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DON LEON (ABRAHAM FRANKEL)
AND HIS ORCHESTRA
 he
above photo is of Abraham Frankel (1891-1959) and his Orchestra. It
was taken at the Criterion Theatre, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in
1923/1924. (See Clipping Below) Also from 1924 through the early
1930's Don Leon and his Petite Orchestra appeared at prominent theatres and ballrooms in San Francisco, California. In
early February, 1933, Don was back in Oklahoma City, performing with the Oklahoma Federal Symphony
Orchestra, conducted by Ralph Rose. On March 19, 1935,
Don as conductor started a new series of programs on WKY
Radio station, Oklahoma City, sponsored by the Oklahoma Gas and
Electric Company.
BELOW is a clipping from a newspaper that is a review of a
new move called "Brass" with Irene Rich. Irene Rich was
a Real Estate Agent who turned actress. She was in silent films,
plays and TV movies until the early 50's. I was able to find out
that this film was a silent film that opened in 1923 starring
Irene Rich. The review includes a one line review of A. Frankel
and his violin.
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What We Think of Them
Criterion
"Brass" is the kind of a
story that sends one away from the theater
thinking. The play is well filmed and
reality seems to have been the goal of the
director in every scene. In this he was
unusually successful. The picture is
natural.
The story is of a marriage which, instead
of becoming golden turned out to be a
miserable substitute--brass. It is
doubtful if in real life a character as
strong as that portrayed by Irene Rich as
Mrs. Grotenberg could be found. The whole
play offers a moral constructiveness that is good antidote for jazz mania.
There is an apache dance on ice skates
that offers a thrill and A. Frankel is
still the master of his violin--and the
audience.--Bates Raney.
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by Elizabeth Louise (Frankel) Gunderson, daughter of Abraham
Frankel ("Don Leon" stage name).
See these links for more pictures and documents regarding Abraham
Frankel:
Frankel, Abraham - Biography and photo of Don and his brother Robert
Frankel,
Abraham - As a young boy age 6 or 7
Frankel,
Abraham - Certificate of Completion from Conservatory of
Music, Vienna, Austria
Frankel,
Abraham - Musical America Clip
Frankel,
Abraham - Air Service Band Clip
Frankel,
Abraham - Show Bill
Abraham
Frankel in the tree . . .
Last Updated ~ September 26, 2005
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