AS a man who is well into his 80s, I have no hesitation in admitting I always get a thrill when listening to young folk — using their own intriguing jargon — describe their peers in the entertainment sphere as “hot”.And, certainly, we have a lot of them predominating these days.

But what they could not possibly know, or even some of their grandparents for that matter, was that “back-in-the-day” there was a Bermudian song-and-dance team that the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, in its November 23, 1938 issue, headlined HOTTER THAN HOT.

They were Arthur and Mae Smith, aged 12 and 11 years respectively. As they grew in fame and continued their tours to the Caribbean they were joined by their five-year-old brother Bobby, who was hailed as “a dancing demon”.

Like many pre-teen youngsters, our three greatest idols in those days were Arthur and Mae, and Joe Louis, the “Brown Bomber”, who was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world.

Arthur and Mae made their sensational debut at the old Colonial Opera House, followed by many star performances at most of Bermuda’s major hotels and guest houses.

They were engaged with star billing to play on various occasions in New York at the famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem and at the Cotton Club. They were the first musical contestants from Bermuda to win a major role in an American Broadway y, The Caribbean Carnival<$>.

In 1939, they were back in New York where, according to the Gner,<$> “they ran away with the voting in another major contest, taking 133 points against their nearest rivals’ 95 points. This fine performance gained for the kids an offer of a contract with Warner Brother Pictures.

“On July 1, they returned to New York and immediately won first prize in Fred Allen’s Amateur Programme Radio<$>. There were 70 entrants in that particular week’s Town Hall Contest and the Bermudians were among the seven selected at a preliminary for the actual programme.

“Then on the night of the broadcast they won first prize out of the seven. This broadcast was heard with pride by people in Bermuda and Jamaica when the winners were announced.;Their dance-and-song routines included calypso, the lindy hop and boogie-woogie. And they often shared the stage with such major talents as the Nicholas Brothers, Liberace, Nat King Cole and Billie Holiday.The Town Hall first prize included a contract for one week at the Roxy Theatre, a bill they filled with such satisfaction that they were booked for two weeks at The Rainbow Room of Radio City.

“From there on, the Smiths went from one success to another. The illness of a sister in Bermuda called the kids home at the height of their success. And here they are now, back in Jamaica where they hope to have a rest before the busy season in Bermuda, keeping them on the move again,” the Gleaner report said.

Mae wonderful life came to an end just over two weeks ago, on July 9. Her funeral, a celebration of life service, was held on Friday, July 13, at Allen AME Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Fake and his wife Rev. D. Elaine M. Flake.

Mae was born on February 25, 1921, the third of five children of the late Stanley and Iva Melissa (Steed) Smith. Her given name was Mae Dorothy Iona Smith. On March 7, 1944 Mae became the wife of Ralph Bullard.

Their union produced two children, Robin and Ralph, Jr. They moved to Philadelphia and lived there for nearly 35 years. Arthur and Mae quit the stage when America entered World War Two. Arthur chose to enlist in the US Air Force, and devoted his talents to the Church of God.

He also operated a travel agency in Philadelphia, and it was while conducting a religious tour to Bermuda he was stricken and passed away.

Mae, meanwhile, was active in her church and community. She attended Mount Zion Baptist Church, was active in the White Rose Club for many years, and was affiliated with community groups in Philadelphia such as ACORN, acronym for the Association of Community Organisations for Reform Now.

Now the question arises about whatever happened to “little” Bobby Smith, who was five years old when pictu in the Gleaner <$>and described as “the dancing demon”.

Bobby was here this week with his wife Evogene. For several years they have lived in Florida, visiting their homeland for the sers.Bobby<$> said he was never intensely interested in the stage. When the team broke up he returned home and did an apprenticeship with the Bermuda Railway Company, qualifying as a motor mechanic.Bobby and his siblings were unquestionably a family of gifted performers.

In later years the most famous of the Smiths was their sister Quillard Iva Smith who was better known as Quillard Martin. She was a tennis champion, who is reputed to have given 1957 Wimbledon champion Althea Gibson the best game during a highly-publicised visit to Bermuda.

Mae Smith Bullard is survived by her sons, Robin and Ralph; one stepson, Warren Bullard; her brother-in-law, Bobby Smith, and his wife Evogene; sister Marion Elizabeth Woodson; one brother, Arthur Vincent Stanley Smith; two step-brothers, Earl and Wendell Steed; step-sister Millie Steede, four grandchildren: Yvette, Anthony, Lisa and Ralph; eight great grandchildren, as well as three nephews, Bobby, Dean and Mark; step-sisters Alice Lee Steede (Hastings) Fubler and Ulah Steed; and step brother Rupert Steede.