Grey Gull (2256B) The Chinese Charleston (Chinky Charleston) Written by Dorran & Fuller. A very worn copy and no lyrics available. Johnny Marvin as Honey Duke. (Very rare songs)
This song was a favorite of The Last Emperor of China, Henry Puyi (Xuantong) (The last of the Manchu emperors). He got caught up in the jazz and parties of the era.
The Charleston is a dance named after the harbor city of Charleston, South Carolina. The rhythm was popularized in mainstream dance music in the United States by a 1923 tune called \"The Charleston\" by composer/pianist James P. Johnson which originated in the Broadway show Runnin' Wild and became one of the most popular hits of the decade.
The song spawned other Charleston related tunes. Novelty versions with derogatory lyrics sprung up to cash in on the craze. This song was one of them.
John Senator Marvin (July 11, 1897 – December 10, 1944) was an early American recording artist and musician, starting in 1924 and covering a twenty-year period for many record labels.
Born in Butler, Oklahoma Territory in 1897, Marvin ran away from home at age 16. He served in the US Navy during World War I. After returning home, he went on the road as a vaudeville performer.
Marvin worked with Gene Autry in Hollywood. He is credited with providing songs for soundtracks on over 50 movies and television shows. During World War II, he joined the USO to entertain the troops. Although he contracted dengue fever, his Christian Science beliefs prevented him from receiving treatment, and he returned home where he died on December 10, 1944.
