May 8, 2015 elvagreen123

Outstanding in His Field

A Woman’s a Fool – to Be Clever

National Theater

Opening Date:October 18, 1938

Closing Date:October 22, 1938

Playwright: Dorothy Bennett, Link Hannah

Opening Night Cast

	Vera Allen	Christine Foster
	Donald Foster	Lew Lerner
	Eddie Green	Major
	Margie Ann Kaufman	Rosemary Littleproud
	Ian Keith	Jeff Foster
	Edith Meiser	Josephine Lerner
	Edwin Philips	Eddie Sommers
	Sandra Stanton	Minerva Himmelman

It’s too bad this play had only seven performances. According to the critics, it was a flop. However, the critics were in agreement that, Eddie Green as “the cast’s lone Negro actor” gave the best performance. Eddie, in the role of butler and coachman for the Foster family, was “genuinely funny.” The newspaper articles mentioned also that Eddie had appeared many times as a guest on Rudy Vallee’s radio hour, and that he had also held a spot with Gee Gee James over the airways with Louie Armstrong and his revue.

The Pittsburgh Courier said “Even Walter Winchell, in his review of the play published in the Daily Mirror agrees “that the most popular member of the earnest little troupe is Eddie Green.” And “to him is entrusted a few sallies.”

Walter Winchell worked for the New York Daily Mirror where he became the author of what would be the first syndicated gossip column, titled On-Broadway.

Using connections in the entertainment, social, and governmental realms, he would expose exciting or embarrassing information about celebrities in those industries. . His newspaper column was syndicated in over 2,000 newspapers worldwide, and he was read by 50 million people a day from the 1920s until the early 1960s. His Sunday-night radio broadcast was heard by another 20 million people from 1930 to the late 1950s. It was a big deal then to get a thumbs-up from Mr. Winchell. My mom did not have a lot of information about Eddie before she married him , but she did know about the mention from Mr. Winchell, so this was one item I grew up having knowledge of, and I knew, even as a child the importance of a Walter Winchell mention.

Growing up I knew so much less about my father than I do now, but I always had a sense of pride in his accomplishments, though for a long time I wished he hadn’t died and left me. Anywho, Eddie did die in 1950, and with the book I am writing I have gotten as far as 1940. Soon I will need to have a title, something like “Eddie Green, Star of Stage, Screen and Radio” or, Eddie Green, Renaissance Man, or “Who Was Eddie Green?”, or “An In-Depth Look At A Forgotten Star”. I have had sixty different titles in my head. Suggestions are welcomed.

Thank you, for stopping by.

May 4, 2015 elvagreen123

HOOKUPS

EDDIE GREEN SIGNED FOR NBC HOOKUP

NEW YORK

Billed on Broadway and elsewhere as an ace black-face comedian, Eddie Green has been signed for twenty-six weeks to co-feature on a bill with Ernest Whitman and Charles Winnenger. The program will be aired every Sunday from 10 o’clock to 11:00 over WEAF NBC national hookup. Nothing new to EG who worked several seasons very successfully with Rudy V., in fact so successfully he was returned 3 times by popular demand. Leaving the Vallee hour a year ago, he worked through a long term contract engagement at the Apollo, where with his original style of getting laughs won an uncountable following. June 22, 1935, Pittsburgh Courier.

The program for which Eddie was signed was “Uncle Charlie’s Tent Show”. Charles Winninger was “Uncle Charley”. Charles Winnenger (May 26, 1884-January 27, 1969), was a stage and film actor, who began in Vaudeville, and became known for his role in a Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II musical “Show Boat” in 1927, 1932 and in film in 1936. Mr. Winninger would go on to appear in over 20 films.

Each Sunday night Uncle

Charley’s Tent Show parades into your loudspeaker

amid a blare of parade revelry as the performers meander down

the streets of a designated city and come to a

stop in front of the canvas top which houses their act.

Two of those performers were Eddie Green and Ernest Whitman, who were cast as Sam and Jerry, were the only Negro comedians on a network , according to the August 3, 1935 issue of Radio Guide magazine.

Eddie Green, (left), my father, was at this time, a stage and radio performer, who had performed in Vaudeville, and Ernest Whitman (February 21, 1893-August 5, 1954), was a stage and screen actor who had appeared in a number of films, including “Green Pastures”, “, Gone With The Wind”, Stormy Weather and “The Lost Weekend”.

Eddie and Ernest would team up later and record a song together, and Eddie also went on to Hollywood to join the cast of the Showboat Radio program, starring Charles Winnenger as (Cap’n Henry), see above picture.

It was on the “Show Boat” radio program that my father and Hattie McDaniel (first Black female Oscar winner, for her role in the movie “Gone With The Wind”), performed the comedy skit, “Ulysses and the Siren”, which was a poem, written by Samuel Daniel 1562-1619 (who knew?).

Here is a picture of two versions of “Ulysses and the Siren”.

Neither one the these pictures look anything like Eddie and Hattie. Of course, looks don’t really matter when you are broadcasting over the radio, do they? Hattie actually went on to be cast in the 1936 film version of “Showboat”.

These people worked together and I believe they looked out for each other. During the 30s times were hard for everybody, but the entertainment industry was there to provide a bit of relief. Radio was going strong.

Of course, there is always somebody with a different opinion. One was a writer with the Knickerbocker News. I found this article but I have not been able to print it all because the type just won’t act right, but she started out by saying “What that Eddie Green is doing in radio I don’t know. I still can’t see his type of comedy.” Good thing she was not in the majority. Anyhow, they say even bad publicity is good, cause it means people are talking about you, you are causing a stir, people are noticing you. In Eddie’s case it was a good thing. Find what you do best and go out there and get noticed. Have fun and spread the love.

I have a picture of Eddie and Hattie, after she won her Oscar.For those of you who don’t know, Hattie is the fifth person from the left, and Eddie is the second man from the left. My mom is here also, first lady on the left. She told me she could not remember whose house they were in at the time, but it was definitely in Los Angeles. Thanx for stopping by.

April 27, 2015 elvagreen123

YOU ARE UNIQUE, RUN WITH IT

Today, first, I want to wish all those suffering from the devastating earthquakes in Nepal an eventual sense of peace and comfort through those who have been able to help, and I am sad that so many others are using their energy to hurt rather than to help.

Now, on to the purpose of this blog. Inspiring those who would like to accomplish something specific, but are reluctant to do so, because of seeming obstacles. My father, Eddie Green, has been a great example to me, of a person who started out with rags (in various senses of the word) and rose to riches. Eddie’s rise was not rocket-like. But it was steady and continual.

Eddie was born in 1891, he left home at about age nine, got work where he could performing as a child magician in churches and whatnot until he got work in various theaters, by 1909 he was married for the first time, 1917 he was drafted for WWI and wrote his first song, he spent the 20s on the Vaudevile and Burlesque stage, in the 30s he got married again and started his radio career. By 1936 Eddie was 45 years old and still climbing.

No, this is not Eddie.

On April 18, 1936 Mr. Joe Bostic of Radiograph wrote an article about Eddie. He chose Eddie’s performance on the Rudy Valley radio show as the “peak radio performance of the Week.” It was the second time within a month that Eddie’s performance had been chosen. He said that “Eddie Green, it seems to be, is more than a new star in the radio firmament, he is a symbol of what race artists might achieve if they have a distinctive and individual entertainment idea to offer.” He also states “We doff our hat to a sterling performer and a great fellow.” Hear Eddie Green Thursday night WEAF 8 p.m.

Eddie’s distinctive and individual entertainment idea was to perform skits, with scripts written by John Tucker Battle, of people from certain literature, such as, The Courtship of Miles Standish, which I have just learned, is a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow about a love triangle involving pilgrims who may have actually been real people; and Sir Galahad and the Knights of the Round Table, I guess these skits were sort of a “What if the Knights of the Round Table were Black” kind of thing. The skits were part of a sketch called “Heroes Wuz People”. Eddie acted out these skits with a Negro’s impression (according to the Daily Herald) and evidently they were so funny he kept getting called back to the show.

On September 3, 1936, The Daily Herald announced: Rudy Vallee to Present Karloff, Eddie Green – Mr. Karloff was there to do a dramatic sketch.

And Eddie was there to perform a humorous sketch titled “Adam and Eve”. What if Adam and Eve were Black?

This same year, Eddie performed, on the Rudy Vallee radio program, “Jonah and the Whale” – The general consensus was this was his funniest skit of all.

My very first set of books was bought for me by Eddie. Moby Dick, The Last of the Mohicans, Sir Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, The Count of Monte Cristo. As a young child these books were a connection to my father, now I see they were a connection to his entertainment career. The set of books looked something like this:

Unfortunately, sometime before I turned ten, we needed some cash, so mom sold the books. I still consider those books a legacy from my father. Eddie was obviously a reader. He taught himself.

Those appearances on the Vallee show when Eddie portrayed these classic characters, were added rungs up Eddie’s ladder to success.

Keep reading and thanks for stopping by.

April 16, 2015 elvagreen123

CONNECTING THROUGH HOPE AND TECHNOLOGY

Connies Inn - Harlem New York

In 1923, Conrad “Connie” Immerman, a Latvian immigrant bootlegger, transformed the club in the picture on the left, into one of the most popular clubs in New York, where early morning jam sessions carried out to the Tree of Hope that stood in front.

I looked up the “Tree of Hope” and at first what I found were articles about the Sycamore that had been destroyed on September 11, 2001. One article was by a person who worked with St. Paul’s Church. It stated that the tree had been located in the northwest corner of the old graveyard of St. Paul’s Chapel near the World Trade Center. There is now a smaller Spruce tree in that spot, which is known as the “Tree of Hope, which symbolizes peace for our world and which gets lit up with spotlights and decorated with doves for the Christmas season.

Then I found an article that refers to the “Tree of Hope” in the picture, above, in front of Connie’s Inn.

The legend and tradition of this “Tree of Hope”, began outside the famous Harlem Lafayette Theatre once located between 131st and 132nd Streets on Seventh Avenue, known as the Boulevard of Dreams. Some performers believed the tree to be the purveyor of good luck to those who stood beneath its branches. The tree came to symbolize the promise that Harlem held for millions of aspiring African-Americans.

Around the time that the Apollo Theater first opened in 1934, the City of New York widened Seventh Avenue and the trees that had once lined the Boulevard of Dreams had to be removed. One of the trees doomed to this fate was the famous Harlem landmark, the “Tree of Hope”, across from Connie’s. Someone saved a section of the trunk of this very tree, and it now stands on the Apollo stage.

The connections here are mind-blowing.

My father, Eddie Green (for those who are new to this blog), performed on stage at Connie’s Inn in 1929 in “Hot Chocolates”. Not only did he perform, he also wrote the comedy sketches and he wrote the “talking” song “Big Business.” On the album cover pictured above, Eddie is listed under Thomas “Fats” Waller. I must point out again, Eddie is listed with Armstrong and Waller, two gentlemen a lot of people know-but Eddie’s recognition factor is almost nil. And as the years went by, Eddie became a well-known star of stage, screen and radio. I hope to change this recognition factor, because I think my father deserves it and my grandson will benefit, and I will feel better.

The talking song “Big Business” was also a prize fighting skit for the in-between-weight Championship. Jazzlips Richardson was in the opening and of course, “Fats” Waller did the piano passages.

I found this on-line:

Victor matrix BVE-56782. Big business / Ed Green, Billy Higgins and Company
Connie’s hot chocolates (Work title) Disc label (RDI)

Ed Green (author)
Composer information source: Disc label.
Personnel

Ed Green, Billy Higgins and Company (dramatic group)
Ed Green (speaker)
B. Higgins (speaker)
B. Maxey (speaker)
J. E. Lightfoot (speaker)
D. Campbell (speaker)
J. Willson (speaker)
T. Hall (speaker)
Jazzlips (speaker)
A. Haston (speaker)
L. L. Watson (director)
Fats Waller (instrumentalist : piano)

This was the show that boosted Eddie’s career. “Hot Chocolates” went on to Broadway. Eddie was cast as a performer over the radio for Commander Byrd in Antarctica and he wrote a few more songs. Warner Brothers featured Eddie in a Vitaphone film titled:
“TEMPLE BELLES”
With EDDIE GREEN
Featured Comic of “Hot Chocolates”

Four Happenings in March 1929

Charles Curtis(R-Kansas) becomes 1st native American Vice President

March 23 1st telephone installed in White House

March 28 Eddie Green copyright’s “We All Want What We Want When We Want It”.

Ain’t that the truth. I want my computer to act right. So I am logging of now. Thanks, for stopping by.

April 12, 2015 elvagreen123

YOU TOO CAN BE PRESIDENT

my brother

Here is a picture of my Brudder Brian (I love my brother.) He is very happy for me. Well, he would be if he knew what I am going to post about. Since Sibling Day has just passed I will use his picture anyway, cause I know he will be happy for me when he learns about my latest find.

Research is a never-ending tool of non-fiction writing, I am finding. And I am absolutely suited to spending hours pouring over maps and newspapers and searching websites. I have had help, also. From the folks who read my posts. From people I have found on-line, and from one person who heard me on the radio. I have received cd’s, an original portrait, lyrics to my father’s (Eddie Green) songs.

There is a gentleman who told me about a library in Beverly Hills, where I have found scripts for a couple of Eddie’s movies and even a contract Eddie had with Paramount Motion Pictures. I found a letter that was written by a censor about one of Eddie’s racier movies (he made five movies). I even received a Press Sheet in regard to this comedy of Eddie’s from 1940:

EG in "One Round Jones" — EG in “One Round Jones”

Eddie is the one with his mouth wide open-I guess he is winning.

I have received messages of support for this blog and I even have a couple of people who want to read the book I am writing about my father. This has become much more than a one woman project and helps keep a smile on my face. But you know there are always things that just do not want to work out, at first.

At one point in 1922, Eddie made his first foray into the movie business, in Washington, D.C. Over the past few years, I have not been able to find anything more than a couple of two line articles about this business. Very frustrating. But today I found a listing where I never before thought to look:

10th Annual Edition, 1922-23

THE FIRST COLORED

Professional, Clerical, Skilled and Business

DIRECTORY

OF BALTIMORE CITY

With Washington, Wilmington and Annapolis Annex

PRICE 5O CENTS

Sold at AFRO-AMERICAN OFFICE. Eutaw St. and Druid Hill Avenue
and R. W. COLEMAN. Publisher. 418 Federal St., Baltimore. Maryland

————————————————————————————-

DEANWOOD MOTION PICTURES CORP.

308 SOUTHERN AID BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D. C.

Capitalization $200,000 Stock $1.25 per share.

Edward Green, President.
Anything that you want to know about Moving Pictures, Write us.

Eddie’s business is the first listing on the page. Not only do I now have the verification, I also have the address and money info. I am sure more will be revealed, which can go into my second rough draft of the book.

So, everything is cool and life is good. Thanks, for stopping by.

April 7, 2015 elvagreen123

Hard Work and Perseverance Equals Cash Money

Hello! In my head today, it is 1925, and my father, Eddie Green, who is now 33 years old, is working at Minsky’s. Minsky’s Burlesque is a theater run by the Minsky brothers, Abraham Minsky (Abe), Michael Minsky (Billy), Herbert Minsky and Morton Minsky. Eddie, at the time was what one article called, Billy’s right hand man. I have not actually verified that but I came across an article from the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper that had high praise for Eddie’s role with Minsky, at what was then called the “Little Apollo” on 125th Street in New York.

Eddie has by now, written a few songs, he has gotten married and started a family and signed up for the WWI draft. He’s become a music producer and has even spent some time in Washington, D.C. in 1922, starting up a movie production company, Deanwood Productions. He has played a few vaudeville shows all across the country, Eddie is beginning to make a name for himself.

Which, I imagine, is why, a few months after the famous Minsky raid (due to a young performer ending her act bare-chested with her arms over her head), an article appeared giving Eddie kudos. I can’t print the Baltimore Afro-American article, but I can share a portion: “Eddie Green, East Baltimore Boy Is Now Making Good” is the headline. “Eddie Green Makes Stock Record, Finishes 45 Weeks Engagement with White Company in New York.” ” Will Stage 5 Burlesque Shows.” “Former Member of Daly’s Is Now In Forefront of Profession.”

The article goes on to mention Eddie’s recording contract with Paramount, and his dancing studio on 46th Street. It says that Eddie had been re-engaged with a considerable increase in salary, and that those fat salaried contracts should keep him quite busy.

The opinion is that “Green’s success is another feather in the hat of East Baltimore”, probably referring to other celebrities who were East Baltimoreans.

Oh yea, I may have written this before but the article also says Eddie’s success is a good example of work and perseverance.

Perseverance. Works for me.

Come back again, won’t you?

March 24, 2015 elvagreen123

TEN PIN not TIN PAN, and no bowling!

Edward Green Draft Registration Card 1917-1918

I absolutely do not expect anybody to read the above, because it is so small, it’s just that I suffer with a need to show verification of my findings and maybe whoever is reading this can see my father’s signature on this draft card on the left side. This is the most foolproof way for me to know that I am discussing the right Eddie Green. If you are new to this blog, this is where I am journaling about my father’s life as an entertainer back in the day, way back. Along with this project, I am writing a book about my father. I started this blog also as a way to share my journey and to, hopefully, provide inspiration to those who need a push to get out there and pursue their dreams.

I stumbled across this 1917-1918 draft card a few days ago while looking for some other unrelated information about my father. Now that I have an up-to-date computer system, I have access to more records. This card provided a lot of new information, for example, it listed Eddie’s address as1405 Ten Pin Alley, Baltimore. So, of course, I went on-line to find this address, but it no longer exists, which is not surprising. What I did find was this:

And This:

bathroom — This is the plaque on the door at Ten Pin Alley

I finally found the Index of Streets and Alleys found in Records, Plats, Atlases and Miscellaneous Drawings
at the Baltimore City Archives compiled by Rebecca Gunby, 1993. And there between Pratt Street and Washington Blvd. I found Ten Pin Alley. It was actually an alley that people lived in, in 1917.

10 Ft Alley: n of Pratt St 1959 M4205
10 Ft. Alley: Ten Pin Alley
10 Ft Alley: Washington Blvd
Here is a picture of Fells Point Alley, which was located in about the same area.

Eddie, who was still calling himself Edward, and who had a wife and child, and who would, in a few months write his first and most famous hit song “A Good Man Is Hard To Find”, probably could not imagine to what heights his talents would take him while he was living on Ten Pin Alley in 1917, or maybe he could. Maybe he saw himself jamming on Tin Pan Alley, I don’t know. What I do know is that I found a May 1949 article that says:. ” . . . It is now being said by Pigmeat Markham and John Mason, a duo of funny lads themselves, that Eddie has so much money now that he has stopped counting it and started weighing it.”

That’s all for now, good people. Thanks for stopping by.

March 18, 2015 elvagreen123

Name Dropping

Eddie Green-Getty Image — My father-Eddie Green

This is going to be short and sweet. In my quest to find information on my father, Eddie Green, I have encountered a few blank areas in his life. So far, I have found nothing about Eddie between 1910 and 1917. So today I got the bright idea to check out what was happening in the world 100 years ago, this month. I figured I might be able to connect with Eddie’s life somehow. Basically, what I found was information about the War. All about the War. Eddie was 24 years old in 1915, he had yet to write his first song, nor had he begun making any headway in his career as a magician. He was not in the service for this War. He was married but, so far I don’t know to whom he was married.

One interesting fact I found out was that Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1915.

Well, Frank Sinatra would, years later, record the first song that Eddie wrote in 1917 “A Good Man Is Hard To Find”, as you can see below: