Beschreibung:

Lot of 11 couples, one with separate photos. None framed. All inscribed to Lois DeFee, burlesque star. Pair of photos, 7 x 9.25 trimmed, (were taped together at one point) – On one – Lois, star & Lance / All the best to you and yours – Affectionately, Mary Healy; on the other – To Star & Land and To Lois, Good luck to you always – Thank you for everything / Peter Lind Hayes Peter Lind Hayes (Joseph Conrad Lind 1915-1998), was married to Mary Healy (1918 - ) from 1940 until his death in 1998. They were original singers of Chevy’s “See the USA in your Chevrolet.” 8 x 10 in. – For Lois: A Swete? Grand Person – whom we really are happy to call our friend – Love Joe, Jane McKenney April 2nd ’41 / Phila. Pa. (“J” in Joe and Jane common.) 6.25 x 9.5 in. – Couple standing back to back, separate inscriptions. His (left) Lois – Remember me? Your old G--- Well it takes one to know one, yes-no. Any how my best always, Hal Mar. 27, 40 (started to write 39!); hers (right) – Lois – Hoping you’ll “remember me” – This picture stinks, so do our stale jokes – all the best, Marta Kaye.” On verso, “Kay & Allen.” 7 x 9 in. trimmed – “To Lois & Hugh / Loads of luck to you guys – your friends, King & Torry / Ben & Drene?” 6.75 x 7.5 in. trimmed – “To Lois De Fee / A wonderful person. Very best wishes. Sincerely Al & Billie Richard.” One of the few photos of African Americans in this collection. 7.5 x 9.25 in. trimmed – To Lois – Best Wishes and Loads of Happiness to you. May this remind you that we think you are ‘fine.’ / ‘the Paynes.’ / Dwight & Tommye / 9/20/45” (or Tammye?). 7 x 8 in. trimmed – “To Lois ‘six feet four, sex glamour, and laughs.’ Good Luck /Paul & Edna Mae.” 7.25 x 7.5 in. trimmed – “-To Lois- Best Always. ‘No Temper’! Ann & Bert Royce.” 4 x 5.5 in. “To Lois with every nice thought. Sincerely Bert Grant & Bob Carney” There is a third person in the photo (female); the two women are dressed alike and wearing tap shoes, so clearly part of the show. 6.5 x 9.25 – “To Lois: May be have the pleasure of being associated with you again in the near future. Sincerely Mike Sachs & Alice Kennedy” From Cullen, Frank, Hackman, Florence, and McNeilly, Donald. Vaudeville old & new: an encyclopedia of variety performers in America. Psychology Press, 2004: pp. 987-988. Boston’s Old Howard Theatre was one to one of burlesque’s most beloved comedy teams for much of their joint career. Mike Sacks was short, red-faced and baggy; Alice Kennedy was tall and elegant. One of their more famous acts was a variant of a classic from vaudeville, burlesque and revue to television variety shows. Alice, dressed to the nines, took the part of a concert singer. Mike, who was a good musician, was her piano accompanist. He also had crossed, wayward eyes that seemed to travel on their own, and as he played and she sang, Alive hit the occasional piercing high notes that made his eyes spin. Another of his reactions was to blink repeatedly as he stammered and poked his pointed finger forward, often touching the talking woman where a gentleman should not. “That’s my high register. I also have a low register, but perhaps you would prefer my middle register….” “Oh, hell, yes!” Although they certainly worked in sketches, Sacks & Kennedy were primarily a cross-talk act in which his understated reactions pumped the laughs. He worked quietly, not moving much, so that his eyes held the audience. One eye seemed to move back and forth as the other stayed still. They had not always been a team. Mike had been a popular comic in the 1920s and 1930s and was first comedian for three seasons at the Irving Palace Theatre, the Union Square home of some of burlesque’s more blatant and raunchy performers….. Mike Sachs and Alice Kennedy were still a top act when Mike went blind. After so many years in the business, Mike remembered all the standard bits, knew his way around the various stages as if guided by radar and had solid, unfailing support from his partner in life and onstage, Alice. Thos