Did Helen Kane Copy Esther Jones? |
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A medley of strange, unintelligible sounds came today from the courtroom where Helen Kane's big "Boop-Boop-a-Doop" trial is being heard. There was a "Boop" or two, then a "Doo-Doo-Doo," finally "Wha-Da-Da-Da!" The noises came during the attempts of the defense to show the art of "Booping" was not original with Helen Kane that the responsibility rested with others who had preceded her on the stage.
Esther Jones, a Negro woman, had interpolated song syllables similar to Miss Kane's as long ago as 1928. In April, 1928. Bolton continued, Miss Kane attended a performance of "Baby Esther Jones" in a New York night club. Just a few weeks later, he testified, Miss Kane began to "Boop" at a theatre.