THEY LOVED ROCHESTER IN COUNCIL BLUFFS

[Yhtapmys]

Rochester Got His First
Real Break in This Area
Eddie Anderson, known to millions of movie and radio fans as "Rochester," has a soft spot in his heart for Council Bluffs and Omaha.
"This is where I got my first real break," declared the affable comedian on a visit to the inter-city area Monday evening. He appeared in a radio and movie star revue at Omaha municipal stadium.
Rochester was in a lightly reminiscent mood earlier in the evening when he dropped in at KSWI-KFMX for a radio interview with Announcer Harry Besse. He was reliving his early days in show business.
"This is the part of the country where I got my start in the big-time. It was way back in 1925," he remembered. "I was teamed with my brother Cornie in a song and dance act in a show which started out with 65 members. We were known as the 'Anderson Brothers." The show was called “Steppin’ High.”
Stranded Here in ‘25
"We were stranded in this area in the summer of '25. And brother, I mean stranded," he said. "Our acts began to leave us one by one. Pretty soon our big revue had dwindled to a cast of less than two dozen. Finally, the show was nothing more than a carnival.
"The money situation was serious, too. Every bid [sic] as serious as it is now working with Benny,” he smiled. “Every night the whole cast, from the top star on down, lined up to get that precious 'wheel' (dollar). We weren't steppin' so high then.
"Cornie and I were called the "Dispensers of Syncopated Sunshine.' Sounds kinda corny now, laughed Rochester. "Those were the days of the old Moon and World theaters in Omaha. I doubled there in a comic skit with the late Dike Thomas whien his partner, Strawberry Russell, moved on," he continued.
"My big chance came along when Cornie decided to strike out for himself. They put me on in a "single" on a split week. The crowd liked me," Rochester beamed. "Brother, I was on my way up."
Hits Bigtime
The next stop for Rochester was the McVicars theater at Chicago, Ill. From there he joined the Orpheum circuit. The dream of a lad, born on the "coast," to hit he bigtime was realized.
Flashing his customary broad smile and waving a long stogie, Rochester signed autographs at the radio station and at the entrance to the Strand theater. He likes people.
"These road show trips are really an inspiration," he said. "It gives you a chance to get out
and meet some of the people who listen to you."
Rochester upheld his reputation as a "dresser." His wardrobe is reputed to contain "about 60 suits." Monday he wore a blue serge suit, with matching blue "bebop" tam and blue-black suede shoes.
In a brief, informal chat with Announcer Besse he told of his plans for the fall radio show which opens early this season on Sept. 11. He has a couple of movies brewing.
- COUNCIL, BLUFFS (IOWA) NONPAREIL—AUGUST 3, 1949.

(Note - in the columns below this article is a coincidental ad. Part of it reads: "C. B. SMITH of Danville, Va., Independent tobacco buyer for 30 years, says:" You can guess who the ad is for.)

Yhtapmys
"Drive Your Blues Away!"

[shimp scrampi]

Great article, yht. Eddie Anderson's story is so poorly understood that I drool over every little snippet of information. I'd love to see his definitive biography written, or even a good attempt. A dispenser of Syncopated Sunshine indeed!

[Yhtapmys]

Great article, yht. Eddie Anderson's story is so poorly understood that I drool over every little snippet of information. I'd love to see his definitive biography written, or even a good attempt. A dispenser of Syncopated Sunshine indeed!

The only other stuff I've found so far (other than standard radio listings) is a piece on Rochester being a "second" and a "manager" to a boxer. Sounds like a publicity stunt; this was well after he started with Jack. If I get a moment, I'll put it up. The .pdf translation didn't work on it very well and I have to have it [Herb Vigran mode on] transcribed for posting at a more convenient time. [Herb Vigran mode off]

Yhtapmys