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John Bunny
"John Bunny... an important star before Charlie
Chaplin."
Source: Articles from Variety (March 19, 1915 Show
Reviews)
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: ) 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 ordeald 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.
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