Harry Rose--Frankfurter Sandwiches

Vaudevillian Harry Rose (my great uncle) aka "The Broadway Jester" doing the song Frankfurter Sandwiches. He was active as an MC during this time until the 1950s. After moving to Los Angeles he died in 1962.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• harry
• rose
• frankfurter
• sandwiches
• vaudeville

[munteacher]

You mean his falling into the pit? I've heard the story as well but never heard of it inside the family. I've no doubt it's true, however.

[munteacher]

No, not as far as anyone knew--and my family had its "gaydar" out in those days. Much of it was a fashionable affection. Nothing approaching it can be found in the film I have of him in the 1950s. My aunt Shirley and cousin Barney, who were relatively close to him in the 1950's would have said something. But who knows? In those days if you were gay you were deep down in he closet!!!

[lebow1]

What movies did he appear between the 1930's -1950's ? What else did he do for the last twenty years , of his life ?

[munteacher]

@lebow1 He did some minor films, including a burlesque review. I have the clips which I plan to put up one day. The last years of his life were spent between New York and Los Angeles. He was very, very active with the Hollywood branch of the Shriners. Members of the family have fond memories of him. My father didn't. When Harry Rose's brother David (my grandfather) died, my father telephoned him. "Everybody dies" was all that Harry said. He died shortly afterward.

[67stardust]

My Aunt STILL sings me Frankfurter Sandwiches, and i'm now 43!!!! Thanks for posting this.... love it...

[munteacher]

@67stardust It's a really catchy tune, isn't it! Oh dear, now I'm hungry again. Better go out for a HAMBURGER!

[Bixfan78]

I hope the orchestra pit story wasn't true! At least he was still active into the '50s, thank goodness.

[Bixfan78]

Thank you for sharing some of your family history, munteacher! I've always loved these short films with Harry; I helped with the DVD commentary for a couple of those "burlesque review" features. In the book "Notes on a Cowardly Lion," Bert Lahr says, "Comedy is always close to tragedy. In vaudeville there was a master of ceremonies named Harry Rose who always used to run out saying, 'Here's Harry!' One night, he ran too far, fell into the orchestra pit and broke both legs."

[srossdon]

Two years have passed since I first commented on this clip of Harry Rose. Just came across it again and he still cracks me up.

[LandondeeL]

3:28 I sure hope those frankfurter sandwiches he slipped her during this period were Hebrew National franks!

[TheCmac1966]

I don't ask this to be mean, but out of curiosity, could he have been gay?

[lebow1]

Munteacher, thanks for the information