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 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;

Actor Keenan Wynn at the McChord Officers Club dance. Mr. Wynn is seated to the extreme right. The blonde in the November 5, 1951, photograph is believed to be Mrs. Wynn, known professionally as Betty Butler. The Wynns and a cast of eight others visited Fort Lewis, McChord AFB and Madigan Hospital to entertain local armed forces. (TNT 11-6-51, p. 3)

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

Play rehearsal at Annie Wright Seminary. Large group of girls dressed in Japanese costumes on stage of school theater. These actors, part of the largest junior class in the school's history, performed the operetta, "The Mikado," in May of 1952. (1952 Shield yearbook -alt. photograph)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Japanese;

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;

Beatrice (Mrs. Harry) Houdini, on right, discussing a piece of patterned fabric with another woman, most likely Addie (Mrs. Ray) Gamble and Edward Saint. Edward Saint was Mrs. Houdini's personal secretary, a magician of note and the author of "The Life of Houdini," which was being produced as a film by Paramount in the fall. The piece of fabric is very likely a tea towel. In 1930, Beatrice Houdini ran "Mrs. Harry Houdini's Rendezvous," a tea room, in New York City. (T. Times).

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

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;

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;

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;

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;

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);

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);

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

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with B&I Circus Store owner E.L. Irwin, second from left, and Mr. Irwin's wife Constance during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the store in October, 1953. Mr. Irwin has donned Mr. Renaldo's trademark sombrero for this photograph. Over 75.000 adults and kids crowded the area to see the star and receive an autographed picture. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Irwin, E.L.; Irwin, Constance; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

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);

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);

One of the B&I 's flamboyant publicity stunts brought actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," to Tacoma in October, 1953. Here he poses with B&I Circus Store owner Earl (E.L.) Irwin, his wife Constance, and children Mary Lou and Ron. Opened in 1946 by Leo Bradshaw & Earl Irwin (hence the "B&I"), the store originally offered war surplus goods and hardware. Irwin bought out Bradshaw and increased the size and offerings of the complex, publicizing it with outrageous stunts such as a circus, wild animals and a quarter of a million pounds of ice in a guessing contest. The crowds poured in. Earl Irwin died in 1973 at the age of 64 and Constance and his children continued to run the business. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Irwin, E.L.--Family; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Irwin, Constance; Irwin, Mary Lou; Irwin, Ron;

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with three children during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store. The actor's appearance on October 24, 1953, was in conjunction with the $100,000 expansion of the store, which included an entirely new children's department. In his exclusive public appearance, Mr. Renaldo gave free autographed pictures to all children accompanied by their parents. The pictures featured "The Cisco Kid" and his famous horse, "Diablo." Two of the children posed with Mr. Renaldo carry on his Western theme; they are dressed in (cowboy) boots, jeans, and the little girl is wearing a cowboy hat. A full page ad promoting Mr. Renaldo's visit also indicated that holster gun sets on sale at $2.98, cowboy hats at $1.17 and "Cisco" comic books at a mere dime apiece. (TNT 10-23-53, D-1, Ad) ALBUM 7.

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

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," spreads his arms out wide as he poses with one woman and seven children during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store on October 24, 1953. Since the B&I was publicizing the opening of a brand new children's department, a part of its $100,000 expansion, perhaps some of the children dressed in Western garb had purchased apparel there. Cowboy hats were on sale for $1.17, holster gun sets for $2.98, and cowboy boots for $3.97. Should the waiting for the promised autographed pictures of the television and movie star make the kids hungry, they could have purchased a yard long hotdog (said to be 36 inches long) for 97 cents. (TNT 10-23-53, D-1, Ad) ALBUM 7. TPL-9105

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

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with young patients at Cushman Indian Hospital on October 24, 1953 during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store. In between public appearances at the B & I, Mr. Renaldo was ferried by Air Force helicopter to visit ill & disadvantaged children at the Indian Hospital, Rainier Buckley School for Boys, the childrens' ward at St. Joseph Hospital and Remann Hall. Mr. Renaldo is pictured with a young patient on a type of gurney, an autographed picture of the star resting on the boy's blanket. There is already a picture of "The Cisco Kid" and his famous horse "Diablo" on a nearby shelf. The patients and nurses alike seem to be fascinated with Mr. Renaldo's appearance; he was dressed in his trademark sombrero and Western clothing. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Cushman Indian Hospital (Tacoma);

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)

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

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;

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;

During a costume fitting in March of 1954, Gale Bass checked Barbara Jensen's hemline on the dress she wore in the Lincoln High School production of the play "The Robe". Forty-five Lincoln seniors took part in presenting the tale of a Roman tribune who won the robe worn by Christ as the senior class play. Miss Jensen played the part of Theodosia Eupolis. The student production, directed by Morris Summers, was only the second time the play has been performed in the Pacific Northwest. Performances were presented April 7-8-9 in the school auditorium. Photograph ordered by TNT. (TNT 3-21-54, D-11, TNT 3-28-54, D-1)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Actresses; Seamstresses; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Jensen, Barbara; Bass, Gale;

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 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;

Seated among several Pacific Lutheran College students is motion picture and stage actress Luise Rainer. Miss Rainer, in long white shirt and dark pants, would appear as the lead in the school's production of "Joan of Lorraine" on May 7, 1954. The play would be directed by Theo Karl and have a cast of 22 amateur actors. Interpretive readings and selections from the Bible would also be given on the same day, in a matinee performance, by Miss Rainer. (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;