Edwards, Gus

The Oxford Companion to American Theatre | 2004 | 700+ words | Copyright

Edwards, Gus [né Simon] (1879–1945), producer and songwriter. Born in Germany, he was brought to America while still a child and soon was employing his boy soprano voice to help support his family. In his late teens he organized the first of many similar vaudeville acts consisting entirely of promising youngsters. His eye for young talent was so impressive that he was nicknamed “The Star Maker.” Among the many future stars to whom he gave starts in his acts were Eddie Cantor, George Jessel, Georgie Price, Walter Winchell, and the Duncan sisters. While assembling acts, he also began to write songs. Still popular are his “In My Merry Oldsmobile,” “By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” and “School Days.” On Broadway his scores or songs were heard in When We Were Forty‐one (1905), Hip! Hip! Hooray! (1907), School Days (1908), The Merry‐Go‐Round (1908), and the Ziegfeld Follies of 1910.

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Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Edwards, Gus." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Edwards, Gus." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O149-EdwardsGus.html

Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Edwards, Gus." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O149-EdwardsGus.html

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