Keefe Brasselle (born Henry Keefe Brasselle February 7, 1923 â€" July
7, 1981) was an American film actor, television actor/producer and
author. He is best remembered for the starring role in The Eddie
Cantor Story (1953).Keefe Brasselle broke into motion pictures while
serving in the U. S. Navy. His first co-starring role was opposite
singing star Gloria Jean in the waterfront mystery River Gang (1945).
His dark, chorus-boy looks landed him featured roles in movies through
the early 1950s.He was groomed for stardom in The Eddie Cantor Story,
filmed in response to the wildly successful The Jolson Story and
Jolson Sings Again starring Larry Parks as Al Jolson, one of Cantor's
musical-comedy contemporaries. The Eddie Cantor Story could not equal
the success of the Jolson films, largely because Brasselle didn't fit
the role physically. Standing almost a foot taller than the real
Cantor, and unable to convey Cantor's natural warmth, Brasselle's
performance became a caricature: the actor played most of his scenes
with bulging eyes and busy hands, which was effective in the musical
numbers but awkward in the dramatic scenes. Ultimately, Brasselle's
career did not launch as anticipated. In 1954, he was a guest on an
episode (season 4, episode 21, Feb. 21, 1954) of The Colgate Comedy
Hour with host Gene Wesson, as a promotional tie-in for the film.
Brasselle's other career highlights include appearances in the films
Never Fear (1949), A Place in the Sun (1951), and Battle Stations
(1956).Brasselle turned to nightclubs, where he appeared as a singer
and comedian. In 1961, an Edison Township, New Jersey, nightclub owned
by Brasselle burned under suspicious circumstances. Fire officials
came across six empty cans of gasoline at the scene, while their caps
and spouts were found separately in a paper bag.
7, 1981) was an American film actor, television actor/producer and
author. He is best remembered for the starring role in The Eddie
Cantor Story (1953).Keefe Brasselle broke into motion pictures while
serving in the U. S. Navy. His first co-starring role was opposite
singing star Gloria Jean in the waterfront mystery River Gang (1945).
His dark, chorus-boy looks landed him featured roles in movies through
the early 1950s.He was groomed for stardom in The Eddie Cantor Story,
filmed in response to the wildly successful The Jolson Story and
Jolson Sings Again starring Larry Parks as Al Jolson, one of Cantor's
musical-comedy contemporaries. The Eddie Cantor Story could not equal
the success of the Jolson films, largely because Brasselle didn't fit
the role physically. Standing almost a foot taller than the real
Cantor, and unable to convey Cantor's natural warmth, Brasselle's
performance became a caricature: the actor played most of his scenes
with bulging eyes and busy hands, which was effective in the musical
numbers but awkward in the dramatic scenes. Ultimately, Brasselle's
career did not launch as anticipated. In 1954, he was a guest on an
episode (season 4, episode 21, Feb. 21, 1954) of The Colgate Comedy
Hour with host Gene Wesson, as a promotional tie-in for the film.
Brasselle's other career highlights include appearances in the films
Never Fear (1949), A Place in the Sun (1951), and Battle Stations
(1956).Brasselle turned to nightclubs, where he appeared as a singer
and comedian. In 1961, an Edison Township, New Jersey, nightclub owned
by Brasselle burned under suspicious circumstances. Fire officials
came across six empty cans of gasoline at the scene, while their caps
and spouts were found separately in a paper bag.
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