[78-L] Bert 'n' Eddie

[zimrec at juno.com]

After Cary's initial posting, I was anticipating an answer from Brian as to what he knew about the production.  From a legal standpoint, I don't know what rights the Cantor estate has with regard to use of likeness in stage shows such as this.  What is interesting, however, is that while the close friendship between Cantor and Bert Williams is no secret, Cantor didn't mention Williams in either of his autobiographies, both of which were re-published in a single volume which should be available from Brian.

Brian's mom, Janet, told me some years ago about an incident New Year's Eve when both were in the Ziegfeld Follies.  After the performance that night, the cast went out to a party of some kind.  Williams was not invited or not admitted.  So, Cantor had a meal alone with Williams backstage at the theatre.

Art

================================
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:26:43 -0800
From: Cary Ginell <soundthink at live.com>
Subject: Re: [78-L] Bert 'n' Eddie
To: <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
Message-ID: <BLU142-W3282CA360245C343C76D02B0AF0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


No, but this show has been on the boards for a couple of years now and Gari doesn't seem 
to be interested in going after them. I can find out what his rights are with regard to 
Cantor. As for Astaire, that might be something that Robyn got Fred to sign over to her 
before he died. Anyone know about this?

 

Cary Ginell
 
> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 13:23:42 -0500
> From: dlennick at sympatico.ca
> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> Subject: Re: [78-L] Bert 'n' Eddie
> 
> "Right to Cantor's likeness as a subject to be exploited died with him."
> 
> That'll be news to Robyn Astaire. Are you sure about this?
> 
> dl
> 
> Cary Ginell wrote:
> > Just got an E-mail from Brian, and he is unaware of "Bert 'n' Eddie." 
He says he has been working on his own Broadway show about his grandfather and is annoyed 
that De Benedictus came out with his before he did. So apparently, rights are not an 
issue. Right to Cantor's likeness as a subject to be exploited died with him. But you're 
right, he does support any efforts to expose Eddie to the public. There's a website for 
the show: bertneddie.com. Nice raggy era music played on the site.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Cary Ginell
> > 
> >> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:26:34 -0500
> >> From: jeffsultanof at gmail.com
> >> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> >> Subject: Re: [78-L] Bert 'n' Eddie
> >>
> >> I cannot swear to this absolutely, but I believe that Brian was consulted
> >> and gave his okay. Anything to keep Eddie Cantor in front of the public.
> >>
> >> I had a great lunch once with Brian and his mom Janet. Great people. Great
> >> stories. A lovely memory of my years in publishing.
> >>
> >> I once saw Whoopee at the Regency Theatre in New York with a packed house.
> >> They were roaring at Cantor's performance. What a treasure to have
> >> it.....and in Technicolor to boot.
> >>
> >> Jeff Sultanof
> >>
> >> On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 1:17 AM, Michael Biel <mbiel at mbiel.com> 
wrote:
> >>
> >>> From: Cary Ginell <soundthink at live.com>
> >>>> Anyone ever see this stage musical? I'm seeing a local production 
of
> >>>> it next weekend. It's a new musical that focuses on the friendship
> >>>> between Bert Williams and Eddie Cantor. Written by Richard De 
Benedictus.
> >>>> I'll report back after I've seen it, but it sounds interesting.
> >>> I wonder if they have cleared this with Brian Gari?
> >>>
> >>> Mike Biel mbiel at mbiel.com
> >>>


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