Document: dbr067 [view transcript]
Letter: Nashville, Tennessee to Ben Stein, Macon, Georgia, 1927 Sept. 7author: Starr, Milton extent: [1] p. date: September 7, 1927 summary: Letter from Milton Starr, president of Theatre Owners Booking Association (T.O.B.A.), a Tennessee-based booking agency from 1920 to the 1930s for African American vaudeville acts, to Ben Stein, owner and manager of the Douglass Theatre from 1927 to 1929, dated September 7, 1927, regarding business relations and possible shows for the Douglass Theatre. Starr notes that he is enclosing a letter (not included with this document) sent to Charles Henry Douglass, African American entrepreneur and owner of the Douglass Theatre, that he hopes will meet with Stein's approval. He reminds Stein about available Ken Maynard films and advises Stein how to secure them. Maynard was a white, Western star during the 1920s and 1930s and is credited with introducing the "singing cowboy" to the Western genre. Starr expresses his hope that Stein will keep in mind all that Starr had to say while in Macon and assures Stein that he is at his service. He conveys that the Lemons Company, a reference to Eddie Lemons' Dashing Dinah show, is holding out for a one thousand dollar guarantee for Macon (see [dbr056] and [dbr057] of the Douglass Theatre Web site), and that Sam E. Reevin, manager and treasurer of Theatre Owners Booking Association (T.O.B.A.), has made Starr responsible for securing better terms. Starr mentions that he is wiring the Lemons company, and that Reevin will communicate the result to Stein. Dashing Dinah, produced by Lemons, featured Lemons, Homer Hubbard, Rogers and Rogers, Leroy Phillips, Charles Barry, Isadore Price, Willie Taylor, Jack "Ginger" Wiggins, Christina Gray, and String Beans Price. repository: Middle Georgia Archives collection: Charles Henry Douglass business records box: 21A folder: 213 item: 21 subjects: Macon (Ga.) Page: [1] [view image] [Note: This document contains typewritten, handwritten, and printed material.] [printed text:
[typewritten text: September 7, 1927 Mr. Ben Stein, Douglass Theater, Macon, Ga. [Georgia] Dear Mr. Stein: I enclose herewith copy of letter addressed today to Mr. Douglass and I trust same meets with your approval. While I was in Macon, I told you there was available a number of Ken Maynard pictures. These have been made independently and never released. You can secure them from the Liberty Film Co. [Company], Atlanta. I trust you will keep in mind all that I had to say while I was in Macon and wish to assure you that I am at your service at any time you care to call on me. At the present writing, the Lemons Company is holding out for $1000.00 guarantee for Macon and Mr. Reevin has passed the buck to me in the matter of trying to secure better terms. I am wiring the company now and you will hear finally about this matter from Mr. Reevin. With best regards to yourself and Mrs. Stein, I remain, Yours very truly,] [Signed] [written text: Milton Starr] | ||||||||||||
