BOB "BAZOOKA" BURNS - APPLICATION SIGNED 01/28/1938 - HFSID 19175

BOB "BAZOOKA" BURNS
He signs on this application for membership in the American Federation of Radio Artists
Application Signed: "Bob Burns", 2p, 6½x8½, front and verso. Los Angeles, California, 1938 February 2. Application for membership in the American Federation of Radio Artists. Burns is applying for Active Membership, with dues of $100 annually. Name printed (unknown hand) above signature, address and telephone number written ink (unknown hand) below signature. Original date of "Jan. 28, 1938" has been scratched off in pencil and "2-2" written above it; "+ $100.00" added in pencil to dues of $50 written in ink. In the year he signed this contract, Burns, who was appearing on Bing Crosby's Kraft Music Hall radio program, appeared in three films, The Arkansas Traveler, Tropic Holiday and Radio City Revels. Bob Burns (1890-1956) coined the word "bazooka" for the homemade instrument he invented in 1905 and became known as Bob "Bazooka" Burns as well as "The Arkansas Traveler" (for his home state). A veteran vaudeville performer, Burns also starred in early "talkies", including Up the River (1930), but was best known for his radio career, which he began in 1931. He was a regular on Bing Crosby's Kraft Music Hall (1935-1941) before having his own program from 1941-1947, when he retired (Burns, however, made a last appearance on television on Toast of the Town in 1955). Encapsulated. Lightly creased with folds, not at signature. Staple holes at upper margin, pencil notes (unknown hand) on verso. Fine condition.