Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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DURANTE, Jimmy

(b 10 Feb. 1893, NYC; d 29 Jan. '80, Santa Monica CA) Irrepressible comedian with big nose (aka 'Schnoz', 'Schnozzola'); played piano, half-sang in gravelly voice, mangled English as part of the act, co-wrote many songs: became American institution. Organized dixieland band '16, formed trio Clayton, Jackson and Durante '23 (Lou Clayton [d '50] and Eddie Jackson), had Club Durant in Manhattan '23 (claimed 'e' was missing because they'd run out of signpainting money); became New York favourites of song, dance and comedy. Starred in Broadway shows Show Girl '29, The New Yorkers '30, film Roadhouse Nights '30. Though he was the star, Durante refused solo offers until Depression dealt death blow to vaudeville; then signed Hollywood contract with Clayton managing, Jackson contributing material. Films incl. Cuban Love Song '31, The Passionate Plumber, Speak Easily '32, Broadway To Hollywood '33, George White's Scandals, Hollywood Party, Student Tour '34: Palooka that year was his first starring role, with James Cagney's brother William; featured 'Inka Dinka Doo', became trademark song. On Broadway: Strike Me Pink '33, Jumbo '35 (songs by Rodgers and Hart, cast of 90 humans plus animals), Red Hot And Blue '36 (with Bob Hope, Ethel Merman), Stars In Your Eyes '39, Keep Off The Grass '40. More films incl. Music For Millions '44 (incl. 'Toscanini, Iturbi And Me', 'Umbriago'), This Time For Keeps '47 (classic routine 'The Guy Who Found The Lost Chord'), It Happened In Brooklyn '47 ('The Song's Gotta Come From The Heart', with Frank Sinatra), On An Island With You '48 with Esther Williams; The Milkman '50 (with Donald O'Connor, song 'That's My Boy'). Much radio and TV work incl. own shows, co-star gigs with Garry Moore '43--6, Lennon Sisters '69--70; countless guest shots, often with Jackson. Re- created Club Durant on TV with Jackson; LP on theme with guests Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, Eddie Cantor issued on Brunswick. Club and TV work through '60s, always closing the act with 'Goodnight Mrs Calabash, wherever you are', never explained. Wrote or co-wrote songs incl. theme 'Inka Dinka Doo', 'Start Off Each Day With A Song', '(I Know Darn Well I Can Do Without Broadway, But) Can Broadway Do Without Me?'. Screen version of Jumbo '62 with Doris Day incl. tender rendering of 'The Most Beautiful Girl In The World' to Martha Raye; then the 70-year-old comic made touching LP of ballads September Song on WB: no. 30 hit LP '63. Last film role in Stanley Kramer's star-packed It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World '63; the cameo at the beginning of the film had him literally kick the bucket. Had a stroke '72, spent his last years in a wheelchair: Goodnight Mr Durante, wherever you are.