Harry Steppe

Harry Steppe
Born
Abraham Stepner

March 16, 1888
DiedNovember 22, 1934(1934-11-22) (aged 46)
New York, NY
Occupation(s)Actor, Comedian
Years active1911 – 1934
Spouse(s)Beatrice (1918)
Victoria Dayton (1920-1922)(separated)

Harry Steppe (born Abraham Stepner), March 16, 1888[1] – November 22, 1934[2] was a Russian Jewish[3][4]-American actor,[5] musical comedy performer,[6][7] headliner[8][9] comedian,[10][11] writer,[12] librettist,[13] director and producer,[14] who toured North America working in Vaudeville[6] and Burlesque.[10][15][16][17] Steppe performed at several well-known theaters on the Columbia,[18][19] Mutual and Orpheum[20][21] circuits. Steppe was one of Bud Abbott's first partners.[12][22][23][24][25][26]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference WWIdraft1917 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Abe Stepner's obituary, "Feature News," Billboard magazine, Dec. 1, 1934, pg 5.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference amerburl1967 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Variety Opener Has Cast of 40: Red Hot Gets Under Way Sunday Night," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Newspaper), Aug 25, 1934, pg.78. Excerpt:"...Joe DeRita and Harry Steppe, one of the few remaining old-time Jewish comedians in burlesque, lead the contingent of funmakers."
  5. ^ Image of actor Harry Steppe, Billy Rose Theatre Collection photograph file, on file with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: Billy Rose Theatre Division
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference hartcour19140514 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference pittpres19110528 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  10. ^ a b Theatre Magazine, edited by Arthur Hornblow, Stewart Beach, W. J. Thorold, et al., 1930, v.51-52, pg. 36. Excerpt: "In fact, Harry Steppe, one of the leading burlesque comedians, remarked to me the other day that there is more to be seen on the streets today than there..."
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference toroworl19150126 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b "Abbott and Costello in Hollywood," by Bob Furmanek and Ron Palumbo, 1991, Page 18. Excerpt: "Bud was now working with comedian Harry Steppe, who originated the famous 'Lemon Bit'...It was the 'Lemon Bit' that Bud had done with Harry Steppe. When Bud and Lou crossed paths in burlesque in the mid-1930s, Bud staged the routine for Lou. After the boys teamed up, they reprised the 'Lemon Bit'..."
  13. ^ Bloom, Ken. American Song: The Complete Musical Theatre Companion, Vol. 1: A-S. Second Edition. Schirmer Books, 1996, Pg. 203. ISBN 0-02-864573-1 Notes: Citation for J.B. Earley, Composer and Harry Steppe, Librettist. Songs: Blinky Winky Chinatown; Girls from the Follies, He's My Kiddo, I'm the Broadway Kid; Joyous Love; Let's Sing, Sing, Sing; Love me or Leave Me Alone; My Southern Queen.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference pittpress19140106 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference afroamer19251024 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ "Old Actors Attend Dave Marion Rites; Former Associates in World of Burlesque Pay Tribute to 'Snuffy the Cabman', New York Times, September 19, 1934, Page 20. Excerpt: "More than 200 old-time burlesque players and theatre associates gathered yesterday in Campbell's Funeral Parlor, Broadway and Sixty-sixth Street, at a funeral service for Dave Marion, the comedian...(attendees included) Dave Altman, Agnes Buckley, William H. Leyden, William Armstrong, Bob Travers, Inez DiVider, Biff Clark, Sam Dawson, Nalter McManus and Harry Steppe"
  17. ^ Reedy's Mirror. St. Louis, Mo. Vol. 25, 1916, pg. 204. William Marion Reedy, Editor and Proprietor. Excerpt: "The Girls from the Follies" With Harry Steppe in the Two-Act Musical Burlesque "Cohen on the East Side."
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  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference afroamer19260410 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  22. ^ "Lou's on First: The Tragic Life of Hollywood's Greatest Clown Warmly Recounted by His Youngest Child," by Chris Costello, St. Martin's Griffin, 1982, pg.23. ISBN 0-312-49914-0. Excerpt: "Backstage between shows Bud would do skits with Dad (Lou) that he had done with Harry Steppe -- a very clever Jewish comedian who was the creator of the famous "Lemon Bit," which was to be so successful for Bud and Dad (Lou) as a team."
  23. ^ Seguine, Brent. "Slowly I Turned / Niagara Falls / Pokomoko", Abbott & Costello January 2017 Newsletter. Abbott & Costello Collectibles, Jan. 2017. Web. 05 July 2017. Excerpt: "Steppe was also an early stage partner for Bud Abbott, and is among the names mentioned as bringing Bud and Lou together in 1935 before their initial team-up in 1936."
  24. ^ American national biography, Volume 1, edited by John Arthur Garraty, Mark Christopher Carnes, American Council of Learned Societies, Oxford University Press, 1999, Page 18. Excerpt: (Costello played) "opposite a variety of comics, including Harry Steppe..."
  25. ^ Cite error: The named reference pittpres19291217 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  26. ^ International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers - Volume IV - Actors and Actresses, by Christopher Lyon, St. James Press, 1987, ISBN 0-912289-08-2, Page 7. Excerpt: "...while manager at the National Theater in Detroit, Abbott worked Vaudeville as straight man to such performers as Harry Steppe and Harry Evanson."