In the 1950s, a regular act at the Henry Grady Hotel was a comedy duo known for not talking. They called themselves The Merry Mutes and their deceptively simple act consisted of lip syncing to popular songs of the day. Though not as well-known as Martin and Lewis, Eric and Van did have talent to spare, which helped them to become one of the Stories of Atlanta.
Lance Russell is an Atlanta-based filmmaker and media communicator who, for over three decades, has been entrusted by clients to tell their stories. A seasoned producer with an innate ability to cut to... More by Lance Russell
Thanks for this story and the video!
Wow….had no idea that Dick Van Dyke had once been a night club fixture in Atlanta. Atlanta had a long roster of such clubs like the one at the Henry Grady……. Zebra Lounge near Lowes Grand….Kitten’s Corner…..Pigalley…….Whisk a Go Go……Gaslite Lounge on Luckie St………The Domino Club……Clermont Lounge ,and many others. For Black Atlantans, The Royal Peacock on Auburn Ave was the place to see and hear such greats as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Nat King Cole, Little Richard, Solomon Burke, Muddy Waters, BB King, James Brown, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, and many others.
These stories are always superb—much too short for appetites of Atlanta’s often forgotten times. Thank You Lance!
My father worked with Dick Van Dyke at WSB. We have a record of van Dyke and my Dad singing “Brush up your Shakespeare.” I’ve always wanted to track down Dick van Dyke and share this with him…not sure how to reach him…any help would be appreciated.
My friend and I were a well known pantomime duo at Southwest Dekalb high school from 1954-1957. We appeared several times with Dick Van Dyke and his partner, called the Merry Mutes, at a small nightclub right off West Peachtree Street. I have often thought about it and wished I could see Dick again. My friend and I are both still living at 87 years of age!