James Edward Barton (November 1, 1890 – February 19, 1962) was an American vaudevillian, stage performer, and a character actor in films and television.[1]
After working with repertory companies in the South and Midwest, he made his Broadway debut in the musical revueThe Passing Show of 1919 in a role originally intended for Ed Wynn.[2][3] He frequently was the highlight in otherwise-mediocre productions, and a critic for the New York Daily News noted, "Whenever the book failed him, he shuffled into one or more of his eccentric dances."[3] He commonly worked in blackface at the time.[4] Barton's other theatre credits include Sweet and Low in 1930, Tobacco Road in 1933, Bright Lights of 1944 (which ran for only four performances), The Iceman Cometh in 1946, and Paint Your Wagon in 1951.[5]
While appearing on Broadway, Barton also achieved the highest pinnacle of status in vaudeville, headlining at the Palace Theater on Broadway not once but eight times, from March 1928 through April 1932.[6]
Barton's film career was also concurrent to his stage performances. It began in the silent era, in 1923, and he appeared in a number of Paramount Pictures short subjects in 1929.[citation needed]
Bing Crosby considered James Barton to be one of his ten favorite performers of all time, alongside names such as Al Jolson, Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, and Nat King Cole.[7]Sammy Cahn has stated he considered Barton to be the greatest entertainer ("If there was a decathlon for performing ... James Barton would win, going away."[8]), and cherished the St. Genesius medal he was given by Barton's widow above his Academy Awards.[8]
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