Stars of Vaudeville #173: Irene Franklin
Such is the ephemeral nature of live theatre. Singer-comedienne-impressionist-songwriter Irene Franklin was a top headliner from the turn of the twentieth century until the death of vaudeville, variously and plausibly billed as the “Queen of Vaudeville” and the “Most Popular Woman Vaudeville Artist”. But today? A red-headed step-child. Which is ironic. Her signature tune (inspired by her real-life mane) was “Red Head”, the type of ditty called a “kid” number — songs sung by women in cute little kid voices. Other character songs in her repertoire included “The German Prima Donna”, “I’ve Got the Mumps”, and “I Want to Be a Janitor’s Child.” She starred in a half dozen Broadways shows between 1908 and 1930; made numerous recordings 1911-1917, and filled out the balance of her career as a Hollywood character actress (in mostly undistinguished films) from the late silent era until 1939. She passed away in 1941 at the age of 65.
August 3, 2010 at 5:03 pm
[...] years to include: Vesta Victoria, Eddie Foy, Eva Tanguay, Ethyl Barrymore, Anna Held, Harry Lauder, Irene Franklin, Pat Rooney, Frank Tinny, George M. Cohan, Sarah Bernhardt, Nazimova, Bert Williams, Fanny Brice, [...]
August 3, 2010 at 5:05 pm
[...] years to include: Vesta Victoria, Eddie Foy, Eva Tanguay, Ethyl Barrymore, Anna Held, Harry Lauder, Irene Franklin, Pat Rooney, Frank Tinny, George M. Cohan, Sarah Bernhardt, Nazimova, Bert Williams, Fanny Brice, [...]