Toni Basil's Vaudeville family mother's sisters (Eclair Twins) Iva and Christine and Billy Wells—this 1919 performance filmed by Briths Pathé.

Eclair Twins left Australia to tour London and performed their act in shows and silent film entitled Mirth, Melodies and Madness.

Eclair Twins left Australia to tour London and performed their act in shows and silent film entitled Mirth, Melodies and Madness.

Eclair Twins left Australia to tour London and performed their act in shows and silent film entitled Mirth, Melodies and Madness.

Eclair Twins left Australia to tour London and performed their act in shows and silent film entitled Mirth, Melodies and Madness.

Eclair Twins left Australia to tour London and performed their act in shows and silent film entitled Mirth, Melodies and Madness.

Eclair Twins left Australia to tour London and performed their act in shows and silent film entitled Mirth, Melodies and Madness.

Newspaper clipping of Billy Wells and the Four Fays.

Newspaper clipping of Billy Wells and the Four Fays.

Newspaper clipping of Billy Wells and the Four Fays.

Newspaper clipping of Billy Wells and the Four Fays.

Father Lois Basil was the orchestra leader of touring Gaucho Band — a Cabaret in Cuba. This was where Toni s father met her mother on August 27, 1927, as they were on the same bill at the Orpheum Theatre.

Father Lois Basil was the orchestra leader of touring Gaucho Band — a Cabaret in Cuba. This was where Toni s father met her mother on August 27, 1927, as they were on the same bill at the Orpheum Theatre.

Mother Jacqueline married Louis Basil, left the family act and Toni was born on September 25, 1943, in Philadelphia. Toni's father was the orchestra leader at the Carmen Theater in Philadelphia (Circa. 1943-46)

Mother Jacqueline married Louis Basil, left the family act and Toni was born on September 25, 1943, in Philadelphia. Toni's father was the orchestra leader at the Carmen Theater in Philadelphia (Circa. 1943-46)

Mother Jacqueline married Louis Basil, left the family act and Toni was born on September 25, 1943, in Philadelphia. Toni's father was the orchestra leader at the Carmen Theater in Philadelphia (Circa. 1943-46)

Mother Jacqueline married Louis Basil, left the family act and Toni was born on September 25, 1943, in Philadelphia. Toni's father was the orchestra leader at the Carmen Theater in Philadelphia (Circa. 1943-46)

The family moved to New York where father performed as the orchestra leader at Loew's State Theater (Circa. 1946).

The family moved to New York where father performed as the orchestra leader at Loew's State Theater (Circa. 1946).

The family moved to New York where father performed as the orchestra leader at Loew's State Theater (Circa. 1946).

When Billy Wells and the Four Fays act performed, Toni at the age of 4 years old helped backstage with the hoops.

When Billy Wells and the Four Fays act performed, Toni at the age of 4 years old helped backstage with the hoops.

Family moved to Chicago where Louis Basil was the orchestra leader at the Chicago Theatre from Circa. 1947-1957

Family moved to Chicago where Louis Basil was the orchestra leader at the Chicago Theatre from Circa. 1947-1957

Toni started ballet dancing lessons with Micheal Chumakov and Edna L. McRae's dance studio. Pictures from recital Micheal Chumakov.

Toni started ballet dancing lessons with Micheal Chumakov and Edna L. McRae's dance studio. Pictures from recital Micheal Chumakov.

1947-1957 Chicago theatre clipping advertisement featuring as Louis Basil conductor here a few newspapers weekly advertisements featuring Louis Basil myriad performances Billy Daniels, Pearle Baily, Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, Vic Damone, Nat King Cole, Herb Jefferies.

1947-1957 Chicago theatre clipping advertisement featuring as Louis Basil conductor here a few newspapers weekly advertisements featuring Louis Basil myriad performances Billy Daniels, Pearle Baily, Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, Vic Damone, Nat King Cole, Herb Jefferies.

1947-1957 Chicago theatre clipping advertisement featuring as Louis Basil conductor here a few newspapers weekly advertisements featuring Louis Basil myriad performances Billy Daniels, Pearle Baily, Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, Vic Damone, Nat King Cole, Herb Jefferies.

1947-1957 Chicago theatre clipping advertisement featuring as Louis Basil conductor here a few newspapers weekly advertisements featuring Louis Basil myriad performances Billy Daniels, Pearle Baily, Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, Vic Damone, Nat King Cole, Herb Jefferies.

1947-1957 Chicago theatre clipping advertisement featuring as Louis Basil conductor here a few newspapers weekly advertisements featuring Louis Basil myriad performances Billy Daniels, Pearle Baily, Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, Vic Damone, Nat King Cole, Herb Jefferies.

1947-1957 Chicago theatre clipping advertisement featuring as Louis Basil conductor here a few newspapers weekly advertisements featuring Louis Basil myriad performances Billy Daniels, Pearle Baily, Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, Vic Damone, Nat King Cole, Herb Jefferies.

Toni aged 8 years splits in the dressing room in Chicago Theater.

In 1949, Billy Wells died during a Chicago theater performance and Christine took over the Little Man act so the show could continue. Christine as little man switch picture with face showing

In 1949, Billy Wells died during a Chicago theater performance and Christine took over the Little Man act so the show could continue. Christine as little man switch picture with face showing

In 1949, Billy Wells died during a Chicago theater performance and Christine took over the Little Man act so the show could continue. Christine as little man switch picture with face showing

As the stage shows were closing in 1957 at the Chicago Theatre, "Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegas to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

As the stage shows were closing in 1957 at the Chicago Theatre, "Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegas to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

As the stage shows were closing in 1957 at the Chicago Theatre, "Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegas to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

As the stage shows were closing in 1957 at the Chicago Theatre, "Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegas to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

"Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegs to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

"Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegs to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

"Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegs to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

"Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegs to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

"Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegs to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

"Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegs to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

"Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegs to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

"Uncle Slim" AKA Gus Alexis took the family to Las Vegs to help set up shows for future employment at the Flamingo Hotel, then the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.

Toni graduated in 1961 from Las Vegas High where she is head cheerleader and voted the most talented.

Toni graduated in 1961 from Las Vegas High where she is head cheerleader and voted the most talented.

Toni drove to Los Angeles with a reference letter from Eleanor Powell to Tanya Rubachinca lead ballerina from Bally Monte Carlo bring to a dance studio.