Digital Transgender Archive

Following in Father's Footsteps, No. 2, with Ralph Coram and Bill Coram (1935)

Ralph Coram hosts an entertainment segment featuring the children of famous performers. Performances include song, dance, and drag. L/S's and M/S's of Ralph Coram standing next to a microphone introducing himself. He say he is the son of the famous ventriloquist. He introduces his younger brother Bill Coram. He asks Bill what he is going to do. Bill tells his brother to close his eyes and count to three. When he opens them again Bill has been transformed into an old lady called Fanny. The disguised Bill says that he is a blues singer. L/S's of Bill singing 'I've got Dancing Feet'. L/S's and M/Ss of Ralph dancing with very large wooden shoes. He even manages to dance on tiptoe. Ralph then introduces Betty Errol the daughter of impersonator Bert Errol. He describes her as a very tall woman. However, when she walks on stage she doesn't even reach his shoulder. Betty wears a small skimpy dress and dances acrobatically with piano accompaniment. The next act is Edith Grossmith daughter of George Grossmith. She walks on stage wearing a long dress. She starts by saying "I know what you're all thinking - isn't she like her father, isn't she like her father." She then places a top hat on her head as a "Grossmith can't be seen without a top-hat." Group shot of the stars of the show singing 'We're Following In Father's Footsteps."