Eddie Cantor Papers, 1915-1964

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Summary

Creators:
Cantor, Eddie, 1892-1964
Abstract:
Eddie Cantor (1892-1964) was a vaudeville performer and singing waiter. He turned to radio in the 1930s and was the highest paid radio star by 1936. The collection consists of radio and television scripts, sheet music, orchestrations, photographs, awards, tributes, correspondence, and scrapbooks.
Extent:
75 boxes (37.5 linear ft.)
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of materials related to Cantor's career, including radio and television scripts, sheet music, orchestrations, photographs, awards, tributes, correspondence, and scrapbooks. Sound recordings which were a part of the original gift were transferred to UCLA Theater Arts Department.

Biographical / historical:

Cantor was born Edward Israel Iskowitz on January 31, 1892 in New York City; he was orphaned at age of two and raised by his grandmother; was a vaudeville performer and singing waiter; appeared in Gus Edwards' Kid Kabaret; appeared in Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolics in 1916; became star in successive Ziegfeld Follies, 1917-1919, and also starred in the producer's shows, Kid Boots and Whoopee; starred in two silent films, Kid Boots (1926) and Special Delivery (1927); had own radio show through the 1930s, and was the highest paid radio star by 1936; semi-retired after heart attack in 1952; given Academy Award in 1956 for distinguished service to film industry; was married to Ida Tobias for 48 years and had 5 daughters; died on October 10, 1964 in Hollywood, California.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Natalie Metzger, 1964.
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Radio and television scripts.
  2. Music orchestrations and scores.
  3. Publications.
  4. Correspondence and scrapbook.
  5. Awards, testimonials.
  6. Photographs.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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