Ethel Shutta
Actor
About Ethel Shutta
Ethel Shutta was a versatile American actress and singer whose career spanned over seven decades, beginning in the early 1900s and concluding with a legendary Broadway comeback in the 1970s. Born into a show business family, she began performing in vaudeville at the age of seven as part of 'The Three Shuttas' and was billed as 'The Little Girl with the Big Voice.' She rose to major prominence in the 1920s as a Ziegfeld girl, appearing in several of Florenz Ziegfeld's most lavish productions, including the 1925 Follies and the hit musical 'Whoopee!' (1928). In 1930, she reprised her stage role as the amorous nurse Mary Custer in the film version of 'Whoopee!', which remains her most significant contribution to early cinema. Throughout the 1930s, she was a major star of the radio airwaves, frequently performing with her husband George Olsen’s orchestra and appearing on Jack Benny's popular programs. After a period of relative obscurity and personal struggles, she achieved a triumphant final act in 1971 when she was cast in Stephen Sondheim's 'Follies,' where she immortalized the song 'Broadway Baby.' Her career is a remarkable testament to the endurance of the vaudeville tradition and its transition into the Golden Age of Hollywood and modern musical theater.
The Craft
On Screen
Shutta was known for her high-energy comedic timing and 'eccentric dancing' style, which she honed during her years in vaudeville. As a singer, she possessed a powerful, clear belt that earned her the nickname 'The Little Girl with the Big Voice' early in her career. Her performance in 'Whoopee!' showcased her ability to play the 'pursuing woman' archetype with a blend of slapstick humor and musical prowess.
Milestones
- Vaudeville debut at age 7 with 'The Three Shuttas'
- Broadway debut in 'The Passing Show of 1922'
- Starred in the original Broadway production of 'Whoopee!' (1928)
- Reprised her role in the 1930 film version of 'Whoopee!' opposite Eddie Cantor
- Voted the second most popular female radio singer in America in 1934
- Immortalized the song 'Broadway Baby' in the original production of 'Follies' (1971)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical (as part of the cast of Follies, 1971)
Nominated
- Radio Stars Magazine: Best Female Popular Singer (Runner-up, 1934)
Special Recognition
- Recognized as the oldest member of the original 'Follies' cast at age 74
- Subject of the theatrical memoir 'Everything Was Possible' by Ted Chapin
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Ethel Shutta represents the bridge between the high-energy vaudeville era and the sophisticated Broadway musical. In the early 1930s, she was a pioneer of the 'radio star' phenomenon, proving that stage performers could successfully transition their charisma to the airwaves. Her performance in 'Whoopee!' (1930) is a rare preserved example of the Ziegfeld style of musical comedy captured in early Technicolor.
Lasting Legacy
Her most enduring legacy is her late-career triumph in 'Follies,' where she became the definitive interpreter of 'Broadway Baby.' This performance served as a living link to the Ziegfeld era for a new generation of theatergoers. She is remembered as one of the great survivors of show business, maintaining her vocal power and stage presence well into her late seventies.
Who They Inspired
She influenced the 'belter' style of musical theater singing and set a standard for veteran performers returning to the stage. Her ability to 'sell' a song with both humor and pathos influenced later generations of musical comedy stars who specialized in character roles.
Off Screen
Ethel Shutta was born to Charles and Augusta Schutte. She was married twice: first to the famous bandleader George Olsen, with whom she had two sons, and later to sports writer George Kirksey. Her son Charles Olsen followed in her footsteps to become a theater director. She faced personal challenges, including a public divorce from Olsen and a struggle with alcoholism, but she successfully overcame her addictions to stage a major career comeback in her 70s.
Education
Educated primarily through the 'school of hard knocks' in vaudeville and the Pee Wee Minstrels touring circuit.
Family
- George Olsen (1926–1939)
- George Kirksey (1940–1957)
Did You Know?
- Her surname is pronounced 'shoo-TAY'.
- She was the original singer of 'Rock-a-Bye Moon,' which became Jack Benny's radio theme song.
- At age 14, she was already a veteran of the 'Pee Wee Minstrels' vaudeville troupe.
- She was the oldest member of the original 1971 cast of 'Follies'.
- Her role in 'Whoopee!' (1930) was her only major film appearance, despite her massive success on stage and radio.
- She came in second only to Annette Hanshaw in a 1934 national poll for the best female radio singer.
- The song 'Broadway Baby' was originally part of a trio, but Shutta's performance was so show-stopping that the order was changed to let her close the sequence.
In Their Own Words
I'm just a Broadway Baby, walking off my tired feet, pounding 42nd Street to be in a show! (Lyric from her signature song in Follies, often associated with her real-life career)
Fifi never got over that. (Referring to fellow actress Fifi D'Orsay's reaction when Shutta's 'Broadway Baby' was moved to the finale spot in the Follies montage)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ethel Shutta?
Ethel Shutta was a prominent American actress and singer who starred in vaudeville, Ziegfeld Follies, early sound films, and radio. She is best remembered for her role in the 1930 film 'Whoopee!' and her 1971 Broadway comeback in 'Follies'.
What films is Ethel Shutta best known for?
She is primarily known for the 1930 musical comedy 'Whoopee!', where she played Mary Custer opposite Eddie Cantor. Although she had a prolific stage and radio career, this was her only major feature film role.
When was Ethel Shutta born and when did she die?
She was born on December 1, 1896, in New York City and passed away on February 5, 1976, also in New York City, at the age of 79.
What was Ethel Shutta's most famous song?
Her most famous song is 'Broadway Baby' from the 1971 musical 'Follies.' In her earlier career, she was also well known for 'Rock-a-Bye Moon' and 'Stetson'.
What was Ethel Shutta's acting style?
She was a high-energy performer known for 'eccentric dancing' and a powerful belting voice. Her style combined the broad comedy of vaudeville with the glamorous presentation of a Ziegfeld star.
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Films
1 film
