John Bunny
"John Bunny... an important star before Charlie
Chaplin."
Source: Articles from Variety (March 19, 1915 Show
Reviews)
John Bunny Show
John Bunny Show
John Bunny, probably one of the most well known actors know to fame through moving pictures, died April 26 of liver trouble, at his home in Brooklyn.
April 30, 1915.
Bunny John: (1863-1915) Actor. Worked in minstrel shows and in the theatre as actor and manager before he signed with Vitagraph studios in 1910. Rotund and weighing 300 pounds, he exploited his weight and shape to his advantage in many of his plots. Other techniques that he employed in his farce comedies, included FEMALE IMPERSONATION, flirting, extramarital pursuits, and bouts with alcohol, all in the style of polished pantomime. In the marital farce "Polishing Up," for example, after he is caught flirting with two young sweet things, he patches things up with his wife and toasts: "Here's to our wives and sweethearts -- may they never meet".
He appeared in more than 200 one and two-reel comedies in his short, five year film career, becoming the first star comedian of the American screen. On a trip to England he made a series of films based on Charles Dickens' Pickwick Papers and a few other shorts. Although these side excursions into dramatic acting underscored his histrionic abilities, it was for his comic talents that he was best loved.
He also starred in his own popular series, the "Bunny" films, often co-starring with comedienne Flora FINCH, which included "Bunny's Suicide," "Bunny All at Sea", "Bunny at the Derby" (1912), "Bunny Blarneyed," "Bunny as a Reporter," "Bunny for the Cause," "Bunny's Dilemma," "Bunny's Honeymoon" (1913), "Bunny Buys a Harem," "Bunny's Birthday," "Bunny's Mistake," (1914), "Bunny in Bunnyland"(1915).
SELECTED FILMS: In Neighbouring Kingdoms (1910), Her Crowning Glory, Her Hero, Vanity Fair, The Politicians Dream (1911), Ida's Christmas, Stenographers Wanted, Chumps, Freckles, a Cure for Pokeritis (1912), And His Wife Came Back, The Autocrat of Flapjack Junction (1913), Father's Flirtations, Pigs Is Pigs, Love's Old Dream, Love, Luck and Gasoline, Polishing Up. (1914).
Funny Bunny eh? At a nickel at a throw to see the screen star in his silent antics, perhaps the billing is appropriate, but at a dollar per copy to see him at the Bronx opera house cavorting around with a mediocre company of mixed talent, presenting a brand of entertainment that forcibly suggests memories of a one-night-stand tabloid, it's a bit pathetic.
And duly apologising for the time-worn wheeze, let it be early recorded that as a star of the speaking stage, Funny Bunny is one of the best studio actors extant.
The ordeal opened in a rather promising way with the Musical Hodges monopolising the platform space for their vaudeville speciality, or a portion of it. The Hodges, a standard variety turn, at least gave a professional impression and gathered in one of the few his of the evening, but thereafter the affair developed into a sort of amateur carnival, climaxed at the finale when the entire troupe participated in one of those "kind applause" spectacles, with Bunny impersonating Roosevelt before a huge American flag, unfurled to the melody of national airs.
Following the Hodges' exit, an impromptu stage manager informed the audience that Mr. Bunny was a trifle tardy, but assured them the orchestra would entertain until the picture star was located. There followed a short film of ancient manufacture, showing the rotund one in bed. The film brought Bunny to the stage whereon he delivered one of those stereotyped speeches evidently written when business was good, for it contained passages anent the "sea of smiling faces", "outbursts of enthusiastic applause," etc. that failed to materialise at any time during the evening. This was his act when in vaudeville for a week.
Then came a minstrel first part, with Ben Linn, a capable man and one of the few present, interlocutor for a group of choristers, with a hard shoe dancer on one end and one of those juvenile Hebrew comedians on the other. A dozen or more numbers, many long since initiated to the "has been" class, was introduced by the various members, Linn closing the section with "Tipperary". This period brought one Babe Smith into prominence, Babe earning recognition with Lillian Maguire, the couple showing the general appearance of experienced chorus girls. Eddie Lambert made a weak endeavour to portray the usual essentials of a young comic, but Master Lambert fell far short of requirements.
After intermission (one of the enjoyable periods) the Bunny Motion Picture Studies scene happened, wherein the curious public is given a glimpse of actual life within the walls of a film factory. This served to bring one more worthy individual into sight in Percy Leach who enacted the role of the director. Leach held the entire scene up, bringing out a few otherwise invisible comedy points that earned a scattered laugh or two.
And next Mr. Bunny obliged with a song which in itself may explain why Bunny was never professional "found" until the camera invaded the amusement field. Funny Bunny, eh? Giddap to the next scene. A May party bit with Bunny crowned by the kids.
The Piccolo Midgets then lifted the suspense for a brief time with their regular speciality and finally the grand old star spangled banner came to the rescue. To elaborate on this description would probably lead a conscientious scribe to criminal intent, so complimenting Linn, Leach and vaudevillians for their patience let the individual opinion by accordingly registered and the whole affair forgotten forever. By the way of a closer it might be suggested to Funny Bunny that he send half the kids back to school, the others to work, relegate the production to a nearby alley and hike back to the studio, while Linn, Leach and the other capable members should be restored to show business.
Wynn (the writer)
Additional Points of Interest:
Bunny's Contract:
John Bunny has signed a two years' contract with Lew Wiswell and picture work within that time will have to be agreed upon by the latter. The "Bunny in Funnyland" show has started toward the east and is booked for Brooklyn early in March.
Bunny On His Own:
It's almost a certainty John Bunny will not be out on the road again next season. Instead he plans to organise his own film company or return to the Vitagraph following his proposed Chautauqua tour this summer.
Bunny Show Closing
The John Bunny show, in Philadelphia this week, closes next Saturday night and there is little likelihood of it going out again this season.
