“The Funniest Entertainer In The World”

“Humor is something that thrives between man’s aspirations and his limitations. There is more logic in humor than in anything else. Because, you see, humor is truth.” ~ Victor Borge

Legendary performer Victor Borge would have been 101 today.  I don’t know if you are familiar with him, but he was truly brilliant.  I wanted to do a piece on the 10th anniversary of his death a couple weeks back but was too busy with all the holiday postings, so I’m remembering him on his birthday and hope to introduce him to still more generations.

He was a child prodigy born in Denmark before World War I.  In 1999 he received the Kennedy Center Honors from President Clinton.  He impacted millions of lives throughout decades of entertainment.

Victor Borge, January 3, 1909 – December 23, 2000

The pressure of Nazi Germany during World War II led Borge and wife Elsie to move to the United States.  His big break came with a shot on the Bing Crosby radio show which boasted an audience of about 30 million.  Despite speaking little English, he read from a transcript prepared by his wife.  That’s all he needed to become a star.

By 1953 he attempted what most people considered impossible: a one man show on Broadway.  The effort would likely make or break him.  He thought he bombed after the first night and didn’t want to see friends or family.  Then the reviews came out the next day.  He was called “the funniest entertainer in the world.”  Not bad.  His record of 849 straight shows over 3 years on Broadway went into the Guiness Book of World Records.

I’m guessing though that many folks just never saw Borge and don’t understand how amazing he was.  He was a prodigious musician whose hands moved across the keys as effortlessly as anyone I’ve ever seen.  His mind was a library of musical poetry.  He crossed cultural barriers and owned audiences all over the world.  He was hilarious with an inimitable delivery.  Some of his comedy was a half century ahead of its time.  I think so much of the man that dedicating a full Monday post to his legacy is extremely worth it. 

Rather than try to describe more about the man, I’d like to get out of the way and leave a small glimpse of Borge in action.  I didn’t even know where to start with clips.  The Phonetic Pronounciation routine first introduced in 1937 is one of the all-time classics.  Everyone laughs but it’s an absolute must see for writers and teachers.  Inflated language and The Page Turner also come to mind.  Some of the best stuff was all improv as he played off fellow performers or especially the audience. 

If you don’t know who Borge was, you should check him out.  If you’ve seen these clips before then enjoy again.