Commentary 2 - The Maloneys in Show Business

THE MALONEYS IN SHOW BUSINESS c. 1890 - The young performers known as “The Lenton Brothers” are the brothers, William Rory Maloney (1879-1900) and Ronald Francis Maloney (1882-1948). In 1905, they called their acrobatic and juggling act – “The Testro Brothers”, playing Vaudeville theatres and Circuses. After Rory died, Ron continued solo – mainly as a Juggler and Clown. Then Ron met, wooed and married (1903-1905) the chorus girl, Ruby Cartwright (1885-1963), the daughter of the famous Frank Cartwright. They refined the act and became “The Tossing Testros”, Jugglers and Comedians, touring the World for the next 21 years. Ruby’s father, Francis Richard Cartwright (aka Frank Stevens) (1852-1899), was the consummate show business personality of his day – dancer, acrobat, circus clown, circus rider, ringmaster, sideshow entrepreneur, comedian and always the self-publicist. But in 1899, his life ende...