Figure 1.--HBC has been unable to find any informtion on a child prodigy named Lee Lester. We have no information on the nationality, but blieve the boy is Anerican. Also the patterened kneesocks seem more of an American style than a British style. The style looks more like the 1930s to HBC than the 1940s, ceratinly not the 1950s.

A HBC reader has submitted a photograph of Lee Lester, suggesting that he was a child violon prodigy. HBC has, however, been unable to find any information about such a prodigy. Our information is linmited. He may in fact be a prodigy, but we can not yet confirm it. He may be simply be a boy participating in a recital with his violin.

Biography

We know almost nothing about Lee Lester. We believe he is Anmerican and was born about 1924. He looks at least 13 years old here. That would mean that the photograph was taken abour 1937, but we do not know precisely when this photograpgh was taken. Here he plays the violin. We believe he was a child prodigy with the violin, although we have no details on his accomplishments.

Clothing

Lee in the photograph here dresses presumably at the direction of mother in short pants and knee socks. This was quite common in the case of child prodigies to make the child appear more juvenile, hence, more impressive a prodigy. A reader writes, "Although I have no date to associate with the picture, I remember my mother having me wear a suit with short pants and knee socks with a very similar style and pattern, as late as 1950 or so. I also can't help but notice that the short pants are without pleats, making them a little more contoured fitting than what I usually might associate with the British type of short pants, which tended to be more roomy. They're also several inches above the knee, which also makes them a bit shorter than the British type of that era. I would guess American prodigy, rather than foreign."

HBC has been unable to find any informtion on a child prodigy named Lee Lester. We have no information on the nationality, but because the image comes from an American source, we believe that most likely the boy is Anerican. Also the patterened kneesocks seem more of an American style than a British style. The style looks more like the 1930s to HBC than the 1940s, ceratinly not the 1950s. We note that the boy dies not seem very formally dressed. He dies not wear a tie, or even a white shirt or tie.

Film Career

A reader writes, "This young man as an apparent mid-teenager appeared in a film called "Symphony of Living" (US, 1935) and played the violin with great verve and skill mainly in an adaptation of the music from what is usually known as "Gaiete Parisienne" by Offenbach. He radiated pleasantness and charm and certainly would give the impression of being a child prodigy. He appeared in a few other films around this time but I have not seen them. There is a video available I believe. As you have found there is no information otherwise about him as yet available. His performance and charisma makes you want to know what happened to him afterwards. [McCabe] Lee was in several other films. His first film was "Symphony of Six Million" (U.S., 1932) where he played Felix as a Boy in an uncredited appearance. The film has also run as "Melody of Life". In the same year he appeared in "Men Are Such Fools" (U.S., 1932). His next film was "Beloved" (U.S., 1934). Lee played 10 year old Carl. Then he vplayed "Radio Dough" (U.S., 1934). The last film we know of was "Symphony of Living" (US, 1935) discussed above. Lee played Carl Rupert.

Sources

McCabe, Chris. E-mail message, November 27, 2004.

Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
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Created: March 26, 2002
Last updated: 8:03 PM 12/3/2004