James Edward Barton (November 1st, 1880-February 19th, 1962) was a critically acclaimed master of dance, comedy, drama, and singing. His success spanned vaudeville, burlesque, Broadway, radio, film, and television. His stage career was launched by his performance of The Passing Show of 1919 when he performed a role intended for Ed Wynn. His most famous…Continue Reading James Barton: The Complete Performer by Victoria Moses
Category: Story
Fannie Brice: The Real Funny Girl by David Soren
Fanny Brice (October 29, 1891 – May 29, 1951) was one of the greatest stars of vaudeville, and was also successful for a time in movies and a sensation later in her life on radio as well. Portrayed by Barbra Streisand on stage and in the movie Funny Girl , she was best known for…Continue Reading Fannie Brice: The Real Funny Girl by David Soren
Jack Benny: Forever 39 by Natasha Rapp
Jack Benny: Forever 39 By Nicole Rapp Valentine’s Day in 1894 marked the birth of the 20th century’s most beloved American comedian, Jack Benny. Though the decades of Benny’s career, he entertained audiences with his hosting capabilities and is comedic monologues and violin performances. With his gentle humor and miserly persona he achieved unbroken popularity…Continue Reading Jack Benny: Forever 39 by Natasha Rapp
Irene Franklin: Pioneer of Female Stand-Up Comedy by David Soren
Of all the great forgotten stars of vaudeville, no one more regrettably forgotten comes to mind than the great Irene Franklin (born 13 June 1876 in New York City – 16 June 1941 in Englewood, New Jersey. Long before there were female comedy stand-up pioneers such as Jackie “Moms” Mabley or Joan Rivers there were…Continue Reading Irene Franklin: Pioneer of Female Stand-Up Comedy by David Soren
Harry Carroll: Always Chasing Rainbows by David Soren (Includes his protege Kathlene Martyn)
Harry Carroll (Atlantic City, New Jersey November 28, 1892 – Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania December 26, 1962) was a noted American songwriter and pianist. He was another of those vaudevillians who didn’t finish school and who was already playing piano in a silent movie theater before he was out of grade school. His dream was to…Continue Reading Harry Carroll: Always Chasing Rainbows by David Soren (Includes his protege Kathlene Martyn)
Gilda Gray: Goddess of the Shimmy by David Soren
Gilda Gray (October 24, 1901 – December 22, 1959) was a major star as an actress, dancer and flashy personality in the 1920s. Extraordinarily beautiful and famous for her legs, she became one of the symbols of the liberated woman in the flapper era, along with the likes of Clara Bow, an image she enhanced…Continue Reading Gilda Gray: Goddess of the Shimmy by David Soren
Gaby Deslys: A Famous French Import by Emily Caskey with David Soren
What Ziegfeld did for Anna Held, the Shubert Brothers did five years later for Gaby Deslys. They made her famous in America before she first arrived from Paris and set foot on an American stage. Gaby Deslys was a willing partner in her exploitation. Gaby was pretty, blonde and buxom with a cinched waist, and…Continue Reading Gaby Deslys: A Famous French Import by Emily Caskey with David Soren
Fred Astaire: 1930s Iconic Dancer by David Soren
The University of Arizona has a considerable collection of Fred Astaire sheet music from his earliest days partnering with sister Adele Astaire through his golden period with RKO Pictures. Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was considered the most graceful partnered dancer in vaudeville, theater and movie history. He was not, as…Continue Reading Fred Astaire: 1930s Iconic Dancer by David Soren
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: Elegance in Partnered Dance by Frank Cullen
Fred and Ginger are the screen’s most famous dancing partners, yet each had careers beforehand on the stage. Fred Austerlitz (1899-1987) of Omaha, Nebraska partnered with sister Adele (initially the more famous of the two) in vaudeville and on the stage in musicals such as, The Band Wagon, before signing with RKO. Fred was not…Continue Reading Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: Elegance in Partnered Dance by Frank Cullen
All-Girl Orchestras: Helen May Butler, The Parisian Redheads, The Hour of Charm Orchestra (Phil Spitalny), Ina Rae Hutton, Dolly Dawn and More by Erica Collins
The identity of a woman is a constantly changing dynamic. In history, women were classified as second class and unequal to their male counterparts. Most of their jobs were traditionally limited to the kitchen and having children; they could not vote, get equal pay, or even own land of their own. In the beginning of…Continue Reading All-Girl Orchestras: Helen May Butler, The Parisian Redheads, The Hour of Charm Orchestra (Phil Spitalny), Ina Rae Hutton, Dolly Dawn and More by Erica Collins