42. Weber, Joe; And Fields, Lew
Weber, Joe; and Fields, Lew, bynames of JOSEPH WEBER and LEWIS MAURICE FIELDS (respectively b. Aug. 11, 1867, New York Cityd. May 10, 1942, Hollywood; b. Jan. 1, 1867, New
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Britannica CD Index Articles Dictionary Help Weber, Joe; and Fields, Lew, bynames of JOSEPH WEBER and LEWIS MAURICE FIELDS (respectively b. Aug. 11, 1867, New York Cityd. May 10, 1942, Hollywood; b. Jan. 1, 1867, New York Cityd. July 20, 1941, Beverly Hills, Calif., U.S.), U.S. comedy team popular at the turn of the 20th century, known for broad slapstick sketches in "Dutch" dialect that had undertones of sharp satire. Sons of Polish immigrants, they first appeared together in the Bowery, New York City, at the age of nine. Over the next eight years they perfected their comedy teamwork. In 1885 they formed their own company and 20 years later took over the Broadway Music Hall, which was thereafter popularly called "the Weber and Fields." Their musical shows, such as Twirly Whirly, The Geezer, Whoop- Dee-Doo, and Hoity Toity, consisted of songs, dance, comedy skits, and burlesques of popular plays and were as sprightly as their titles. In 1904 Fields left the partnership and opened Fields' Theatre in New York City. They became theatrical producers and made solo stage appearances until 1912, when they were briefly reunited to produce Hokey-Pokey at the Broadway Music Hall, which Weber had continued to manage; and in 1918 in Philadelphia in | |
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