Charles Radford Cannefax Jr."California, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940–1947", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGFW-T5WB : Fri Apr 04 01:39:47 UTC 2025), Entry for Charles Radford Cannefax and Stuart Stewart, 15 Feb 1942. (April 18, 1899 – November 30, 1973)Benjamin, Ruth (2006). Who Sang What on Broadway, 1866–1996. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 117. . "1417. Charles Cannefax (Apr. 18, 1899— Nov. 30, 1973) B: Missouri. Artists and Models of 1924 (Astor > Casino, revue, Oct. 15, 1924): Artists and Models/W: Sam Coslow, Clifford Grey, M: Sigmund Romberg — Who's the Lucky Fellow?/ W: ?, M: J. Fred Coots." billed initially as Charlie Cannefex but known from the mid-1930s on as Charles Cane,Regan, Kid (August 26, 1942). "Kid Regan's Column". The St. Louis Star and Times. p. . "Movie publicists tout another St. Louisan. Charles Cannefax, brother of the late Bob, former champion of the billiards world, has been clicking with his singing character roles in screen epics like 'Big Street,' 'My Favorite Blond,' 'Bells of Capistrano' and others on the silver sheet as Charles Cane." was an American character actor, singer, and vaudeville performer. He was perhaps best known for his role in the film Bells of Capistrano (1942). He was the younger brother of billiard champion Bob Cannefax.Gillette, Don Carle (November 15, 1924). "Musical Comedy". The Billboard. p. 22. "Charles Cannefax, of Artists and Models of 1924, is a brother of Bob Cannefax, the billiard champion." See also: "United States, Census, 1900", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M35D-T32 : Sat Jan 18 07:57:52 UTC 2025), Entry for Charles Cannefax and Martha E Cannefax, 1900.
Early life Cannefax was born in Springfield, Missouri, the son of Martha ( Chambers, later Mrs. E. H. McEwenRegan, Kid (July 24, 1935). "Round the Town with Regan". The St. Louis Star and Times. p. 1. "Mrs. E. H. McEwen, former social worker in this district, mother of the late Bob Cannefax, former billiard champ, and Charles Cannefax, a tasty baritone who served with 'Artists and Models,' 'No, No, Nanette,' and other musical shows, is in the city visiting friends""Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800–1991", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6DLQ-BN4X : Sun Mar 10 08:11:55 UTC 2024), Entry for Edward H McEwen and Martha M Chambers, 2 Jan 1911.) and Charles Radford Cannefax. Following his parents' divorce in 1907, he was raised by his mother in St. Louis."Divorced People Marry". Springfield Leader and Press. February 27, 1917. p. . "Charles R. Cannefax, whose wife secured a divorce in five minutes Monday, yesterday married Mrs. H. Swingler, who was divorced in record breaking time a week ago, and last night they went to St. Louis to live. [...] Monday Mrs. Cannefax did the same thing and she likewise obtained her freedom in double quick time. [...] Cannefax was a brakeman for -the Frisco but severed his connection with the road several days ago. He and his new wife will make their home in St. Louis, accompanied by Mrs. Swingler's children." There, he attended the Marquette School, where, in 1914, he received an award for his work as a catcher on the Post-Dispatch Public School Baseball League."GOLD MEDALS ARE PRESENTED TO THE MARQUETTE TEAM; George S. Johns Addresses Victors in Post-Dispatch Public School Ball League.; PLAYERS CONGRATULATED; Boys Are Advised to Display Skill, Endurance, Will and Team Work in Life Career". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. June 6, 1914. p. 2. "The gold medals offered by the Post-Dispatch to the winning team in the Post-Dispatch Public School Baseball League were presented to ten of the victorious players of the Marquette School, Friday afternoon, by George S. Johns of the Post-Dispatch [...] The medals were then presented to the following players: John Brockschmitt, pitcher; Charles Cannefax, catcher; Emil Schmitt, first base;"
Career Around 1920, Cannefax—who would later be dubbed a "tasty baritone"—moved to New York to further his musical education and hone his skills as a vocalist."Society News". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. August 28, 1921. p. 26. "Charles C. Cannefar[sic], Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. McEwen of North Kingshighway, who has been studying vocal music in New York, and visiting his brother in Washington, D. C., is expected home this week.""Social Items". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 24, 1922. p. 15. "Charles R. Cannefax, son of Mrs. E. H. McEwen of 830 North King's highway, departed Sunday for New York, where he will take a post-graduate course in voice." Following his 1924 Broadway debut in the revue Artists and Models, he continued working in vaudeville for over a decade; about half of that time—September 1926 to February 1932—was devoted to his partnership with veteran performer Gracie Deagon, billed as "Deagon & Cannefax".B.B. (October 1, 1926). "Vaudeville Personalities". The Vaudeville News and New York Star. p. 18. "GRACIE DEAGON has a new associate. He is Charley Cannefax, brother of Bob Cannefax, the billiard champion. The act, which had a break-in last week, is being booked by Chas. Morrison, of the Ray Hodgdon office.""Two Big Shows in One". The Hazleton Plain Speaker. February 25, 1932. p. 4. "Grace Deagon & Chas. Cannefad [sic] direct from the talkies" Prior to that, he had worked briefly with Florence Fair,"Added to Cast". New York Daily News. July 14, 1925. p. 24. "Florence Fair, Charles Cannefax and Clifford O'Rourke have been added to 'Greenwich Village Scandals,' music for which has been written by Alfred Goodman, Maurie Rubens and J. Fred Coots." and before that, Peggy Fears."Vaudeville Personalities". The Vaudeville News. July 31, 1924. p. 9. "HARRY MILLER and PEGGY FEAR are readying a new act furnished by Eugene Conrad with scenery by Mabel Buell. Charles Cannefax has been engaged as their leading man."
Following his years with Deagon, Cannefax worked in vaudeville primarily as an M.C., most notably throughout the summer of 1933, when, as the "madcap master of monkey business", he co-hosted Long Branch, New Jersey's annual Walkathon Dance Marathon."Here Again: Starting Thursday June 15th". Asbury Park Press. June 14, 1933. p. 4. "Repeating Monmouth County's Original International Championship. WALKATHON DANCE MARATHON – Bigger and Better Than Last Year. FEATURING: EDDIE GILMARTIN, Renowned Master of Ceremonies; CHARLIE CANNEFAX, The Madcap Master of Monkey Business.""52 COUPLES START WALKATHON DANCE; Couples Introduced To Fans At Opening Of Marathon Here ". The Long Branch Daily Record. June 16, 1933. p. 12. "Dancers from all over the country started in one of the hardest Walkathon dance marathons ever held in the east at the Recreation Pier last night. At 9:30 each couple made their way to the dance floor and danced as Eddie Gilmartin and Charlie Cannefax introduced couples to fans.""The Original Treadmill Walkathon". Asbury Park Press. August 25, 1933. p. 5. "THE THRILLING DRAMA OF ENDURANCE NOW GOING ON 1656 HOURS, 69 DAYS. 'UNCLE JIM' HARKINS, 'CHARLIE' CANNEFAX, TEX SWAN URGING THEM ON."
On April 7, 1934, the Long Branch Daily Record reported that, in addition to providing pre-screening live entertainment at Long Branch's Paramount Theatre (and serving as M.C. both before and after), Cannefax would be appearing onscreen in that evening's short subject, Come to Dinner, Vitaphone's much-touted Dinner at Eight parody, in which an uncredited assortment of lesser-known talent stands in for Dinner all-star cast."Charlie Cannefax Plays at Paramount; Comedian Appearing at Local Theater, In Person, On Screen". Long Branch Daily Record. p. 4. "Charlie Cannefax, the star who entertained so lavishly on the Long Branch Pier all last summer, is playing a vaudeville engagement at the Paramount today and tomorrow. [...] He also serves as master of ceremonies for the remainder of the show. Cannefax is also seen in the same show on the screen in 'Come To Dinner,' a burlesque Vitaphone playlet on 'Dinner At Eight.' Amazing doubles appear in this new film. For Beery, Barrymore, Dressler, Billie Burke, and Harlow; and Cannefax [is] seen as the double for Edmund Lowe." For his part, Cannefax—as Dr. Wayne Talcum—requires but three letters tweaked to send up Edmund Lowe's Dr. Talbot.Kelley, Andrew R. (February 20, 1934). "Gable as Reporter: Adventures on Bus Trip Offer Exciting Fun and Adventure in 'It Happened One Night' Who Burlesques Who". Washington Times. p. 6. "For those who enjoyed "Come to Dinner" and might be interested in knowing who was burlesquing who, I append this casting: Jean Harlow—Played by Leda Lee. Marie -Played by Flavia Arcaro. Lionel Barrymore -Played by Herschel Mayall. John Barrymore – Played by John Bohn. Wallace Beery-Played by Curtis Karpe. Billie Burke -Played by Ninon Bunyoa. Madge Evans Played by Margot Stevenson. Edmund Lowe Played by Charles Cannefax."Rutigliano, Jake (2019). Come to Dinner (1934). DailyMotion.