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)
Topic: Composers
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
Elsie Janis: Vaudeville’s Heroine of World War I by David Soren
Elsie Janis (Born Delaware, Ohio 1-16-1889 – Died Beverly Hills, California 2-26-1956) was an American vaudevillian, Broadway superstar and World War I heroine who was once one of the most famous women in show business. While a little child she showed a gift for mimicry which was encouraged by her divorced mother Jennie, who was…Continue Reading Elsie Janis: Vaudeville’s Heroine of World War I 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)
Dolly Connolly and Percy Wenrich: Ragtime Superstars by David Soren
Dolly Connolly (born Chicago December 16, 1888 – died New York November 30, 1965) was perhaps the most beautiful of the famous ragtime singers and had marked out a steady career for herself in vaudeville when she met up and coming composer and accompanist Percy Wenrich, a handsome but rather shy and nerdy fellow who…Continue Reading Dolly Connolly and Percy Wenrich: Ragtime Superstars by David Soren