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Al Burnett
Al Burnett (1906–1973) was a British impresario, known as the "nightclub king". He ran the Stork Club in Swallow Street in London's West End. Early life He was born Aaron Isaacs in Mile End, London. Career Burnett was master of ceremonies (MC) at a nightclub in London's Regent Street called The Nut House, which was popular with jazz musicians during the war. In the late 1950s, notable guests at the Stork Club included Harold Macmillan, John Profumo, Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra, Lana Turner, Bette Davis, Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor, King Hussein of Jordan, and Jean Simmons. In about 1969, he banned Barbara Windsor, whose agent was Burnett's son, Barry Burnett, for refusing to sit with a customer, even though she was not working as a hostess at the time. It was later owned by Oscar Owide, eventually becoming a "sleazy hostess joint", before Marco Pierre White and Piers Adam tried (and failed) to revive it as a glamorous destination. Burnett owned The Astor, which was later a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stork Club, London
The Stork Club was a nightclub in Swallow Street in London's West End. In the late 1950s, it was run by "nightclub king" Al Burnett, and notable guests included Harold Macmillan, John Profumo, Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra, Lana Turner, Bette Davis, Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor, King Hussein of Jordan, and Jean Simmons. The resident band for seven years was the Denny Termer trio, with Bill Bramwell on bass and Monty Babson on drums It was later owned by Oscar Owide, eventually becoming a brothel, before closing its doors in 2001. Later that year, Marco Pierre White and Piers Adam attempted to revive it as a glamorous destination, but both lost money on the deal and by 2002 the project had run into legal subletting difficulties with the Crown Estates The Crown Estate is a collection of lands and holdings in the United Kingdom belonging to the British monarch as a corporation sole, making it "the sovereign's public estate", which is neither government property nor part of th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oscar Owide
Oscar Manuel Owide (23 December 1931 – 3 December 2017) was a British businessman, who ran nightclubs, restaurants and sex industry businesses over a long career. He was the proprietor of Soho's Windmill Theatre, which he ran with his son Daniel Owide as the Windmill International, a "gentleman's club", offering adult cabaret, table and lap dancing. The ''Evening Standard'' in 2004 said Owide was once "Britain's biggest pimp". Early life Oscar Owide was born in Whitechapel, London, in December 1931, the son of Isidore and Mary Owide. He grew up in Finsbury Park, where his father was a "prosperous hairdresser". His father was born Izrael Hillel Owide in Poland, and became a naturalised British citizen on 30 September 1937 as Isidore Owide, living at 35 Fore Street, Edmonton, London N18. Career Owide began his career as a hairdresser in the family business. In the 1950s, he purchased his first nightclub, Ilford's ''Il Grotto''. From the 1960s onwards, he shifted focus to the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1973 Deaths
Events January * January 1 - The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union. * January 15 – Vietnam War: Citing progress in peace negotiations, U.S. President Richard Nixon announces the suspension of offensive action in North Vietnam. * January 17 – Ferdinand Marcos becomes President for Life of the Philippines. * January 20 – Richard Nixon is sworn in for a second term as President of the United States. Nixon is the only person to have been sworn in twice as President ( 1969, 1973) and Vice President of the United States ( 1953, 1957). * January 22 ** George Foreman defeats Joe Frazier to win the heavyweight world boxing championship. ** A Royal Jordanian Boeing 707 flight from Jeddah crashes in Kano, Nigeria; 176 people are killed. * January 27 – U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War ends with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. February * February 8 – A militar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1906 Births
Events January–February * January 12 – Persian Constitutional Revolution: A nationalistic coalition of merchants, religious leaders and intellectuals in Persia forces the shah Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar to grant a constitution, and establish a national assembly, the Majlis. * January 16–April 7 – The Algeciras Conference convenes, to resolve the First Moroccan Crisis between France and Germany. * January 22 – The strikes a reef off Vancouver Island, Canada, killing over 100 (officially 136) in the ensuing disaster. * January 31 – The Ecuador–Colombia earthquake (8.8 on the Moment magnitude scale), and associated tsunami, cause at least 500 deaths. * February 7 – is launched, sparking a naval race between Britain and Germany. * February 11 ** Pope Pius X publishes the encyclical ''Vehementer Nos'', denouncing the 1905 French law on the Separation of the Churches and the State. ** Two British members of a poll tax collecting ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sweet Beat
''Sweet Beat'' (U.S. title: ''The Amorous Sex'') is a 1959 British 'B' black-and-white musical film directed by Ronnie Albert and starring Julie Amber, Sheldon Lawrence and Irv Bauer. It includes appearances by several American pop acts including The Melo-Kings and The Five Satins. Plot Bonnie Martyn, winner of a holiday camp beauty contest, heads to London seeking fame as a singer. She is promised a record deal, and is tricked into going to New York. She is eventually reunited with her boyfriend Bill Lacey. Cast * Julie Amber as Bonnie Martyn * Sheldon Lawrence as Bill "Larry" Lacey * Irv Bauer as Dave Lafferts * Leonie Page as Tina Miller * David Browning as Gerry Turner * Al Burnett as club owner * Keith Fordyce as disc jockey (himself) * Billy Myles as himself * Cindy Man as herself (cut from U.S. version) * Fred Parris as himself * Lee Allen as himself * The Mello-Kings as themselves * The Five Satins as themselves Production Filming locations included Butlin's h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Café Continental
''Café Continental'' is a British television variety show on the BBC Television Service from 1947 to 1953. Broadcast live from the BBC's studios at Alexandra Palace, the programme opened with a "Maître d'hôtel" known as Pere Auguste, who welcomed the television audience to the "cafe" set and told them that "your table has been reserved, as always." Overview Devised and produced by Henry Caldwell, ''Café Continental'' was broadcast on Saturday evenings at 8pm. Lasting for forty-five minutes, the episodes attracted many famous singers and dancers of the day: Josephine Baker appeared in an edition broadcast on 26 June 1948 and the Italian vocal group Quartetto Cetra appeared the same year. Episode status Three scattered episodes from 1950 are known to exist. Introduced by Helene Cordet. References Bibliography *Vahimagi, Tise. ''British Television: An Illustrated Guide''. Oxford. Oxford University Press / British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a fi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
King Arthur Was A Gentleman
''King Arthur Was a Gentleman'' is a 1942 British, black-and-white, comedy, musical film, directed by Marcel Varnel and starring Arthur Askey. It was produced by Edward Black and Maurice Ostrer for Gainsborough Pictures. Synopsis Set during World War II, the plot involves the undersized Arthur joining the army to prove himself to his girlfriend Susan (Evelyn Dall), who is in the same unit as him. Here, his idealistic notions about King Arthur prompt his messmates to trick him into believing that a sword they have dug up is the fabled Excalibur. Armed with this talisman Arthur strides forth to deal with the Wehrmacht. Cast * Arthur Askey as Arthur King * Max Bacon as Maxie * Al Burnett as Slim * Evelyn Dall as Susan Ashley * Vera Frances as Vera * Peter Graves as Lance * Brefni O'Rorke as Colonel Duncannon * Anne Shelton as Gwen Duncannon * Ronald Shiner as Sergeant * Jack Train as Jack * Victor Feldman Victor Stanley Feldman (7 April 1934 – 12 May 1987) was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pigalle Wonder
Pigalle Wonder was a racing greyhound during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was the United Kingdom Greyhound of the Year and won the sports top accolade by winning the 1959 English Greyhound Derby. 1956 He was whelped in March 1956 and bred by Tom Murphy in County Kilkenny, and was reared under the name Prairie Champion. 1957 His first race was on 10 October 1957, when he participated in the McCalmont Cup at Kilkenny under the name of Prairie Champion. He won his heat by ten lengths in 29.80 seconds and then won the final. After recording 29.10 seconds in a 525 yards trial at Harold's Cross Stadium he was bought by Al Burnett, who was known for owning the Pigalle Club in London. 1958 He was subsequently renamed Pigalle Wonder and was moved to Jim Syder Jr. as his trainer at Wembley. After being defeated in the inaugural BBC Sportsview TV Trophy at odds of 1-4f, he won the 1958 Derby in fine style setting a track record on the way to winning the event. During 1958, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1958 English Greyhound Derby
The 1958 Greyhound Derby took place during June with the final being held on 28 June 1958 at White City Stadium. The winner was Pigalle Wonder and the winning owner Al Burnett received £1,500. Final result At White City (over 525 yards): Distances 2¾, Neck, 4, 4¾, 1 (lengths) The distances between the greyhounds are in finishing order and shown in lengths. From 1950 one length was equal to 0.08 of one second. Competition Report Two brindle dogs called Pigalle Wonder and Mile Bush Pride were heavily involved in the 1958 Derby and would become famous names within the sport of greyhound racing. Pigalle Wonder started his career called Prairie Champion and won the 1957 McCalmont Cup at Kilkenny Greyhound Stadium. He was bought by Al Burnett (owner of the Pigalle Club in London) after clocking 29.10 sec in a 525 yards trial at Harold's Cross Stadium and was renamed Pigalle Wonder. However in the first round he suffered a shock defeat. This defeat led to the bookmakers making ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Piccadilly
Piccadilly () is a road in the City of Westminster, London, to the south of Mayfair, between Hyde Park Corner in the west and Piccadilly Circus in the east. It is part of the A4 road that connects central London to Hammersmith, Earl's Court, Heathrow Airport and the M4 motorway westward. St James's is to the south of the eastern section, while the western section is built up only on the northern side. Piccadilly is just under in length, and it is one of the widest and straightest streets in central London. The street has been a main thoroughfare since at least medieval times, and in the Middle Ages was known as "the road to Reading" or "the way from Colnbrook". Around 1611 or 1612, a Robert Baker acquired land in the area, and prospered by making and selling piccadills. Shortly after purchasing the land, he enclosed it and erected several dwellings, including his home, Pikadilly Hall. What is now Piccadilly was named Portugal Street in 1663 after Catherine of Braganza, wif ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pigalle Club
The Pigalle Club was a supper club and live music venue in Piccadilly, in the West End of London, West End area of Central London. It was owned by Vince Power, John Vincent Power. Dave West (entrepreneur), Dave West also owned shares in the Pigalle Club. Originally located at another site in Piccadilly, the club re-opened in April 2006. Designed by Stephen Donald and furnished by Shaun Clarkson, the sophisticated Pigalle Club was inspired by 1940s aesthetics. It offered fine dining and live musical entertainment, with tables clustered around the stage. The 400-capacity venue hosted artists performing jazz, and occasionally soul music, soul and pop music, pop music, alongside cabaret and burlesque acts. The Beatles played a concert at the Pigalle on 21 April 1963. Shirley Bassey's performance at the club on 12 September 1965 was recorded and released on the live album ''Shirley Bassey at the Pigalle'' the same year. Other acts that performed at the venue included Yana (singer), Yan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Astor Club
The Astor Club was a nightclub which operated in Mayfair, London from the 1930s to the late 1970s. The haunt of royals and car dealers, gangsters and landed aristocrats, it was a fixture in London nightlife, with the most famous years of the club being the decades between 1950 and 1970. The Astor was one of the most prestigious of a number of nightclubs and "hostess clubs" which flourished particularly in the period between the end of the Second World War in 1945 and the opening of the 1960s and 1970s discothèques. Such watering-holes had almost all disappeared by the 1980s, when discos and nightclubs merged into the nocturnal "clubs" of those years, a situation which led up to the present-day London night-time economy. Bertie Green The Astor was established in the 1930s and flourished even during the dangerous times London experienced during the Second World War, including London Blitz of 1940-1941 and the V-1 and V-2 rocket attacks of 1944-1945. The venue was owned by Bertie ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
