Hello John,
Just wanted to tell you that I knew your dad in 1962 and worked beside him on stage in Beverly Hills at the Roaring 20's night club. I kept lots of photos of the place, put unfortunately have none of him. Have the piano player with me and some of the other "flappers" girls. I remember being in much AWE of Pud as I worked dancing beside him on top of the bar stage with hundreds of people crowded below and around it.
He was such a power house entertainer. Quite thrilling really, and though I was supposed to be entertaining too, I still was totally awe struck by him. Of course the place was loud and cheerful and loads of fun! We had a line of about 20 girls all dancing on this main room bar stage and over head was a red velvet swing that I would be on at times with a mic to welcome in the crowds.
The show was on TV once when Bill Burrud did "I Search for Adventure" TV Series. He was with Jack Douglas Travel log syndicated in 1958 and it was '62 when he filmed us at the 20's. Would love to get a video copy of us on that old show if it's still around somewhere. Anyway just thought your tribute to Pud Brown is so very nicely done and was very pleased to see it, though sorry to read of his passing. That was a different world in those days. Thank God we still have some pieces of the past.
Here's a 1962 pic in my costume shot some dance poses like our bar stage routine.
Have some with Sherry Steiger the star of the show. Ray Bauduc band maybe have a picture. There was also a terrific Rinky Tink piano player Joe Durham he didn't play in the bands. One drummer was flapper Mary Ann, and Pixie was a comical funny character Flapper showgirl. I served drinks to Chic Hern there, and screen star Scott Brady,and others. We had dance contests and they took photos of some of that.
From left, Liz, I'm in middle, and the star of the show Sherry Stieger on the
right. Don't know piano player's name. Year 1962.
Don't know who this is was just a customer who wanted a picture with me they did that a lot for souvenirs with the dancers.
We had dance contests with the customers in the Speakeasy Room where booze drinks were served in mugs. Then a shooting gallery, a basketball court, a dining room, a cocktail room bar where the girls had dance contests against each other, and a main stage center room, with staircase above. In the picture of us here a balcony is above this main room where drinks were also served. Also I danced on a piano with black lighting spot lights, and there was a fortune teller, old thyme slide movies, and pop corn machines. There was elaborate decor with massive antique looking potted flower pots in entrance hall, swag heavy draperies, classic nude oil painting over bar, and music going on in three rooms. Plus that real antique firehouse pole when the bell would be rung, whistle blew, and girls came down it to out on stage that way each one of us were introduced by name and state.
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I'm sure Pud would be very pleased and proud that you've created such an interesting historical view of his life works and God given talents. I was always sort of stunned when Pud performed it was the same kind of a strange drugfree high I got when meeting Frank Sinatra a couple times. When your close to great talent power like that its like an out of the body experience thrilling and almost scary unreal. Being on stage in the spotlight next to Pud I had to do the dance routines and couldn't take time out to just relax, freak out naturally and be a fan. So now I can, forty years later!
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