Lex Neal
|
Lex
Neal Born: May 10, 1894, Chester, SC Died: July 4, 1940, Los Angeles, CA |
 |
A vaudeville performer, Neal was a childhood friend of Buster Keaton's
during their days in the Actors' Colony. A dancer on the vaudeville
circuit, Neal often performed with Lew Earl, the honorary Mayor of Bluffton,
in a "clever singing and dancing act". As a solo act, he billed himself as
the "The Beau Brummel of
Vaudeville."At a Actors' Colony Fourth of July party in 1915, Neal presented a song. "Rafters, cobwebs and all were nearly brought about the ears of the celebrants by the whole-hearted sing by its author of the ditty, which runs like this: I've traveled 'round the world a bit, since I was a lad --- My father was a traveling man, and I took after dad --- I've been in London, been in Berlin, and been in gay Paree'; In fact I've traveled everywhere you can go by land or sea. I travelled around 'till I got tired; I care no more to roam, But wait until I tell you of this little place called 'home.' CHORUS M-U-S-K-E-G-O-N Muskegon, Michigan That's the place for me. I always want to be, Where everyone is on the level, And if you like can raise the devil Down at the Clubhouse we'll meet again And all sing this refrain --- M-U-S-K-E-G-O-N Muskegon, Michigan! Mr. Neal's song, guests learned, is to be published, and its tunefulness and swing are expected to make it a real hit all over the country and prove a great advertising boost for this resort. It is to be sung in vaudeville on all the circuits next season." According to Keaton in his autobiography, My Wonderful World of Slapstick, "That first drink of mine was taken with Bluffton pal, Lex Neal, who was nineteen, two years older than I..." Neal "had just been given the bushoff by the town beauty," recalled Keaton. "I'll prove I am your true friend...by not letting you get soused alone. I'll get drunk too." Whiskey was the drink of choice. The hang-over and the experience, according to legendary comedian, prevented Keaton from taking another drink of whiskey "until I became a soldier in World War I years later." Like Keaton, Neal would end up in the Los Angeles area in later years, finding employment as a writer for various movies. He later joined his childhood friend, working as a screenwriter for Keaton on Go West and Battling Butler. An August 1926 press release noted that Neal had joined the staff of silent comedian Harold Lloyd. "All the principal roles in support of Harold Lloyd in the mountain story he is filming for Famous Players-Lasky release are now filled... With John Grey, for three years a scenario writer on the Lloyd Corporation staff convalescing from a recent serious operation at the Hollywood Hospital, Lex Neal has been added to Lloyd writing department. Neal has just directed four comedies for for William Fox and for a year was associated with Buster Keaton, co-directing with Buster his success, "Go West". He is recognized among the foremost 'gag' men in the industry." He stuck with Lloyd's production company, working as a writer on Lloyd films, The Freshman, Speedy and others, before later moving on to Paramount. At age 46, he passed away. |