Solid Meddlin'
with Marienne Boyd
April 24, 1943
p. 18
(Pinch-Hitting for Marienne Boyd)
Xavier Cugat[,] the popular Cuban band leader, has been signed by Metro to do a picture but I’ll bet you didn’t know that he and Juan Tizol (he of Ellington’s band) grew up together in Puerto Rico and are still friends. Which reminds me that Caesar Romero the suave movie idol, who has escorted durn near every fem star first here and there, and reported to be the most eligible bachelor in Hollywood, was just one of the boys around 116th St. not too many years ago.
Crime Doctor Phillip Morris [sic] Sunday eve. radio feature, [sic] is to be filmed by Columbia. I hope Dr. Audway’s maid learns to speak English before she makes her screen debut.
ZOOT SUITS AND AL
Alan Courtney[,] the radio announcer who is responsible for the buildup of many of our bands, is better versed on the Harlem hep cats now that he has played a week at the good old Apollo. The boys and girls of the zoot suit crowd it plenty tough for him Amateur Night.
Life Boat a new war picture dealing with the heroic seamen, to be produced and directed by that master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, will have a Negro character and he won’t be a comic, either.
Think it’s about time these night club [sic] owners realize a chorus girl can’t get any more pennies out of a dollar than they can. $22.50 per week is a starvation wage. I wonder how they make it after deductions are made for makeup, etc., which is all a part of the job. How about living and let live, boys?
All the music scribes on the coast are raving about the new Negro harpist with Noble Sissle’s band. She is the daughter of Flourney Miller (Shuffle Along fame) and an accomplished musician having studied at Julliard School of Music.
MISSUS TATUM, TOO
Art Tatum, master of the ivories, is keeping his fingers nimble and drinking his beer these days at “Streets of Paris” out Hollywood way. And Zutty Singleton, one of our best drummers, is doing so well at the “Swing Club,” he’s sent for his better half to join him in the land of sunshine.
Cab Calloway’s sister, Blanche, has been in town booking acts for her club in Washington. According to her, talent is hard to find these days. Could it be that all of the best talent has moved out west?
A certain star of long standing, appeared on the stage of the Apollo theatre last week so drunk she could hardly stand up. We of the theatre, who are trying to move ahead, should not tolerate such deportment, and should say so in no uncertain terms. How in heavens [sic] name can we demand respect if we are not going to respect ourselves? It will be good to remember at all times that when one of our profession ignores the rules of etiquette and good taste, we all pay for it. We are a minority within a minority.