From the front lines of battle to the bright lights of Broadway, we follow the story of Canada’s early kings of comedy. The Dumbells, formed as a musical comedy troupe to entertain the men and women serving overseas during WW1, became so much more than just a welcome distraction in a very tense time. They would go on to become an international sensation and a Canada wide comedy hit. Join us as we explore the group’s personal connections to our area, and find out that the Dumbells still may have a thing or two to share with us today.
Following the story we invite everyone to come out and meet the museum staff at the Collingwood Downtown BIA Christmas Market on December 8 and 15. For more information see our Facebook page: (facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum) or go to our website (collingwood.ca/culture-recreation-events/heritage-museum/collingwood-museum). And from all of us to all of you ... Happy Holidays!
Episode Picture:
Poster of the Dumbells Sixth Annual Revue in “Ace High”, undated [Collingwood Museum Collection 983.10.1]
Research:
The Dumbells. North Cumberland Historical Society.
https://ncumbhistorical.wixsite.com/genealogyhistory/the-dumbells
WW I-era Dumbells a slice of Canadian comedy history CBC.ca
https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/ww-i-era-dumbells-a-slice-of-canadian-comedy-history-1.1342477
The Dumbells. The Canadian Encyclopedia. 2014
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-dumbells-emc
The Dumbells. Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. 2022.
https://www.canadiantheatre.com/dict.pl?term=The%20Dumbells
The Dumbells Concert Party in the Great War. Canadian Expeditionary Force Research Group. 2020.
https://cefrg.ca/blog/the-dumbells-concert-party
Miles, Anita. Chicago of the North p.76-77
Links:
The Dumbell Rag performed by Lori King
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdRqtAyt_FU
