Liazeed Arabs

Biography

For approximately a decade (1927-1937) the Liazeed Arabs, an act that ranged between eight and twelve participants, enlivened vaudeville, fairs and circuses with their tumblers, equilibrists, acrobats, and strongmen. Almost all members were born in French-speaking Algeria. It is likely that Hadji Ben Embark Liazeed (1902-1996) was first to emigrate to the United States in 1906. Other members emigrated in the late 'teens and 1920s. The troupe was comprised mostly of males, including "strongman" Abdul, who could hold the weight of three men on his shoulders. One of the troupe's trademarks was forming very tall human pyramids. As the Liazeed Arabs, they were also billed as "Whirlwind Tumblers," Sons of the Desert," and "Sensations in Hindustan Acrobatics." The newspapers claimed the troupe was from countries considered exotic to all Americans, such as Egypt, Morocco, Hindustan, and Saudi Arabia. Most of their performances took place in the Eastern U.S. and Canada. Most members were born in North Africa. In official records, the individual Arabic names changed constantly, and Hadji Ben Ambark Liazeed, a frequent spokesman, eventually changed his name to Ben (or Benny) Embark. Between 1927 and 1937 they shared the vaudeville stages with major acts, such as Blossom Seely, Jack Benny, the Boswell Sisters, Eva Puck, Sammy White, Pinky Lee and Harry Richman. Sometimes their billing said Demnati-Liazeed Troupe. In 1934 they joined the Broadway revue "Thumbs Up," in which Ray Dooley sang "My Arabian Complex" (by Ballard MacDonald and James F. Hanley). American vaudeville was dying out in the mid-1930s, when the Vitaphone Company of Brooklyn, were part of "Vitaphone Billboard," a film short (released 2/15/1936 ) that included The Liazeed Arabs doing their best material. Although the film added to their fame, the act did not stay together beyond 1937. Some members stayed in the U.S. and became cooks in a country club in Trenton, New Jersey. During World War II, a number of troupe members became involved in helping the Armed Services. Mohamed Ben Embark registered for the draft in 1942. Following the War, several members relocated to Buffalo, New York and worked in the Hotel Markeen.