Despite years of searching, I’ve only found one sound film where we get to see Ray Bourbon performing. In his silent films and in Gold Diggers of 1937, we only see Ray in a small, non-speaking bit roles. Several years ago, someone saw my website about Ray and, seeing I was looking for films where … Continue reading Watch Ray Bourbon in “Hip Zip Hooray”
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Ray Bourbon’s “Mop Lady” and Carol Burnett’s “Charwoman”
I’m probably going to get into trouble with some Carol Burnett fans with this post, but there’s a persistent story about Ray Bourbon’s connection to an iconic Burnett character that is worth exploring. Just about everyone who was around in the sixties and seventies was familiar with Carol Burnett’s famous “Charwoman” character. Carol, dressed in … Continue reading Ray Bourbon’s “Mop Lady” and Carol Burnett’s “Charwoman”
Ray Bourbon’s Last Months at the Brownwood County Jail
Ray Bourbon was convicted on February 21, 1970 of Accomplice to Murder with Malice in the case of the Crain and Chrisco killing of kennel owner A.D. Blount. He was 77 years old. Ray was sentenced to 99 years in jail due to his advanced age and health, bringing to a close a saga that … Continue reading Ray Bourbon’s Last Months at the Brownwood County Jail
“Speaking of Hams” – Another Possible Book by Ray
Some time ago, while searching for one of the aliases in Ray Bourbon's FBI file - Richard Fabien Mann - I discovered that Ray had published a novel, Hookers, in 1932. There was a listing for it in the Library of Congress copyright entries, showing Ray as the actual author, and a Variety article from … Continue reading “Speaking of Hams” – Another Possible Book by Ray
Did Ray Perform a Fire Dance at the Opening of the Los Angeles Coliseum?
One of the more unusual credits hawked by Ray that always seemed odd - and implausible - to me was included in photographer and filmmaker Avery Willard’s 1971 book, Female Impersonation. According to Willard, Ray, billed as “Ramon Icarez”, performed a fire dance at the opening of the Los Angeles Coliseum. The four-age bio in … Continue reading Did Ray Perform a Fire Dance at the Opening of the Los Angeles Coliseum?
Have a Drink With Ray at Auby’s Lagoon and the Rendezvous
From late 1934 through the summer of 1935, Ray was a fixture at Auby’s Lagoon, a nightclub in Miami Beach, Florida. In the Miami Tribune, I found dozens of ads and mentions in columns about area nightlife of Ray acting as an MC and performer at the club during that period. One column, from the … Continue reading Have a Drink With Ray at Auby’s Lagoon and the Rendezvous
Robert Mitchum Wrote for Ray Bourbon
One of the odd little things that pops up in lore about Ray is that Hollywood legend Robert Mitchum wrote songs and perhaps routines for him. Turns out that little legend is true. Mitchum discussed his work for Ray and other “blue” nightclubs acts on page 94 of “Man With the Immortal Face - Bob Mitchum” … Continue reading Robert Mitchum Wrote for Ray Bourbon
Did Ray Bourbon Appear on “Ed Sullivan”? Maybe …
In the summer of 1965, Ray Bourbon was appearing in a mystery-comedy play, Daddy Was a Lady, in Cripple Creek, Colorado at the Grubstake Theatre. The show would almost open on Broadway a year later. I’ll post a blog entry about the show at a later time, but want to explore one small tidbit that … Continue reading Did Ray Bourbon Appear on “Ed Sullivan”? Maybe …
Performance Venues Page Updated
I've just updated the Performance Venues on the site, listing all of the documented places Ray appeared, year by year, during his career. At least, these are the venues I've been able to document so far, based on newspaper and magazine ads, reviews, and articles. The material has been drawn from my research library over … Continue reading Performance Venues Page Updated
100th Anniversary of Ray’s First Film Appearances
The year 1919 marked the first year that Ray appeared in movies. During his trial testimony and from other sources, Ray mentioned specific titles he appeared in at Paramount. Ray said he was signed at Paramount after entering a Photoplay contest and while we haven't found evidence of Ray's contest entry and hiring at the … Continue reading 100th Anniversary of Ray’s First Film Appearances
Don't Call Me Madam 