Charlotta Bass was the publisher of the California Eagle newspaper from 1912 to 1951, and a civil rights activist. The California Eagle, covering Los Angeles' African-American community, was one of the oldest and longest running African American newspapers. Alfred Grant was one of the most suave, talented actors of Black Cinema and Golden Era Hollywood. He had quite a powerful presence on screen. He was the tough, macho type but still romantic. He could play any role there was and had an actor's voice if ever there was one; powerful, distinct, soothing and convincing. Floyd Covington was a leader of the black community in Los Angeles black. He earned a BA in sociology from Washburn College (1923), and an MA in sociology and economics from the University of Pittsburgh (1928). In the 1930s, Floyd C. Covington was a social worker, and later became the executive director of the Los Angeles branch of the National Urban League from 1931-1950; later he was the racial relations advisor with the Federal Housing Administration from 1950-1975. He was known as an important civic leader in Los Angeles, a "go to" guy. Laura Bowman was one of America’s first dramatic actresses, and was celebrated for her performance in the all African American play “Anna Lucasta.” Along with acting she was a talented singer. She had a 56 year long career on stage and in film. Lottie Gee was a singer who performed in London vaudeville and who popularized the songs "Love will find the way" and "I'm just wild about Harry" in the Broadway musical "Shuffle Along." Hollywood Productions - Negro Movie Co., founded in 1939, was among the first, fledgling film production companies staring, and controlled by African American actors, producers, directors, and composers. It was located at 6040 Sunset Blvd. Two actors stage a scene from "A House of Horror" on a sound stage at Hollywood Productions - Negro Movie Co. as prominent African Americans watch. People present include, from left: Floyd Covington (4th), Alfred Grant (5th), Lottie Gee (?) (or Ivy McFarland?) (6th), Clarence Muse (7th), Laura Bowman (8th), Jessie Terry (9th), Charlotta A. Bass (10th), Gussie Louise Morris (11th) and her mother (12th). The occasion was a dinner to honor actress Laura Bowman. Jessie Terry was a civic leader in the Los Angeles African American community. Clarence Muse was an African American vaudevillian, actor, singer, screenwriter, director, composer, and lawyer. Muse was the first African American to "star" in a film. He acted for more than sixty years, and appeared in more than 200 movies. Written on back of photo: Hollywood Productions, Negro Movie Company, 6040 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Calif. 1939. Secured from Frank Terry, (Sayers Collection)
Type
image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b22_f10_002a.tif ark:/21198/z1156186
Subject
African American actors Civic leaders African American singers African American actresses Motion picture producers and directors Morris, Gussie Louise Hayes, 1910-2000 Terry, Jessie, 1885-1973 Hollywood Productions (Firm) Gee, Lottie, 1886-1973 Bass, Charlotta A., 1880-1969 Bowman, Laura, 1881-1957 Covington, Floyd C., 1901-1989 Muse, Clarence Grant, Alfred, 1912-1984
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