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

From: "eob101" <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> ("eob101")
To: "sinatraphiles@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <sinatraphiles@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2022 18:48:29 +0000 (UTC)

Here’s one that got missed:  1953 Sands, Las
Vegas, Nevada (October 7-27)With Ray Sinatra OrchestraThe 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 marriagewas falling apart and Ava was his primary
concern. Then the datewas changed to 10-8. Variety has a small article
mentioning thisopening. Frank told Jack Entratter that he might have to pushthe
date up to 10-13. He was in negotiations with Elia Kazanand Sam Spiegel for the
plum role of Terry Malloy in ColumbiaPictures "On The Waterfront." At the same
time, Lucille Balland Desi Arnaz had formed their own production company.They
had created a show for Frank in which he would playa 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 wasa taxi
driver in N.Y.C., who solved crimes. At the last momentit was switched to
"Rocky Fortune." According to Variety,Frank taped the debut show, in Los
Angeles, on the afternoonof 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 headlinerswith the
Louis Jordan Orchestra. They had opened in mid-September and Jack Entratter
extended their run until Frank'sappearance was set. Entratter got ads in the
late editionsof the Tuesday papers and also in Wednesday's.
Opening night was a bit of a disaster. Ava would notattend, Frank was
distraught and it showed. His finely tunedoctet felt it too. They hit a few
clams and Frank explodedat them during the actual performance.The Vegas papers
werehighly critical of his behavior. Billboard reviewed his show on10-13. The
reviewer mentioned opening night and how Frankredeemed 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. Thestar was
billed as "Frank Sinatra & Orchestra."                  Frank opted to go with
two radio shows and skip theoffer from Desi and Lucy. He knew how draining a TV
series couldbe and "Pink Tights" was set for a mid-December start at
20thCentury, and other offers were pouring in everyday, regardless ofwhat
happened with the "Waterfront" project. And he was about torecord his first
Capitol album with Nelson Riddle conducting GeorgeSiravo's charts.
   On 10-31, Frank appeared before the Nevada Tax Commission. He was applying
for a state gambling license. Hewas awarded the license and the Sands increased
his ownershipto two percent. After the hearing, Sinatra returned to the Sands
and threw a big party. He also performed. Which bring us to thequestion 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 duringthe first week of November. The 11-11 has Jeanette
MacDonaldopening. 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

Follow-Ups:
- [sinatraphiles] Re: October 7 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY
  - From: Scott Henderson
- [sinatraphiles] Re: October 7 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY
  - From: James Johnson

References:
- [sinatraphiles] Re: October 7 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY
  - From: Scott Henderson

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

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