[Dixielandjazz] Soprano (Ukulele) banjo movie star?

[Hal Vickery]

Ukelele Ike was the nickname for singer/actor/comedian/voice-over artist
Cliff Edwards.  He introduced the song "Singing in the Rain" in the MGM
musical revue "Hollywood Review of 1929."  His voice was heard as a dying
soldier in "Tone with the Wind."  He was also the voice of Jiminy Cricket in
Disney's "Pinocchio" and in many short subjects and animated Disney TV shows
into the '70s.  

He also was the comic-relief sidekick in a number of Charles Starret B
westerns and later had the same role opposite Tim Holt.

In the '20s he made a number of records as "Cliff 'Ukelele Ike' Edwards and
His Hot Combination."  The "Hot Combination" was often a group led by Red
Nichols.  

Still I don't think this is the guy.  Edwards only played uke as far as I
know, and he wasn't from Europe.  He was born in Hannibal, MO.

As for Rudy Vallee, I thought he played sax.  My first thought was Roy
Smeck, but I don't think I ever heard him sing.

Hal Vickery

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of
rahberry at comcast.net
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 6:08 PM
To: David Richoux; DJML Jazz
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Soprano (Ukulele) banjo movie star?

Wasn't there a performer called "Ukelele Ike" whom Tiny Tim seemed to by
copying?
   Rae Ann
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: David Richoux <tubaman at tubatoast.com>
> Hi all,
> 
> A caller to my radio show asked if I remembered a 1930-50s era male  
> movie star who played the soprano banjo and sang. The listener said  
> he was from the former Czechoslovakia and remembered seeing the films  
> when he was a child. He could not remember if the person was American  
> or from Europe.
> 
> I have done some web searches with no clear results.
> 
> Any  ideas?
> 
> Dave Richoux
> 
> 
> 
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> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
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