Harry Palmer (vaudeville actor)

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Harry Palmer (July 12, 1889 - October 5, 1972) was a vaudeville actor in the 1910s who was the inspiration for the movie For Me and My Gal.

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[edit] Early life

Palmer was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 12, 1889. Palmer always wanted to act and in 1909, Palmer made his first vaudeville debut. Palmer started acting in vaudeville when he was 20 years old and played at the palace in Chicago, Illinois.

[edit] Vaudeville

Palmer started acting in the early 1910s and a couple years later he would rise to stardom. Palmer acted in comedies and musicals by himself until late 1916 when he teamed up with Joanne 'Jo' Hayden. The team was called "Palmer & Hayden" and they acted together until they retired acting in the 1920s. Also the two were courting with each other and would be engaged to be married in mid 1917.

[edit] War service

In early 1917 when the United States entered World War I, Palmer was still acting in vaudeville playing in Chicago and New York City. In September 1917, Jo Hayden's good friend Danny Metcalf who was supposed to become a doctor and finish medical school was drafted into the U.S. Army. Metcalf was eventually killed in action on September 29, 1917 and shortly after, Palmer was drafted into the U.S. Army right before him and Hayden were going to play at The Palace in New York City. Palmer did not want to go to war and purposely damaged his hand so he would not go to France. Hayden and Palmer were engaged to be married in September 1917, and Hayden was going to leave Palmer if he did not serve. Palmer tried enlisting, but all armed forces would not except him. However Palmer was accepted to the Red Cross ambulance corps and went overseas in early 1918. Hayden did not leave him or stop the engagement. Palmer was saw action in France at Cantigny, the second marne, Soissons, St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne. Palmer survived the war however, was shot in the shoulder and was discharged from service in 1919.

[edit] Later life

Palmer and Hayden returned to vaudeville in 1919 and also got married that year however did not do many shows anymore. Palmer and Hayden stopped acting on vaudeville in early 1920s and in 1942, Gene Kelly with Judy Garland acted in the movie For Me And My Gal based on Harry Palmer being drafted into war. Palmer died on October 5, 1972 at age 83.