New Britain herald., 1928-03-19
CHASEN STARRING
 IN JOE COOK SHOW
Former Candy Vendor Appear.
 ing in Rain or Shine'

Fgol -4>dy butcher al the cd K | f}searer in this city 10 s'ar l0 . BroaiHa. production, is the his ,ory O Dave Chasen, formerly c. Nov Britain, one of the hrigh'es. luuuuarics in the broadway corstel- larion. Dave, as hc Is known 10 hun lr.d, or New Brit9n people, IS sesn nightly in Rain or Shine one Of New Works biz musical hits. sharing comedy houors with Joe Cook, the cue man circus"
 Dave Chasen Has born IT Odessa. Russia. but the family moved 10 this country n 1906, settling in New Brit ain. Dave vas about Il years old af that time He attended the public -chools here and vas q Herald news hoy. Alter leaving school he served m various capa cities. working -or time at the Damon lumber yard, helping his father on the mail route between the post office and the railroad station and later becoming one Of the fellows who tempt the sweet tooth in movie theaters.
 His father, Joseph Chasen. had 'tc contract for carrying mail be- tween the railroad station and The New Britain post office and Dave was his assistant on many occasions, The mon at the post office knew him and liked him and several have paid special visits 10 New York to see Dave on the stage.
 Dave worked for time a' lNeeney's thoatcr in tine capacity Of candy vendor. That was back in 1914. or therca bouts. when they still had vaudeville at what is now the Palace theater. One time an eloctr'- cal act came 70 town and played at that 'heater, II Nas one Of those acts in which various mystifylng stunts arc done with electricity, They need cd g boy 10 take part in the presen- 'ation and Dave ras given 2 chance 10 play the part while the company was in New Britain.
 H. played lt well, so vel, Tn fact, that llc was as sked o accompany the act on it's travels Dave went rith IT. fi'-i c!iI- 4tpll1 'ilI | k'DA '-r' tl' made out pretty well. He played around in vaudeville for several years gradually acquiring a comedy line. He uas 2 success in his roles, but h. didn't have much of chance ito do anvth hing big. At least. he didn't until six or seven years ago. when Joe Cook SaN him in Los Angeles.
 Joe deciled that Dave deserved better things and he set about to get those better things for the for mer New Britain boy. The two went into vaudeville together playing all around the country, in and out Of big tmo. Wal'zing around with Keith and cleaning up wherever they went. They took trip 10 England and France. scoring heavily in both countries.
 When they returned 10 the United states they were hired by Earl Car ' roll and made a big hit in three editions of "Th" Nani'ies.' Many people remember Dave, as he came up out of the audience at the lnri- 1ation Of the man on the stage: how he continually waved. with q funny motion of the arm. 10 his cousin uI in the callery.' Dave became 8 comedian to be reckon"d with. He was funny. New York liked him. He continued 10 make hit in 'The Nani'ins' and he became known far and wide for his off-stags friend liuoss. kindness and generosity. H. made friends In all walks of life.
 A year or SO ago Dave venturr6 out in q show ot his own. but. i dIdu't 20 over. The vehicle opened 1T the summer, which was suicide fo' the new venture.
 But Broadway didn't let I,ay.
 down. Last fall be and Joe Cool were offered parts in new pro1uc
 ton. "Raln or Shine" and they e
 certed them. They have been a bi, , success. They are th" talk Of Nep
 York. Many New Britain people hav'