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During my early years , there were really only two major entertainment centers . One was the Euclid Avenue block , where the movie houses were concentrated , which today is the Playhouse Square area . The Lowes State , Allen , Ohio , and the Palace , and further down Euclid Avenue , the Hippodrome , were major venues .
If you wanted live entertainment , Saturday morning was the time to go because there was a ticket discount . The Palace Theater was numero uno and on Saturdays at 11 a . m ., you joined the waiting crowd that lined up around the corner . The headliners were the big bands with the number one attraction being Glen Miller with Tex Beneke and the Modernaires . I saw them all : Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey , Woody Herman , Kay Kyser , Gene Krupa , Spike Jones , Lionel Hampton , Les Brown , Vaughn Monroe , Louie Prima , and Harry James . When the bands weren ’ t the headliners , the singers were . I saw Perry Como sing his early favorites , “ Goodbye Sue ” and “ Temptation .” Nat King Cole was a big draw with “ I ’ m Confessing ” and “ Too Young .” The Mills Brothers with “ Till Then ” and “ Up a Lazy River ” were very popular . Every so often , the comics would top the marquee . I saw Bob Hope at the Lowes State . You had to buy war bonds to get a ticket . Red Skelton was also a major attraction .
Then there were the night clubs . Eldorado and Alpine Village were among the favorites . If you wanted to catch Tony Bennett , you went up Euclid Ave . to Moe ’ s Main Street near E . 105th and Euclid . The E . 105th area was almost as busy as downtown .
On the weekend , the Alhambra Tavern and the Downstairs Cabin Club were always jammed . I could buy a glass of Vernon Ginger ale in the Alhambra movie house entrance for 2 cents . The Airport had a very fashionable Skyway Lounge with major performances as well . The Zephyr Room and Encore Room and later , Gruber ’ s in Shaker Heights were also fashionable entertainment spots .
Most people couldn ’ t scrape enough coins together on a regular basis so there was always network radio with favorite weekly shows like Hope , Edgar Bergen and Charley McCarthy , Lux Theater , Screen Actors Guild , and Amos and Andy . One of my favorites was the Sunday night chiller , Hermit ’ s Cave sponsored by Olga Coal .
Those really were the days of great entertainment .
Paul Sciria , Managing Editor
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LA GAZZETTA ITALIANA | JANUARY 20163