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Show Paee THE HERALD. Provo, Utah, 18 Wednesday, May 9. 1984 Timely issues, news, features, including family, food, fashion Today Deos Jewkes: Frail Body But Vigorous Voice at 89 ft The Depression years were hard even in the film industry. At By LAURA JONES Herald Arts EdUor one Although his body is frail and bent with age, Delos Jewkes sounds like a much younger man. At 89, he still possesses an extraordinary voice, both speaking and vocal. even today His singing voice ranges over almost three full octaves. Mr. Jewkes is the veteran of over 300 films. He is best known as the actor who represented the voice of Elohim in Cecil B. classic The Ten Commandments. And yet he waited until years after the original release before he saw it. "The men who cast Ten Commandments called several of us into their office to audition," he says. "We were all sworn to secrecy, but I guess some of the others let the word get out, because it became generally known throughout Hollywood that I performed the role." Jewkes says he inherited his from both deep, resonant voice his father and grandfather. He was born in Orangeville, Emery County, into a large, musical family. His grandfather, Samuel Jewkes, founded the oldest choir still existing in the state (in Fountain Green). Although he spent much of his childhood in Salt Lake City after his father was elected state auditor in 1908, he later returned to the Orangeville area as a rancher. This venture met with failure, forcing he and his young wife, Belie, to move back to Salt Lake. He joined the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the early 1920 s, and soon became a featured soloist. As his reputation spread, he was called upon more and more to perform before civic groups. He eventually joined the Brandon Opera Company and began tourDe-Mill- ing the Northwestern United States and Canada. At this time he had three children which eventhree tually increased to five daughters and two sons. He was forced to leave them behind with his wife while he pursued his career. In 1925 the company folded while in Vancouver, B.C. Jewkes found work as a singer in a local Delos Jewkes movie house, performing prior to the screenings. "I believe I set some kind of record," he says. "I performed for 64 consecutive weeks at the Strand Theatre in Vancouver." Not many performers can maintain a following for so long a time at one location. After he left Vancouver, Jewkes began traveling up and down the West Coast, singing in movie houses. He performed at the old Grauman's Chinese Theatre for an extended run. "I did four shows a day," he says. "I believe that was the only time I nearly sang myself out." One day Brian Foy, of the famous vaudeville family, invited Jewkes to audition for a part in a new type of movie talkies. Jewkes starred in the first musical short subject ever made. He sang the Armorer's Song from Robin Hood in a film that premiered the same year (1927) as Al Jolson's The Jazz Singer. He later joined a group known as "The Rangers." They performed both before live audiences and in several film shorts. They were often billed with silent cowboy star Hoot Gibson. "Hoot would introduce all of us during the course of the show," says Jewkes. "When he got to me, he would say, 'Here's a man who needs no introduction.' I guess I looked a lot like William S. Hart, because the audience would mistake me for him and go wild." V) particularly low point, Jewkes was called in to audition for a part in The Mask of Fu Manchu. He had to cash in several milk bottles to buy gas for his car just to get to the studio. The casting department was so impressed with his voice that they not only gave him the part, but increased his role. He was paid $50 a day for three days. When the film came out, however, his part was cut. He was later told that Boris Karloff, who was under contract to the studio, had demanded that Jewkes' voice be taken out of the film so that the sound of it wouldn't detract from his (Karlcff's) own. Jewkes was in great demand throughout the 1930 s. He worked in nearly all of the early Jean-nett- e r r MacDonald and Nelson Eddy musicals and was known for many years to have the lowest bass voice on the West Coast. He also dubbed sound tracks for stars Delos Jewkes is shown fourth from left early in his movie career. IP! Portraits to share such as Thomas Mitchell and Chill Wills. Once he sang a single note in a film. He was paid $100. "I'd like to sing an aria at that rate," he says. Jewkes never made it really big in the movies. Despite his incredible bass voice, his career consisted mainly of bit parts. "I guess I just wasn't aggressive enough," he says, "but it isn't in my nature." Towards the end of his career he was offered the part of a singing minister in True Grit. The part was considerably larger than most of his other roles. Unfortunately, as usual, most of it ended floor. He up on the cutting-roodid have an opportunity to become friendly with star John Wayne, though. "One day at lunch John sat down across from me. I said to him, 'You know, John, I believe I was in the first movie you ever made.' Neither of us could remember the name of the movie or the leading lady, but he remembered me," he says. Wayne later sent him an inscribed Christmas gift. During the 1950 s and 60's, he often sang in a nightclub in Santa Monica, Calif, known as The Horn. His large, loyal following included luminaries such as Jack Jones, Greer Garson and Dean Jagger. He still counts Jagger as a close friend. His wife died in 1964, and he has remained a widower since that time. Jewkes never considered him- self a typical Californian. delightful childhood changes So when he retired in 1973, he moved to Provo to be near his son Paul Jewkes. "I have to vocalize now before I perform," he says, adding that he never used to. "Still, I'm the oldest man I know who still sings. Except George Burns, if you can call what he does singing." He currently sings three out of four Sundays a month with a group called the Mendelsohn Male Choir. Club Notes PHILE TERAS Will meet Thursday at noon at Lion House in Salt Lake City. 95 includes 15 Postal Department Feels Slighted people in other countries about their mailing rates and the kind of service they get. In It 15 Years And Proud Here's another clobber. Same subject, different angle. Dear Ann Landers: Your answer to the fellow who works in the post office showed your ignorance. I have been reading your column for years and have never known you to be so far up a creek with no paddle. Are you aware that not just anybody can walk in off the street and work in a post office? You have to pass a civil service exam. Once you get in, you can look y forward to: work weeks, mandatory overtime, split shifts, working holidays (even Christ Dear Ann Landers: According to you, "The U.S. postal service leaves a lot to be desired." Check Canada. It costs 32 cents to mail a letter and most post offices are open only five days a week. I suggest you also check Mexico where they are never sure of anything. You should see the packages we are expected to ship. One piece of Scotch tape holding together a box going from Cleveland to San Francisco. You wouldn't believe the questions we are asked: "How much does it cost to mail a letter?" When we tell them it depends on how much it weighs, they are shocked. Folks put outgoing letters on their mailboxes with a clothespin and expect it to go. Picking up these letters is a favor and not required by the postal service, but nobody ever says "thanks." They write backward, upside down, in crayon, lipstick, and Shinola. Envelopes are made out of brown paper bags, toilet paper and gunny sacks. I've seen letters addressed in Hebrew, Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian. Loonies send letters to God, Santa Claus, the Man in the Moon, E.T. and Miss Peach. Last week there was a letter to you no name or address. Just your picture. I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut you received it. Now, aren't you ashamed of Nervous From The yourself? Service In Ohio Ann Landers 95$ deposit 95c for each appointment necessary. additional subject in a portrait package. Poses our selection. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Also Available In Addition To This Offer Black Background & Double Feature Portraits Passport Photos Copy & Restoration mas). My shift is from 12 noon to 9 p.m. (No time for family.) Keying letters at one per second is pretty tough work and the pay isn't all that terrific. I'll sign this Just Above The Poverty Line Offer good for portrait! taken thru May 1 2 Studio located in most larger Soon retail stores. Studio Hours: Closod Sunday. Monday and Tuesday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Wednesday thru Saturday 10 00 am to 8:00 pm. (or until store closing if prior te B pm.) In Long Island Dear Just: Go back and read my reply to the person who wrote the first letter. I really blew it and am making no excuses. Again my apologies to the thousands I offended. Use your Sears Charge! Sears Portrait Pl l! AMERICA'S LEADING SPECIALTY FOOD STORE V I six-da- Hcrk wallet size No l1 oTlil.WJi.YljM Give Mom 1 nor best. !- - rltW $790-- $l t X'V 1 90-- $1 wt & jy 590 ar .,...: ..ymt jm i. 2M&. ....::;'wj) n. ... jv w,: :: Ladies Fashion Shoes In New Spring styles At Big Savings v Choose from a large selection of current fashion loofs for spring Buy several pairs at these low prices. Sorry, not all styles and colors at all stores Dear Ohio: I am. Please pass I have my spoon ready. I feel especially embarrassed the crow. because the post office that serves me has made a special effort to improve (I complained) and there has been a vast improvement. Here's more on the same gfeW sub- ject: Remember Mom May 13th Come and choose from a wide variety of gift packages filled with Hickory Farms award-winninmeat, cheese, sweets and more. If Mom lives out of town, we'll selection. gladly your in How dare Dear Ann Landers: you knock the postal service? If it were not for the postal service you would have no column. Do you realize that only 3 percent of the mail goes astray? Consider, please, that we handle millions of pieces annually. Ho many organizations can you name that have a 97 percent efficiency g CHOOSE FROM THESE FAMOUS BRANDS HUSH PUPPIES DINGO FLORSHEIM NUNN BUSH DEXTERS NIKE ' ship KANGAROOS BRUNO VALENTI Ura C33IEE23S HP qd The U.S. Postal Service is ranked as the best in the world. 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