Day: March 28, 2023

Jimmy Durante: The Great Schnozzola by David Soren

Jimmy Durante (New York City, February 10, 1893 – Santa Monica, California, January 29, 1980) was a unique entertainer and reportedly one of the kindest, sweetest people at the top of the entertainment world. He was an accomplished although self-taught ragtime piano player with a singing voice that sounded like a pneumatic drill glossing over…Continue Reading Jimmy Durante: The Great Schnozzola by David Soren

Joe Cook: The One-Man Vaudeville Show by David Soren

Of all the forgotten geniuses of vaudeville, Joe Cook (born Joseph Lopez in Evansville, Indiana 1890 – died New York State, May 15, 1959) is arguably the greatest. A master of versatility, he could sing, dance, act, juggle Indian clubs, perform acrobatics, rotate another human with his feet while lying on his back, tightrope-walk, mime,…Continue Reading Joe Cook: The One-Man Vaudeville Show by David Soren

Joseph E. Howard: Vaudeville, Broadway and Television by David Soren

Joseph Edgar Howard (February 12, 1867 – May 19, 1961) had to entertain, from the time he was a tot literally until the moment of his death, which occurred with him having just taken an encore on-stage, 86 years later! His story may have made-up elements to it, as was often the fashion among early…Continue Reading Joseph E. Howard: Vaudeville, Broadway and Television by David Soren

Joe Frisco: The First Jazz Dancer by Barbara Quintana-Bernal

Joe “Frisco” Rooney, was born as Louis Joseph in Milan, Illinois in 1889, and died in Woodland Hills, California in 1958. Joe was not one of the most famous entertainers or dancers in American History, but most of his legacy was left as stories from other show people across the country. Joe Frisco was basically…Continue Reading Joe Frisco: The First Jazz Dancer by Barbara Quintana-Bernal

Jill Corey: The Overnight Sensation by Albert Kopec, David Soren

Jill Corey began her life as Norma Jean Esperanza, youngest of five children in the tiny coal-mining town of Avonmore, Pennsylvania, the youngest of five children. She was always singing and became something of a local celebrity in her teens, but only earning five dollars a night performing in regional shows, at the Lion’s Club…Continue Reading Jill Corey: The Overnight Sensation by Albert Kopec, David Soren

James L. Dempsey: From Vaudeville Composer/Performer Extraordinaire to Corporate Executive by Susan Dempsey (granddaughter)

The following account is taken from information provided to our School of Anthropology vaudeville archive by Susan Dempsey, granddaughter of the famous vaudevillian and composer: This is Susan Dempsey. I promised a write-up to you on my grandfather and, from what little is known of his early life, here goes. James L. Dempsey was born…Continue Reading James L. Dempsey: From Vaudeville Composer/Performer Extraordinaire to Corporate Executive by Susan Dempsey (granddaughter)

Eddie Cantor: Vaudeville’s Most Versatile “Kid” by David Soren

Eddie Cantor (New York, January 11, 1892 – Beverly Hills, California October 10, 1964) was one of the most popular, enduring entertainers of the 20th century who was famous for vaudeville, Broadway, records, movies and television. He is the only entertainer to have been so successful in all of these media over such a substantial…Continue Reading Eddie Cantor: Vaudeville’s Most Versatile “Kid” by David Soren

Doreen Rae: Fanchon and Marco Star by David Soren

“ Feature movies were often accompanied by Fanchon and Marco prologues known as “Fanchon and Marco Ideas”, theme shows like this one known as “Baby Songs” Pearl Hoff’s family came to Long Beach from Toronto. She first performed at age five as “Lil” Miss Long Beach. By age seven she was performing on the Pantages…Continue Reading Doreen Rae: Fanchon and Marco Star by David Soren