This Was Burlesque by Joseph DiMona

Author:Joseph DiMona
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media

Top Banana

Steve Mills, the Top Banana in This Was Burlesque when it opened in New York, captivated legitimate reviewers, some of whom had never seen an authentic baggy-pants comic. He is seen with Ann Corio at left, and in a scene from the show, below.

Joey Faye is the comic and Gypsy Rose Lee is the nurse in a burlesque scene.

One after another the characters come through–but Lou Costello, as the comic, was a bit surprised one night when Rags Ragland came running through the door, then by his bed, then off the stage. Rags wasn’t supposed to be in the scene. Lou was even more surprised when a girl raced through the door behind Rags, waving a real pistol and shouting “Stop, or I’ll shoot! You . . . !”

Rags didn’t stop, and the girl chased him right up the aisle. The audience roared. A great blackout. The only thing was–it was real. Rags had broken another heart and once again was fleeing for his life.

Mention of Lou Costello is a reminder of those burlesque comics of my day who went on to more lucrative careers.

Of the many is Red Skelton, whose show continues phenomenally year after year in the Top Ten. The TV critics can’t understand it, but I do. It’s burlesque comedy, and people love it. Red had a great entrance bit. He’d walk on stage, say “Hello, everybody” and keep walking–right into the orchestra pit.

Jackie Gleason started in burlesque, and his greatest success, “The Honeymooners,” is really taken from a classic burlesque sketch, “Friendly Neighbors.”

Red Buttons’ trademark was “Sam, you made the pants too long.” He later won an Academy Award in a picture in which he wore a kimono. So Sam was still at fault.

Professor Lamberti had a funny act. He’d play a xylophone very seriously. But applause would keep breaking out in the wrong spots, right in the middle of his number. He would stop and acknowledge the applause each time graciously. What he didn’t know was that a girl was stripteasing behind him, and the applause was for every bit of clothing which floated away. A great act.

Phil Silvers was one of the first Top Bananas not to wear baggy pants and crazy makeup. He did it all verbally with that fast talk, and blinding smile of triumph at each small success.

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