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Ford's Theater Gala 6/14/92 [OA 7576]
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
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S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron Files, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13818
Folder ID Number:
13818-010
Folder Title:
Ford's Theater Gala 6/14/92 [OA 7576]
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26
22
6
1
(Grossman)
June 9, 1992
Draft One
FORD
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
FORD'S THEATER GALA
SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 1992
This has been quite a performance -- and a tough act to
follow. Actually, Mr. Montalban and I have a lot in common. We
have our own Fantasy Island right here in Washington. And
then there's David Copperfield -- a man who can make just about
anything disappear. Listen -- do you do freelance? There's
Jimmy Smits and Freddy Fender -- artists too numerous to name.
And of course, Ford's very own -- Frankie Hewitt.
We are here for "A Salute to Our Hispanic Heritage" -- a
tribute of dance, of song, of laughter. There's a Mexican-
American proverb that says: "If the musician is bad, he will
usually blame it on the instrument." \\ Fortunately for our
performers -- dancers, singers, actors -- they "carry the music
inside," their instruments are themselves.
Pablo Picasso once said that "Every child is an artist. The
problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." You see,
it's not enough to "salute our hispanic heritage" -- we must
prepare our children's. This is something Barbara and I care
deeply about: a legacy of learning for the generations to come.
That's what the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund is all about.
Just ask August Busch. Three years ago we honored him at the
White House for his dedication to the Hispanic Community. Anyone
who knows his commitment to the NHSF will understand that it's he
who has honored us.
Vanessa Williams sang "Save the Best for Last" -- and that's
just what we're planning to do. I believe there's a medal to be
presented. It's going to "Our #1 Point of Light," and my very
best friend. Thank you.
JUN 08 '92 18:47 FO
P.1/3
Ford's
Theatre
511 Tenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004 202/638-2941 FAX 202/347-6269
show w
internissive
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL FORM
Frankie's remarks
DOTUS speaks shake
Lincoln medal hand
TO: ms. JennferGrossman
given at the
end B.
FROM: Diana Hart
sine to Mrs.
"Save the Best for Last
Fincte "what willd tell heart my,
"
DATE: 6-8-92
-David Coppenfied
Number of pages (including this page) 3
REMARKS:
Dear Ms. Grossman- -
Frankie asked that I fax
this information to your Please
give us a call if you would like
Iny additional information
Thanks
Drain
P.3/3
JUN 08 '92 18:48 FO
A Theatre with a History
Originally a Baptist church, the building
was purchased in 1861 by John T. Ford.
Ford was a theatrical entrepreneur from
Baltimore who converted the building into
a theatre over the strong objections of
several church trustees. A year later, fire
leveled it to the ground. Undaunted, the
Baltimore showman rebuilt a "New Ford's
Theatre" on the site and booked in the
finest entertainment on the East Coast-
minstrel shows, popular melodramas and
Shakespearean revivals, which Lincoln
especially appreciated For a brief period,
Ford's reigned as one of the Capital's most
festive gathering places.
After the assassination, Ford tried to
reopen the theatre but public sentiment
"Some think I do wrong to go to the opera
was against him. Reluctantly, he sold the
and the theatre; but it rests me," Abraham
theatre to the government. For over
Lincoln once confessed. "I love to be alone
100 years it served alternately as an office
and yet to be with the people. A hearty
building, a medical museum, a warehouse
and the Lincoln Museum.
laugh relieves me; and I seem better able
after it to bear my cross."
The rebirth of Ford's as a living show-
At Ford's Theatre-perhaps the most
place was sparked in 1954, when President
famous theatre in the nation-Abraham
Eisenhower signed a congressional act
Lincoln found that solitude among people,
allocating funds to begin the necessary
a respite from the pressures of the
research for restoration of the building.
Presidency.
Ten years later, the National Park Service
Lincoln attended Ford's Theatre ten
began the actual reconstruction. The work
times during his Presidency. On April 14,
was based primarily on detailed photo-
1865, while attending Ford's presentation
graphs taken of the theatre after the
of Our American Cousin, he was assassi-
assassination by famed Civil War photo-
nated by actor John Wilkes Booth. Almost
grapher, Mathew Brady.
immediately, Ford's Theatre was closed by
The painstaking task took three years
Secretary of War Edwin Stanton,
to complete. On January 30, 1968, Miss
That fateful night was a tragic one for
Helen Hayes became the first performer
the country. It was also tragic for the
in 103 years to walk out on the famous
elegant theatre, which scarcely 18 months
stage. Since that time, Ford's Theatre has
before had opened to the chirping of
become more than a national monument
canaries suspended in cages from the
It has become a living memorial to a great
gas fixtures and the carefree chatter of
President's love of humanity and the
Washington theatregoers.
performing arts.
JJUN, 08 '92 18:56 AT&T FAX 9020FX
P.1
Ford's
Theatre
511 Tenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004 202/638-2941 FAX 202/347-6269
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL FORM
TO: Jennyer grossman
FROM: FRANKIE HEWIt
DATE: 6/8/92
Number of pages (including this page) 9
REMARKS:
Additional material commy
from Dearia start at
FORD'S Mentre- please all
if you wed any Thing else - -
JUN 08 92 18:56 AT&T FAX 9020FX
P.2
A Festival
at
Ford's
June 8, 1992
1992 GALA
Mrs. George Bush
Honorary Chairman
Mrs. Emest E Hollings
Dear Jennifer:
Mrs. Alan K. Simpson
General Chairmen
Mrs. Charles Wick
Attached is background information on the National
Oala Chairman
Hispanic Scholarship Fund, a bio of August Busch,
Mrs. Howard H. Baker, Jr.
III and a short description of Ford's programming
Mrs. Paul Laxalt
philosophy.
Mrs. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.
Mrs. Jim Wright
Past Chairmen
You should know that President and Mrs. Bush are
Ms. Frankie Hewitt
more or less regular attendees at Ford's; they
Producing Director
were at the theatre just last night to see CONRACK.
Board of Trustees
Samuel D. Chilcote, Jr.
With regard to August Busch, it is important that
G. Bradford Cook
Mrs. Kenneth Dam
he be singled out since Anheuser-Busch provides
Kenneth M. Duberstein
almost half of the support given to NHSF.
David L. Goodman
Anheuser-Busch is also underwriting our gala and
Barry Gottehrer
will be the sole sponsor of the telecast. It would
John Grace
be great if the President could do a play on the
Mrs. Herbert Haft
Judith Richards Hope
Bush/Busch names as you suggested.
Stephen Kirk Lambright
Gerald M. Lowrie
Hon. Joseph McDade
Also be aware that we will be presenting the Ford's
Edward A. McDermott, Sr.
Theatre / Lincoln medal to Mrs. Bush in
William F McSweeny
Mrs. Philip Merrill
appreciation for her help in keeping Ford's
Robert Mosbacher, Jr.
thriving. The presentation will be made before the
Mrs. Ervin Nutter
President's remarks. The inscription on the silver
Mrs. Colin L. Powell
box which contains the medal will read: "To our #1
William F. Ragan
Lynda Johnson Robb
point of light" with deep appreciation.
Lewis Rudin
Mrs. J. J. Simmons
Deborah Szekely
My office will fax a list of the talent which will
Hon. C. William Verity, Jr.
be performing. As we discussed, the President's
Mrs. Jonathan Verity
Ronald H. Walker
remarks close the show.
FORD'S THEATRE 511 Tenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 202/638-2941
JUN 08 '92 18:57 AT&T FAX 9020FX
P.P.3
JUN 08 '92 18:37 to
Ms. Jennifer Grossman
page two
we can work together to make sure all of the bases are covered.
It would help if you could share your draft with me. That way,
Much thanks.
sincerely,
Frankie Hewitt
Ms. Jennifer Grossman
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Home phone : 301-933-2669
office FAX : 202-347-6269
JUN 08 '92 18:48 FO
P.2/3
1992 "FESTIVAL AT FORD'S" TALENT
SALUTES OUR HISPANIC HERITAGE
Ricardo Montalban and Jimmy Smits
as
Co-Hosts
Ricardo Montalban
Lincoln Tribute
1) Ballet Hispanico
(contemporary dance troupe)
2) Vikki Carr
(singer)
3) David Copperfield
(the world's greatest illusionist)
4) Celia Cruz and
(Mambo dancers who are virtual
Tito Puente
legends in the hispanic community)
Performing with the Eddie Torres Dancers
5) Freddy Fender
(Mexican-American Country singer)
6) Barry Manilow
(major contemporary singer)
Eastern High School Choir
(performing finale with Manilow)
7) Rita Moreno
(Broadway star)
8) Paul Rodriguez
(comedian)
9) Arturo Sandoval
(trumpeter)
10) Ricky Van Shelton
(country star)
11) Vanessa Williams
(pop singer - currently has #1
tune on the record charts)
12) "Zed"
(the surprise variety act)
JUN 08 '92 18:57 AT&T FAX 9020FX
P.4
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES
AUGUST A. BUSCH III
Chairman of the Board and President
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
August A. Busch III is recognized as one of the nation's most
dynamic business leaders. Under his direction, Anheuser-Busch
Companies, Inc. has achieved dramatic growth in one of the world's
most competitive industries while diversifying effectively into
non-brewing enterprises.
The company's civic contributions under Mr. Busch's direction have
been recognized as well, both in the St. Louis area and beyond:
0 In 1980, Mr. Busch spearheaded a drive to help raise
$2.7 million to build a new facility for the Mathews-
Dickey Boys' Club of St. Louis, a self-help organization
serving the black community.
0 In 1982, he was presented the City of Hope "Spirit of
Life Award."
0 In 1982, Mr. Busch was named the United States Olympic
Committee's "Sportsman of the Year."
o In 1983, he received the Mexican American Legal Defense
and Education Fund (MALDEF) Award for Corporate Social
Responsibility.
0 He is President and a member of the Executive Board of
the Boy Scouts of America St. Louis Council, a member
of Civic Progress, Inc., chairman of the advisory board
of St. John's Mercy Medical Center, a member of the
board of directors for the United Way of Greater St.
Louis, and a member of the executive committee of
the St. Louis Variety Club board of directors.
0
In 1987, Mr. Busch was named the St. Louis "Man of
the Year."
0
In addition, Anheuser-Busch received the 1989 Corporate
Social Responsibility Award presented by The Martin
Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc.
presented at the Labor, Management, Government Social
Responsibility Awards Breakfast in Atlanta, Georgia.
Anhouser Busch Companies, Inc.
Executive Oinces
One Musch Place
St. LOUIS. MQ U.S.A. 83118-1852
Telax 44/ 117 ANBUSCH sr.
JUN 08 92 18:58 AT&T FAX 9020FX
P.5
-2-
o
In 1989, Mr. Busch was named "Man of the Year" by the
St. Louis Variety Club.
o
In 1989, in a special ceremony at the White House,
Mr. Busch and the company were honored by President
George Busch for its commitment to the Hispanic community.
In 1990, Anheuser-Busch was named as one of America's
10 "most admired corporations" in a survey conducted by
Fortune magazine.
Anheuser-Busch is the largest corporate supporter of
the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund, committing
approximately $1.5 million to the NHSF in 1990.
In 1990, Mr. Busch was the recipient of the Muscular
Dystrophy Association's Dennis Day Memorial Award,
recognizing his leadership in establishing Anheuser-Busch
among the largest supporters of MDA. In 1990,
Anheuser-Busch raised $5 million for Muscular Dystrophy
treatment and research, and that same year the company
passed the $40 million mark in support for the MDA.
In 1990, Mr. Busch was the recipient of the USO's "Great
American" award, given in recognition of his leadership
support of the USO and American armed forces personnel.
Mr. Busch received the 1990 Equal Opportunity Award from
the National Urban League for his contributions to
expanding social and economic opportunities for
African-Americans. The Equal Opportunity Award is the
highest commendation the National Urban League can present.
In 1991, Mr. Busch received the Good Scout Award from the
New York Council, Boy Scouts of America.
In 1992, The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San
Antonio, Texas, presented Mr. Busch with an award
acknowledging the company's 10 years of support
for the center.
Also in 1992, Mr. Busch received the Jackie Robinson
Foundation's "Robie" Award for his contribution to
improving the quality of life for minority youth in
America.
Under the leadership of Mr. Busch, Anheuser-Busch has proven to be
not only the world's largest brewing organization, but a leader in
civic responsibility as well.
# # #
JUN
08 '92 18:59 AT&T FAX 9020FX
P.7
NHSF
NATIONAL HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND
P.O. BOX 728
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA 94948
(415) 892-9971
Contact: Dorotea Reyna
(415) 892-9971
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The National Hispanic Scholarship Fund is the nation's largest scholarship
organization for Hispanics. Established in 1975, this tax-exempt, non-
profit organization has awarded over $12 million to nearly 15,000 students
in the United States and Puerto Rico. Supported by over 200 American
companies, the fund has grown dramatically each year, awarding $3.2 million
to 3,158 students in 1990. Currently, NHSF is reaching out to the public at
large with the hope of generating $20 million per year for outstanding
Hispanic-American students by the turn of the century.
Applicants to the fund must participate in a rigorous annual competition.
Known as "NHSF Scholars", the final recipients are chosen by regional review
committees comprised of educational and community leaders. Selection
criteria include outstanding academic achievement, personal strengths, and
financial need. Many NHSF Scholars are the first in their families to
attempt a college degree. Still others are pursuing degrees in which
Hispanics are still vastly underrepresented such as medicine, engineering,
law, mathematics, and science. NHSF Scholars can be found in every state
of the nation, every segment of the Hispanic community, and hundreds of both
public and private institutions. As professionals, they often undertake to
help other Hispanics achieve the same level of success, and make noteworthy
contributions to their communities and the nation.
NHSF is supported by over 200 major companies who believe that education is
a sound investment in the future of America. Other supporters include
private foundations, the California State University system, and the U.S.
Department of Energy. Over the years, an increasing number of individuals
have contributed to the organization and assisted in fundraising events.
These individuals include Hispanic employees in corporations, the
government and the armed forces. Today, NHSF is unanimously accepted as one
of the major national vehicles for creating positive change in the lives of
thousands of Hispanic families.
The success which NHSF has enjoyed over the years reveals the commitment
that all these groups and individuals have to the goal of increasing
Hispanic representation in higher education. As America approaches a new
century, and as Hispanics continue to strive to participate fully in
society, this goal takes on an ever more crucial significance.
JUN
08 '92 18:59 AT&T FAX 9020FX
P.8
Corporate News
Anheuser-Busch Continues Support
McDonald's
For the fourth year in a row, the
support has also grown tremendously.
HACER/NHSF
Anheuser-Busch Companies have
Accordingly, we will need additional
pledged one million dollars in scholar-
support and commitments from other
Program
ship support to the National Hispanic
corporations if we are to realistically
Scholarship Fund. The grant will com-
address the issue of higher education in
Expanded
prise a $785,000 corporate contribution,
the Hispanic community."
and approximately $215,000 generated
Anheuser-Busch is presently plan-
from Anheuser-Busch wholesalers'
ning a series of national events aimed at
The McDonald's HACER/NHSF
special promotions.
expanding the national presence of
High School Program has been
"We are very proud of our relation-
NHSF to be implemented in the fall of
expanded in 1991, with 289
ship with NHSF, and look forward to
1991. These will include an English
scholarships awarded in specific market
supporting the goals of this very impor-
and Spanish television special, a na-
areas within the states of Texas,
tant organization throughout the
tional pro-am classic hosted by a yet-to-
California, Colorado, Wyoming,
decade," said Jesse Aguirre, vice presi-
be determined sports celebrity, week-
Nebraska, Illinois, New Jersey, New
dent for corporate relations, Anheuser-
end ski fiestas, and regional art auctions
York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Busch Companies. "We have come a
featuring Hispanic artists from across
This marks the seventh year that
long way in our last ten years, but we
the United States and Latin America.
McDonald's HACER and NHSF have
have also realized that the need for
In the last ten years, Anheuser-
joined efforts in support of college-
Busch has committed over $14 million
bound high school seniors. Since its
Mazda Motor of
in support of NHSF in the areas of
inception in 1985, the McDonald's
marketing, program development, and
HACER/NHSF program has awarded
scholarships.
America, Inc.
845 scholarships totaling $845,000 to
Hispanic-American students pursuing a
Joins NHSF
college education. The application
period for the McDonald's
Mazda Motor of America, Inc.
Colgate-Palmolive
HACER/NHSF program is from
October 15th to February 1st of each
joined the efforts of NHSF in 1991 with
Pledges $25,000
academic year.
a grant of $14,000. The grant was
applied nationwide in the form of one
Grant
thousand dollar scholarships to 14
NHSF recipients. Mazda represents the
second Japanese auto maker to pledge
The Colgate-Palmolive Co.,
support to NHSF. Currently, Toyota
headquartered in New York City, has
Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. supports
joined the list of contributors to the
Award Luncheons
NHSF with a grant in excess of
National Hispanic Scholarship Fund by
$100,000. According to Corporate
pledging a $25,000 grant for the 1991-
Continued from pg. 2
Philanthropy Report, most of the
92 academic year.
Japanese auto makers and many
"We are very impressed with the
event was sponsored and implemented
electronics and high-tech companies
work of NHSF, and feel that it is our
by B. Fernandez y Hermanos, one of
have recently launched initiatives for
duty to support this type of effort which
Anheuser-Busch's top distributorships.
the education of minorities and
addresses one of the most crucial issues
In addition to the scholarship
disadvantaged groups. In another recent
not only to the Hispanic community,
luncheons, a scholarship award
effort, the Japan Hispanic Institute, was
but for society at large," said Herney
reception was held in Boston,
formed in Washington, D.C. under the
Nisimblat, director of Hispanic
Massachusetts where 142 NHSF schol-
direction of U.S. Representative
marketing for Colgate-Palmolive. In
ats were also recognized for their aca-
Esteban Torres, D-Los Angeles, to
addition to the grant, Colgate-
demic achievements. These awards not
improve Japanese corporations'
Palmolive is also working on an NHSF
only provide money to students, but
understanding of what will soon be the
national cause-related marketing
also serve to "develop further the image
United States' largest minority group. In
promotion slated for the fall. One of the
of the Latino community," said David J.
1991, experts say that nearly $500
leading advertisers in the Hispanic
Cortiella, a former NHSF recipient, and
million will be generated in donations
market, Colgate-Palmolive produces
member of the Latino Professional
from Japanese companies, up from $30
personal and household products, with
Network, a professional development
million in 1983.
annual revenues exceeding $4.7 billion.
advocacy group.
5
JUN 08 '92 18:58 AT&T FAX 9020FX
P.6
FORD'S Theske
To further mark Ford's quarter-century milestone, Frankie Hewitt said the
theatre is commissioning a new musical, based on the Frank Capra film-Mr. Smith
Goes to Washington, and also plans to further develop and revise the musical Hot
Mikado, first commissioned by Ford In 1988:
The season exemplifies Ford's 25-year-old dual artistic mission: to
commission, develop, nurture, produce and promote innovative and distinctive
plays and musicals, while consistently staging sophisticated works that appeal to
a culturally diverse and family-oriented audience.
Ford's purpose
"In selecting shows for Ford's Theatre, 1 have tried to keep several truths in
mind," Frankie Hewitt explained. "Ford's is a much-visited national historic site
and whenever possible its programming should reflect our national heritage. In
every way possible, Ford's shows should be accessible to families and young
people. And because of its history and location in the inner-city of our nation's
capital, Ford's has a special opportunity and responsibility to program for a multi-
cultural audience."
Since its rebirth as a living theatre, Ford's has been active in creating a
home for new work by emerging artists. The first work Frankie Hewitt chose to
produce when she became Ford's artistic head in 1971 was the ground-breaking
African-American musical Don't Bother Me, / Can't Cope, written by the young
composer Micki Grant. This was the same musical that started a 17-year-old
Washingtonian Hinton Battle on his way to winning three Tony Awards on
Broadway (most recently for Miss Salgon in 1991).
Under the guidance of Frankie Hewitt, Ford's has presented more than 100
productions. Of these, 29 have been world premieres (six commissioned by
2
THE PROMISED LAND
THE HUDDLED MASSES
49
NITED STATES
THE MEXICANS
Descended from the Toltecs, the Aztecs,
The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920)
the Mayas and Spanish conquistadores,
brought thousands of Mexicans north of the
Mexicans were living in the southwest for
border. By 1920 half of the migratory labor
almost three generations before the Pilgrims
force of the Imperial Valley was Mexican;
N.Y.
arrived. But, despite this early start in "our"
by 1930, there were 250,000 Mexicans liv-
chigan
Buffalo
country, most of the Mexican-Americans
ing in California, and today the Mexican-
Detroit
New York
Penn.
living in the United States today are recent
American population is approaching 7.5
N.J.
Philadelphia
immigrants, or the children of immigrants
million. They are our youngest, fastest-
who first crossed the border in the twentieth
S
growing minority, with an average age ten
century.
years younger than that of most other ethnic
Like the American Indians, the Mexicans
groups.
made the fatal mistake of welcoming the
Besides giving us their land, the Mex-
Anglos to their land. Prior to the outbreak
icans contributed much to the culture of
of the Mexican-American War, Don Pio
America. They showed gold-hungry Cali-
Pico, the last Mexican governor of Califor-
fornians how to pan for gold, and in-
nia, wrote: "We find ourselves suddenly
troduced the technique of using mercury to
threated by hordes of Yankee emigrants
separate silver from worthless ores. They
whose progress we cannot arrest."
gave us poinsettias, the Mexican hat dance.
When the Mexican-American war ended
Mexican jumping beans, the Mexican
in 1848, the southwest territory was ceded
hairless (chihuahua), and tacos, tortillas and
to the American government according to
the fiery hot food that people in the South-
the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo and the
west love to eat.
Mexicans found themselves second-class
Like other ethnic Americans, the Mex-
citizens in a foreign land that had once
icans have managed to distinguish them-
10*
belonged to them. Losing legal control
selves as actors (Anthony Quinn, Gilbert
20*
4,813
wasn't the worst part-rich Mexicans soon
Roland), musicians (Trini Lopez, Joan
i0
227,734
(Peak Decade)
found themselves losing their land as well
Baez), dancers, choreographers (José
10
17.026
through technicalities in the Anglos' laws.
Limón), judges (Harold Medina), politicians
i0
7,571
The ricos could not comprehend the need to
(Joseph Montoya) and sportsmen (Lee Tre-
50
9.985
pay property taxes on land that had been
vino, Jim Plunkett, Joe Kapp). They've
0
53,539
held by their families for centuries, and they
joined the ranks of successful businessmen
5
16,808
often failed to file title claims or were
and millionaires, too, despite the stereo-
502,659
cheated outright by unscrupulous deed
typed image of a race of lazy banditos and
keepers who either stole or failed to record
revolutionaries that television commercials
their property titles.
and the press have only recently put to rest.
om 5,150,000 to 12 million.
with Most Poles
Mexicans emigrat-
ing to the United
k
385,631
States in the early
284,289
1900s. (Credit:
159,643
Culver Pictures)
nia
87,813
74,801
ted to the United States prior to
residents and their children
50
FROM THE OTHER SIDE
TO THE PROMISED LAN
"Firsts" and Facts About the Mexican Experience in America
What's In a Name? Once considered a
Poinsettia Known as the Mexican flame
derogatory term, "Chicano" attained a new
leaf in England, this red-leafed plant has
respectability in the late 1960s and is now
become synonymous with the Christmas
used with pride by many young Mexican-
season ever since Joel Robert Poinsett
Americans, although the older generation
(1779-1851), the American minister to
often prefers "Mexicano." Chicano comes
Mexico, sent the first specimens to friends
from the Aztec pronunciation of "Mex-
in the United States way back in the early
icano" (meshicano) which was corrupted to
1800s.
"Xicano" (shicano) and finally to "Chi-
Mexican Name Shortener Vicki Carr
cano."
shortened her name from Florencia Bisenta
Others prefer the term "Hispano"-
de Castillas Martinez Cardona Moss. Born
especially if they are descended from colo-
in El Paso, Texas, Vicki started her career
nial Spaniards and do not have Indian an-
in high school, singing with Pepe Callahan's
cestry. The term "Mestizo" is used for
Mexican-Irish band.
Mexicans of mixed Indian and European
Political Firsts The first Chicano
background. But no matter what their indi-
elected to the U.S. Senate was Joseph Mon-
vidual heritage, all Mexican leaders are
toya in 1964. Montoya was also the
working to promote la raza (the race)-a
youngest person ever seated in the New
feeling of fraternity and community spirit
Mexico state legislature when he was
that binds together all people of Mexican
elected to that state's House of Represen-
descent.
tatives in 1936.
Mexican Jumping Beans Known as
The first Mexican-American elected to
"leapers" in Mexico, these bronco beans
the U.S. Congress was Henry B. Gonzales
often make quick movements because of a
of Texas. First elected to public office in
moth larva living inside. When Laspeyresia
1953, he became a member of the San An-
saltitans moves inside his bean "house,"
tonio city council, and in 1956 he was
the bean "jumps" up and down.
elected to the state senate. His election was
No Phony Mexican Anthony Quinn
a first in the 110-year history of the Texas
(1910- ) was born during the Mexican
government.
revolution in Chihuahua to a Mexican
The first Chicano elected as Governor of
mother and an Irish father. No one was
Arizona was Raul Castro. The Mexican-
keeping accurate records at the time, and
born Castro was elected in 1974.
for years Quinn was looked down upon by
The Bane of Banuelos Ramona Acosta
his Mexican brethren as a "pocho" (a de-
Banuelos (1925- ), a successful Califor-
rogatory term for a "gringoized" Mexican).
nia businesswomen, was nominated as Trea-
But in 1961 Quinn determined to stop the
surer of the United States by Richard
Mexican tongues from wagging once and
Nixon on September 30, 1971. She had
for all: "When I made a picture down in
started her business career (Ramona's Mex-
Durango, the people accused me of being
ican Food Products) with a $400 tortilla
born in America-and called me a phony
stand, and mushroomed it into a $5-million
Mexican." When the governor of Chihua-
enterprise. A few days after her nomination,
hua visited the set, Quinn asked him for a
however, the food packaging plant she
birth certificate. After talking to witnesses
owned in south Los Angeles was raided by
who remembered Quinn's family and the
immigration officials who netted 36 illegal
circumstances of his borth, the governor
aliens working on the premises. Despite the
complied with the actor's request.
controversy, Banuelos was confirmed and
Crossing the Barriers Mexican-born
went on to become the highest-ranking
actor Ricardo Montalban has played plenty
Mexican-American in government office,
of Latin lovers in his career, but he's also
serving as Treasurer from 1971 to 1974.
been a Kabuki actor in Sayonara, a French-
Television First The first Mexican-
man in the musical comedy Seventh
American to portray a Mexican-American
Heaven, a Jamaican in the Broadway musi-
in the title role of a. television series was
al Jamaica, and an Indian on the 1978 tele-
Gabriel Melgar. Melgar replaced Freddie
vision series How the West Was Won.
Prinze in Chico and the Man with Jack Al-
51
TO THE PROMISED LAND
THE HUDDLED MASSES
erience in America
bertson, during the fall 1977 television sea-
fornia; he later earned an MBA from New
York University in 1952.
'ttia Known as the Mexican flame
son.
Discovered at the age of twelve on Oli-
Illegal Aliens A Texas police officer
England, this red-leafed plant has
vera Street in Los Angeles' Mexican-
commented on the "wetback" situation by
synonymous with the Christmas
American community, Melgar has been per-
stating, "the only way we're going to stop
ever since Joel Robert Poinsett
forming with his family's music group since
them is to build a Berlin Wall." Even that
851), the American minister to
the age of four. Although he had never
might not help, because there are over 9
sent the first specimens to friends
acted before, he was a natural for the part of
million unemployed people in Mexico, and
nited States way back in the early
a Mexican immigrant, since he himself had
they keep coming north seeking work no
emigrated to California with his parents at
matter how low the wages or how terrible
an Name Shortener Vicki Carr
the age of fifteen days.
the conditions. Some Mexicans have been
d her name from Florencia Bisenta
Publishing First The first Mexican-
apprehended twenty times, and one man
llas Martinez Cardona Moss. Born
American prison guard to write a book
was arrested five times in a single day. Esti-
so, Texas, Vicki started her career
about her work experience was Janey Jim-
mates of the illegal alien population are be-
chool, singing with Pepe Callahan's
enez, the U.S. marshall who guarded
tween 3 to 5 million in the United States.
-Irish band.
Patty Hearst for over 350 hours over a two-
Why do they come? According to one
al Firsts The first Chicano
year period. Her book, entitled My Pris-
illegal alien who used to earn only $500 in a
o the U.S. Senate was Joseph Mon-
oner, was published in 1977.
good year as a tenant farmer in Jalisco,
1964. Montoya was also the
From Migrant to Management The
"Coming to the U.S. was a question of eco-
t person ever seated in the New
first American of "Latin origin" to enter a
nomics." Here he can earn $160 a week
state legislature when he was
Presidential primary in the United States
with overtime as a metals factory worker in
O that state's House of Represen-
was fifty-three-year-old Benjamin Fernan-
Los Angeles and he has managed to save
1 1936.
dez, the son of Mexican immigrants.
over $2,000 in the past six years. "I love
rst Mexican-American elected to
Fernandez, a millionaire management
Mexico. It is very beautiful, but you can't
Congress was Henry B. Gonzales
consultant, threw his hat into the ring on
live there." (Time, Oct. 16, 1978, p. 61)
S. First elected to public office in
November 29, 1978, for the Republican
Do illegal aliens take jobs away from tax-
became a member of the San An-
nomination in 1980. His parents had emi-
paying American citizens? The evidence is
ty council, and in 1956 he was
grated from the pueblo of Tanganzicuaro in
not clear. In some industrial areas the illegal
0 the state senate. His election was
the State of Michoacan, and for many years
aliens might displace U.S. citizens, but ac-
the 110-year history of the Texas
his family lived in a railway car (where he
cording to Leonel J. Castillo, the first Mex-
ent.
was born) at the Kansas City rail yards
ican-American appointed as Commissioner,
st Chicano elected as Governor of
because they were too poor to afford any
Immigration and Naturalization Service,
was Raul Castro. The Mexican-
other housing.
"As best we can tell, there is no great rush
stro was elected in 1974.
Fernandez began picking sugar beets at
of unemployed persons on the East Coast to
ane of Banuelos Ramona Acosta
the age of five to aid his parents, but his
go pick onions in 100-degree heat for three
(1925- ), a successful Califor-
migrant-farming days ended when he grad-
weeks," and in the agricultural field he be-
esswomen, was nominated as Trea-
uated with a bachelor's degree in econom-
lieves they are not draining jobs from Amer-
the United States by Richard
ics from the University of Redlands in Cali-
icans.
in September 30, 1971. She had
er business career (Ramona's Mex-
od Products) with a $400 tortilla
The Other Side
d mushroomed it into a $5-million
Country:
MEXICO
e. A few days after her nomination,
the food packaging plant she
Capital:
Mexico City
I south Los Angeles was raided by
Official Name:
Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States)
ion officials who netted 36 illegal
Official Language:
Spanish
rking on the premises. Despite the
National Anthem:
Himno Nacional de Mexico (National Hymn of Mexico)
rsy, Banuelos was confirmed and
to become the highest-ranking
National Flag:
Vertical bands of green, white and red with coat of arms in the center.
Adopted in 1821. Green stands for independence, white for religion,
-American in government office,
S Treasurer from 1971 to 1974.
and red for unity. The coat of arms depicts an eagle battling a snake.
ion First The first Mexican-
According to legend, the bird was sighted by Aztec Indians at
1 to' portray a Mexican-American
Tenochtitlán (now Mexico City) and was taken as a sign to build their
le role of a television series was
capital there.
Melgar. Melgar replaced Freddie
Major Religion:
Roman Catholic
Chico and the Man with Jack Al-
National Holiday:
Independence Day, September 16
126
FROM THE OTHER SIDE
TO THE PROMISED LAND
Who's Norwegian?
Business: Arthur Anderson, founder of a
alyst; Victor Lawson, co-founder of the
national accounting firm which dates
Associated Press in 1894.
back to 1913, the year when the Internal
Entertainment: James Cagney; James
Revenue Service was inaugurated;
Arness; Sonja Henie; Celeste Holm;
Conrad Hilton, hotel-chain founder; C.
Risë Stevens; Judith Blegen; Sally
W. Larsen, founder of Larsen Baking
Struthers (Scottish and Norwegian an-
Company in Brooklyn in the early 1900s;
cestry); Peter Graves; the Andrews Sis-
Ole Evinrude, inventor of the first prac-
ters (Greek and Norwegian ancestry).
tical outboard motor.
Politics: Karl Rolvaag, son of author Ole
Government: Minnesota Congressman
Rolvaag, was Governor of Minnesota in
Andrew Volstead, who introduced the
the 1960s; Hubert H. Humphrey (1911-
National Prohibition Act of 1919; Bob
1978) was of Welsh and Norwegian an-
Bergland (1928-
), U.S. Secretary of
cestry.
Agriculture under President Carter-h
Engineering: Ole Singstad, engineering
was the first farmer to hold that position
genius who created the world's first tun-
since 1945; Dr. Roger Egeberg, Assistant
nel designed for motor cars - the Holland
Secretary of Health and Scientific Affairs
Tunnel.
in 1969.
Sports: Knute Rockne, head football
Science: 1939 Nobel Prize winner Ernest
coach of Notre Dame University's
O. Lawrence, inventor of the cyclotron.
"Fighting Irish" from 1918 to 1931. Over
Law: Allan Bakke, medical student who
the years his teams scored 105 victories,
won court battle for admission to Univer-
12 losses and 5 ties.
sity of California Medical School in 1978
Letters: Caroline Bird (of English and
as a victim of "reverse discrimination."
Norwegian descent), author of Enterpris-
Journalism: Eric Sevareid, CBS news an-
ing Women.
THE PORTUGUESE IN AMERICA
Over the past three hundred years, Por-
ark, New Jersey, or in the Portuguese en-
tugal has given America over 411,000 of
claves of New England-Fall River and
her native-born sons and daughters. The
New Bedford, Massachusetts. Others set-
peak decade for immigration was between.
tled in neighboring states, and in 1974 the
1911 and 1920, when 89,732 Portuguese
Department of Motor Vehicles in Rhode
emigrated to our shores. Many were farm-
Island published the first driver's manual
ers and fishermen by trade and chose to set-
ever issued in the Portuguese language, at-
tle in the agricultural and fishing centers of
testing to the large influx of immigrants
Hawaii, California and Massachusetts.
from Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.
Recently Portuguese immigration has
From the "other side" the Portuguese
been on the upswing; from 1971 to 1975
contributed Madeira wine, Castile soap,
over 52,000 Portuguese have settled in the
sardines, and cork for bottle caps and bulle-
United States. Many joined friends and rel-
tin boards. The Portuguese introduced the
atives in the "Ironbound" section of New-
sweet potato to California, the ukulele to
127
TO THE PROMISED LAND
EVERYONE COMES FROM SOMEWHERE
Hawaii, and gave us the words cuspidor
tuguese immigrant, Isaac Seixas, who had
("spitter") and "Canada." Although their
arrived in New York in 1730.
ranks are small compared to the millions of
Mass migration of Portuguese to Hawaii
German and Italian immigrants, the Por-
began in 1878 when the sailing ship Pris-
tuguese managed to contribute quite a bit to
cilla, which has been called the "Mayflower
Lawson, co-founder of the
America: they discovered California,
of the Portuguese," landed at Honolulu
ress in 1894.
helped found the New York Stock Ex-
with 120 citizens from Madeira. Over the
James Cagney; James
change and donated famous authors, musi-
next 20 years almost 13,000 Portuguese
a Henie; Celeste Holm;
cians, athletes, actors and statesmen.
came to the Islands seeking employment as
S; Judith Blegen; Sally
farm laborers. By 1930 there were 167,891
ottish and Norwegian an-
Portuguese-Americans living in the conti-
Graves; the Andrews Sis-
nental United States, and 27,588 on the
d Norwegian ancestry).
islands of Hawaii, where they comprised
Rolvaag, son of author Ole
7.5% of the total population.
Governor of Minnesota in
On Thursday, September 28, 1542, Joao
Although the ukulele was popularized in
ibert H. Humphrey (1911-
Rodrigues Cabrillo, a Portuguese sailing
Hawaii about 1877, this small guitar origi-
Welsh and Norwegian an-
under the flag of Spain, entered San Diego
nated on the island of Madeira. Known as the
harbor and landed near Ballast Point, be-
"machete" in Portuguese, this four-stringed
»le Singstad, engineering
coming the first European to set foot on the
instrument took its new name from a nine-
eated the world's first tun-
Pacific coast. Further explorations by Ca-
teenth-century British army officer, Edward
or motor cars the Holland
brillo led to his discovery of Santa Catalina,
Purvis. Purvis was a petite, lively man
San Pedro Bay and the Santa Barbara
whose antics reminded his Hawaiian friends
Rockne, head football
Channel.
of a leaping flea-so they nicknamed him
otre Dame University's
According to one legend, a group of Por-
"ukulele" (jumping little flea). Purvis
1" from 1918 to 1931. Over
tuguese sailors with the Gaspar Côrte-Real
learned to play the machete and was re-
eams scored 105 victories,
expedition sailed down the St. Lawrence
sponsible for the instrument's popularity
5 ties.
River in 1500, believing it to be a passage to
throughout the islands, so when local crafts-
e Bird (of English and
the Pacific Ocean. Upon discovering their
men began to manufacture their own in-
cent), author of Enterpris-
mistake, they shouted out in disgust, "Ca
struments, they began marketing them as
nada," meaning "Here, nothing!" Natives
"ukuleles" in honor of the lively little man
on the banks of the river heard their shouts
who loved to play and dance.
and, believing them to be a greeting, re-
The first Portuguese school in America
peated the words when Jacques Cartier's
was established in Santo Christo Parish at
expedition arrived in 1534. (Cartier's jour-
Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1910. By
nal carries a different version of the story
1973, almost 20% of the teachers in Fall
and claims Canada was derived from a
River were of Portuguese descent, due to
Huron-Iroquois word, "kanata," meaning
the large Portuguese-American population
"village.")
of that New England town.
RICA
During the first week of September in
The first Portuguese-American elected to
1654, 23 Portuguese Jews from Brazil ar-
the House of Representatives was Frank B.
rived in New Amsterdam. They founded
Oliveira, the son of immigrants from the
or in the Portuguese en-
the congregation Shearith Israel with Saul
Azores, who served as a congressman from
England Fall River and
Brown as their first rabbi; services con-
the State of Massachusetts from 1944 to
tinued to be conducted in Portuguese until
1958.
lassachusetts. Others set-
ig states, and in 1974 the
the mid-eighteenth century. Shearith Israel
The first U.S. soldier killed in World War
is the oldest Jewish congregation in the
I was a Portuguese-American, Walter Gou-
Motor Vehicles in Rhode
the first driver's manual
United States; its services are currently
lart.
conducted at Seventieth Street and Central
The first Portuguese newspaper pub-
Portuguese language, at-
rge influx of immigrants
Park West in New York City.
lished in the United States was the Journal
adeira and the Azores.
The first meeting of what eventually
de Noticias, which appeared in 1877.
er side" the Portuguese
evolved into the New York Stock Ex-
The first recorded Festival of the Divine
change took place at the Merchants Coffee
Holy Ghost (Festa do Divino Spirito
eira wine, Castile soap,
House on May 17, 1792. One of the found-
Santo), an annual event in California, was
for bottle caps and bulle-
ers of the New York Stock Exchange was
held at Sausalito, on San Francisco Bay, in
Portuguese introduced the
California, the ukulele to
Benjamin Mendes Seixas, the son of a Por-
1887.
128
FROM THE OTHER SIDE
TO THE PROMISED LAND
Facts About the Other Side:
Country:
PORTUGAL
Capital:
Lisbon
Official Name:
República Portuguesa (Republic of Portugal)
Official Language:
Portuguese
National Anthem:
"A Portuguesa" (The Portuguese). Words by Henrique Lopes de
Mendonça; music by Alfredo Keil.
National Flag:
Vertical bands of red and green represent the blood of Portuguese
heroes and hope for the future. Unfortunately blood seems to out-
weigh hope, as the red band is twice the width of the green. The coat
of arms represents the Christian faith and a never-ending search for
true knowledge.
Major Religions:
Most Portuguese embrace Roman Catholicism, although church and
state have been separate since 1910.
National Holidays:
June 10, Day of Portugal
Facts About Portuguese-Americans.
Immigration to the U.S. (1820-1975):
411,136
Peak Decade (1911-1920):
89,732
Recent Immigration (1966-1975):
120,508
1970 Census
Foreign-born Portuguese
91,034
Native-born, 2nd generation
149,532
Total Foreign-stock Population
240,566
Who's Portuguese?
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932), the "March
Benjamin Nathan Cardozo (1870-1938),
King"
Supreme Court Justice
John Dos Passos (1896-1970), author
Humberto Sousa Medeiros (1915-
),
Billy Martin (1928-
), baseball man-
Archbishop of Boston
ager
Jacques Loeb (1859-1924), biologist
Tony Lema (1934-1966), golfer
Robert le Roy Ripley (1893-1949), com-
Harold Peary (1908-
), "the Great Gil-
piler of odd facts and other trivia in "Rip-
dersleeve"
ley's Believe It or Not"
THE PUERTO RICANS IN AMERICA
Columbus landed on the island of Puerto
Jones Act of 1917 granted U.S. citizenship
Rico on his second trip to the New World in
to all Puerto Ricans.
1493, but the Spanish didn't settle on that
In 1910 there were only 500 Puerto
island until 1508. For more than 400 years
Ricans living in New York. Thirty years
Puerto Rico was part of the Spanish Empire
later their ranks had swelled to 70,000,
-until 1898, when it became a protectorate
most of whom settled in the section of
of the United States. The Foraker Act of
Manhattan that came to be known as
1900 made Puerto Rico an American terri-
"Spanish Harlem." The peak year for
tory, with an American governor, and the
Puerto Rican immigration to the U.S. was
TO THE PROMISED LAND
EVERYONE COMES FROM SOMEWHERE
129
1946, when almost 70,000 Puerto Ricans
turned to the island than emigrated to the
made the plane trip to the mainland. By
mainland, making the net flow minus 34,000
1969 there were over 1.5 million Puerto
that year.
Ricans living in the United States, with
more than 977,000 living in New York
City, where they comprised about 11% of
New York City's French Hospital was
Portugal)
that city's population.
founded in 1869 by a Puerto Rican im-
The Puerto Ricans became America's
migrant, Dr. José Julio Henna (1848-1924).
Words by Henrique Lopes de
first "airborne" immigrants. Instead of sail-
Dr. Henna became a U.S. citizen in 1872.
ing past Miss Liberty into New York Har-
The first Puerto Rican to play big-league
bor, they flew into Idlewild airport. They
baseball was Hiram Gabriel Bithorn (1916-
resent the blood of Portuguese
did not have to suffer agonizing weeks of
1952). Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Bith-
ortunately blood seems to out-
steerage-class travel aboard sailing ships;
orn played for two Chicago teams-the
the width of the green. The coat
they were not isolated at Ellis Island deten-
Cubs and the White Sox-in the 1940s.
and a never-ending search for
tion centers; and there was no need for
The First Catholic church in the United
them to wait five years before applying for
States to minister to the needs of the Puerto
tholicism, although church and
citizenship papers.
Rican community was La Milagrosa, lo-
cated at 114th Street and 7th Avenue in
Manhattan. A former synagogue, the build-
ing was "converted" in 1926 to meet the
growing needs of the community, reflecting
the ever-changing ethnic mix of the neigh-
borhood.
The first popularly elected governor of
Puerto Rico was Luis Muñoz Marín, who
took office in 1948. The Crawford-Butler
Act, signed by President Truman in 1946,
permitted Puerto Ricans to elect an official
of their own choosing rather than having to
accept an appointed governor.
Herman Badillo (1929-
)
was
the
first Puerto Rican-born American to serve
as a U.S. congressman. Over the years, in
addition to earning degrees as an accoun-
athan Cardozo (1870-1938),
ourt Justice
Almost 70,000 Puerto Ricans came to the
tant and a lawyer, Badillo has served as
Commissioner of the Office of Relocation in
Medeiros (1915-
mainland in 1946 to seek a brighter future
),
of
Boston
for their children; many found that extreme
New York City (1962), Bronx Borough
poverty awaited them instead. (Courtesy:
President (1965), and as a member of the
(1859-1924), biologist
House of Representatives.
Ripley (1893-1949), com-
Culver Pictures)
In 1977, Maria Fernanda Hernández
facts and other trivia in "Rip-
("Marifé" for short) was appointed as U.S.
It
or
Not"
Since the end of World War II almost
Deputy Chief of Protocol for New York.
one-third of the island's population, some
Born in Puerto Rico, Marife has a mixed
800,000 "immigrants," have found their
ethnic heritage-she is descended from
AMERICA
way to the United States. During the 1970s
Puerto Rican and French ancestors, was
a trend toward "reverse" immigration
raised in South America, and was educated
began, as many "Neoricans" (as they are
in British schools.
1917 granted U.S. citizenship
called by their island-bred relatives) re-
In 1978, Dionisia Perez celebrated her
Ricans.
turned to Puerto Rico. Most either were
118th birthday. A native of Peñuelas, in
were only 500 Puerto
born in the United States or had spent most
southwestern Puerto Rico, Mrs. Perez did
in New York. Thirty years
of their adult life there, and now were re-
not claim to know the secret of long life, but
had swelled to 70,000,
turning to their native land. These "reverse
she advised the young to "Sing, sing, and be
settled in the section of
immigrants" are for the most part skilled
happy." Of her 14 children, only 4 were still
came to be known as
workers in their mid-thirties, and their
living in 1977, but she also had 60 grand-
The peak year for
average educational level was about tenth
children, 40 great-grandchildren, and 20
immigration to the U.S. was
grade. In 1972, more Puerto Ricans re-
great-great-grandchildren.
130
FROM THE OTHER SIDE
TO THE PROMISED LAND
"GEE, YOU DON'T LOOK PUERTO RICAN"
By Irma Alvarado
There was a time when hearing that gave me a high that lasted all day. How proud I was
that others had not guessed I was of Puerto Rican heritage! What an ego trip to be able to
speak without an accent!
Unfortunately, it went deeper than that. I can't remember how or when I "learned" that
it was wrong to be Puerto Rican. I must have been a small girl, because my memories of
answering questions relating to my nationality never included "Puerto Rican." In grammar
school in the 50s, I was Spanish (very vague). In junior high school, I was either Spanish or
combination Spanish/South American. By high school (a parochial girls' school in the
Bronx, N.Y.) I had narrowed it to Spanish father/Colombian mother who knows where
I picked up the "Colombian" part.
I'd like to be able to say that by the time I started college, I'd smartened up, but it didn't
happen that way. I did, however, become a bit more generous. I admitted to a Puerto Rican
mother, but quickly added that her parents were from Spain!
It's very sad when I think now of all the effort I put into avoiding any shame or embar-
rassment. I realize that my conditioning was the result of many different factors; growing
up in a neighborhood where we were the only "Spanish" family didn't help. Would I have
been better off if I'd grown up in El Barrio? Who knows. But how I wish I could have
shared my pride in being bilingual, learned to mambo earlier, appreciated my mother's
cooking sooner.
When did I change? I don't know. I think meeting my husband-to-be had a lot to do with
it (yes, a genuine P.R.!). For some reason, I always knew I'd marry a Latino; maybe my
roots were working on me all along, or maybe I didn't think anyone else would "accept"
me. Most probably it was a combination of both. At any rate, he introduced me to a culture
I hadn't known. He took me to Latin dances where I met lots of young Puerto Ricans, most
working and many in college. They were bright, exciting. I wished I'd had friends like that
as I'd grown up.
Looking back, I see myself mostly as having been a victim of the society around me as I
grew up; somehow I got it into my head that being Puerto Rican was wrong. By the time I
was old enough to understand that this notion was wrong, look at how much time had
passed. I get angry when I think about it too much at "them" for making me feel that way
and at myself for not being able to overcome it sooner.
That's why it's so important to me that my kids feel a pride and dignity in their heritage. I
want them to know about and see Puerto Rico (one has); I'd like them to speak the lan-
guage (I admit to getting lazy about this at home). The danger of not instilling a sense of
pride and love for their heritage in our children is that, in later generations, many of the
traditions we take for granted now will become memories and trivia for our grandchildren. I
don't want my grandchildren to miss out on the fun of being "different," as I did.
What do I say now to people who say I don't look Puerto Rican? It depends on my
mood. If I'm feeling low, I'll hit back with, "Just what does a Puerto Rican look like?"
More often than not, I realize that someone who makes a statement like that is either in-
nocent or ignorant, so a smile of affirmation is enough. But don't knock it that affirmation,
in my case, was a long time coming.
Irma Alvarado is a New York Puerto Rican housewife.
Nuestro magazine, September 1977. Reprinted by permission.
TO THE PROMISED LAND,
EVERYONE COMES FROM SOMEWHERE
131
RTO RICAN'
Who's Puerto Rican?
at lasted all day. How proud I was
age! What an ego trip to be able to
Sports: Angel Cordéro (1942-
), top
Chita Rivera is one-fourth Puerto Rican;
jockey who rode 345 winners in 1968;
Brunilda Ruiz, ballerina; Liz Torres,
Chi Chi Rodriguez (1935- ), golfer;
actress of Venezuelan and Puerto Rican
nber how or when I "learned" that
José Santiago, Roberto Clemente, Or-
ancestry; Erik Estrada, star of NBC's
nall girl, because my memories of
lando Cepeda (the "Puerto Rican Babe
Chips series, and newscaster Geraldo
uded "Puerto Rican." In grammar
Ruth"), Carlos Ortiz, baseball stars; pro
Rivera. José Vincent Ferrer (1912-
igh school, I was either Spanish or
boxers José Torres (1965 medium heavy-
) made his New York theater debut
(a parochial girls' school in the
weight champ) and Sixto Escobar, the
in 1935 despite his father's objections
bian
mother
who knows where
first Puerto Rican boxer to win the ban-
that "It is not the career I would have
tamweight world championship in 1936.
picked for you, but it's your own life, not
ege, I'd smartened up, but it didn't
Music: José Feliciano (1945-
), has
mine. Do what you must with it." His fa-
'rous. I admitted to a Puerto Rican
been blind from birth, a victim of congeni-
ther was a successful lawyer, and hoped
Spain!
tal glaucoma, but he was determined not
his Princeton-educated son would follow
to let blindness interfere with his musical
in his footsteps, but the lure of the stage
nto avoiding any shame or embar-
career. José gave his first public appear-
was too strong for José. Raul Julia (1940-
of many different factors; growing
ance at El Teatro Puerto Rico in New
), a San Juan-born actor, has been
family didn't help. Would I have
York at the age of 9; Tito Puente, Tito
performing in New York theaters for
NS. But how I wish I could have
Rodriguez-leading Latin musicians.
more than 14 years. His recent Broadway
earlier, appreciated my mother's
Entertainment: Freddie Prinze, the late
roles include Dracula, Three-Penny
star of the TV series Chico and the Man,
Opera and Betrayal. Julia has also ap-
husband-to-be had a lot to do with
was of mixed Puerto Rican and Hungar-
peared as Othello and in the 1978 film
:W I'd marry a Latino; maybe my
ian Gypsy ancestry; Tony Orlando;
The Eyes of Laura Mars.
hink anyone else would "accept"
ate, he introduced me to a culture
lots of young Puerto Ricans, most
I wished I'd had friends like that
ctim of the society around me as I
THE ROMANIANS IN AMERICA
o Rican was wrong. By the time I
ong, look at how much time had
hem" for making me feel that way
Although Romanians trace their language
to become Romania, was triggered in 1900
and ancestry directly to the Romans, they
by a series of economic, social and political
ride and dignity in their heritage. I
are descended from several tribes, including
upheavals. Altogether some 53,000 refu-
:); I'd like them to speak the lan-
the Goths, Huns, Slavs and Dacians, as
gees entered the United States in the first
danger of not instilling a sense of
well as the Romans who ruled their nation
decade of the twentieth century.
in later generations, many of the
in the second century A.D.
By 1905, America had its first Romanian
and trivia for our grandchildren. I
Romania did not become an independent,
Orthodox Church, St. Mary's in Cleveland;
unified nation until 1861, when Moldavia
eing "different," as I did.
its first Romanian Catholic parish, St. Hel-
and Wallachia merged, and it wasn't until
en's on Cleveland's East Side; and its first
Puerto Rican? It depends on my
after World War I that Romania gained the
Romanian language newspaper, Tribuna
does a Puerto Rican look like?"
provinces of Banat, Bucovina and Transyl-
(the Tribune), as well as its first Romanian
a statement like that is either in-
vania.
mutual aid society.
t don't knock it-that affirmation,
The first immigrant to America from what
Another 13,000 Romanians sought ref-
is now Romania was a Transylvanian priest,
uge here between 1911 and 1920, and in the
Samuel Damian, who came to our shores in
first part of the 1920's over 60,000 Roma-
1748. The first major wave of immigration
nians settled here. The flow was stopped by
from Transylvania, Banat and Bucovina,
the immigration law of 1924, which limited
the Austro-Hungarian provinces that were
their quota to 603 new arrivals each year.
TO THE PROMISED LAND
EVERYONE COMES FROM SOMEWHERE
133
THE SPANISH IN AMERICA
Between 1820 and 1975, a mere 246,334
when they traded Florida for the return of
Spanish immigrants came to America, yet
Cuba and the Philippines following the
the Spanish-speaking population of the
French and Indian War.
United States is one of our largest minority
In addition to the horse, the Spanish also
groups. Most of these Hispanic Americans
introduced cattle, sheep and swine to North
have Spanish ancestry that has been filtered
America between 1540 and 1565.
moşesc"
through the cultures of other lands, such as
The first Catholic parish was founded by
nia)
Mexico, Puerto Rico and the rest of Latin
Father Martin Francisco Lopez de Men-
America.
id red, with the coat of arms in the
dozo Grajales at St. Augustine, Florida, in
The Spanish were the first settlers in
1565, to tend to the religious needs of the
e coat of arms symbolizes commu-
Florida and the Southwest; they introduced
Spanish settlers.
the horse to North America, gave their lan-
Los Angeles is not the original name of
ulation)
guage to some 12 million Americans, gave
that California town. It was shortened from
us place names in the West and Southwest,
El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de
and lent their good name to such things as
Los Angeles de la Porciuncula, "The Town
the "Spanish flu" (which spread wildly in
of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels of the
1918, killing almost 20 million people
Porciuncula." There are more than 400
worldwide), Spanish fly (a reputed aphro-
cities and towns in California with Spanish-
disiac made from beetles), and Spanish
origin names. The state itself is named for
Moss (an epiphytic plant that hangs from
an imaginary island in Spanish folklore,
trees in the Southern U.S.). They gave us
meaning "an earthly paradise."
Spanish mantillas and flamenco dancers,
Other Spanish place names: Texas (from
but not José Greco (who is Italian).
tejas, land of tile roofs), Nevada (land of
snow), Colorado (red land).
The first Spanish newspaper ever pub-
Ponce de Leon discovered Florida in
lished in the United States was El Redac-
1513 and claimed it for the King of Spain.
tor, which debuted on July 1, 1827, in New
In 1565, Spanish forces founded the first
York City.
permanent European colony in America at
The first opera ever produced in Spanish
mother tongue.
St. Augustine, Florida, and did not relin-
at New York's Metropolitan Opera House
quish their claim to that state until 1763,
was Enrique Granados' Goyescas, in 1916.
Facts About the Other Side
Country:
SPAIN
Capital:
Madrid
Official Language:
Castilian Spanish
National Anthem:
Himno Nacional (National Anthem)
corge Zolnay, Saul Steinberg.
National Flag:
nd Games: Charles Stanceu and
Horizontal bands of red bordering a yellow field twice their width
Moldovan, baseball players in the
Major Religion:
Roman Catholic
Ely Culbertson (1891-1955),
player.
Facts About Spanish-Americans:
Dagobert Runes, founder of The
ophical Library, a New York pub-
Immigration to the U.S. (1820-1975):
246,334
house; Mircea Eliade, Professor,
Peak Decade (1911-1920):
68,611
y of Religions, University of Chi-
1970 Census
: Ben Zuckerman (1890-1979),
Foreign-born Spaniards
57,488
ean of the American ready-to-wear
Native-born 2nd generation
97,668
id suit industry."
Total Foreign-stock Population
155,156
134
FROM THE OTHER SIDE
TO THE PROMISED LAND
Who's Spanish?
Music: Carlos Montoya (1903-
), fla-
a Bolivian immigrant of Castilian extrac-
menco guitarist.
tion; Imogene Coca's father was a musi-
Government: Elwood Quesada (1904-
cian of Spanish descent; Xavier Cugat
), first head of the Federal Aviation
(1900-
), the "Rhumba King" was
Agency, and former vice-president of
born in Barcelona.
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation.
Sports: Rosemary Casals (1948-
),
Letters: Truman Capote (1924-
),
top tennis player, is the grandniece of
born in New Orleans of Spanish descent;
cellist Pablo Casals.
Anais Nin (1903-1977), the diarist, was
Science: Severo Ochoa (1905-
), bio-
of Spanish-French descent.
chemist.
Entertainment: Martin Sheen (1940-
Politics: Joseph Montoya (1915-1978),
), of Spanish and Irish parents;
U.S. Senator from New Mexico whose
Raquel Welch (1940-
),
whose
real
parents were descended from eighteenth-
name was Raquel Tejada-her father was
century Spanish immigrants.
THE SWISS IN AMERICA
Some 350,000 Swiss people found their
Charleston, South Carolina. In 1683, Swiss
way to the United States between 1820 and
immigrants settled in Pennsylvania at the
1975. The Swiss are one of America's smal-
behest of William Penn, who assured them
ler foreign-stock groups: according to the
of religious freedom. It has been estimated
1970 census they comprised 0.7% of our
that almost 25,000 Swiss came to America
foreign-stock population.
in the 1700s, during which period they es-
Despite their rather small numbers, the
tablished colonies at Germanna, Virginia;
Swiss have managed to make their mark on
Purysburg, South Carolina; and New Bern,
America in many different fields of en-
Dakota, a settlement founded by Chris-
deavor. From the other side, the Swiss gave
topher de Graffenried (1661-1743) in 1710.
us: Swiss chard, a leafy green vegetable that
According to the 1970 census, there were
was first cultivated here in 1806; dotted
over 49,000 Swiss-born residents and al-
Swiss fabric, for curtains and party dresses;
most 169,000 children of Swiss immigrants
Swiss cheese; and the Brown Swiss cow,
living in the United States.
first brought to New England in 1869 as a
dairy breed.
The Swiss immigrants and their descen-
dants in America gave us: Hershey's milk
Colonel Henry Louis Bouquet (1714-
chocolate; Sutter's mill; the Chevrolet;
1765) was the hero of Fort Pitt, and a mili-
Waldorf salad; Lobster Newburg; the Lin-
tary genius during the French and Indian
coln Tunnel; and an assortment of Nobel
War.
Prize winners, diplomats, pioneers and mili-
Albert Gallatin (1761-1849) served as
tary men. There were even two U.S. pres-
Secretary of the Treasury under both Jeffer-
idents of Swiss-German extraction-
son and Madison, and enjoyed a full career
Hoover and Eisenhower.
as a diplomat, senator, U.S. Representative
The first Swiss citizen in America was
and, later, banker. He also founded the
Diebold von Erlach, a mercenary soldier in
American Ethnological Society and New
the service of Spain who fought and died in
York University.
Florida in 1562. But despite the early ar-
Ferdinand-Rudolph Hassler (1770-
rival of a few scattered Swiss citizens, it
1843) was the first Superintendent of the
wasn't until 1670 that the first Swiss settle-
U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey.
ment in America was established, near
Swiss-born Louis Agassiz (1807-1873)
14
MUSIC, ART AND ENTERTAINMENT
FOR A SONG
ETHNIC STORIES BEHIND SOME
Carolina in the Morning This song was
POPULAR AMERICAN SONGS
written by Gus Kahn, the son of Jewish im-
migrants from Eastern Europe.
Aloha Oe The traditional "farewell"
Carry Me Back to Ol' Virginny Written
song of Hawaii was written by Queen Li-
in 1878 by James A. Bland (1854-1911),
liuokalani (1838-1917), who was also
"the prince of Negro songwriters," this
known as Mrs. Lydia Dominis after her
song became the official state song in 1940.
marriage to a native Bostonian. Queen Li-
Born to free parents in Flushing, New
liuokalani only reigned for two years (1891-
York, in 1854, Bland attended Howard
1893) before being overthrown by a revolu-
University and studied law. He even
tion.
worked as a page in the House of Represen-
Anniversary Waltz This melody first ap-
tatives before he left school to join Cal-
peared in Romania in the 1920s as "Waves
lender's Original Georgia Minstrels at the
of the Danube." Written by the Romanian
age of 21. Virtually unknown in America,
composer I. Ivanovici, it attained fame in
Bland was the idol of England's music halls
1947 when it was featured in the film The
for more than two decades.
Jolson Story.
God Bless America Written by a Rus-
Auld Lang Syne It would be hard to
sian-Jewish immigrant, Israel Baline, better
imagine New Year's Eve without "Auld
known to the world as Irving Berlin, "God
Lang Syne." Although Robert Burns, the
Bless America" was first performed by
Scottish poet, is usually credited with
Kate Smith in 1939, immediately after the
originating the song, he merely adapted this
outbreak of World War II, (22 years after
Scottish tune in 1799 it was already quite
it had been written). The song became
popular in his day. He rearranged the words
Ms. Smith's "trademark." All royalties re-
of the first stanza a bit, added a second and
ceived by Berlin were turned over to the
third stanza, and combined the music from
Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts of America.
several Scottish tunes when he "wrote" this
Green Eyes Originally known as "Ojos
song.
Verdes" when it was written (as an in-
Ballin' the Jack This song, which comes
strumental) by Cuban composer Nilo Men-
with built-in dance instructions, was written
endez in 1935, the song later became a hit
by Black American songwriter Chris Smith
with English lyrics.
(1879-1949) in 1913. Smith also performed
Home Sweet Home Written in 1823 by
in vaudeville and wrote "Junk Man Rag,"
John Howard Payne (1791-1852), the hum-
"Big Cry Baby in the Moon" and "Never
ble words are all-American, but the music is
Let the Same Bee Sting You Twice."
a foreign import. Some sources claim the
Beer Barrel Polka Better known by the
melody comes from a Sicilian opera, while
opening line, "Roll out the barrel," this
others hold that it was adapted from an old
polka was originally written by Czech band-
French folk song.
master Vejvoda. It was translated into En-
La Cucaracha "La Cucaracha" or
glish in 1939 by Lew Brown.
"The Cockroach" has done more to damage
427
MUSIC, ART AND ENTERTAINMENT
the of Cesar Chavez's strikes. by who a
sale of raisins in the United Written States than
for this song was a sixty-year-old coloratura
soprano, Adelina Patti, from Madrid. Patti
all Spanish composer, about a cockroach
was appearing in New York City when
hooked on marijuana, the song alludes to
Henry Armstrong and Richard Gerard
is the fact that the cockroach has spent too
spotted her name on the marquee. "Sweet
INTERTAINMENT
much time in the sun, and now "he's just an-
Adeline" was first performed in 1904.
other raisin." Definitely one of the most
Tea for Two Was written by Jewish
unappetizing lines ever written.
songwriter Irving Caesar, who also penned
Marie from Sunny Italy This song, writ-
"I Want to be Happy," "Swanee" and "Is
ten in Chinatown in 1907, was Irving Ber-
It True What They Say About Dixie?"
lin's (1888- ) first composition. The
Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
Russian-Jewish composer followed
This tune was written in 1922 by the Black
"Marie" with more than 700 other pub-
songwriting team of Henry Creamer and
lished songs during his long songwriting ca-
Turner Layton. Creamer and Layton also
wrote "After You've Gone" (1918) and
reer. Oh. Promise Me A favorite song at
"Strut Miss Lizzie" (1922).
na in the Morning This song was
weddings, "Oh, Promise Me" was written
Yankee Doodle The words were written
y Gus Kahn, the son of Jewish im-
by Reginald de Koven (1861-1920), whose
by a British surgeon, Dr. Richard Shuck-
from Eastern Europe.
first American ancestor was John Louis de
burg, but the music comes from a traditional
Me Back to Ol' Virginny Written
Koven, a native of Germany. The song
English folk tune. "Macaroni" has nothing
by James A. Bland (1854-1911)
came from his 1890 Broadway show, Robin
to do with pasta, but rather was a term used
ice of Negro songwriters," this
Hood.
for an English fop.
ime the official state song in 1940.
Ol' Man River This "Negro" song was
Yes, We Have No Bananas This silly
free parents in Flushing, New
written by the Jewish songwriting team of
song evolved from the confused reply over-
1854, Bland attended Howard
Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern.
heard at a Greek immigrant's fruit stand in
y and studied law. He event
The Star Spangled Banner The words
New York City in 1923. The words were
sa page in the House of Represen-
to our national anthem, as every schoolchild
written by Frank Silver and Irving Cohn,
efore he left school to join Cal-1
learns, were written by Francis Scott Key
and the song was popularized by Eddie
Original Georgia Minstrels at the
on September 14, 1814, during the British
Cantor in his musical, Make It Snappy. The
Virtually unknown in America
bombing of Fort McHenry. The music,
music comes from Handel's Messiah.
S the idol of England's music halls
however, was composed by an Englishman,
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling Ernest
than two decades.
John Stafford Smith, a London composer
Ball and Irish tenor Chauncey Olcott col-
ess America Written by a Rus
who died in 1836. The original piece was
laborated on this Irish ballad, introduced in
h immigrant, Israel Baline, better
known as "The Anacreontic Song" (the title
the 1912 musical The Isle o' Dreams.
the world as Irving Berlin, "God
was derived from the name of a British
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
herica" was first performed by
gentlemen's club). It was recognized as our
Again This song was written by Patrick
h in 1939, immediately after the
national anthem in 1931 by an act of
Gilmore, a Dublin-born lad who emigrated
of World War II, (22 years after
Congress signed by President Hoover.
to the United States at the age of nineteen
en written). The song became
Sweet Adeline The female inspiration
to avoid being forced into the priesthood.
!'s "trademark." All royalties re-
Berlin were turned over to the
S and Girls Scouts of America.
:yes Originally known as "Ojos
MUSIC FOR EVERYONE
vhen it was written (as an in
Monitor Records boasts the world's largest collection of authentic folk music recordings.
) by Cuban composer Nilo Men-
There is African music, recorded live in the Congo; Armenian folk dances and songs;
935, the song later became a hit
sh lyrics.
music from the Slavonic liturgy, including Bulgarian chants; as well as Asian, English,
weet Home Written in 1823 by
French, Dutch, Korean, Middle Eastern and Polish recordings.
ard Payne (1791-1852), the hum-
Gypsy songs, Ukrainian chants, songs of Russian street urchins, fado songs from Por-
are all-American, but the music is
tugal and songs from Bosnia and Herzegovina are just a few of Monitor's records from
mport. Some sources claim the
some fifty different nations.
nes from a Sicilian opera, while
that it was adapted from an old
For more information write to: Monitor Recordings, Inc.
song.
156 Fifth Avenue
aracha "La Cucaracha" or
New York, N.Y. 10010
roach" has done more to damage
428
AN ETHNIC WHO'S WHO
SINGERS, SONGWRITERS, AND
by a Jewish American, Alan Arkin.
MUSICIANS
IRVING BERLIN (1888- ) Irv-
ing Berlin was born Israel Baline in Temun,
PATTI, LAVERNE AND MAX-
Russia. Berlin's rabbi father fled a pogrom
INE The singing Andrews Sisters, Patti
in his native land and settled in New York
(1921- ), Laverne (1915-1967) and
in 1892. Although Berlin never attended
Maxine (1918- ), who were born in
school past the second grade and he never
Minnesota of Greek and Norwegian ances-
learned to read music or to play the piano in
try, attained national prominence in 1937
any key except F sharp, he managed to
with their first hit song, a Yiddish composi-
become a millionaire as a result of the more
tion, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schön," by Sholom
than one thousand songs he has written
Secunda and Jacob Jacobs! Their other
over the past 70 years.
"ethnic cross-over" hits included "Beer
His first song, composed in 1907, was
Barrel Polka" and "Rum and Coca-Cola."
"Marie From Sunny Italy." Other "ethnic
PAUL ANKA (1941-
)
Canadian-
cross-overs" include "Easter Parade" and
born, of Lebanese ancestry, Anka started
"White Christmas." He also composed
his career in 1956 when he bluffed his way
"God Bless America," "Oh, How I Hate
into ABC-Paramount and auditioned his
To Get Up in the Morning" and "There's
song, "Diana." Three years later he had 3
No Business Like Show Business." "Alex-
gold records and his first million dollars. By
ander's Ragtime Band" launched his inter-
the age of 21 he had over 200 songs to his
national career, but according to Berlin,
credit. Although he is credited with com-
"What I did was no more than being able
posing "My Way," the song Frank Sinatra
to recognize what rhythm meant, and being
made famous, Anka only translated it into
with the times."
English. The song was actually composed
LEONARD BERNSTEIN (1918- )
by Claude François, a French songwriter.
In 1958, this son of Russian-Jewish im-
FRANKIE AVALON (1940- )
migrants became the first American-born
Francis Thomas Avallone convinced his
musician to head a major American or-
father to buy him a trumpet after he saw
chestra, when he succeeded Dimitri
Kirk Douglas in Young Man With a Horn.
Mitropoulos as musical director of the
He was only eight years old, and was con-
New York Philharmonic Symphony Or-
sidered something of a "child prodigy" on
chestra.
the trumpet. At age eleven, he appeared on
Bernstein made his first New York ap-
national TV, but when his "cuteness"
pearance as a conductor three years after
faded, he was reduced to playing with a
graduating from Harvard. Two years later,
neighborhood group-Rocco and the
in 1944, he composed the music for Fancy
Saints.
Free, Jerome Robbins' ballet, which even-
Along with Fabian Forte and Bobby Ry-
tually was revamped as the Broadway musi-
dell, Avalon completed the Italian-Amer-
cal On the Town. Besides a successful ca-
ican triumvirate from Philadelphia during
reer as a symphony orchestra conductor,
the late 1950s rock-and-roll explosion.
Bernstein has composed musical scores for
PEARL BAILEY (1918- )
Pearl
Broadway shows (Wonderful Town, 1953;
Mae Bailey holds an honorary doctoral de-
West Side Story, 1957), films (On the Wa-
gree from Georgetown University, but that
terfront, 1954), operas (Trouble in Tahiti,
wasn't enough for this talented Black per-
1952) and his controversial Mass, which
former, whose ancestral roots include
opened the John F. Kennedy Center for the
Creek Indians on both sides of the family -
Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., in
in the late 1970s, Pearl enrolled as a fresh-
1971.
man at Georgetown.
EUBIE BLAKE (1883- ) One of
HARRY BELAFONTE (1927- )
the oldest living performers in America,
Born in New York to West Indian parents,
Black pianist-composer Eubie Blake has
Harry lived in Jamaica from the time he was
been tickling the ivories for over 75 years.
8 years old until he was 13. He gained fame
When he was 95 he saw a revue of his ca-
singing folk songs and "calypso" in the
reer open on Broadway. Will Eubie keep
1950s. Ironically, one of his most famous
going, playing and performing, until he's
hits, the "Banana Boat Song," was written
100? "I don't know nothing else but how to
AN ETHNIC WHO'S WHO
MUSIC, ART AND ENTERTAINMENT
429
Jewish American, Alan Arkin.
write and play music and I'll never quit until
1942) Despite the song he wrote and
:VING BERLIN (1888-
the man counts 8, 9, 10 and waves me out."
made famous ("I'm a Yankee Doodle
Berlin was born Israel Baline in Temun
Despite his fame and wealth, Eubie lives,
Dandy"), Cohan was not born on the fourth
sia. Berlin's rabbi father fled a pogrom
not on Manhattan's fashionable East Side,
of July. He was born on July 3, but his patri-
S native land and settled in New York
but in Brooklyn's Black ghetto-Bedford-
otic father changed the official record to
892. Although Berlin never attended
Stuyvesant. Why? "Here I'm somebody. If
read July 4. Despite his Jewish-sounding
ol past the second grade and he never
I lived on Park Avenue people might think I
last name, Cohan was a full-blooded Irish-
ed to read music or to play the piano in
was just another hustler or something like
American, whose original family name was
key except F sharp, he managed to
that. Besides, when I got married more than
Keohane (pronounced Ca-han or Co-han).
me a millionaire as a result of the more
30 years ago, my father-in-law owned this
He wrote such famous songs as "Over
one thousand songs he has written
house. All I had to do was take off my hat
There" (1917), "You're a Grand Old Flag,"
the past 70 years.
and walk in." (Newsweek)
"Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway" and
S first song, composed in 1907, was
SAMMY CAHN (1913- ), a
"Give My Regards to Broadway."
ie From Sunny Italy." Other "ethnic
German-Jewish songwriter, quips that his
PERRY COMO (1913- ) The sev-
-overs" include "Easter Parade" and
mother was known as the " 'Jewish
enth son of a seventh son and one of 13 off-
te Christmas." He also composed
Lourdes'-because people always came to
spring, Pierino Roland Como started his
Bless America," "Oh, How I Hate
her with their problems." His original name
working life as a barber before touring with
et Up in the Morning" and "There's
was Sammy Cohen, but he changed it twice
Ted Weems' band in 1934. In the 1950s he
usiness Like Show Business." "Alex-
-to Kahn, and then to Cahn to avoid con-
became a popular TV personality, known
's Ragtime Band" launched his inter-
fusion with another songwriter name Kahn.
for his casual, relaxed, "laid back" style.
al career, but according to Berlin,
He studied violin and, after quitting school,
BING CROSBY (1904-1977) made
t I did was no more than being able
played at "borscht belt" resorts in the Cats-
"crooning" world famous when he stepped
ognize what rhythm meant, and being
kills and in Bowery burlesque houses. Cahn
up to the microphones of America in the
he times."
wrote his first song at the age of "Like
1930s. Between 1931 and 1957 he recorded
ONARD BERNSTEIN (1918
Niagara Falls, I'm Falling For You,"-
some 850 songs and sold more than 300
58, this son of Russian-Jewish im-
but it wasn't until 1935 that he wrote his
million records. It was fitting for Bing, an
its became the first American-born
first hit. "Rhythm Is Our Business," with
Irish Catholic, to win an Academy Award
an to head a major American or-
Saul Chaplin. With Jule Styne he wrote
for his priestly role in Going My Way in
a, when he succeeded Dimitri
"I'll Walk Alone," "Saturday Night is the
1944.
poulos as musical director of the
Loneliest Night in the Week," "Five Min-
LEOPOLD
(1832-1885)
AND
York Philharmonic Symphony Or-
utes More," "The Things We Did Last
WALTER DAMROSCH (1862-1950),
1.
Summer" and "Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
the musical father-and-son team from Bres-
stein made his first New York ap-
Let It Snow!" and during his association
lau, Germany, emigrated to the United
ce as a conductor three years after
with Jimmy Van Heusen, Cahn wrote the
States in 1871. The father, Leopold,
ting from Harvard. Two years later
lyrics to "The Tender Trap," "Love and
founded the New York Symphony Society
1, he composed the music for Fancy
Marriage," "High Hopes" and "Call me
in 1879, and his son, Walter, established the
erome Robbins' ballet, which even
Irresponsible."
Damrosch Opera Company in 1895 for the
vas revamped as the Broadway musi-
RAY CHARLES (1932-
)
dropped
sole purpose of introducing Wagnerian
the Town. Besides a successful ca-
his last name, Robinson, when he began to
operas to the American public. When Leo-
a symphony orchestra conductor.
perform professionally, to avoid being con-
pold died in 1885, Walter succeeded him as
in has composed musical scores for
fused with the fighter, "Sugar" Ray Robin-
conductor of the New York Symphony.
'ay shows (Wonderful Town, 1953
son. Born in Albany, Georgia, Ray Charles
Today, Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center
ide Story, 1957), films (On the Wa
was totally blind by the age of seven. He at-
commemorates this musical family's con-
1954), operas (Trouble in Tahiti
tended St. Augustine School for the Blind in
tribution to New York's cultural develop-
and his controversial Mass, which
Florida, where he learned to read Braille, to
ment.
the John F. Kennedy Center for the
play the piano and the clarinet and to mem-
DUKE ELLINGTON (1899-1977) has
ting Arts in Washington, D.C., in
orize music.
been called the "greatest single talent in the
Orphaned at the age of 17, the Black
history of jazz." Born Edward Kennedy
IE BLAKE (1883-
)
One
of
musician supported himself by traveling
Ellington, Duke gained fame as a band
est living performers in America
with hillbilly bands and rhythm and blues
leader and composer. Some of the best-
ianist-composer Eubie Blake has
combos throughout the South. His first
known works of this Black musician are
kling the ivories for over 75 years
album was recorded in 1954, and in 1961
"Mood Indigo" and "Solitude."
e was 95 he saw a revue of his ca
Down Beat magazine voted him America's
ARTHUR FIEDLER (1894-1979), the
en on Broadway. Will Eubie keep
leading male vocalist for his unique style
son of Austrian-Jewish immigrants, came
laying and performing, until he's
of combining gospel music and the blues.
from a long line of musicians. Most of his
don't know nothing else but how to
GEORGE M. COHAN (1878-
ancestors had been violinists-hence the
430
AN ETHNIC WHO'S WHO
surname "Fiedler," which comes from the
his two older brothers, Harry (12) was
German for "fiddler." Arthur took violin
given a tuba; Freddie, the middle brother
lessons as a child, but he viewed his early
(11) was given a trumpet. Benny, the
musical education as
a chore, some-
youngest (10), was given a clarinet.
thing I had to do, like brushing my teeth."
OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II (1895-
(New York Times, April 2, 1972). After a
1960) collaborated with Jerome Kern on the
brief career in the publishing field, Fiedler
musical play Show Boat, which premiered
was swayed to follow in the footsteps of his
in 1927. He later collaborated with Richard
ancestors, and in 1911 he was accepted into
Rodgers on Oklahoma (1943), Carousel
Berlin's Royal Academy of Music.
(1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and
Fiedler debuted as a conductor at the age
I (1951) and The Sound of Music (1959).
of 17. He conducted his first performance of
But Oscar was not the first musical member
the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1926, and in
of his family. His grandfather, Oscar Ham-
1930 he became the Pops' permanent con-
merstein (1847-1919) ran away from his
ductor-one of the few American-born
home in Berlin at the age of 17 after his fa-
maestros of his day. For almost five de-
ther beat him for skating instead of practic-
cades Fiedler conducted the Pops orchestra
ing the violin. Oscar sold his violin to pay
for the listening pleasure of radio, television
for his passage to England, and from there
and concert audiences.
he crewed on a ship bound for America to
GEORGE GERSHWIN (1898-
earn his fare to the New World.
1937) The famed composer was born
Grandfather Hammerstein made a for-
Jacob Gershwin, but his Russian immigrant
tune in the tobacco business and used his
parents always called him "George." His
profits to buy a part interest in two German-
first hit song was "Swanee," written with
language theaters in New York. Between
lyricist Irving Caesar. The duo composed it
1906 and 1910 his Manhattan Opera House
in about 15 minutes, introduced it to Al Jol-
rivaled the Metropolitan Opera House,
son and became internationally famous as a
which later bought out his interest with the
result of the 1 million copies of sheet music
stipulation that Hammerstein not produce
and over 2 million records they sold.
any operas in the United States for ten
Some of his most famous works include:
years.
"Embraceable You," "I Got Rhythm,"
LORENZ HART (1895-1943) wrote al-
"Love Walked In," "S' Wonderful" and
most 400 songs and 29 musicals in collabo-
"Rhapsody in Blue." His musical, Of Thee
ration with Richard Rodgers (1902-
).
I Sing (1931) became the first musical ever
Rodgers later continued his career in collab-
to win a Pulitzer Prize; and his Negro folk
oration with Oscar Hammerstein, writing
opera, Porgy and Bess, has enjoyed many
such famous musicals as Oklahoma and
revivals on both the stage and the screen
South Pacific.
since it was introduced in 1935.
Lorenzo Milton Hart was born on New
BENNY GOODMAN (1909-
) was
York's Upper East Side to German-Jewish
the first white bandleader to employ Black
immigrant parents, Frieda and Max Hertz,
musicians in his band. He also made his
who had Americanized their last name to
name in "swing" by using the arrangements
Hart.
of a Black musician, Fletcher Henderson.
JASCHA HEIFETZ (1901-
), the
Benjamin David Goodman was the eighth
Russian violin virtuoso, made his American
of eleven children born to impoverished
debut at Carnegie Hall in 1917 at the age of
Russian-Jewish parents. Benny notes of his
16. When asked about his life, after a career
childhood: "I can remember a time when
that had already spanned five decades, Hei-
we lived in a basement without heat during
fetz remarked, "Here is my biography: I
the winter, and a couple of times when there
played the violin at three and gave my first
wasn't anything to eat."
concert at seven. I have been playing ever
He learned music at the Kehelah Jacob
since."
Synagogue, where lessons and instruments
VICTOR HERBERT (1859-1924)
for rental cost only about 25c per week.
Composer of such famous operattas as The
Why did he take up the clarinet? It was
Red Mill, Naughty Marietta, and Babes in
strictly a matter of size and age! When
Toyland, Herbert also wrote musical
Benny went to the synagogue in 1919 with
scores for Ziegfeld revues and motion pic-
ETHNIC WHO'S
MUSIC, ART AND ENTERTAINMENT
431
older
tuba; given the middle brother
tures of the early twentieth century. Born in
glittering clothes and flashy style have
a
trumpet.
Benny
Dublin, Ireland, and raised in London, Her-
earned him continued popularity.
(10), was given a clarinet.
the
bert acquired a love of music from his
GUY LOMBARDO (1902-1977)
HAMMERSTEIN II (1895-
grandfather, who taught him Irish folk
Born Gaetano Albert Lombardo in Ontario,
llaborated with Jerome Kern on the
songs. By the time he was thirty he was con-
Canada, Guy came from a musical family.
Show Boat, which premiered
sidered to be one of the best cellists in the
His father, an Italian immigrant, en-
He later collaborated with Richard
world, although he was to make his mark in
couraged all of his children to study music,
on Oklahoma (1943), Carousel
another musical field.
and "because he was the oldest" Guy's first
South Pacific (1949), The King and
SCOTT JOPLIN (1868-1917) The
instrument was the violin. Still, it was as a
and The Sound of Music (1959).
Black American "King of the Ragtime
band leader, not a violinist, that he achieved
was not the first musical member
Composers" became a household word in
fame in show business. The beloved "Mr.
His grandfather, Oscar Ham-
America more than fifty years after his
New Year's Eve" led his orchestra on that
(1847-1919) ran away from his
death. Joplin was born on November 24,
night every year for almost half a century.
Berlin at the age of 17 after his fa-
1868, in Texarkana, Texas, into a highly
HENRY MANCINI (1924- ) A
him for skating instead of practic-
musical family. He began playing in cafés,
native of Cleveland, Ohio, Italian-
Oscar sold his violin to pay
brothels and saloons at the age of 14, and
American Mancini is famous for his film
became famous for his syncopated rhythms
scores and theme music. Some of his most
assage to England, and from there
on a ship bound for America to
(known as ragged time and later ragtime),
familiar works are "The Pink Panther,"
fare to the New World.
but it wasn't until Joshua Rifkin recorded
"Days of Wine and Roses," "Charade,"
father Hammerstein made a for-
Joplin's rags in 1971 that a mass audience
"Peter Gunn," "Mr. Lucky" and "The
he tobacco business and used his
became familiar with his work. One of his
Glenn Miller Story."
buy a part interest in two German-
most famous rags, "The Entertainer," was
CHUCK MANGIONE (1941-
)
theaters in New York. Between
used as the theme for the hit movie The
In 1978, Chuck Mangione's album, Feels
1910 his Manhattan Opera House
Sting, whose recorded sound track sold to
So Good, became one of the biggest jazz
the Metropolitan Opera House,
the tune of 2,000,000 copies.
"cross-over" albums in recording history.
bought out his interest with the
Unfortunately, Joplin never lived to
Such high sales are most unusual for a jazz
that Hammerstein not produce
enjoy the accolades of the public. He died in
recording artist, and that album propelled
in the United States for ten
a mental hospital in New York, where he
Chuck and his group into the world of popu-
was committed after a nervous breakdown
lar music.
HART (1895-1943) wrote als
following the failure of his ragtime opera
Until recently, Mangione claimed he only
songs and 29 musicals in collabo-
Treemonisha, about a Black woman who
played clubs where "music was the third
Richard Rodgers (1902-
leads her people to freedom.
reason" people came there-most patrons
continued his career in collab-
ANDRE KOSTELANETZ (1901- ),
were only interested in drinking and meet-
ith Oscar Hammerstein, writing
inaugurated the "Promenade" series of con-
ing friends. He hopes his newfound success
musicals as Oklahoma and
certs at Philharmonic Hall in New York in
will change all that.
1963. The son of wealthy Russian Jewish
Was his family musical? Not really. His
Milton Hart was born on New
parents, Kostelanetz was born in St. Peters-
father claims, "I played the cash register so
East Side to German-Jewish
burg. The family fortune was lost in the
I could put my three children through col-
Revolution of 1917, and when young André
parents, Frieda and Max Hertz,
lege." But on weekends, after a hard week
Americanized their last name to.
fled Russia in 1922 he had nothing but the
at his Rochester, New York, grocery store,
clothes on his back.
Papa Mangione would take his sons to the
HEIFETZ (1901-
During World War II, Kostelanetz
local jazz clubs to listen to the greats play.
),
the
trained GI orchestras in Europe and was
virtuoso, made his American
Afterward he would invite the likes of
awarded the Asia-Pacific campaign ribbon
Carnegie Hall in 1917 at the age of
Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderly to
for his services. Over the years, André has
come back to his home for a real Italian din-
asked about his life, after a career
sold some 52 million records and has con-
Iready spanned five decades, Hei-
ner and a jam session, so Chuck and his
ducted the orchestras of most major Ameri-
"Here is my biography: I
brothers got to jam with the greatest right in
can cities.
violin at three and gave my first
their own living room.
LIBERACE (1919- ) Half Polish
seven. I have been playing ever
ZUBIN MEHTA (1936- ) A na-
and half Italian, with a name to match his
tive of Bombay, India, Mehta became musi-
ethnic heritage, Wladziu Valentino Li-
HERBERT (1859-1924)
cal director of the Los Angeles Symphony
berace was a mere four years old when he
of such famous operattas as The
in 1962. His youth, good looks and reputa-
began to play the piano by ear. Known as
tion as a "ladies' man" earned him the nick-
Naughty Marietta, and Babes in
Walter to his school chums, Liberace began
Herbert also wrote musical
name "Zubie Baby." In 1978, Mehta be-
his career at the age of twelve playing in
came conductor of the New York
Ziegfeld revues and motion pic
beer joints to earn money for his family. His
Philharmonic.
432
AN ETHNIC WHO'S WHO
GIANCARLO MENOTTI (1911- )
he could not bear a life devoid of music, and
Born near Milan, Italy, Menotti came to the
he began devoting himself to the piano in-
United States in 1928, where he became a
stead of the priesthood.
musical man for all seasons. Two of his
At the age of 10, Mitropoulos had already
operas, The Consul and The Saint of
mastered the scores of Faust and Rigo-
Bleecker Street, have won Pulitzer Prizes,
letto. By the time he was 20, he had com-
and his highly influential Festival of Two
posed his first opera, Sister Beatrice.
Worlds at Spoleto, Italy, has recently
He emigrated to the United States at the
spawned an American offshoot. The yearly
age of 40 and became a citizen in 1946.
Spoleto Festival, USA, in Charleston,
During his career as a symphony conduc-
South Carolina, features operas, chamber
tor, Mitropoulos conducted the Min-
concerts, dance programs and musicals.
neapolis Symphony from 1936 to 1949 and
CHARLIE MINGUS (1924-1979)
the New York Philharmonic from 1949 to
Nicknamed "Jazz's Angry Man" because
1958.
of his rage over racial inequities, Charlie
ELVIS PRESLEY (1935-1977) Elvis
Mingus grew up in the Watts ghetto of Los
proved "WASPs have rhythm too" when he
Angeles. His "passport" out of the ghetto
electrified the world with his nonstop pelvis
was his bass fiddle, which he plucked with
in the late 1950s. Elvis' first ancestor in
some of the greatest names in jazz-Lionel
America is believed to have been Andrew
Hampton, Charlie Parker and Duke Elling-
Presley, Sr., a Scottish immigrant who came
ton. According to Mingus: "Blues is a way
to America in 1745, settled in Anson
of life. Society may lay it on you. Blues is a
County, North Carolina, and supported his
way of yelling back." In his autobiography,
family by working as a blacksmith.
Beneath the Underdog, the "angry man"
SERGEI VASSILIEVICH RACH-
claimed: Jazz is "the American Negro's
MANINOFF (1873-1943) became a U.S.
tradition
White people don't have a right
citizen a few months prior to his death in
to play it." But, despite his remarks, Mingus
1943. A graduate of the Moscow Conserva-
often used white musicians in his bands-
tory, Rachmaninoff was awarded a gold
referring to them as "colorless."
medal in 1892 for his one-act opera, Aleko.
BORRAH MINEVITCH (1902-1955)
Some of Rachmaninoff's most famous
Born in Kiev, Russia, in 1902, the youngest
works are Prelude in C Sharp Minor (1892),
of seven children, Borrah became one of the
Second Piano Concerto (1901) and Rhap-
most famous harmonica players in the
sody on a Theme by Paganini (1934). Rach-
world in the early 1930s. He received up to
maninoff's Second Piano Concerto is better
$3,200 a week for performing on stage, and
known to popular music fans as "Full Moon
as a result of his influence, sales of har-
and Empty Arms."
monicas jumped to 30,000,000 per year
JOE RAPOSO (1937- ) If you
within five years of his stage debut.
know any preschool children, you've proba-
With his harmonica, Borrah could play
bly heard Joe Raposo's most famous theme
such complicated arrangements as Rhap-
song, "Sesame Street." A Portuguese-
sody in Blue, Liebestraum and even An
American from the city of Fall River, Mas-
American in Paris. In 1934 he founded the
sachusetts, Raposo was urged to study
Harmonica Institute of America, where he
medicine by his parents even though they
taught New Yorkers the fundamentals in
taught him to play the piano, violin, bass
four easy lessons. According to Borrah,
viola and guitar. But, as Joe put it: "I
"Half the world plays a harmonica, and the
couldn't stand the sight of blood, so I went
other half wishes it could."
to Harvard to become a lawyer." Side-
DIMITRI MITROPOULOS (1896-
tracked by his love of music, he abandoned
1960) Mitropoulos emigrated to the
his law studies in 1959 to concentrate on
United States in 1936 after enjoying a fine
composing.
reputation as a conductor in Europe. Born
Besides the theme songs for Sesame
in Athens and educated in Berlin, Mi-
Street and The Electric Company, Raposo
tropoulos once dreamed of becoming a
has written many of the Muppets' best-
Greek Orthodox monk. But, when he
selling hits. Most recently, three-quarters of
learned that the religious order forbids the
a million copies of Sesame Street Fever, a
use of musical instruments, Dimitri decided
disco record for tots, have been sold. The
AN ETHNIC WHO
WHO
MUSIC, ART AND ENTERTAINMENT
433
) he could not bear a life devoid of music,an
e he began devoting himself to the piano)
album features "Loveable Grover" on the
He also served as bandmaster for the U.S.
a
stead of the priesthood.
cover, decked out in a white suit à la John
Navy from 1917 to 1919. Sousa wrote the
S
At the age of 10, Mitropoulos had already
Travolta. "Cross-over" hits into the adult
operetta El Capitan in 1896 and "The
mastered the scores of Faust and Rigo
world include "Bein' Green," "Sing" and
Chariot Race" (Houdini's theme song). The
letto. By the time he was 20, he had com-
"You Will Be My Music."
Sousaphone, a modified tuba that diffuses
posed his first opera, Sister Beatrice.
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE (1941-
the sound over the musician's head, instead
He emigrated to the United States at the
) A Cree Indian folksinger who rose
of having it project straight ahead, was pat-
age of 40 and became a citizen in 1946.
to fame in the 1960s, Buffy is now married
terned after designs suggested by Sousa.
During his career as a symphony conduc-
to a Sioux (Sheldon Wolfchild), and has
tor, Mitropoulos conducted the Min-
become a regular on Sesame Street with her
neapolis Symphony from 1936 to 1949 and
son. Dakota Starblanket Wolfchild, who's
the 1958. New York Philharmonic from 1949 to
called "Cody" for short. Instead of "pro-
test songs" and love songs (she wrote
ELVIS PRESLEY (1935-1977) Elvis
"Until It's Time for You To Go"), Buffy is
proved "WASPs have rhythm too" when he
singing her ABC's for the tots of America.
electrified the world with his nonstop pelvis
ARTUR RUBINSTEIN (1885-
in the late 1950s. Elvis' first ancestor in
) Artur's parents gave him a violin
America is believed to have been Andrew
when he was only three years of age. After
Presley, Sr., a Scottish immigrant who came
Artur smashed it to smithereens, his parents
to America in 1745, settled in Anson
decided he should take lessons on a more
County, North Carolina, and supported his
durable instrument-the piano. By the time
family by working as a blacksmith.
Artur was five, he was performing at charity
SERGEI VASSILIEVICH RACH-
concerts in his native Poland. At the age of
MANINOFF (1873-1943) became a U.S.
12, Rubinstein appeared as a soloist with
citizen a few months prior to his death in
the Berlin Symphony Orchestra; he toured
1943. A graduate of the Moscow Conserva-
the United States for the first time in 1906.
tory, Rachmaninoff was awarded a gold
One of America's greatest pianists, Rubin-
medal in 1892 for his one-act opera, Aleko:
stein became a U.S. citizen in 1946.
Some of Rachmaninoff's most famous
NEIL SEDAKA (1939- ) Neil's
works are Prelude in C Sharp Minor (1892)
parents were Sephardic Jews who emi-
Second Piano Concerto (1901) and Rhap
grated from Istanbul, Turkey, to Brooklyn's
sody on a Theme by Paganini (1934). Rach
Brighton Beach section. Neil studied piano
maninoff's Second Piano Concerto is better
and was accepted as a scholarship student
known to popular music fans as "Full Moon
to the preparatory division of the pres-
and Empty Arms."
tigious Juilliard School of Music at the
JOE RAPOSO (1937- ) If you
tender age of nine. He started his pop-music
know any preschool children, you've proba
writing career in the early 1960s and has
bly heard Joe Raposo's most famous theme
written such famous hits as "Calendar
song, "Sesame Street." A Portuguese-
Girl," "Oh Carol" and "The Immigrant."
American from the city of Fall River, Más
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA (1854-
sachusetts, Raposo was urged to study
1932) Known as the "March King,"
medicine by his parents even though they
Sousa was one of the Marine Corps's most
taught him to play the piano, violin, bass
famous bandleaders, serving from 1880 to
1892.
viola and guitar. But, as Joe put it:
"The March King," John Philip Sousa.
couldn't stand the sight of blood, so I went
His father, Joao de Sousa, changed his
(Courtesy: New York Public Library)
to Harvard to become a lawyer." Side
name to John Sousa when he emigrated to
tracked by his love of music, he abandoned
the United States from Portugal. He, too,
his law studies in 1959 to concentrate on
was a musician with the U.S. Marine Band,
composing.
and when his son, John Philip, threatened to
WILLIAM GRANT STILL (1895-
Besides the theme songs for Sesame
run away and join the circus at the age of
1978), "the dean of Black classical compos-
Street and The Electric Company, Raposo
thirteen, Papa Sousa enlisted him as a boy
ers," became the first Black musician to
musician with the Marines.
has written many of the Muppets' best-
conduct a major American orchestra when
selling hits. Most recently, three-quarters of
Sousa went on to write more than 100
he led the Los Angeles Philharmonic in
a million copies of Sesame Street Fever, a
marches for the Marines, including
1936 at the Hollywood Bowl.
disco record for tots, have been sold. The
"Semper Fidelis," "The Washington Post
Born in Woodville, Mississippi, Still
March" and "Stars and Stripes Forever."
learned to play the violin, cello and oboe as
434
AN ETHNIC WHO'S WHO
a young boy. His most famous work is the
ARTURO TOSCANINI (1867-1957)
Afroamerican Symphony (1931). Other or-
conducted the Metropolitan Opera between
chestral and choral works by Still include
1908 and 1915. He returned to his native
Symphony in G Minor, "And They
Italy to conduct at La Scala, but when Fas-
Lynched Him in a Tree," "The Colored
cists gained control of the government Tos-
Soldiers Who Died for Democracy,"
canini returned to the United States. He
"From the Delta" and "Songs of Separa-
became principal conductor of the New
tion."
York Philharmonic, and director of the
LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI (1882-1977)
NBC Symphony Orchestra, which was
brought classical music to the masses when
created especially for him by the network.
he conducted the soundtrack for Walt Dis-
SOPHIE TUCKER (1884-1966) was
ney's Fantasia in 1941. Born in London of
"the Last of the Red Hot Mamas." Al-
Polish and Irish parentage, Stokowski came
though she was born Sophie Kalish, she
to the United States at the age of 23 and
grew up with an italian last name- Abuza-
became a citizen in 1915. His American
thanks to her father, who fled Russia to
career spanned 7 decades and more than
avoid military service and took on the iden-
7,000 performances. Stokowski conducted
tity of a deceased Italian friend. He even-
the Philadelphia Orchestra for 27 years, and
tually became a restaurant owner in Hart-
also led the NBC Symphony and the Amer-
ford, Connecticut, and was dead set against
ican Symphony Orchestra.
a career in show business for his daughter.
IGOR FYODOROVICH STRAVIN-
Undaunted, Sophie set off for New York in
SKY (1882-1971) fled his native Russia
1906 with her eye on the vaudeville stage.
in 1914 and settled in Switzerland. Later
Her best ethnic record? "My Yiddishe
he made his way to the United States,
Momme."
where he became a naturalized citizen in
LESLIE UGGAMS (1943-
)
has
1945. Stravinsky's most famous ballets in-
African, Scotch, Irish, Cherokee and Se-
clude The Firebird (1910) and The Rite of
minole Indian ancestry. This singer's un-
Spring (1931). His symphonies and sonatas
usual surname is said to be derived from an
were also internationally acclaimed.
Indian word meaning "sweet one."
ELIZABETH SWADOS (1951-
)
KURT WEILL (1900-1950) composed
presented her musical, Runaways, at Jo-
the music for the Threepenny Opera (Die
seph Papp's Public Theater Cabaret in
Dreigroschenoper) in 1928, prior to emi-
1978. One of New York's youngest com-
grating to the United States with his wife,
posers, Swados learned to play the piano at
Lotte Lenya. The son of a Jewish cantor,
the age of five and was performing as a folk
born in Dessau, Germany, Weill studied
singer by the time she turned twelve.
music under the famous composer Engel-
Elizabeth Swados was born to a musical
bert Humperdinck at the Staatliche Hoch-
family. Her Jewish ancestors can trace their
schule für Musik in Berlin. While in the
roots back to Vilna, Lithuania, where the
United States, Weill composed movie
family name was spelled Swiadisch. Liz's
scores, including the music for the films
first theatrical work was Nightclub Can-
One Touch of Venus and Lost in the Stars.
tata, which became an off-Broadway hit
He became a U.S. citizen in 1943.
during the 1977 season.
LAWRENCE WELK (1903-
)
DIMITRI TIOMKIN (1899-1979), the
bought his first accordion with $15 he
Russian-born composer of film scores, won
earned by trapping muskrats and weasels
four Oscars during his forty-year career in
near his North Dakota home. Born in a sod
Hollywood. Altogether, Tiomkin composed
house to immigrant parents from Stras-
the music for 160 film scores, yet he once
bourg, on the border of France and Ger-
complained that writing music for films was
many, Welk was a failure at farming. He
"like putting herring together with sugar."
couldn't milk cows, was sickened at the
Despite his laments, Tiomkin enjoyed
slaughter of animals and once broke his arm
his work and won Academy Awards for
while attempting to plow a field. He spoke
the musical scores for High Noon (1952),
German during most of his youth and, ac-
The High and the Mighty (1954), The
cording to his brother, "he really didn't
Old Man and the Sea (1958) and The
speak English until he was twenty-one and
Alamo (1960).
got away from here."
AN ETHNIC WHO'S WHO
MUSIC, ART AND ENTERTAINMENT
443
te and steel, to which he added bits
JOSEPH BAERMAN STRAUSS
Chicago, which is America's tallest build-
5. bottles, dishes, seashells and other
(1870-1938) was the designer of the
ing, but the Sears Tower tops it by 85 feet-
; he could scavenge, simple because
Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
and even though the World Trade Center
vanted to build something big for
Born in Cincinnati, of Jewish parentage,
has two buildings instead of one, it's height
ca."
Baermann designed the Golden Gate with
that counts.
RK ROTHKO (1903-1970) Mar
36½-inch-thick suspension cables to make
KORCZAK ZIOLKOWSKI (1909-
othkowitz journeyed from his na
it the longest single-span suspension bridge
) is blasting a 641-foot-long-by-513-
ussia with his mother and sister in
of its day. First opened to traffic in 1937,
foot-high statue of Chief Crazy Horse in the
o join his father, a Jewish pharmacist
the Golden Gate cost $35 million and was
Black Hills of South Dakota. When he
ad already established a business in
described as the most beautiful bridge of
first came to the mountain Korczak had
nd, Oregon.
that decade. The board of directors were
$174 in cash and a vision. Today, he has a
nko entered Yale in 1921, dropped
so pleased, they gave Strauss a golden
61-room home/studio/museum which is
1923, and ended up at New York
pass which entitled him to toll-free access
open to the public, and financial security
Art Student's League. After his
to the bridge for the rest of his life.
for his project, which is financed by admis-
exhibition in 1929, this basically
SAUL STEINBERG (1914-
)
sion fees. Of Polish ancestry. Ziolkowski
ught painter turned more and more
makes his comments on modern life with
started his project almost 30 years ago, after
1 abstraction-large canvasses char-
pen and ink drawings that regularly adorn
working as Borglum's assistant at Mount
ed by diffuse rectangles of color
the cover of the New Yorker magazine.
Rushmore. After all this time in the Black
ritic wrote of Rothko's art, "I know
Born in Rimnicu-Sarat, Romania, Steinberg
Hills Korczak has only a scale model,
any people only find it an insult to
emigrated to America at the age of twenty-
1/34th the size of the completed monu-
ntelligence; but if by some miracle
eight. Although he was an alien, he was
ment, and a vague outline of Crazy Horse's
o's attitude to painting were to pre
granted a commission in the U.S. Navy in
arm carved in the rock to show for his
e should all be on the way to becom-
1943 and later became a naturalized citizen.
efforts. Korczak claims that when the
nverts to Zen Buddhism." (Architec
In addition to his magazine work, Stein-
monument is finished, 4,000 people will
leview, Oct. 1957, R. Melville)
berg's watercolors have been exhibited at
be able to stand on Crazy Horse's arm, a
nko committed suicide in 1970, leav-
galleries and museums around the world,
five-room house will fit inside the horse's
hind 798 unsold paintings; their sale
including New York's Metropolitan Mu-
nostril and the feather atop Crazy horse's
the early 1970s erupted into a major
seum of Art and the Museum of Modern
head will be 44 feet tall.
d in the art world.
Art. Steinberg served as "artist in resi-
So far Korczak has removed 5 million
RO SAARINEN (1910-1961) and his
dence" at the Smithsonian Institute from
tons of rock from the mountainside. Will he
ct father, ELIEL (1873-1950), emi-1
1966 to 1968.
live to finish the project? Korczak answers:
to the United States in 1923 from
MINORU YAMASAKI (1912- )
"I've left three books of drawings. Any
latt, Finland. Together they designed
A Japanese-American born in Seattle, Ya-
competent engineer could finish it." Like
:nt stainless steel arch that rises 630)
masaki designed the 110-story twin towers
Borglum, Korczak has offspring who are
ove the city of St. Louis, Missouri, as
that dominate the skyline of lower Manhat-
interested in the project- 5 boys and 5 girls
f the Jefferson National Expansion
tan. The World Trade Center has the same
whom he hopes will continue his work if he
rial. They are also the creators of the
number of stories as the Sears Tower in
leaves it unfinished.
terminal at Kennedy Airport in New
DLO SOLERI (1919- ) is an Ital
"ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE
rn architect famous for his "earth
structures that are half in the
and half out, with soil roofs covered
NICK ADAMS (1932-1968) Born
JACK ALBERTSON (1910-
)
concrete: Soleri coined the word
Nicholas Adamchok, this Ukrainian-
The second half of television's Chico and
gy" to describe his marriage of
American actor had the distinction of being
the Man was born in Malden, Massachu-
ecture and ecology."
nominated by the Academy of Motion Pic-
setts, of German and Russian-Jewish fore-
VARD STEICHEN (1879-1973)
ture Arts and Sciences for an Academy
bears. He won an Academy Award as best
the photographic geniuses of all time
Award as best supporting actor for his role
supporting actor in 1968 for his perform-
n behind the 1955 Family of Man ex:
in Twilight of Honor. Unfortunately, the
ance in The Subject Was Roses.
and best-selling book of the same
members of the Academy viewed the film
DON
AMECHE
(1908-
)
was born, as few American immi-
before it was readied for commercial the-
Ameche was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin,
have been, in the picturesque Grand
aters. By the time the film was edited for
to a Italian father and a mother who
of Luxembourg. Steichen was direc
distribution, Adams' best scenes, and his
was of German and Scotch-Irish an-
he department of photography of the
chances for the Oscar, had been excised
cestry. He became interested in drama
m of Modern Art between 1947 and
completely from the film. Hugh Griffith of
while attending the University of Wiscon-
Tom Jones won the award in 1963.
sin, and worked in radio before graduating
444
ETHNIC WHO'S WHO
to the silver screen. Ameche starred in the
at an Anchorage, Alaska, cold-weather ex-
movie The Story of Alexander Graham Bell
periment station) where boredom led him
(1941) and, on Broadway, in Silk Stockings
to a drug habit. "A bunch of us just fell
(1955) and 13 Daughters (1961), in which
into it. You'd shoot dope because it made
he played a Chinese father for the play's 28
you feel better
and pretty soon you
performances.
couldn't stand not to shoot it." (TV Guide,
ALAN ARKIN (1934- ) Born in
May 10, 1975).
Brooklyn to Russian-German-Jewish
Therapy helped Blake kick his drug and
parents, Arkin wanted to act when he was a
drinking habits and in 1967 he got the pro-
child. But, as he noted, "I guess they didn't
verbial "big break" of his adult career when
need a twelve-year-old character star."
he was chosen to play Perry Smith, a mass
It wasn't until 1958 that he was able to join a
murderer, in the screen adaptation of Tru-
summer stock group in the Adirondacks.
man Capote's nonfiction novel, In Cold
Prior to his career in films, Alan sang with a
Blood.
folk group and wrote music. His most famil-
Blake has been called the "Sicilian
iar tune is "The Banana Boat Song," which
Mickey Rooney." In 1975 he won an
Harry Belafonte made famous. Arkin won
Emmy as the year's outstanding actor in a
an Oscar nomination for his role in The
drama series, for his portryal of an under-
Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are
cover cop in Baretta.
Coming in 1966. Some of his other films
YUL BRYNNER (1920-
)
probably
are: Wait Until Dark, Catch-22 and The
has the most famous hairless head in
Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.
America. Born Taidje Khan of part Gypsy
LAUREN BACALL (1924-
)
In
ancestry on Sakhalin Island, Russia, Yul
1979 "Bogey's Baby" proved that, not only
made the movie and stage versions of The
could she look good, act, sing and dance,
King and I famous. He won an Academy
but she could also write. Her autobio-
Award as Best Actor in 1956 for his role as
graphy, Lauren Bacall By Myself, told of
the King, and although he has sported hair
her "nice Jewish girl" upbringing in New
once or twice since then, he has been
York City as Betty Perske, and her rise as
"clean shaven" for over 20 years. Some of
model, actress, wife and mother. In her
his other films are The Magnificent Seven;
own words, she had it all: "love, family,
Taras Bulba, in which he played a Cossack;
career, recognition." Bacall's father was an
Kings of the Sun, in which he played a
immigrant from Alsace and her mother was
Mayan Indian; and Flight from Ashiya, in
born in New York of German-Romanian
which Yul was a Japanese parachute ex-
heritage.
pert.
CANDICE BERGEN (1946-
)
ELLEN BURSTYN (1932-
)
Born
Candy is the daughter of ventriloquist
Edna Rae Gillooly, this Irish-American
Edgar Bergen. Her Swedish good looks
actress won an Academy Award as Best
have helped her become one of Holly-
Acress for her performance in the title role
wood's most popular actresses. In addition,
of Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
she is a respected photographer and a bank-
JAMES CAAN (1939- ), the son of
able spokeswoman for Cie perfume.
a kosher meat dealer from the Bronx, made
ROBERT BLAKE (1933-
)
Born
his name at the box office as the errant son-
Michael James Vijencio Gubitosi in Nutley,
in-law of The Godfather. His last name is a
New Jersey, Blake made his debut at the
Dutch variation of Cahn, and his ancestry is
age of two in a song-and-dance act, "The 3
Dutch, German and Jewish, despite his suc:
Little Hillbillies," that his father choreo-
cess playing a "Mafioso" on the screen.
graphed. Determined to have his children
JAMES COCO (1929-
) was born in
"make it" in show business, Papa Gubitosi
Manhattan's "Little Italy" and dreamed of
packed the family up and moved to Venice,
becoming an actor from early childhood,
California, where Bobby Blake started his
"My father was a shoemaker in the Bronx
show-biz career as "Mickey" in MGM's
and I was a fat kid determined to be in show
Our Gang comedies.
business. I used to shine his customers
By 1950 Bobby's career was over. He
shoes and while I did it, I'd tell them how
was thrown out of five schools in two
was going to be a big movie star when
I
years and ended up in the Army (stationed
grew up."
WHO'S
WHO
MUSIC, ART AND ENTERTAINMENT
445
cold-weather
boredom
While waiting for his "big break" Coco
tish descent and was born in Hartford,
led
just
worked as a short order cook, a switch-
Connecticut.
of
us
fell
board operator and even a department store
JACK KLUGMAN (1922- )
was
because
it
made
Santa Claus. Reporters have credited the
the youngest of six children born to poor
pretty
soon
you
(TV
"customary pasta of an Italian-American
Russian immigrants in South Philadelphia.
it."
Guide,
family". for keeping Coco's weight between
His first roommate in New York was fellow
his
drug
225 and 310 pounds, but once, Coco claims,
actor Charles Bronson, but Klugman is
and
when I went down to 175, people
probably best known as Tony Randall's
he
got
the
pro-
dult
didn't seem to like me as much. My sister
roommate, Oscar, from the long re-running
career
when
(Lucy) broke out in tears and insisted I had
television series, The Odd Couple. Klug-
Smith,
a
mass
cancer."
man has come a long way since then-Jack
daptation
of
Tru-
FAYE DUNAWAY (1941- )
won
formerly portrayed a disheveled sports-
novel,
In
Cold
an Academy Award nomination in 1967 for
writer, but he is now making his living
her third film, Bonnie and Clyde, but it
playing a medical examiner on Quincy.
the
"Sicilian"
wasn't until 1976 that the Irish-American
ANN-MARGRET (1941- ) Born
he
won
an
actress walked off with that coveted prize
Ann Margret Olsson in the Swedish village
anding actor ina
for her performance in Network as a TV
of Valsjobyn, Ann emigrated to the United
of
an
under-
executive who fights her way to the top.
States with her parents in 1946. She at-
HENRY FONDA (1905- ) is one of
tained fame as a singer and dancer, but crit-
)
probably
the few Hollywood actors to have a town
ics acclaimed her acting ability in Carnal
airless
head
in
named after him. Fonda, New York, was
Knowledge and in the rock musical Tommy.
of
part
Gypsy
founded by Henry's ancestor Douw Fonda,
PENNY MARSHALL (1944- )
Russia,
Yul
who settled in upstate New York in the
The Italian-American star of TV's La-
versions of The
early 1700s. Fonda's forebears were origi-
verne and Shirley, Penny is well con-
an
Academy
nally from Italy, but they migrated to Hol-
nected in show-business circles: her hus-
for his role as
land in the fifteenth century and made the
band is Rob Reiner, an actor and the son of
has sported hair
trek across the ocean to the New World in
comedian Carl Reiner, and her brother is
he has been
1628. Henry's grandfather was born at
the producer of Laverne and Shirley-
years. Some of
Fonda. New York, but later took his family
Garry Marshall. Penny once expressed the
agnificent
Seven:
to Omaha, where Henry's father was born.
suspicion that she was only getting ahead in
layed
a
Cossack,
Henry himself was born at Grand Island,
the business because of her connections.
he
played
Nebraska, and has yet to visit his name-
Not so, insisted brother Garry. "Nobody is
from Ashiya in
sake town in New York.
that nice," he said. "I gave you one break.
parachute
ex-
CARY GRANT (1904-
) was born
That was nice. But the fact that I've had
in Bristol, England, with the unstagelike
you back
means that you're good."
1932-
)
Born
name of Archibald Alexander Leach. After
ZERO MOSTEL (1915-1977) His real
Irish-American
being expelled from school at the age of
name was Samuel Joel Mostel, but his press
Award
as
Best
fourteen for attempting to sneak into the
agent gave him the name "Zero." The son
in the title role
girls' bathroom, Grant started his show busi-
of a rabbi from Brooklyn, New York,
Anymore.
ness career by joining a troupe of comedi-
Mostel was known not only as a brilliant
), the son of
ans and acrobats.
performer, but as an artist. Some of his
the Bronx, made
LEE GRANT (1930-
) won an Aca-
paintings now hang on permanent exhibit at
the
errant
son-
demy Award as Best Supporting Actress in
the Brooklyn Museum.
last name is a
1975 for her portrayal of a Beverly Hills
PAUL MUNI (1895-1967) was born
his ancestry is
housewife who has more than her hair done
Muni Weisenfreund in Lemburg, in the
despite his such
by Warren Beatty in the movie Shampoo.
Ukraine, which was once part of Austria-
the
screen.
Born Lyova Haskall Rosenthal in New
Hungary and is now in Poland. His parents
) was bornin
York City, Lee is a second-generation Rus-
were troupers with the Yiddish theater in
and
dreamed
of
sian-American-her mother emigrated from
America after they emigrated to the United
early childhood.
Odessa.
States in 1902.
in
the
Bronx
KATHARINE HEPBURN (1909-
JACK NICHOLSON (1937-
)
to be in show
) is the only actress ever to win three
Born in Neptune, New Jersey, of Irish
his
customers
Academy Awards as Best Actress- for her
ancestry, Jack went to visit his sister in
tell
them
how
roles in Morning Glory (1933), Guess
Los Angeles after graduating from high
star
when?
Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) and The
school and never returned home-instead
Lion in Winter (1968). Hepburn is of Scot-
he got an office job at MGM and began
446
AN ETHNIC WHO'S WHO
studying acting. Some of his most famous
erinary surgeon father and a mother who
movies are Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces,
was the daughter of a Parisian doctor.
Carnal Knowledge and One Flew Over the
He arrived in America in 1913, penniless,
Cuckoo's Nest, for which he won an Aca-
and was forced to take the most menial jobs
demy Award as Best Actor in 1975.
to support himself. A graduate of the Royal
LEONARD NIMOY (1931-
) has
Academy of Agriculture, he had intended to
been trying to shake the "Mr. Spock" ste-
buy a farm in the West, but instead made a
reotype for over ten years now, but his loyal
name for himself as the silver screen's most
fans don't want to forget that pointed-eared
passionate non-talking lover.
character from Star Trek. The son of Rus-
JOHN WAYNE (1907-1979) won an
sian-Jewish immigrants, Nimoy speaks Yid-
Academy Award for his 1969 peformance
dish fluently and professes not to know a
in True Grit. Wayne was of Scotch-Irish de-
single word in the "Vulcan" language.
scent; his true name was Marion Michael
AL PACINO (1940- ) is of Sicilian
Morrison. He made his first few movies
extraction. Pacino's parents divorced when
under the name Duke Morrison, but
he was two years old, and he and his mother
changed his name to John Wayne in the
moved to the Bronx to live with her parents.
early 1930s.
He made his Broadway debut in 1969 as a
JOHNNY WEISSMULLER (1904-
psychotic junkie in Does a Tiger Wear a
) Best known as Tarzan and Jungle
Necktie? and made his film debut in Me,
Jim, Weissmuller jokingly refers to himself
Natalie the same year, again playing the
as "the original swinger." In the best Holly
part of a junkie. It wasn't until The Panic in
wood tradition, Weissmuller, who is of Aus-
Needle Park, in 1971, that Pacino began to
trian ancestry (his father was a Vienna-born
reap the rewards from playing a junkie on
brewmaster), has been married five times
the silver screen. That role led to his con-
Johnny learned to swim in Lake Michigan,
tract (no pun intended) for The Godfather,
where he refined the technique that eventu-
for which he won an Oscar nomination in
ally led him to set over 67 world swimming
1972.
records and win Olympic medals in 1924
GEORGE RAFT (1896- ) The
and 1928 in the 100-meter and 400-meter
son of a German father and an Italian
freestyle events.
mother, Raft not only lived the life of a
racketeer in the movies, he was also some-
what involved in the real-life "underworld"
ETHNICS IN COMMERCIALS
as a youngster. He appeared in dozens
Rabbi Dominic? The star of Xerox
of gangster films, including Scarface (1932),
Corporation's award-winning commercials,
and played a gangster in the comedy Some
Brother Dominic-the monk who enlists
Like It Hot (1959).
Xerox's aid in copying illuminated manu-
BEN TURPIN (1869-1940) A slap-
scripts-is played by Jack Eagle, a Jewish
stick comedian, Turpin was born in New
actor in monk's clothing.
Orleans, the son of a French-American
Kosher Albacore The voice of Charlie
candy maker. His real name was Bernard.
the Tuna, that luckless chicken of the sea
According to his own account, Ben's father
who has been rejected for over a decade by
gave him 100 bucks and his best wishes
the Star-Kist canning company, is none
when he was 17 years old and sent him out
other than Jewish actor Hershel Bernardi.
to seek his fortune in the world. Ben lost his
El Exigente Savarin Coffee commer-
stake in a crap game and became a hobo
cials feature a stern, sinister coffee taster
before he drifted into comedy. At the height
known to the natives of Latin America only
of his career success in the 1920s, his cross-
as "El Exigente." Who was this white-
eyed look, for which he was famous, was in-
suited man with the Panama hat, who could
sured by Lloyds of London for $1 million in
instill fear into the hearts of impoverished
the event that his eyes ever uncrossed.
natives by refusing to buy their coffee
RUDOLPH VALENTINO (1895-
beans. The role of El Exigente is played by
1926) This silent film star's real name was
Carlos Montalban, a Mexican-born actor
Rodolpho Raffaele Pierre Filibert Gug-
and brother of Ricardo Montalban.
lielmi de Valinetina l'Antonguolla. He was
"Hey, Ann-thon-ee" Why does Anth-
born in Castellaneto, Italy, the son of a vet-
ony Martignetti rush home on Wednesday
AN ETHNIC WHO'S
447
MUSIC, ART AND ENTERTAINMENT
eon father and a mother
ghter of a Parisian doctor
afternoons? Because, "as every family in
mercial, but she didn't fit the stereotyped
End of Boston will tell you,
image of a "fat Italian mama." She was "too
d in America in 1913, penniles
day." Who
t'in."
ced to take the most menial jobs
who ran
Chiquita banana sings The onetime
imself. A graduate of the Royal
through the streets spurred on by
emissary for the United Fruit Company,
Agriculture, he had intended
the smell of Mama's pasta? His name
Chiquita banana sang her way to fame on
in the West, but instead made
really was Anthony Martignetti, and he
radio and TV during the 1940s and 1950s.
nself as the silver screen's most
really did live in Boston. The only facts that
The calypso-style song was written in
'on-talking lover.
were changed in the commercial were the
1944 by the un-Hispanic team of Mont-
/AYNE (1907-1979) won
an
name of the street where he lived, and his
gomery and MacKenzie, but at least one of
ward for his 1969 peformance
mother's cooking habits-she makes pasta
the women employed to sing the song was
Wayne was of Scotch-Irish de
whenever she feels like it, not just on
Hispanic. The second "Chiquita" was
ue name was Marion Michael
Elsa Miranda, a twenty-four-year-old
He made his first few movies
Wednesday. Anthony Martignetti was a real, live Ital-
Puerto Rican immigrant who, like her pre-
name Duke Morrison, but
ian immigrant from Montefalcione, a small
decessor, made all the .top radio shows,
name to John Wayne in the
town in the province of Avellino, who was
such as Fred Allen's and Edgar Bergen's,
discovered while walking down the streets
and even managed to sing and dance with
WEISSMULLER (1904-
of Boston's North End-an Italian enclave.
the likes of the Boston Symphony Orches-
known as Tarzan and Jungle
They wanted to use his mother in the com-
tra.
nuller jokingly refers to himself
nal swinger." In the best Holly
on, Weissmuller, who is of Aus-
y (his father was a Vienna-born
15 ETHNICS BEHIND THE CAMERA
has been married five times
ned to swim in Lake Michigan
PRODUCERS, DIRECTORS AND
to Town (1936) and You Can't Take It With
ined the technique that eventu-
MOVIE MOGULS
You (1938).
to set over 67 world swimming
JOHN CASSAVETES (1929-
)
win Olympic medals in 1924
MOUSTAPHA AKKAD (1933-
)
The son of Greek immigrants, Cassavetes
the 100-meter and 400-meter
may not be as famous a director as Hitch-
began his career in Hollywood as an actor,
ints.
cock or Preminger, but he is probably the
and later made a second name for himself as
first film maker to inspire a terrorist attack.
a pioneer director of American cinema
When Mohammad, Messenger of God
verite.
IN COMMERCIALS
opened in Washington, D.C., in March,
His first directorial effort, Shadows
minic? The star of Xerox
1977, Hanafi Moslems held 134 persons
(1960), the story of a love affair between a
S award-winning commercials
hostage at three separate locations to draw
White boy and a Black girl, won the Critics
minic-the monk who enlists
attention to their cause, in hopes of causing
Award at the Venice Film Festival. His
in copying illuminated manu
a withdrawal of the film, which they con-
other movies include Minnie and Mosko-
layed by Jack Eagle, a Jewish
sidered blasphemous. Akkad, a Syrian-
witz (1971); Husbands (1970), the story of
k's clothing.
born American who emigrated to Holly-
three middle-aged men who overreact to the
'bacore The voice of Charlie
wood in 1952 to study theater arts at
death of a friend; and Faces (1968), the tale
at luckless chicken of the sea
UCLA, worked as an assistant to Sam
of middle-aged, middle-class marriages on
7 rejected for over a decade by
Peckinpah and directed television docu-
the rocks.
t canning company, is none
mentaries before tackling the first interna-
FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA (1939-
:wish actor Hershel Bernardi
tional movie about the birth and growth of
) was born in Detroit, Michigan, the
ite Savarin Coffee commer
the Islam religion.
second of three children. His Neapolitan fa-
a stern, sinister coffee taster
FRANK CAPRA (1897-
) was born
ther, Carmine, is a musician who moved the
natives of Latin America only
in Palermo, Sicily, but emigrated to
family to New York in 1939 so he could
:ente." Who was this white
America at the age of five. He spent his
perform and conduct at Radio City Music
/ith the Panama hat, who could
sixth birthday at the Ellis Island Immigra-
Hall.
to the hearts of impoverished
tion Center.
Even as a young child Francis was inter-
refusing to buy their coffee
After a stint as a gag writer for Our Gang
ested in film making, and in 1959 he
ole of El Exigente is played by
comedies, Capra directed his first film in
enrolled in UCLA's film school. He won his
talban, a Mexican-born actor
1921. He won three Academy Awards as
first Academy Award 11 years later for his
of Ricardo Montalban.
Best Director-all within a period of five
screenplay for Patton (1970). When The
n-thon-ee" Why does Anth-
years. His award-winning films are: It Hap-
Godfather was released in 1972 it broke
etti rush home on Wednesday
pened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes
worldwide attendance records by grossing
PUBLIC PAPERS OF THE PRESIDENTS
OF THE
UNITED STATES
George Bush
1991
(IN TWO BOOKS)
BOOK I-JANUARY 1 TO JUNE 30, 1991
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1992
Mar. 10 / Administration of George Bush, 1991
Remarks at the Ford's Theatre Gala
March 10, 1991
Thank you all very much. Please be
country music: It hits all the right chords,
seated. You know, when Americans get to-
like caring for your family, having faith in
gether to celebrate country, we sure do it
God-Ricky Skaggs' "Somebody's Praying"
right. We sure do it in style. What a mag-
said it very well indeed, that part of it-
nificent performance here tonight.
songs about people who care for each other
A lot of marvelous country songs-one I
with the biggest hearts on Earth.
like is just a little story of an American
And country songs are about real people.
family. And I know what it feels like for me
Randy Travis, I must say I love that new
and Barbara here tonight. The music and
song about the Points of Light. And-where
the words and all of these emotions remind
did he go? And I want to thank Don Schlitz
us of what we truly are, each and every
and Tom Schuyler for doing that. Senator
one, part of the proud and great American
Hollings told me this song has real merit, it
family.
has a real beat. [Laughter] But certainly the
To Andy Andrews I would only say, now
message does. And I think Don and Tom
I know exactly how I will treat with those
know exactly how to put our feelings into
14 grandchildren of mine. [Laughter]
words.
But tonight America's family is gathered
I think that at this moment in our history,
here in America's theatre. And we all want
our family-American family, if you will-is
to thank the people, all the people, who
closer than it's ever been. We know who
made this gala possible. Of course, Peatsy
made this exhilarating moment possible. I'm
Hollings and Ann Simpson here, Mary Jane
talking about the men and women that
Wick, Frankie Hewitt. Her vision brought
serve in the Armed Forces of the United
about this theatre's resurrection, and the
States, as Morgan Freeman said, "thousands
others are saluting this theatre's reality
of miles from here." What a wonderful job
every year.
they've done for all of us.
I want to congratulate Bill McSweeney
It is very, very exciting. And as they
for his well-deserved honor. And I want to
come home, I expect every family is like
thank Lod Cook of ARCO also, and salute
Barbara's and mine with the tears coming
some of the country's special friends who
down our faces today and almost every day
are with us tonight. We have the Vice
since they started back. But as they come
President and Mrs. Quayle here tonight.
home, we're going to take all the pride and
We have many members of our Cabinet.
the excitement that this country feels and
Perhaps it would not be inappropriate at
give them the biggest welcome-home party
this patriotic moment to single out Secre-
that this country has ever seen.
tary Cheney and, of course, General Powell.
And so, thank all of you here tonight,
We might ask them to stand. [Applause] We
each and every one of you, for reminding
have many distinguished leaders in the
us that we can dream and achieve together.
United States Congress.
A good night and thanks to all of you. And
You know, for over 100 years after Lin-
once again, Ricky, someone was praying,
coln's assassination this theatre was closed, a
someone was praying.
dark reminder of an American tragedy. But
Thank you very much.
tonight shows how this place can come back
to life as a living symbol of the American
Note: The President spoke at 9:49 p.m. from
spirit. And I can't think of a better theme
the stage of the theatre. In his remarks, he
than "A Celebration of Country" because it
referred to comedian Andy Andrews, who
means not just country music but also our
performed at the gala; Rita "Peatsy" Hol-
country, the United States of America.
lings, wife of Senator Ernest Hollings, and
The incredible feeling here in this theatre
Ann Simpson, wife of Senator Alan Simp-
tonight shows really what I love best about
son, general chairmen of "A Festival at
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