Mrs. F.F. Paige, the grandmother of the actress Janis Paige, was shown a special screening of the movie "Her Kind of Man" on Friday May 3, 1946 at the Music Box Theater in Tacoma. Warner Brothers sent a special print of the film to Tacoma because Mrs. Paige had been seriously ill. Janis Paige, the former Donna Mae Jaden, was a 1941 graduate of Stadium High School. "Her Kind of Man" was her first feature film to be released. (T.Times, 5/4/1946, p.4) Album # 5

Actresses; Paige, Janis--Family; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Motion pictures--1940-1950;

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;

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.

Actresses; Temple, Shirley, 1928- ; Stadiums; Parades & processions--1930-1940; Grandstands;

ca. 1939. Actors Jimmy Durante, right, and Lionel Stander, left, sitting on a bench in a locker room circa 1939. Both are wearing San Diego baseball uniforms. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Actors; Baseball; Durante, Jimmy, 1893-1980; Stander, Lionel; Uniforms; Locker rooms;

College of Puget Sound Play. "The Petrified Forest" by Robert Sherwood. Major cast members on stage, character of Duke Mantee standing at center.

Actresses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stages (Platforms); Stage props; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Actors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

College of Puget Sound Play. "Petrified Forest" by Robert Sherwood. Full cast on stage, character of Duke Mantee is at far left in photo. (filed with Argentum)

Actresses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stages (Platforms); Stage props; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Actors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

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;

College of Puget Sound's Campus Playcrafters were performing their annual spring play in the Jones Hall auditorium. Student thespians were performing "If I Were King", this performance was open to the public. Leading roles were being portrayed by: Barbara Rowe, Dale Nelson, Harold Simonson, Robert D. Peterson and Gretchen Swayze. View of students on stage at Jones Hall (T.N.T., 4/27/49, p. 8).

Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stage props; Stages (Platforms); Universities & colleges--Tacoma; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

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);

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;

Tacoma Council of Churches was the sponsoring organization for the original Black Hills Passion Play, this play would be showing four matinees and four evening shows at Tacoma's Temple Theatre. View of one of the actors in full costume, possibly King Herod; 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);

Black Hills Passion Play was a great success in Tacoma, this famous play offered a wonderful story with beautiful costumes and talented actors. All performances at the Temple Theatre were very well attended. 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 play is said to have offered their audiences wonderful acting by actors with a great deal of experience and beautiful costumes and scenery. View of actress, Mrs. Joseph Meier, she is portraying Mary the Mother of Christ; she is fully dressed in her costume for the Black Hills Passion Play (T.N.T., 10/5/49, p. 8).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Actresses--1940-1950; Costumes; Historical dramas; Biblical events; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (Tacoma); Meier, Joseph--Family;

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);

The original Black Hills Passion Play was playing at Tacoma's Temple Theatre for four days, the performances were being sponsored by the tacoma Council of Churches. View of actress portraying one of the characters from the Black Hills Passion Play, she is fully dressed in her costume (T.N.T., 10/5/49, p. 8).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma; Actresses--1940-1950; Costumes; Historical dramas; Stages (Platforms); Biblical events; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

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;

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 (center with white hat) with a group of unidentified men at Cushman Indian Hospital on July 15, 1949. Mr. Autry made the most of his one-day stay in Tacoma with a visit to the Cushman Hospital to visit sick children, a radio broadcast on KMO, and capped it off with the Tacoma Athletic Commission - College of Puget Sound variety show at Memorial Fieldhouse. ALBUM 8.

Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singers; Autry, Gene, 1907-1998; Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cushman Indian Hospital (Tacoma); Indians of North America; Celebrities;

Western singer and motion picture actor Gene Autry demonstrates trick riding on his horse Champion during a show at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on July 15, 1949. Champion Jr. also joined his famed sire on stage later that evening. The 12-act western musical variety show was sponsored jointly by the Tacoma Athletic Commission and the College of Puget Sound. Mr. Autry's troupe of western motion picture stars and radio entertainers included M.C. assistant to Mr. Autry, comedian Pat Buttram and vaudevillian Rufe Davis. (TNT 7-15-49, p. 13, 7-16-49, p. 3) TPL-148. ALBUM 8.

Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singers; Autry, Gene, 1907-1998; Horses--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Trick riding--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On July 15, 1949, western singer and motion picture actor Gene Autry and his horse Champion took a bow during a show at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. The well-trained horse was kneeling on his forelegs with Mr. Autry, in western garb, in the saddle. The audience of 5,000 was treated to singing, skits and the special appearances of Champion and his son, Champion Jr., during the joint College of Puget Sound - Tacoma Athletic Commission one-night variety show. Gene Autry was America's favorite "Singing Cowboy" and he became famous in film, radio, television, and live theater and rodeo performances. (TNT 7-15-49, p. 13, TNT 7-16-49, p. 3; www.autry.com) ALBUM 8.

Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singers; Autry, Gene, 1907-1998; Horses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trick riding--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

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);

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, under the direction of Sister Mary Lavinia of St. Leo's and Father John Thatcher, S.J., of Bellarmine. Here we see two of the young male actors dressed as Spanish women 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);

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. A line of tap-dancers are shown in costume. Bob Columbini originated and directed the dances. The orchestra was directed by Louis Greiner. Ordered by Sister Lavinia. Names of the more than 20 dancers in the operetta are listed in the newspaper. (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);

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 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;

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;

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;