Dusty Fletcher

Clinton "Dusty" Fletcher (July 8, 1900 – March 15, 1954)[1] was an African-American vaudeville performer and comedian, who was best known for the comedy routine which became a hit record in 1947, "Open the Door, Richard".

[2] In August and September 1931 Clinton (Dusty) Fletcher was one of 90 performers in the all Negro revue, Fast and Furious, produced by Forbes Randolph.

[6] National Records began a lawsuit to claim Fletcher's royalties as the originator of the routine which led to McVea's hit.

However, a blackface vaudeville comedian, John "Spider Bruce" Mason then claimed that Fletcher had originally stolen the routine from him in the 1920s.

[citation needed] Fletcher continued to perform the routine, particularly at the Apollo Theatre in New York, until shortly before his death.