JERRY COLONNA - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH CIRCA 1940 - HFSID 289080

JERRY COLONNA
Shown in pith helmet and his trademark mustache, peering from behind a column, inscribed in person to collector Saul Goodman. He has added his quip, "Who's Yehudi?"
Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Saul/from/Jerry/Colonna/Who's Yehudi?" B/w, 8x10. Collector's ink stamp on verso dates signature: May 28, 1940. Jerry Colonna (1904-1986) was a talented trombonist and comedian who sported a large handlebar mustache. He made several films, beginning with 52nd St (1937), joined Bob Hope on many USO tours, and was a frequent TV guest star in the 1950s and 1960s. When violinist Hehudi Menuhin performed on Bob Hope's radio show, fellow guest Colonna quipped, "Who's Yehudi?" Although the musician was already well known, Colonna liked the phrase, repeating it often on later broadcasts. For a time, "Who's Yehudi" (which also means "Who's Jewish" in Hebrew, became a popular catch phrase and the inspiration for popular novelty songs. One of Colonna's most popular characters was a dimwitted professor. He published a novel, The Loves of Tullio (1970). Saul Goodman (1919-2003), a New York business man by day, pursued his love of film and theatre in the evening, making friends with many celebrities. While other autograph seekers offered album leaves, Goodman presented stars with snazzy photographs, a rarity then, to sign in fountain pen. Scattered creases and surface impressions, touching facial area. Scattered light silvering. Otherwise, fine condition.