|
Herman Timberg (April 18, 1891—April 16, 1952) was a vaudevillian, actor and songwriter, a writer of sketches and dialogue for vaudeville and musicals,〔"Herman Timberg, 60, A Theatrical Figure" ''New York Times'' (Apr. 17, 1952), p. 29.〕 "active in nearly every field of show business."〔"Herman Timberg," ''Variety'' (Apr. 23, 1952).〕 He was the brother of Sammy Timberg. == 1906 to 1929 == Herman Timberg was born April 18, 1891.〔"Herman Timberg," ''U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942'', Ancestry.com (access by subscription)〕〔"Herman Timberg," ''U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918'', Ancestry.com (access by subscription).〕 While a teen he appeared in Gus Edwards's teenage acting troop, "School Girls and School Boys" performing the one-act sketch comedy ''Primary No. 23''.〔advertisement in ''Variety'' (Jan 27, 1906), p. 16.〕 An unnamed critic noted that Timberg "caught exactly the flavor of the traditional Hebrew comedian...He was there with the inevitable parodies, which received the usual applause."〔Rush, "Shows of the Week," ''Variety'' (Apr. 21, 1906), p. 8.〕 When the show played in Chicago in 1907, a critic noted "Herman Timberg in a Hebrew boy character displayed genuine talent that promises to place him among the coming comedians."〔Frank Weisberg, "Correspondence: Chicago," ''Variety'' (Feb 16, 1907), p. 12.〕 This was confirmed by another critic who caught the group on tour at the Alhambra Theatre in Los Angeles: "Herman Timberg is the bright particular star of the little company. The boy has developed into a real comedian, and is a great little worker, just busy all the time. His first-rate singing voice, clever dancing and natural comedy ability gives him a wide scope. Timberg never tires."〔"Alhambra," ''Variety'' (Jun. 27, 1908), p. 14.〕 Each season the Gus Edwards troop was retooled based on the talents of who was in the group at the time. By 1911, Timberg had achieved the distinction of being able to sing a solo song, "Love Me to a Yiddsha Melody." 〔"Singing Helf Numbers," ''Billboard'' (Jul. 29, 1911), p. 10.〕 Timberg's first solo attempt came in 1912 but was not received well. The reviewer wrote that the initial song followed by a five-minute monologue was ineffective, and suggested he drop the Jewish impersonation in favor of a characterization that could stand for "any foolish kid."〔Dash, "New Shows Next Week: Herman Timberg," ''Variety'' (Aug. 16, 1912), p. 18.〕 The following year Timberg married Hazel Rosebloom.〔Certificate 11570, "New York, New York, Marriage Index 1866-1937," Ancestry.com. (Access by subscription)〕 In addition to announcing his wedding, Variety said that Timberg was to star in a play, ''Davy's Debut'' by Joe LeBrandt (the play was never produced).〔"Herman Timberg Will Wed," ''Variety'' (Aug. 29, 1913), p. 18.〕 Over the course of his varied career Timberg appeared in many vaudeville acts. A 1919 notice advertises ''Chicken Chow Mein'' being produced by Timberg and playing in Brighton Beach the week of August 18, with an opening scheduled at the Palace Theatre for September 1, 1919.〔"Herman Timberg presents," ''Variety'' (Aug. 22, 1919), p. 67.〕 Beginning at least in 1920, Timberg often teamed with other performers. In 1920 he was performing "Little Bits" at the Palace, a sixteen-minute long skit with his sister Hattie Darling. A critic related that both played violins and both danced—Herman to a Russian step abd Hattie to a waltz. This was followed by Herman doing a single dance, then both singing an interrupted duet, followed by imitations. One critic concluded that the act was too much to function as the penultimate number of the evening.〔Sime, "Herman Timberg Assisted by Hattie Darling," ''Variety'' (Jun. 4, 1920), p. 16.〕 By the time the act moved to the Brighton Theatre, another critic complimented Timberg calling him a "versatile artist, doing many things, and doing them well." This critic still complained of the Yiddish accent but was happy that no Yiddish phrases were used, noting that the imitations included portrayals of Al Jolson, Lew Fields, and George M. Cohan.〔Bell, "New Acts This Week: Herman Timberg," ''Variety'' (Jun. 25, 1920), p. 16.〕 By 1922 he had founded the "Herman Timberg Producing Company" whose purpose was to provide financial support in return for a portion of Timberg's profits. That year he was sued by the Company whose backers included "Garry" Herrmann (a baseball magnate), Sol Gilsey, and others from Cincinnati. They asked for an accounting of receipts from his show ''Tick-Tack-Toe'' and for $40,000 which they had advanced him. As announced in Billboard, an "amicable settlement () expected."〔"Herman Timberg Sued," ''Billboard'' (Apr. 15, 1922), p. 7.〕 The He was performing in Cleveland by mid-April 1923.〔"Vaudeville: Herman Timberg" (Apr 12, 1923), p. 5.〕 By May, he was back in New York City, appearing at Loew's State Theatre in New York again with his sister Hattie Darling, this time also with his brother Sammy.〔"New Acts This Week: Herman Timberg," ''Variety'' (May 24, 1923), p. 26.〕 By 1924 his popularity was such that Variety was able to report that "...his comedy dances were so vociferously encored they would not allow () to continue with the violin."〔"New Acts This Week: Herman Timberg and Sammy," ''Variety'' (Jun 11, 1924), p. 32.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Herman Timberg」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|