[78-L] Bert 'n' Eddie

[Jeff Sultanof]

Art,

There is an article that Cantor wrote after Bert Williams died where Eddie
told of his friendship with Williams. I've seen it a few times.

The story I remember is that Actor's Equity called a strike in 1919 and no
one bothered to tell Williams. Bert was getting his makeup together when
Cantor saw him and told him that there was to be no show that night. Cantor
said it was incredibly sad that one of the biggest stars of the show was
treated so shabbily because of his race.

Jeff Sultanof

On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 2:52 PM, zimrec at juno.com <zimrec at juno.com> wrote:

> 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
>
> ================================
>