The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I found this in a group of records that was included with a machine I brought home today. I've never seen it before, and haven't listened to it yet. Strange titles. Just wondering if anyone out there is familiar with it.

Steve

Robert Wildhack was a graphic artist turned vaudeville comedian. He made these records about 1916.

I first saw him in the film Broadway Melody of 1936 opposite Jack Benny doing his snores routine.
Watch "Excerpt from "Broadway Melody of 1936"" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/diyfP2a9AT0

Governor Flyball wrote: Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:58 am Robert Wildhack was a graphic artist turned vaudeville comedian. He made these records about 1916.

I first saw him in the film Broadway Melody of 1936 opposite Jack Benny doing his snores routine.
Watch "Excerpt from "Broadway Melody of 1936"" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/diyfP2a9AT0

Yep. Strange LOL. Thank you.

There's fairly limited info online about Robert J Wildhack, but he apparently appeared in 3 movies, and made a few recordings for Victor, with this one released in Jan 1917.
I found this part recording of "Sneezes" on tiktok in case anyone wants to listen to it.

https://www.tiktok.com/music/Sneezes-Co ... 4556968962

I must say after listening to it, I couldn't help but wonder who this guy slept with to get a recording and movie contract.

I have this record and I got it from the collection of my late friend Arthur Pare. It's a funny one.edisonplayer.

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

It makes you wonder who, in their right mind, would have wasted money and purchased this new?

I first heard this on Dr. Demento back in the 70's and finally found a copy at a Wayne show a few years ago. Good find.

Curt A wrote: Wed Aug 04, 2021 4:39 pm It makes you wonder who, in their right mind, would have wasted money and purchased this new?

When a potential record shopper went into a store selling such things did they get to listen to the record before purchasing it or did they just go off of name recognition and or title? When I go through large lots of 78s I find I often wonder this because some records are REALLY bad, and they were not cheap when new.

travisgreyfox wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 11:05 pm
When a potential record shopper went into a store selling such things did they get to listen to the record before purchasing it or did they just go off of name recognition and or title? When I go through large lots of 78s I find I often wonder this because some records are REALLY bad, and they were not cheap when new.

Record stores used to have listening booths for the prospective buyer to listen before the purchase. As to finding the content good or bad, fortunately for record producers, tastes vary immensely. Evidently some people at the time found this record worth buying, maybe they were advertised as the ideal birthday gift to your mother-in-law, or to your worst enemy.