In the 1930's, it was not uncommon for people of all ages to spend at least one day each week going to the movies. The introduction of sound movies with "The Jazz Singer," starring Al Jolson, changed the motion picture industry.
Aside from the stories of silent movie stars whose career ended when people heard their voices, those with good speaking and singing voices found work in the countless features being cranked out by studios such as MGM, Paramount and RKO.
Not only were people going to the movies for some entertainment, but many spent hours watching the stars on the screen and wishing that they could be up on the silver screen. Many of those were young people — watching Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland somehow create an entire Broadway production in someone’s barn. Or perhaps, they watched the eternally cute Shirley Temple dance and sing with great ease.
Who wouldn’t dream that they, too, could be one of those stars?
In July 1934, MGM studios and the Hal Roach studios, in conjunction with the Binghamton Press, went to Binghamton to screen future stars for the chance at a contract to appear in movies. You can imagine the thoughts going through families who thought their child could be the next Shirley Temple.
That is exactly what happened when on the night of Monday, July 23, 1934 — 25 girls from the area, and 20 young children, were selected as semifinalists from over 200 photographs submitted to the newspaper. The semifinalists would be gathered at the Capitol Theatre on Exchange Street to be filmed by members from both MGM for possible movie features, and officials from the Hal Roach Studios who were looking for new members of the “Our Gang” comedy features.
Hal Roach was born in Elmira and knew the area well, and was always looking for the next Alfalfa or Spanky.
That night, a series of Klieg lights, cameramen, sound engineers and directors screened each of the contestants looking for personal appearance, poise and voice appeal. The number would be winnowed down to a few to be considered. The parade of semifinalists began, and as the night wore on, the officials would check through their lists to mark off one and, then another of the contestants.
Today, we are familiar with that process by watching Simon Cowell and others sort through some talented, and many untalented contestants on the many shows now airing on television. For those sitting in the theater that evening — the parents and friends of the contestants — an immense amount of pride.
Little Joyce Elaine Owen, of Johnson City — one of the young children being scouted — made an impression on the newspaper reporters in the theater for her resemblance to Shirley Temple and her ability to sing and dance. She, along with two other young children and three girls, made up the six finalists from the scouting.
On Aug. 17, the six children were shipped off to Buffalo to have test pictures made for final judging. If the final tests met approval, Leslie Davidson, Eugene Whitney and Orlando Busino, of Binghamton; Helen Boyd and Joyce Elaine, of Johnson City; and Marian Gordon, of Endicott, would be offered contracts.
While everyone was still in Binghamton, they filmed a short motion picture called “Tomorrow’s Winners,” using Willis Sharpe Kilmer’s Sun-Briar Court as the backdrop. The film crews apparently did this in each of the areas where they held this type of contest, so that local residents could see their area contestants — a sort of cancellation prize for those who did not receive any contracts for Hollywood.
On Sunday, Aug. 5, 1934, that film aired at the Capitol Theatre for a four-day run. The final decision, if it was a yes for any of the six finalists, would mean a trip to Hollywood to sign a contract.
While I am sure each of the six had lots of charisma and ability, there were so many trials at that time, that it appears that none were offered that final contract.
None of them would be sitting at a table peering into a picture of Clark Gable to sing “You Made Me Love You.”
Gerald Smith is a former Broome County historian. Email him at historysmiths@stny.rr.com
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Spanning Time: How six Broome County children competed to make it big in Hollywood - Pressconnects
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