The New York herald., 1922-04-16

Cantor Escapes
the Burnt Cork i'm !
Make 1t Snappy'
Attains Lifelong Hope of
Appearing in White Face J.
In New Revue.

T1ns appearance as a star. at the heaG
OF his own company. at the Winter Care
den last Thursday night OF Eddie Cam
tor In the new revue, Make II Snappy,"
marks the qualification OF the life long
burned cork. In MAKE 1t Snappy." for
the first time In his career. except for
the period OF q seventy-ftve weeks tour
OF the country before coming TO New
York. Cantor appears only in white face,
except once. His sole burned cork app
pearance Is in his own speciality In
Make 1t Snappy." He plays a series OF
scenes dealing with the street life OF
New York. which he has studied during
the entire period OF his career from hiS
youthful days on the East Side.
Burned cork is the black tragedy In
Eddie Cantor's life. It began pursuing
him at very early age.
Twelve or thirteen years ago Eddie
Cantor was boy on the East Side in
Henry street. Some OF the members or
his particular group were Irving Berlin
and Benny Leonard. Even at that time
the East Side youth OF potential theatrl-
cal talent was winning recognition.
From much the same surroundings. az
tistically. came AL Jolson and Willie and
Eugene Howard. So there were sign
posts along the way that young Canl3r
wanted to travel. One OF them was the
vaudeville team of Jean Bedinl and
Roy Arthur. Arthur made frequent
trips to the East Side and told OF hfs
progress In the farthest north of the
theatrical zone. At that time Bedini,
who now Is a successful producer in
vaudeville. and Arthur were appearing
In burlesque Of current plays at Haral
merstein's Victoria
Arthur met and liked Cantor and even
condescended to laugh at some OF the
framed gags" OF the boy.
Come up to our dressing room.
Eddie" said Arthur. "any night nexs
week and see how it's done"
The Eddie part of this invitation
pleased Cantor quite as much as the OPP
portunity, which he only dirnly sensed.
he let three days go by and then
appeared at the stage door OF the Vic
toria. Arthur, of course, had forgotten
the invitation, but Cantor, who had AZ
entirely serious purpose in mind, which
was to be funny. persisted and was
taken In the end to the dressing room.
Up to that time Bedini and Arthur
had played regularly in vaudeville a
juggling feature. They had done Il so
often. however. at the Victoria that they
had taken hint from the late Willie
Hammerstein and had varied their Of
ferfng by giving burlesques OF current
dramatic and musical successes.
Bedini liked the persistence OF the boy
from the East Side and asked him r.
he knew anything about acting.
DO you think you could play y
Frenchrnan?" Bedinl Inquired
I don't like to speak too highly OF
myself" said Cantor without the slight
est trace OF smile. but there isn't
part on earth that can't play" M
They put Cantor in the following
week as a Frenchmnn In their burlesque
OF Paris by Night" He kept enough
OF his promise to be paid $40 at the end
OF the week, becoming a regular nlenf-
Der or the team. Cantor continued
during the remainder OF the engage
ment at the Victoria
Ultimately the act went on the road
IN vaudeville. Then came what Cantor
subsequently regarded as the greatest
misfortune Of his life. Bcdini and Ar
thur. once out OF New York, resumed
their Juggling. Arthur BACKED up rs =.
comedian and Bedinl juggled In whit,
face. Bedini quite insisted that canter
black UP. as Bedini wished to be tho
only straight" in the act. Since that
time Cantor In every entertainment In
which he has appeared in his career has
been compelled by the directing powers
to appear. in black face, with the en-
ception referred to.