Atlanta Daily World

By DOROTHY DANDRIDGE

HOLLYWOOD-(TYP)-Lady Luck has certainly been my pal ever since I came to California ten years ago as a kid.

My sister, another girl and I worked out a trio act with songs and dancing, and somehow talked our way into several night club spots. In 1935 we went to Honolulu, and to our amazement got a surprising amount of good publicity. When we returned to California, there were contracts waiting which took us to Scotland and Ireland, many parts of Europe and last but not least, the Cotton Club in New York.

Along about that time we had an offer to travel in Jimmy Lunceford's band, but when one of the other girls married the trumpet player, the act was broken up.

I returned to Hollywood and went into the cast of "Meet The People" where I did a Spanish number and a couple of "dead pan" numbers, which seemed to please the critics. And, as a result, I was asked to appear solo at the "It Cafe" and "La Conga," while being given the lead in the all-Negro film production "Four Shall Die".

I did some Warner Brothers shorts, in the meantime, and made a guest appearance at Ciro's, Hollywood's swankiest night club, when Republic offered me a real opportunity in "Lady From New Orleans", with John Wayne and Ona Munson. I play the role of "Felice," Miss Munson's maid, and hope that this big break will lead to further screen roles.

Republic has mounted the feature on a grand scale which will typify the pageantry, the colorful costumes, and the excitement of an area that has passed.

"Lady From New Orleans" also features Ray Middleton, Henry Stephenson, Helen Westley, and another Negro artist, Darby Jones, is a colorful portrayal of life in New Orleans in the 1850's.