Seated from left: Eva Block, Ida Cantor, Eddie Cantor, Grace Allen, Al Jolson. Standing from left: Benny Fields, Blossom Seely, Howard Ruby, George Burns, Jesse Block, unidentified woman. Inscribed: "To Jesse and Eva Love, Eddie and Ida". 038
Who Were Block and Sully?
Jesse Block b.1901 - d.1983
Eva Sully b.1901 - d.1990
Jesse Block and Eva Sully were a highly successful American husband and wife vaudeville team active from 1926 - 1948.
"Block and Sully, a big-time act on the old vaudeville circuit, is still a working partnership. Jesse and his Eve are a veritable encyclopedia for old-time showbiz memories. They knew them all, and everyone in the business loved this loving couple."— Ye Epistle, A Friars' Club publication. December 1982.
"He [Jesse] began his show business career at the age of 14 in 1915, joining the Gus Edwards Revue that boasted a number of youngsters, including Eddie Cantor, Georgie Price, Ray Bolger, Walter Winchell, Lilla Lee, and Lilyan Tashman."
"When he teamed with Eva Sully in 1926, they became an instant hit and in 1929, played the first of their many engagements at the Palace Theatre, which was stardom in the world of vaudeville."
"During world War II, Block & Sully gave up theaters in America to join the USO, and for three years entertained the American troops all over the world. In 1946, he retired from show business and became a stockbroker with Bache & Company. He retired from Bache & Co. in 1973."—Ye Epistle, A Friars' Club publication. April 1983.