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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCANTOR, Eddie(b Edward Israel Iskowitz, 31 Jan. 1892, NYC; d 10 Oct. '64, Hollywood) Singer, comedian, actor; aka 'Banjo Eyes'. Parents Russian immigrants; orphaned at two, raised by grandmother. Never finished primary school; entertained on street corners; appeared at twelve in YMCA summer camp show; won talent contest '08; first appeared in blackface in Gus Edwards's Kid Kabaret revue '12; Flo Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic '16; became star in successive shows of Ziegfeld's Follies 1917--18--19. Sold Liberty bonds during WWI. Shows Broadway Brevities '20, Midnight Rounders '21; Make It Snappy '22; acclaimed for routines in Kid Boots '23, incl. songs 'Alabamy Bound', 'If You Knew Susie' (film of that name three years later). Singer of enormous vivacity, with cross- stage movements, much hand-clapping and eye-rolling; also associated with songs 'Dinah', 'Ida', 'My Baby Just Cares For Me', others. Triumph in Ziegfeld production Whoopee '28, incl. Gus Kahn/Walter Donaldson hit song 'Makin' Whoopee'. Lost $2 million in Wall Street crash '29; became highest paid star on radio by '36 (The Eddie Cantor Chase And Sandborn Hour sponsored by coffee maker); in routines often dropped remarks about wife Ida and their five daughters. Delightful films sprinkled with saucy jokes and costumes (before censorship of movies began), some featuring early colour process: Makin' Whoopee '30, Glorifying The American Girl '30, Palmy Days '31, The Kid From Spain '32, Roman Scandals '33, Kid Millions '34, Strike Me Pink '36, Ali Baba Goes To Town '37. Plot of Roman Scandals had a populist streak; a Cantor speech at NY World's Fair '39 denounced some public figures as fascists: he was dropped by radio sponsors but made a spectacular comeback after US entry into WWII on NBC's Time To Smile show; also film Forty Little Mothers '40; on Broadway first time in twelve years in Banjo Eyes '41. TV debut on Colgate Comedy Hour '50 (Sunday- evening show opposite Ed Sullivan alternated famous comics through most of '50s); still moved at maximum pace, concl. act with blackface medley: 'Susie', 'Whoopee', 'Ma! He's Makin' Eyes At Me!' etc. Helped Dinah Shore, Eddie Fisher, others early in their careers. Won award for straight role in Seidman And Son on TV's Playhouse 90. Heart trouble caused retirement; brief appearance in film The Eddie Cantor Story '53 (portrayed by Keefe Brasselle); Oscar '56 for distinguished service to film industry. Autobiographies My Life Is In Your Hands, Take My Life; other books Yoo-hoo Prosperity, The Eddie Cantor Five- Year Plan, Ziegfeld The Great Glorifier, As I Remember Them, Since Ma Is Playing Mah Jong, Caught Short (account of '29 losses), others. Wrote lyrics 'Get A Little Fun Out Of Life', 'Merrily We Roll Along', others. |