The Eddie Cantor Story: A Jewish Life in Performance and Politics

Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture, and Life

by David M. Weinstein

This absorbing biography chronicles the life and work of one of the most important entertainers of the twentieth century. Eddie Cantor (1892–1964) starred in theater, film, radio, and television. His immense popularity across a variety of media, his pride in his Jewish heritage, and his engagement with pressing political issues distinguished him from other headliners of his era. Paying equal attention to Cantor’s humor and politics, Weinstein documents his significance as a performer, philanthropist, and activist. Many show business figures quietly shed their Jewish backgrounds or did not call attention to the fact that they were Jewish. Cantor was different. He addressed the vital issues of his times, including acculturation, national identity, and antisemitism. He was especially forceful in opposing Nazism and paid a price for this activism in 1939, when a sponsor cancelled the actor’s radio program. In this carefully researched book, Weinstein uncovers sketches and routines filled with Jewish phrases, allusions, jokes, songs, and stories. Cantor frequently did not mark this material as “Jewish,” relying instead on attentive audiences to interpret his coded performances. Illustrated with thirty photographs, The Eddie Cantor Story examines the evolution, impact, and legacy of Cantor’s performance style. His music and comedy not only shaped the history of popular entertainment, but also provide a foundation for ongoing efforts to redefine Jewish culture and build community in contemporary America.

304 pages, Hardcover

Published November 7, 2017

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A detailed and well-researched look at Cantor’s life through the lens of his life-long devotion to Jewish charitable causes, as well as his struggle to navigate a career through the often-hostile waters of American mid-twentieth-century politics, entertainment, and social constraints for Jewish celebrities. There was a nice balance in the discussion of Cantor’s personal life, career highlights, and political pursuits. At times I wish Weinstein would have delved a bit more into the background behind Cantor’s films, but then again, I understand that information is available elsewhere, and this was not necessarily the purpose of the book.

As someone whose knowledge of Cantor is almost entirely from his movies and pre-war recordings, the high points for me were the chapters devoted to Cantor’s later radio and television career, including some direct quotes and lines of dialogue from obscure recordings. The generous footnotes allow readers to track down some clips and audio recordings on YouTube or other Internet sites. Many citations come from the author’s “personal collection” of audio and visual sources, which I wish he would make available online!

Despite a couple minor errors (spelling Katharine Hepburn as “Katherine,” referring to What Made Pistachio Nuts? as What Makes Pistachio Nuts?, etc.), this book hits the mark. It is brimming with information that I didn’t know about Cantor. As a non-Jewish Millennial reader who is far removed from Cantor’s era and struggles, I found so many connections with Cantor the entertainer, the public figure, and the man. Weinstein's book reveals a side of Cantor that still resonates, at least with me, and I think with many others, as the Conclusion points out his lasting impact on the entertainment world and continued presence, albeit limited, on social media. Recommended for anyone interested in vaudeville, twentieth-century entertainment, Jewish studies, or American comedy.

[Yenta Knows · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for the Bender JCC Book Festival. I recommended that we NOT include it in the festival. My review is below.

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Lots of detail and lots of repetition, but very little illumination. Cantor (as we are told every few pages), did not hide his Jewish heritage, unlike most of his contemporaries in show business. Good to know, but why did the others hide? What were they afraid of? Were their fears credible? And why was Cantor immune to those fears?

These are the interesting questions that remain unanswered.

Weinstein can write a clear sentence, but he often substitutes cliches for original prose.

[Catherine Shereshewsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

He deserved better writers

Eddie Cantor was a huge star whose shtick makes for tough criticism in 2017. But his accomplishments were incredibly ble. This book, while telling the facts and figures is not brilliantly written or edited. Repetition, of stories and even phrases don’t elevate the man. Until the end of the epilogue, the humanity of the author does not appear. A great history but I wish it had been written and edited better. The story deserves it.

[Amanda Driggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for the first 4 chapters (mid-1910s toured with Al Lee, Lilyan Tashman’s first husband). Gave me another research thread but overall not helpful for my purposes. Skim read the rest. Interesting mix of quotes from performances/speeches, excerpts from Cantor’s own autobiographies but not the most engaging bio I’ve read.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the writing is somewhat verbose and redundant, the topic is fascinating.