Joseph Wagstaff


Joseph Wagstaff was an American actor, musician, singer, and dancer.

Early life and career

His father, Spencer George Wagstaff came from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He went to Detroit to work as an agent for the Grand Trunk Canadian National Railway. His father died in 1925 and his obituary lists him as leaving a widow and three sons, Earl, Sumner and Joseph. The obituary lists Joseph as a musical comedy actor.
In the 1930 U.S. Census Joseph Wagstaff was listed as a silent and sound film actor.

Broadway

A Song of Kentucky – 1929 Joe played the part of Jerry Reavis and performed the songs "A Night Of Happiness","Sitting By The Window","Rhapsody" and "Don't Blame Me". Other actors in this film were Hedda Hopper, Dorothy Burgess, Herman Bing and Bert Woodruff. There was a sound track available for this film.
Let's Go Places, the working title of this was "Hollywood Nights", the name was changed along the way. This is said to be a lost film and I do not know if any copies are still in existence. The New York Times newspaper described this as being a singing talking film. Other actors in this film were Betty Grable, Lola Lane, Frank Richardson and Walter Catlett.

Musical performances

Wagstaff performed with the following orchestras and performers:
Joe was performing in the Detroit and Harbor Springs areas of Michigan until well into the 1990s in the summer months.