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;

Actor Harold Lloyd and his wife, Mildred Davis, in Tacoma on April 21, 1925, at Union Station. The Lloyds were on their way to New York from California and stopped in Tacoma for a few hours. Dressed primarily in white, including a white fur coat with white fox collar, white hose, white pumps and a small white handbag, actress Mildred Davis stands next to her famous actor/comedian spouse, who is sans his trademark hornrimmed spectacles. Miss Davis is formerly from Tacoma and was paying her first visit to her old hometown since her marriage in 1923. Desiring to show her husband the high school she attended, she and Mr. Lloyd caused a mob scene at Stadium High School where hundreds of students were excited to see the celebrities. Miss Davis had appeared with her husband in many of his comedies and was his leading lady in his best remembered film, "Safety Last." (1923) (TDL 4-22-25, p. 1) TPL-6689; G67.1-13

Actors; Lloyd, Harold; Lloyd, Harold--Family; Actresses; Davis, Mildred; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

April 21, 1925, saw the return of former hometown girl, Mildred Davis, and her movie star husband, Harold Lloyd. Miss Davis had been a student at Stadium High School prior to her acting career. She and her husband (on right) are posed at Union Station along with Director Joe Murphy and Mr. Murphy's wife. The Lloyds were on the way to New York from California and made a brief stopover in Tacoma. (TDL 4-22-25, p. 1; TNT 4-22-25, p. 1+-article only)

Actors; Lloyd, Harold; Lloyd, Harold--Family; Actresses; Davis, Mildred; Murphy, Joe; Murphy, Joe--Family; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1920-1930;