11. In 1931, when Jerry was five years old, he made his professional debut at New York's Borscht Circuit. Which song did he perform in front of a live audience?
From Quiz Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin: The Early Years
Answer:
"Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?"
When Jerry stepped on stage to perform "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?", he was overwhelmed by how the audience reacted to the other performers prior to him. That was exactly the attention that he craved, and by the time 1941 rolled around, he had perfected his 'Record Act', in which he would lip-sync musical lyrics, complete with a comedy act that required him to make funny faces and run around the stage. The audience loved it, but his ego required more attention. Max Coleman, a veteran burlesque comedian, and also a close friend of Danny Lewis, advised the younger Lewis to continue his mime act. He had a steady stream of work in burlesque shows throughout Buffalo, New York. However, working in this type of environment did not prove to be Lewis' 'big' break. But he kept up his 'Record Act' and Mime show, and the audience seemed to take to the talented young man. Lewis found his niche during a performance in Loch Sheldrake, New York at Brown's Hotel. Lewis was unaware that crooner, Dean Martin was in the audience, and was taken with Lewis' performance. Lewis was fast becoming a hot commodity, and bookings became more frequent. Irving Kaye helped Lewis get a booking in Atlantic City, New Jersey at the 500 Club. Unbeknownest to Lewis and Kaye, Dean Martin was scheduled to appear at the club as well. Lewis had caught Martin's act numerous times and desperately wanted Martin as a sidekick. According to all that has been written about Lewis and Martin, Martin's associate was unable to appear at the 500 Club with him, and he needed someone to help him with his act. He remembered Lewis, and asked him to help him out, thus starting the sensation that would be known as Martin and Lewis. Martin was on a downslide with is career, and once both men teamed together their salaries skyrocketed from a mere $250 per week to a whopping $5,000 per week.
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