The World's Greatest Minstrel

The part of Steve Martin in The Jolson Story was made for me said William Demarest. In the movie they even had me playing a cello an instrument I had been using in show business since 1905.The picture took me back to my days in vaudeville. I was barnstorming at the same time as Jolson was, playing the same towns and on the set we often swapped stories.

Willie was born in Minnesota February 1892. He began his career with his older brothers, Willie on Cello, pianist Reuben and violinist George and they mixed comedy with music. Demarest appeared on Broadway and was a frequent headliner at The Palace Theater in New York.

I made the first talking picture, 'A Night in Coffee Dan's' revealed the actor Demarest. I also made the second talking picture, 'Amateur Night' and also the third, 'The Mail Man'.

They were all short subjects. 'The Jazz Singer' in which I appeared with Al Jolson and which is always called the first talkie, was really about the twelfth. It was actually the first musical talkie. For the erudition of anybody who is interested, Warners' 'Lights of New York', in which I did not appear, was the first full length, all talking picture.

'The Jolson Story' came along in 1946 bringing with it a best supporting actor Academy Award nomination for William Demarest. He brightened many movies in the 50's 60's and 70's.

William died of a heart attack in 1983, aged 91 and although plagued with emphysema and eye and hearing trouble he managed to play golf right up to the end, often for charity. His business card read, 'When I have the urge to work, I lie down till the urge passes. Willie had a bottomless file of quips, 'I've been taking so many treatments for so many ailments that when I die I'm going to die healthy!'

William Demarest also grumbled in that distinctive, poker faced manner that endeared him to generations of moviegoers, 'If I had known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself.'