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THE SHOW-DOWN    Page 6 

"T" (MEANING TOPS) For Two
By TED YATES

HE had hardly got through showing me his gold-plated pistol with the ivory handle when a telephone call came from the Winter Garden Theatre. Al Jolson was at the other end of the wire. My host left me... And as I sat there all alone in the den that Bill ("Bojangles") Robinson cherishes so I began to wonder. What does really have to take place in one's life to make him a star?

When "Bo" returned to tell me that he had gladly given his word to appear on a benefit bill for the Jewish Guild I hadn't yet found my answer. No, I haven't found until this day what actually has to take place for one to become a star, a star as bright as Bill Robinson, the dark cloud of joy.

Having amassed a small fortune on the vaudeville stage this artist, the king of tap dancers, is on his way to the million dollar field. At this particular time, Mr. Bill Robinson, folks, is the world's wealthiest Negro actor--barring none. His contract for fifteen "G's" per week on Keith-Albee time has never been equaled. In reviewing the salary status of this great performer one cannot pass up mentioning the time, when after appearing in his first picture with the glamorous juvenile cinema star, Shirley Temple, Robinson received exactly twenty-three hundred for a brief tour of the RKO circuit.

But with all this mass fortune and the title "mayor" of Harlem thrown in, "Bojangles" still comes to the aid of the party. The party in this case being the down-and-out performer. Every committee organized in Harlem that has a leaning toward the theatre is not considered of any worth unless Bill Robinson is connected with it. No celebrity of color is given much thought unless 'hizzoner' Mayor Fiorellio LaGuardia has gotten in touch with "Bo" and vice versa. Bill Robinson is truly Harlem's No. 1 Citizen.

It was the night when, so it is rumored, one of the local speakeasy owners, put in a complaint to the local police about the Colored Performers Association club rooms on West 126th Street just in back of Harlem's theatrical row. Somebody had pulled 'the sneak act' but Dan Micheal, head of the organization, didn't mince any words. He knew that the club's reputation was at stake and since the performer depended upon the hospitality, carefree and pleasant surroundings of the club quarters after toiling for hours before the spotlight, something had to be done. And in quick time. So Bill Robinson was awakened at an early hour in the morning.

Said Bill ("Bojangles") Robinson, "And when the Police Benefit Ball is staged again I will not forget to remind the Police Department of this city of what they tried to do to the Sepia performer. I'll think twice the next time I'm called upon to appear on one of your monster shows for the poor 'n needy; you can bet I will see to it that a donation is given to the members of this club."

Dan Micheal smiled, as did so many of us who know of Bill Robinson as the great benefactor, true friend and co-worker of the Sepia performer.
***
Newspapermen, cameramen, autograph seekers and interviewers made it miserable for Jesse Owens, the four medal winner of the recent Olympic Games held at Berlin, Germany. But the modest Buckeye "bullet" just smiled and said, "Gee! But I'm glad to be home in America again.

Because he had refused to be burnt out and giving no rhyme or reason for his action save he thought (and told reporters, too) appearing in Post-Olympic games at Sweden was asking a little too much. The ban put on him by the A. A. U. officials? Well, that was to be expected. Losing six pounds and appearing in four events, winning them all, and doing his best for the Red, White and Blue, altogether was like a Chinese dish. It just don't make sense and the Ohio University star was seeking financial security. He owed that much to both wife and baby. 

Only last week the A. A. U. national body refused to lift the ban on Owens that he might appear along with other Olympians in the Caledonian Games at the New York Yankee Stadium. 

Switching from side to side yet not nervously, Owens related how he attained his winning ways. "I hold my breath during the last stretch. I stick with the field breathing naturally until thirty yards from the finish, and then I take one big breath, and then I don't let it out until I'm safely in the pi."

It is really too bad that the A. A. U. can't see into the financial security business. Particularly to the greatest of all time track and field stars.

Anyway, tap dancing made Owens' best friend a money man, so we recently spotted the Ohio brownskin at the Lincoln Theatre in Philadelphia tap dancin' away.

Bill ("Bojangles") Robinson and Jesse Owens, the 'tops' in Sepia America.

[[box]]
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THE OPENING OF 
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On Cardinal, Just North of
Washington Avenue
Saturday Nite, Oct. 3
Something New and Different
REASONABLE PRICES
-Club of-
The Bartenders and Waitresses
Local No. 507
SAMUEL THOMAS, President
[[/box]]

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[[/box]]

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