Economic Research: Berle Vintage

Berle Vintage

Started at 5 yrs. old where he entered a Charlie Chaplin contest, earning his first laugh. He played many children in silent film after that. Described as “the thief of bad gags”, Berle’s reputation as a joke stealer seemed to be the cause of more ribbing than consternation. Bob Hope said, “I love to sit home and watch Berle on TV and see how my jokes are doing.” “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m sorry I’m calling you Ladies and Gentlemen when you know what you are…Say mister, would you mind moving? Your head is shining right into my eyes! For a minute I thought you were sitting down…” ...I’ll dig ‘em up if you’ll remember ‘em…” Brash, corny, anything-for-a-laugh, Milton Berle was everyone’s “Uncle Miltie,” the TV superstar who made faces, wore garish costumes, brawled with guests in free-for-all slapstick, and machine-gunned jokes until the audience was helpless with laughter. Berle’s comedy wasn’t always pretty—especially when he turned up in drag—but he was boldly funny.Born in Harlem, 68 West 118th Street, the Berle family was desperately poor. One of Milton’s bitterest memories was at the age of four.