The Northwest Enterprise

JOSEPHINE BAKER
IS ACCLAIMED IN
ZIEGFELD SHOW

NEW YORK (ANP)- Despite
rumors circulated freely during the
past few weeks that Josephine Ba-
ker had proved a gigantic flop in
the new Ziegfeld Follies which op-
ened in Boston and then played in
Philadelphia before coming her
last week to settle down on Broad-
way, the brown-skinned star who
became the toast of Europe is more
than holding her own and has won
the praise of this city's hardest
critics.

Among those lauding her work
was the reviewer for Variety, the
weekly theatrical magazine.
The
article declared:

"Surprise success of the evening
is that of Josephine Baker, color-
ed girl who went from Harlem to
Paris to win international fame.
Miss Baker cannot sing but sure
can wear clothes. And roll those
eyes. Early in the show, in the
scene called 'West Indies.' Miss
Baker dances with the male chor-
isters to the tune, The Conga.
Gorgeous trappings of the natives
and the settings help plenty. Again
Miss Baker has a glamorous back-
ground for 'Maharanee,' at the
night races in Paris. She looks
best in an exotic scene called '5 a.
m.' in which she sings and dances
with four shadowy, black masked
men. It is a Balanchine ballet."

The Nicholas Bros., tap dancing
stars, are also praised. The Follies
has been closed down temporarily
due to the illness of Fannie Brice,
said in the daily press to be angry
with Miss Baker over prominence
in the billing. Variety, however
gives no credence to this view and
declares the white star was suffer-
ing from laryngitis on Broadway
opening night.

Meanwhile Josephine Baker, ap-
pearing on Broadway in the new
Ziegfeld Follies, is being accused
of causing the withdrawal of Fan-
nie Brice, due to either illness or
anger, and the temporary closing
down of the revue. According to
the story, there has been a feud
between the white star and Miss
Baker over prominence in the bill-
ing.