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MaxBeat New user 10 Posts |
Hey everyone!
I'm wondering if there ever where any magic shows in the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles during the 1930s. I have been looking around but I cant seam to find anything If you have any info I would love it, if you have sources even better! Thanks!!!! |
wkitwizard Elite user Los Angeles 466 Posts |
Check out Alan Wakeling-he was doing cabaret/club magic in Hollywood during the 40's.
Best of luck! His book "The Magic of Alan Wakeling" is superb.
Nothing is truer than the incomprehensible, because the sum total of our knowledge consists of the fact that we know nothing. Our reality is an illusion. Thus illusion is reality-Punx
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JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1617 Posts |
I don't think he ever worked the Grove...he did share a stage with Marvyn Roy as " the 'Magical Ringmasters' at a club on La Brea though!
MArvyn said when he asked the manager about salary he was told they'd be working for tips...and parking card between shows! Of course, that was in their very early days. Regards- JNeal
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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David Charvet Special user www.charvetmagic.com 501 Posts |
There weren't any magic "shows" at the Grove, although there were "acts" at times during floor shows. But the Grove was primarily known for the dance orchestras that played there. Most prominent during the late 1920's and early 30's was Gus Arnheim and his Ambassadors (Of course the Grove was in the Ambassador Hotel.) Just about every top dance band of the era played the Grove at some time.
I remember attending a PCAM convention there in 1979 and there was a show held at the Grove. It was a great old hotel, with spectacular grounds. Acres of grass right on Wilshire. Amazing. Very sad to see it gone now. It should have been restored, but the L.A. School District had it bulldozed for a school. Also, the Kennedy family was in support of the building going away since it is where Robert Kennedy was assassinated in 1968. Most of the floor show magic acts during the 30's and 40's worked the Biltmore Bowl at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown L.A. |
David Charvet Special user www.charvetmagic.com 501 Posts |
Here's a link to a great (and rare) 1935 color film of celebrities attending an afternoon "Tea Dance" at the Lido Club at the Ambassador.
This is in 2 parts. Part 2 shows a female magician (no idea who?) performing cigarette manipulations while Cliff Edwards ("Ukelele Ike") sings. A neat piece of film that really reflects the era and grandeur of the hotel during the depths of the Great Depression. Amazing to see it in color. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsvVuHQDarc&feature=related Enjoy! |
AGMagic Special user Cailf. 775 Posts |
David, Very cool! Thanks for posting the link.
Tim Silver - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Magic-Woodshop/122578214436546
I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. Visualize Whirled Peas! |
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