Last night, I was watching 'Broadway - The American Musical' when my
next door neighbours rolled in.

It was during a scene from 'Sally' in which Marilyn starts mussing
this guy's hair to the tune of 'Look for the Silver Lining'. They then
perform a few eccentric steps.

'I know him!' screamed Jane, 'It's er Eddie .... er no it's Joe E Brown, isn't it?'

I said 'I didn't think so but I would find out'. 

Well Joe E Brown was in the movie ...

Was it him?

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Request for Question Clarification by answerfinder-ga on 28 Feb 2005 04:12 PST

Bryan,

I believe it was Joe E. Brown - with a hint of doubt. I also need you
to attend an identity parade.

This movie site breaks down the film into its elements:

"0:21 minutes: Look for the Silver Lining (Alexander Gray and Marilyn Miller); 
0:31minutes: Look for the Silver Lining (sung and danced by Marilyn
Miller and Joe E. Brown)"
http://www.classicmoviemusicals.com/filmss.htm

The IMDb web site has user comments on the film:

"There are eight musical numbers including the delightful soft shoe
with Joe E. Brown to Look For The Silver Lining (oft-reprised)"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020358/usercomments

I?m not sure whether your 'few eccentric steps' is the full sing and
dance routine with Joe E. Brown, or the earlier number with Alexander
Gray. Could what you saw be described as a 'delightful soft shoe'?

This web site has a film poster which has Marilyn Miller carrying out
the hair ruffling you described, but infuriatingly, I cannot zoom in
closer to the picture.

Is the person standing behind Marilyn Miller the man you saw dancing?
http://www.geocities.com/musictheater/sally/movie/movie.html

If so, I think this may be Joe E. Brown. Here are some other pictures of him.
http://www.masquersclub.org/presidents-joe-e-brown.jpg
http://www.things-and-other-stuff.com/images/a-prices%20realized/Movies/fan%20photos/0399_brown_env.jpg
http://www.tvtome.com/images/people/39/8/92-42264.jpg


What do you think? 

answerfinder-ga

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Clarification of Question by probonopublico-ga on 28 Feb 2005 05:00 PST

Yes, for sure, AF your evidence is compelling.

It was certainly a 'soft shoe' but the 'delightful' tag is more dubious.

A great piece of detective work.

Please post your comment as an answer.

Many thanks!

Bryan

Bryan,
Thank you for the clarification. I'll post a summary as an answer.

I believe it was Joe E. Brown because of the reasoning described above.

answerfinder-ga

Brilliant, AF

I shall now try to conceive a really challenging question for you,
like 'Can you lead me to the Tsar's Crown Jewels?'

That should be worth a great tip. Agreed?

All the Best

Bryan

Thanks for the tip Bryan. Pleased I could help.
A few summers ago, I thought I caught site of a fellow furtively
burying something in the field out the back of my house. I thought it
was strange because he had snow on his boots and wore a Ushanka.
Perhaps that's where they are. A few may be here.
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/jewels/history.html

answerfinder-ga