I saw this as a DVD extra to the 2007 DVD release of "The Jazz Singer" (Disc 3)
This is one of the better Vitaphone shorts, in no small part due to the comfortable on-camera demeanor of the performers, especially Ray Mayer. The songs are corny, but they seem to know that and acknowledge that to us in future with a wink and a nudge.
Edith Evan's singing is just fine, but Mayer's accompanying piano work and spoken introductions are a subtle parody act in itself. (Watch the gum.) This is a vaudeville act captured on film and I presume a successful one, but I wonder how they ever played this to the back row of a live theater setting. Somehow they must have done it.
This is one of the better Vitaphone shorts, in no small part due to the comfortable on-camera demeanor of the performers, especially Ray Mayer. The songs are corny, but they seem to know that and acknowledge that to us in future with a wink and a nudge.
Edith Evan's singing is just fine, but Mayer's accompanying piano work and spoken introductions are a subtle parody act in itself. (Watch the gum.) This is a vaudeville act captured on film and I presume a successful one, but I wonder how they ever played this to the back row of a live theater setting. Somehow they must have done it.