Frank Britton Wenzel

Who was Frank Britton Wenzel?

Frank Britton Wenzel, born Frank Wenzel in New York City,.

In 1917, he changed his name to "Frank Britton" to form a double act with Milt Britton. Originators of the "slapstick" orchestra, Britton's Orchestra became known in Europe and the United States as "America's Craziest Orchestra" and "The Mad Musical Maniacs." The band's routine was to begin playing a selection in the normal way, then about halfway through the song, a musician would stumble and knock an instrument out of another's hand, thereby starting a melee of comedy. Their band played some Broadway shows, made tours of South America and the US, and made appearances in shorts and feature films. They are seen causing mayhem during the title song in Moonlight and Pretzels.

During his heyday in Vaudville, he opened the original Brown Derby restaurant in Malverne, New York, suburban village on the south shore of Long Island. This establishment became a popular hang-out of vaudevillians such and Ole Olsen, Chic Johnson, big band leader Ralph Flanagan and others.

He was elected mayor of Malverne in 1951.