Moviegoers in 1928 certainly got their money’s worth in 1928, when this photo was taken. The main feature was “The Fleet’s In” starring Clara Bow, who would have been at the top of her game at the time. But it’s not Clara who got the big billing, it was someone I’d never even heard of before: Benny Rubin. He was a comedian and actor whose radio and screen career ended up spanning over 50 years. He must have already been a big deal in 1928 to get such a big sign but what intrigues me is that he was appearing with 20 Up-In-The-Air girls. It makes on wonder what they were up to while Benny was doing his act.
Moviegoers in 1928 certainly got their money’s worth in 1928, when this photo was taken. The main feature was “The Fleet’s In” starring Clara Bow, who would have been at the top of her game at the time. But it’s not Clara who got the big billing, it was someone I’d never even heard of before: Benny Rubin. He was a comedian and actor whose radio and screen career ended up spanning over 50 years. He must have already been a big deal in 1928 to get such a big sign but what intrigues me is that he was appearing with 20 Up-In-The-Air girls. It makes on wonder what they were up to while Benny was doing his act.
In October 1928 Variety has a listing for Benny Rubin at the Egyptian with the Up in the Air Girls. https://i.imgur.com/rdIAXCO.jpg http://www.archive.org/stream/variety92-1928-10#page/n103/mode/2up/search/Benny+Rubin+up+in+the+air
The Up in the air show seems to involve dancers on stilts. https://i.imgur.com/ebiSVc5.jpg http://www.archive.org/stream/variety96-1929-08#page/n254/mode/2up/search/Fanchon+and+Marco+up+in+the+air
The ” Up in the Air” idea is also mentioned on this tribute page to Fanchon and Marco. https://www.streetswing.com/histmai2/d2fanch1.htm
Ah! So they were stilt dancers. That makes sense, doesn’t it? Thanks, J!