be the first time she would work with an amateur cast. (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;

The unidentified dancers in this chorus line from the Elks Club Extravaganza of 1953 were not afraid to show a little leg. The Extravaganza was produced and directed by Max Frolic (far right), well known former vaudevillian and band leader. Each of the heavily made up dancers has a distinct mole painted on his face, ala Marilyn Monroe. (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); Frolic, Max

Five unidentified members of the Pacific Coast Division of the American Pulp & Paper Mill Superintendents Association performed a "space age" skit involving a hodgepodge of space visitors and robots at their annual conference held at the Hotel Winthrop, 773 Broadway, in December of 1955. Following panel and group discussions on sulphate pulping, sulphite pulping, and papermaking, the delegates ended their annual meeting with an informal banquet in the Crystal Ballroom and a dance in the Wedgewood Room. (Photograph ordered by American Pulp & Paper Mill Superintendents Association.) (TNT 12-4-55, B-11)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Robots; Signs (Notices); American Pulp & Paper Mill Superintendents Association (Tacoma);

A two-act musical melodrama was performed three days a week for the enjoyment of patrons of Steve's Gay '90s from March 19th to April 24, 1969. Entitled "No! No! A Thousand Times No!," it was directed by Dorothy Jean Heffernan. The acting and singing troupe involved, the Opera House Players, was basically composed of entertainers from Steve's Gay '90s restaurant. Bill Thurmon, above clutching a rifle, portrayed the aptly named Noble Hart. Mr. Thurmon was a member of the barbershop quartet, the "Most Happy Fellows." His wide-eyed companion is not identified. 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);

Celebrities in town for the grand opening of the Tacoma Mall Theater pose at the Lakewood Motor Inn. Left to right: John Russell, Arthur O'Connell, Tippi Hedren, Jody McCrea. John Russell was the star of television's The Lawman. Arthur O'Connell and Tippi Hedren were well-known Hollywood actors. Jody McCrea, the son of actor Joel McCrea, first started out in a string of westerns; he later became a staple in the American International beach party movies. Troy Donahue and Diane McBain would also join this group for the Tacoma Mall Theater opening. The actors were staying overnight at the Lakewood Motor Inn. ALBUM 5.

Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Russell, John; O'Connell, Arthur; McCrea, Jody; Hedren, Tippi; Actresses; Celebrity touring;

ca. 1908. McClintock's World Famous So. Tacoma Band. Men in costumes in parade on So. Union Ave. The vehicles and men cover from the sidewalk into the street. C.S. (Carl S.) Enger's hardware store, 5401 So. Union Ave., in background.