"Cohen on the Telephone" performed by Joe Hayman
&
"Happy Tho' Married" performed by Fred Duprez
This disc is one of the most famous and influential audio releases in the history of early recorded sound. First issued in 1914, it features a landmark routine that laid the foundation for the entire genre of recorded spoken-word comedy.
The track layout for this iconic shellac record is:
- Side A: "Cohen on the Telephone" performed by Joe Hayman (Matrix #28564)
- The Content: Recorded in London in July 1913, this monologue is a classic vaudeville routine featuring a fictional Jewish immigrant trying to navigate a call with his landlord. Due to a bad connection and a language barrier, the call dissolves into chaotic, hilarious misunderstandings.
- Historical Legacy: This track became a global phenomenon and was the very first comedy record to sell over one million copies. Its influence lasted for decades—the bizarre, fast-paced gibberish spoken by "J. Goofer Gopher" in the classic 1951 Walter Lantz Woody Woodpecker cartoon Wicket Wacky was actually just sped-up audio sampled from this exact 1913 recording.
- Side B: "Happy Tho' Married" performed by Fred Duprez (Matrix #39197)
- The Content: Recorded in New York in January 1914, this features another popular early vaudeville comedian delivering a rapid-fire comedic monologue about the humorous ups and downs of marital life. [1, 2]
78 rpm Record
1914
No Sleeve
I am not a professional record grader, but the record appears to me to be in very good condition with no visible scratches on it. I do not have a 78 rpm record player, so I have never played the record. Please examine all the photos carefully to judge the condition for yourself.
The record will be carefully packed in double layers of cardboard to ensure its safe arrival.
Thank you for looking!