Prof. Peabody's Banjo School (1942). Eddie Peabody

Here's a short movie that's great fun- it features Eddie Peabody "The Banjo King." Eddie Peabody's professional career started in the 1920's and lasted until his death in 1970 (he actually died on stage of a stroke while performing in a nightclub). Although he could play many different types of string instruments, he was most famous for his banjo playing. Rubber faced and lanky, he always had a comedic flair in his performances. One routine that he like to show off was his ability to play one banjo but make it sound like two were playing. This bit is featured in this film, "Prof. Peabody's Banjo School." Besides appearing on stage, radio and later TV, Eddie Peabody also appeared in a handful of films including 3 short ones produced for movie jukeboxes of the '40's by the Soundies Distributing Corporation of America. Of the 3 "Soundies" he made, "Banjomania, "Prof. Peabody's Banjo School" and "Strum Fun," I believe the "Prof. Peabody" one is the best- it's actually a distilled performance of what Eddie Peabody was all about. If you own a banjo, bring it to the screen when you watch this film and you too can learn today's lesson: "How to play one banjo and make it sound like two banjos." (Well, maybe...!)