Tom Southern Explained
Tom Southern, also known as Tommy or Thomas Southern, was an actor in American film and stage productions[1] as well as a songwriter. He was a theater actor with the Lafayette Players.
In 1933, he wrote several songs together with Lionel Hampton.[2] For a few years before 1937, Southern was absent from acting in films and theater; the Pittsburgh Courier stated he "gave up acting as a career" around 1936 and became a journalist. In 1938, he was the managing editor for the launch of the magazine Silhouette Pictorial.[3] [4]
Southern acted in a supporting role in the Western film, Two-Gun Man from Harlem.[5] He acted in the "all-colored cast" film Mystery in Swing. In a review, the Pittsburgh Courier said he gave the best individual performance by a male.[6] War Perkins of the Chicago Defender newspaper listed Southern and three others as giving the best performances in the film.[7]
Around 1940, Southern partnered with drummer Lionel Hampton on a musical film project, titled From Spirituals to Swing, which was "accepted by the Paramount production department". The film featured Black spirituals and swing music. It was said to have an "all-colored cast".[8] In 1940, Hampton announced that the film would release soon.[9] The movie then "fell through" that year.[10]
According to a copyright, Southern, Hampton, and Otis René wrote a song together for the feature, titled "I'd Be Lost Without You". A record of the song was made at Victor Records in 1940, with Hampton credited for the music and Southern for the lyrics.[11] Lionel Hampton and the King Cole Trio played on the record, with Helen Forrest singing.[12] After the recording, Otis René claimed he was not given a contract for the record and was left uncredited. He stated he intended to sue.
Tom was married to Viola Southern.[13]
Filmography
Notes and References
- News: Spirituals to Swing Is Next . 3 November 2020 . The Chicago Defender . 15 June 1940 . 20. .
- News: Hampton Records on Coast . 3 November 2020 . The Pittsburgh Courier . 22 June 1940 . 20. .
- News: Earl J. Morris Grand Town Day and Night . 3 November 2020 . The Pittsburgh Courier . 5 November 1938 . 20.
- Web site: Silhouette Pictorial, Volume 1, Number 1 . digitalcollections.oscars.org . 3 November 2020.
- News: Writes Own Tunes for Colored Film . 3 November 2020 . New York Amsterdam News . 7 October 1939 . 12. .
- News: Earl Morris Gives 'Mystery in Swing' 3 1/2 Stars . The Pittsburgh Courier . 2 March 1940 . 20. .
- News: Globe News and Gossip . The Chicago Defender (National Edition) . 2 March 1940 . 8. .
- News: Levette . Harry . Gossip of the Movie Lots . 3 November 2020 . Atlanta Daily World . 17 June 1940 . 2. .
- News: Lionel Again: He Collaborates with Southern in a Film . 3 November 2020 . The Chicago Defender . 8 June 1940 . 20. .
- News: Muse . Clarence . What's Going on in Hollywood . 3 November 2020 . The Chicago Defender (National edition) . 29 June 1940 . 21. .
- News: Earl J. Morris Grand Town Day and Night: "I'd Be Lost Without You!" . 3 November 2020 . The Pittsburgh Courier . 26 October 1940 . 20. .
- News: Lamar . Lawrence F. . Latest Hampton Waxings Bring Copyright Threat . 3 November 2020 . Atlanta Daily World . 24 June 1940 . 2. .
- News: Thru Hollywood . 3 November 2020 . The Chicago Defender (National Edition) . 14 March 1942 . 19. .
- News: Scenes from 'Bargain with Bullets' . 3 November 2020 . The Chicago Defender (National Edition) . 14 August 1937 . 6. .
- News: Muse . Clarence . What's Going on in Hollywood . 3 November 2020 . The Chicago Defender . 2 December 1939 . 21. .
- Book: Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema. S. Torriano. Berry. Venise T.. Berry. January 26, 2007. Scarecrow Press. 9780810864641. Google Books.
- Book: Turner Classic Movies Presents Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide. Leonard. Maltin. Spencer. Green. Rob. Edelman. Michael. Scheinfeld. Tom. Weaver. October 27, 2015. Penguin. 9780147516824. Google Books.
- Web site: Tom Southern | DREAM13 Media.
