Coloured Actor Makes Good at Last

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 25

Coloured Actor Makes Good at Last

Universal’s “Uncle Tom ” YEARS OF DISAPPOINTMENT

Of them all, it is doubtful if a story can be found that equals the varied career of James B. Lowe, whose portrayal of Uncle Tom in the Universal production, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” not only raises that actor to heights

hitherto unthought of. but establishes a new standard for the negro in the motion picture industry. RACIAL HANDICAPS

Lowe is 46 years old and has been in pictures a little more than three years. The remaining 43 years have been a long, upward struggle of a boy and man determined to overcome racial handicaps or to be a success in spite of them. Lowe was born in Macon. Ga.. where he attended grade school and high school with other members of his race. Even then he was a leader, and his zest for knowledge together with his ability to assimilate it made him a sort of oracle among the negroes.

When the Alaskan gold rush swept the country. Lowe made his way to the far north. He tried digging a fortune from the ground, failed, and philosophically turned to the tailoring business.

He was a good tailor, one of the best in the Klondike, and he saved enough money to return to Chicago and open his own shop. Business was not so good there, and lie drifted to Philadelphia, New York. Montreal, and several other large cities before eventually reaching Los Angeles. DURING THE WAR When war was declared, Lowe enlisted, and in a remarkably short time was promoted to the rank of quarter-master-sergeant, a rank, by the way. that was held only by four negroes during the world war. The armistice found him broke and getting along in years. Walter Hiers, the well-known screen comedian, opened a tailoring shop in Hollywood, and Lowe succeeded in convincing the actor that he was the man to do the work. It was not long before the many directors and actors who patronised the shop recognised Lowe as a type, and soon he was called to the various studios to portray small bits. He played butlers, cooks and small comedy parts for a year or more. PLAYED “EMPEROR JONES” Then came his first big opportunity. The management of the Potboiler Art

Theatre in Los Angeles wanted to produce “Emperor Jones.” The director went to Central Avenue, the centre of the coloured district of Los Angeles, where Lowe was. and still is, the acknowledged leader.

He intended asking Lowe where he could find a coloured actor to play “Emperor Jones,” but ended by engaging Lowe himself.

The play created a sensation, for which Lowe received the main credit. Other parts followed at the same theatre. He played the executioner in “Salome,” the servitor in “Failures.” and an important part in Andreyev’s “Life of Man.”

When Harry Pollard was given the important task of directing ‘‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Carl Laemmle, he was besieged on all sides by coloured actors wanting to play the title role. Pollard, however, bided his time, sat. through a performance at the Potboilers and at the conclusion of the show signed Lowe’s name to a contract. OLYMPIAN TO OWN RACE The scores of other members of his race who are in the pictures regard Lowe as an olympian. He settles their arguments, adjusts their makeup and in some cases designs their costumes. Lowe is a prolific reader and philosopher of a sort, realising better than anyone “that never the twain shall meet,” and through all his work he is respectful, courteous and conscientious.

Success is always deserving of credit —and James B. Lowe is that.