Harry Steppe
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Promotional image for Harry Steppe and His Big Show |
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Promotional image of Harry, dressed as a sailor and snacking on bananas |
Harry Steppe (Abraham Stepner, March
1888 â€"
November 22,
1934, at
Bellevue Hospital in New York, New York) was a Jewish-American actor, comedian and hobo clown who worked in Vaudeville and Burlesque. Harry coined such terms as "Razzle Dazzle," "
Top Banana" (the headliner or top act on the bill), and "Second Banana." As one of
Bud Abbott's first partners, Harry introduced Bud to
Lou Costello in 1934.
A Russian immigrant born to
Orthodox Jewish parents, Harry was often billed as a Hebrew or Jewish-dialect comedian. His gags and skits were also performed by such well-known comedians as
Phil Silvers,
The Three Stooges, and
Abbott and Costello. Harry penned the "Pokomoko" (aka Niagara Falls) Routine ("Slowwwwly I turned, step by step, inch by inch...")," which was eventually performed by
*The Three Stooges in the movie "Gents Without Cents" (1944)
*Abbott and Costello in the movie "Lost in a Harem" (1944)
*
Lucille Ball in the TV Show, "I Love Lucy" (1951), Season #1, Episode #19Later on, Phil Silvers further popularized the term "Top Banana" in his 1954 film of the same name.
*
Google Book Search "Lou's on First: The Tragic Life of Hollywood's Greatest Clown Warmly Recounted by His Youngest Child," by Chris Costello, St. Martin's Griffin, 1982, pg.23, cites Harry as creator of the famous "Lemon Bit." ISBN 0312499140.
*
Newspaper Articles Mentioning Harry Steppe*
Gaiety Theater Study Report, Boston Landmarks Commission, City of Boston, pg. 51, cites Harry as performing in the stage show "Harry Steppe's OK" (1926)
*
Bananas in Entertainment, cites Harry as originator of "Top Banana."
