Actress-Singer Vivian Duncan, 84, Dies

Vivian Duncan, 84, an actress and singer who began her career in vaudeville shows and silent movies and went on to entertain European royalty, died at a Hollywood rest home Friday night at the Film Welfare League, friends reported Saturday.

Along with her sister, Rosetta, Duncan starred in “Topsy and Eva,” a 1920s musical that had long runs in Los Angeles, New York and London. She later starred in the silent-film version of the musical. She also starred in one of the first talking films, “It’s a Great Life,” made in 1930.

The Duncan Sisters made their first Victor record in 1921, and went on to cut 10 more records.

Duncan’s first big show was “Doing Our Bit” in 1919. She also starred in “A Goodfellow” and “Tiptop,” both in 1920. After World War II, the Duncan Sisters toured the United States, playing in nightclubs and auditoriums until a sister was killed in a car accident in Chicago in 1958.