Harry Schaare (American, 1922 - 2008) "Mary's a Grand Old Name - Yankee Doodle" Signed lower right. Oil on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Playwright, songwriter, stage director, actor, dancer, producer -- George M. Cohan was all of these. For more than twenty years he was the Man Who Owned Broadway, a musical genius who set the style for the swift-moving American musical comedy of today. In his early years, Cohan trouped with his parents and sister as part of the renowned vaudeville act, The Four Cohans. By sixteen, he was known as vaudeville's child prodigy, with many songs published and sketches produced. At the age of twenty he was managing The Four Cohans, and at twenty-three he was a successful playwright, a bright light on Broadway's Great White Way. Broadway knew Cohan as a brisk and bounding young man who was forever waving Old Glory. His many stage hits -- Little Johnny Jones, Forty-five Minutes from Broadway, George Washington, Jr., and The Little Millionaire, to name a few -- brought him riches and fame beyond his wildest dreams. And, when asked late in his life for a summary of his career, he said in typical Cohanesque style out the side of his mouth, "No complaints, kid." Cohan was born on July 3, 1878, in Providence, Rhode Island. Image Size: 17.5 x 14 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15 in. Unframed. (B05160)