The Depression didn’t seem so depressing for Washingtonians according to a March 13, 1935, page from the Washington Post. (Once again, sent to us by tireless truth-hunter Jeff Krulik. Should we add Jeff to the masthead?)
In addition to Ed Sullivan‘s breathless “Broadway” column (“We are living in a fright-wig era, populated by such ‘colorful’ gentlemen as Huey Long, Dizzy Dean, and Max Baer“), the page is half-filled with 17 ads for various nightclubs, restaurants, and other establishments offering live music and entertainment.
The Jockey Club at 5th Street and Florida Avenue NE, under the management of “Unk Grinder” (quotes in original) offered “hot music,” “exhilarating drinks,” and music by the Jockey Club Orchestra, featuring Ray Rannie, vocalist.
It’s three floor shows daily at Child’s Gingham Club at 1423 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, where luncheon is 40 cents, dinner 60. Among the “5 Big Acts” are Fern and Lorraine (“Musical Comedy Misses in Smart Dances”), Verne and Arlene (“Direct from the Deauville, Miami”), and Mary-Jo Hamilton (“Red-Hot Songs”).
At Cafe La Paree, “Washington’s smartest restaurant and supper club” at 14th and H Streets NW, there is “never a cover charge” for Emory Daugherty and his Orchestra’s “dazzling floor shows.”
The Lotus at 14th Street and New York Avenue NW presents an “exotic review” featuring 16 stars three times daily featuring “Broadway Dancing Dolls” and adagio dancers Charles and Celeste, with Bill Strickland and his Capitolians. My next band will be called the Capitolians.
Club Troika at 1011 Connecticut Ave. NW also offers reviews three times daily “in the gay Gypsy manner.”
The Shoreham in Woodley Park continued offering high-toned entertainment into the 1980s. (Mark Russell was resident there for 20 years.) In ’35, there was ballroom dancing, German dancing, and the comedy team of Barrett and Smith.
Over at the swanky Mayflower Lounge, Sid Cowen “sings them all,” all being Russian, Italian, German, Spanish, and French tunes. For reservations, call Teddy at District 3000.
Off-topic item for the copy desk: When did clue stop being spelled “clew”? As in the headline, “Clew Claimed in Girl’s Death,” and another story involving a “church scuffle” in Hagerstown.