@stringy -

Didn't Charlie Chaplin or some other early comedian do this in an act?

The Joe Venuti, he is talking about in your video, was a pretty famous and interesting violinist!

I knew about Joe Venuti playing with the bow hair disconnected from the recent Fiddle Hell workshop with Paul Anastasio, who studied and performed with Joe in the 70's - learned some great tips/tricks! 

Venuti's been called "the Father of Jazz Violin" and the inventor of "Hot Swing".  Joe Venuti, along with Eddie Lang, were like the original "Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt". 

He played a few tunes with Eddie Lang in the film "The King of Jazz" (1930) - here's a clip provided by bessjazz, where they're playing "Wild Cat". 

One of my favorites is "I've Found a New Baby" - played by Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang.  Ah, the decadence of the "Roaring Twenties".  Great written commentary (if you watch this on YouTube) about Venuti being a prankster - too much partying in those days! (lol)

Thanx, Stringy - fun stuff!

- Emily