The performance by the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi, was one of the highlights of the USO Music Festival held July 28, 1946 at Point Defiance. The festival was held in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. The concert drew over 7,000 listeners. It was also broadcast over the Mutual Network by KMO. (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)

An unidentified majorette performs with the Seattle Elks Band at the USO Music Festival at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. The band was one of many performers in the concert attended by over 7,000. (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)

ca. 1947. Orson Welles (standing), noted performer and director of stage, screen and radio, conferred with an unidentified African American pianist in this undated photograph. Two women in hats looked on from the drawing room beyond. The occasion was possibly in March of 1947, when Mr. Welles spoke to 5,000 persons in the Armory as a guest of the Tacoma Jewish Association in observance of Brotherhood Week.

Bellarmine and St. Leo's joined together to stage "The Sunbonnet Girl," a comic operetta, in February of 1947. The show was performed on three nights at St. Leo's auditorium. It featured over 46 students in the chorus. In this photograph of the cast, Gloria Marinacci and Don d'Andrea, in the center, are surrounded by sunbonnet- wearing young women and young men in flannel shirts. (T. Times, 2/11/47, p. 3-article).

Operas & operettas--Tacoma; Stage props; Costumes; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); St. Leo's Parochial School (Tacoma); Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marinacci, Gloria; d'Andrea, Don;

The "Hot Pops," (l to r) Jack Thomas, Lee Hodgert and Jack Brouillard, were one of the acts that performed at the second annual Elks Fathers and Daughters Night held on Friday March 7, 1947 at the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway. The night of fun and entertainment included local performers and three professional acts. The program's feature attraction was 6-year-old pianist, Margaret Kochendoerfer, from Portland, Oregon. (T. Times, 3/6/47, p. 13).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Staffs (Sticks); Straw hats; Hats--1940-1950; Thomas, Jack; Hodgert, Lee; Brouillard, Jack;

Bob Hope Show at Stadium Bowl. Mr. Hope is at the microphone. Back row, L to R: unidentified, Ronnie Severson, Laura Corbay, Virginia Doffy, Valmere Barman, Bea Allen, Mavis Murray, Ella and Eileen Nelson, others unidentified. The troupe put on a 2 1/2 hour show under thankfully dry skies on behalf of the Young Men's Business Club. The Y.M.B.C. was raising funds for a Greater Tacoma Jubilee to be held later in June. The 40 entertainers included Skinnay Ennis and his 16-piece orchestra. Many of the performers had gone with Mr. Hope when he entertained GIs during WWII. (TNT 5-28-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Hope, Bob; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bob Hope Show benefiting the Young Men's Business Club at Stadium Bowl. Mr. Hope is at the microphone. Back row, left to right: unidentified, Ronnie Severson, Laura Corbay, Virginia Doffy, Valmere Barman, Bea Allen, Mavis Murray, Ella and Eileen Nelson, others unidentified. Mr. Hope and troupe join in a song and dance, just one of the many numbers performed during the 2 1/2 hour show. One of the favorites appeared to be Ronnie Severson, the "human dictaphone," who first became known for his echo act while stationed at Fort Lewis during part of the war. The 7,500 in attendance was lower than expected disappointing promoters who had hoped to have a larger crowd; profits would be used to help put on a Greater Tacoma Jubilee the latter part of June. Mr. Hope did not let the smaller crowd influence his troupe's performance; musical and comedy bits entertained the audience immensely. (TNT 5-28-46, p. 1, TNT 6-7-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

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

Bellarmine High School's annual Bazaar offered students and their guests a wide variety of activities. The event included all types of booths, a fish pond with wonderful prizes, concession stands, games and a theatrical production put on by students. The evening included a chance to win two tickets to the Rose Bowl game in California, transportation was included. View of students in costumes on stage, park scene in background.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Bazaars--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Costumes; Actors--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On March 6, 1947, the audience at the Annual Elks Club Father-Daughter Program watched in awe as a local family of acrobats performed a series of stunts. Held in the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, a large number of club members and their daughters and granddaughters performed in the program. The show's main attraction was a six year old pianist. (T. Times, 3/6/47, p. 13).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Acrobatics--Tacoma; Acrobats; Audiences--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

On March 17, 1941, William F. Porter (center), a member of the Boilermakers' union employed at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard, bought five tickets from Donna Mae Jaden for a fund raising concert being given in Tacoma. The "On to Spokane" concert was being given to raise money to send Tacoma school musicians to the National Music Educators conference being held in Spokane at the end of the month. Oscar Williams (left) was chairman of the Young Men's Business Club committee sponsoring the concert. Donna Jaden, a member of the Stadium H.S. Girl's Glee Club, became the movie actress Janis Paige. (T. Times 3/19/1941 p.13)

Actresses; Paige, Janis; Jaden, Donna Mae; Porter, William F.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Williams, Oscar;

Lincoln High School orchestra, five girls with cellos. The girls are, left to right, Jessie Miller, Marilyn Atkins, Iva May Blish, Phyllis McClary and Joyce Rausch. All are wearing white shirts and dark jackets with skirts. (T.Times 11/29/1940 p.11)

Orchestras--Tacoma--1940-1950; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Violoncellos; Music ensembles; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Miller, Jessie; Atkins, Marilyn; Blish, Iva May; McClary, Phyllis; Rausch, Joyce;

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.

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

Actress Lana Turner with two very happy unidentified men in Mayor Harry P. Cain's office at (Old) City Hall where she appeared for a press interview on Friday June 12, 1942. Miss Turner was in Pierce County as part of a War Bond Sales junket. She would spend about 24 jam packed hours in the area, visiting Fort Lewis, the Seattle-Tacoma shipyard, dedicating Tacoma's "Liberty Center" and selling stamps and bonds at a Saturday rally. (T. Times 6/13/1942, pg. 1)

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

Actress Lana Turner kissed a lucky worker as a "receipt" for his purchase of a War Bond during her visit to Sea-Tac Shipyards on June 13, 1942. Miss Turner sold $94,545 in bonds at the shipyard in just 30 minutes. The money would be taken from paychecks in the form of the payroll deduction plan. Grinning broadly was Walter Green, vice-president & manager of the shipyard, standing bareheaded with glasses, in between two Navy personnel. After Miss Turner's well-received appearance at the shipyards, she journeyed to the new Liberty Center at 10th & Pacific. One of a number of negatives of the visit released to STSC. ALBUM 5. (TNT 6-11-42, p. 1, TNT 6-12-42, p. 1, TNT 6-13-42, p. 1, TNT 6-14-42, p. 1) TPL-10473

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Actresses; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Green, Walter; Kissing; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Actress Lana Turner speaks to crowd at the newly dedicated Liberty Center, South 10th Streets between "A" and Pacific Avenue, during her visit to Tacoma for a War Bond rally. Washington Hardware is seen across the street to the rear. Miss Turner wrote her own speeches for these War Bond drives but much of her talk was spontaneously off-the-cuff. Her appearance was carried over the air on KMO for those unable to attend. She helped to dedicate the Liberty Center, similar to Seattle's Victory Square, on June 13, 1942. An army band and army talent entertained the huge throng for a hour while Miss Turner personally autographed bond applications made during the noon ceremony. $25,625 was raised during the dedication. (TNT 6-11-42, p. 1, TNT 6-14-42, p. 1) TPL-2000 ALBUM 5.

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

Louie Grenier's Orchestra was about to begin playing at the Top of the ocean club and restaurant. The orchestra and their leader would also be participating in Tacoma's annual Musician's Ball at the Century Ballroom. Tacoma's most popular band leaders and their orchestras would participate in this big event. View of the Louie Grenier Orchestra (T.N.T., 4/29/49, p. 19).

Orchestras--Tacoma--1940-1950; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pianos; Microphones; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Grenier, Louie;

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);

A massive crowd of Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard workers and Navy personnel gathered to surround the stage to view Hollywood actors Joan Leslie, Adolphe Menjou and Walter Pidgeon on September 7, 1942. The actors had arrived at the shipyards in the morning to present a brief program on behalf of the film industry's September billion dollar bond drive. Several stars had already visited Tacoma during the summer to promote the purchase of war bonds to aid the government including Johnny Sheffield, Linda Darnell and Lana Turner. (TNT 9-7-42, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actresses; Menjou, Adolphe; Pidgeon, Walter; Leslie, Joan; War bonds & funds;

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;

ca. 1939. Actress and comedienne Lucille Ball rides in the back seat of a chauffer driven, open automobile in a field parade at a sports stadium. The event was perhaps a San Diego Padres baseball game which was held during the California World's Fair in 1939. Man beside Miss Ball and woman in front seat have not been identified.

Actresses; Comedians; Ball, Lucille, 1911-1989; Parades & processions--1930-1940; Stadiums; Grandstands; Automobiles--1930-1940;

ca. 1946. Portrait of actress Arlene Dahl. This may have been taken during her April, 1946, visit to Tacoma. She had stopped to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Dahl, on her way to Hollywood. Although primarily raised in Minnesota, Miss Dahl had many relatives in Tacoma, Parkland and Seattle. A former model, Miss Dahl would go on to appear in many motion pictures including "Three Little Words" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth." ALBUM 5.

Actresses; Dahl, Arlene; Celebrities;

ca. 1927. Portrait of a man by Tacoma artist and writer Thomas Handforth. (filed with Argentum)

Artists--Tacoma; Handforth, Thomas Schofield--Associated objects; Sketches;

ca. 1927. Portrait of a girl with blonde hair by Thomas Handforth. (filed with Argentum)

Artists--Tacoma; Handforth, Thomas Schofield--Associated objects; Sketches;

ca. 1927. Drawing of a man by Thomas Handforth. (filed with Argentum)

Artists--Tacoma; Handforth, Thomas Schofield--Associated objects; Sketches;

ca. 1927. Drawing of a girl with long hair by Thomas Handforth. (filed with Argentum)

Artists--Tacoma; Handforth, Thomas Schofield--Associated objects; Sketches;

ca. 1927. Drawing of a young man by Thomas Handforth.

Artists--Tacoma; Handforth, Thomas Schofield--Associated objects; Sketches;

ca. 1927. Drawing of horse, cabin and trees by Thomas Handforth. The original image is among the large Handforth Collection owned by the Tacoma Public Library. (filed with Argentum)

Artists--Tacoma; Handforth, Thomas Schofield--Associated objects; Sketches;

ca. 1927. Portrait of Harbine Monroe by Thomas Handforth. (filed with Argentum)

Artists--Tacoma; Handforth, Thomas Schofield--Associated objects; Sketches; Monroe, Harbine;

ca. 1927. Drawing of Miss Virginia Perkins by Thomas Handforth. Miss Perkins was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Perkins. Mr. Handforth had recently returned to Tacoma after several seasons in Paris and had completed several drawings of prominent Tacomans. (TNT 7/30/1927, pg. 5) (filed with Argentum)

Artists--Tacoma; Handforth, Thomas Schofield--Associated objects; Sketches; Perkins, Virginia;

ca. 1927. Drawing of Marie (Mrs. Christen Sr.) Quevli by Thomas Handforth. Mrs. Quevli was formerly Marie Josphine Foss, the daughter of Senator Louis Foss of Mount Vernon. (filed with Argentum)

Artists--Tacoma; Handforth, Thomas Schofield--Associated objects; Sketches; Quevli, Marie;