[78-L] Baroosh

[Stewart, Joseph R]

Regarding Andre "Baroosh" or "Barookh":
Remember he was born in France--the NY Times obit for him from Sept.17, 1991 says "Mr. Baruch was born in Paris and came to the United States as a teenager".  (He was born in 1908.)  Perhaps that's the reason for the soft "sh" pronunciation of "Baruch."   On this YouTube post Baruch gives his name about 12 seconds into the clip ("Your Hit Parade" from May 9, 1953):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JvGyBBpbmo 

In fact, he even affects a strong French accent in this 1934 short, "Announcers Revue"--Baruch starts at :32 into the clip (Harry Von Zell intros him).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-ikd5J7vlg

Randy Stewart
Arts Producer
KSMU
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Springfield MO 65897