[sinatraphiles] Re: October 7 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY

  • From: "James Johnson" <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> ("vafan")
  • To: sinatraphiles@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2022 15:42:24 -0400

Terrific history you’ve recounted, Ed. I had never heard that Frank was in talks with Lucy and Desi to do a series. The storyline of the down and out saloon singer is captivating.  Thanks for the research and sharing it with us. _____________

Jim Johnson

Rehoboth Beach, DE


On Oct 14, 2022, at 2:48 PM, eob101 <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:



Here’s one that got missed:   1953 Sands, Las Vegas, Nevada (October 7-27) With Ray Sinatra Orchestra The Nicholas Brothers
Hi Scott,               Great find. I did some research and found quite a few  interesting facts about this engagement.                Frank was originally set to open on 10-4 but his marriage was falling apart and Ava was his primary concern. Then the date was changed to 10-8. Variety has a small article mentioning this opening. Frank told Jack Entratter that he might have to push the date up to 10-13. He was in negotiations with Elia Kazan and Sam Spiegel for the plum role of Terry Malloy in Columbia Pictures "On The Waterfront." At the same time, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had formed their own production company. They had created a show for Frank in which he would play a down and out club performer. The tentative title was "Blues In The Night." Frank was also set to start, on 10-6, a dramatic radio show titled "Frankie Galahad." He was a taxi driver in N.Y.C., who solved crimes. At the last moment it was switched to "Rocky Fortune." According to Variety, Frank taped the debut show, in Los Angeles, on the afternoon of the 6th. He then decided to open at the Sands the next day. Variety, in their 10-7 issue, had B & J Kean as the headliners with the Louis Jordan Orchestra. They had opened in mid- September and Jack Entratter extended their run until Frank's appearance was set. Entratter got ads in the late editions of the Tuesday papers and also in Wednesday's.                 Opening night was a bit of a disaster. Ava would not attend, Frank was distraught and it showed. His finely tuned octet felt it too. They hit a few clams and Frank exploded at them during the actual performance.The Vegas papers were highly critical of his behavior. Billboard reviewed his show on 10-13. The reviewer mentioned opening night and how Frank redeemed himself the following week. Entratter had cut back on  the supporting acts to give Sinatra a full hour of singing to a  very appreciative crowd. Frank's cousin, Ray, was on the bill, but he was not involved with Frank's segment of the show. The star was billed as "Frank Sinatra & Orchestra."                   Frank opted to go with two radio shows and skip the offer from Desi and Lucy. He knew how draining a TV series could be and "Pink Tights" was set for a mid-December start at 20th Century, and other offers were pouring in everyday, regardless of what happened with the "Waterfront" project. And he was about to record his first Capitol album with Nelson Riddle conducting George Siravo's charts.                  On 10-31, Frank appeared before the Nevada Tax  Commission. He was applying for a state gambling license. He was awarded the license and the Sands increased his ownership to two percent. After the hearing, Sinatra returned to the Sands  and threw a big party. He also performed. Which bring us to the question of when did he close his first engagement at the hotel. The 10-28 issue of Variety has him performing for the final week  of October. The 11-4 Variety does not list any entertainment during the first week of November. The 11-11 has Jeanette MacDonald opening. Frank set new attendance records during his engagement. Variety gave him a rave review and the Sands couldn't wait for his  next appearance. Ed


 

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