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Tuesday night was usually the “Big Name” night at the Starlight dance hall.  Duke Ellington appeared on June 29, 1937, with Ivie Anderson who had recently appeared in the Marx Brothers movie comedy “A Day at the Races.”  The movie had recently played at the Capitol Theatre on Public Square (later the Comerford Theatre). 

On July 7, 1937, Frank and Milt Britton - known from London to California for their comedy band routines - were at the park. 

Ted Lewis and his 30-person entertainment troupe came, for one night only, for Labor Day 1937, playing from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.  In 1938 the Tuesday night dances were sponsored by the Embassy Club. 

There were also Sunday night dances promoted by Sammy Rose, a local dance veteran, in 1937-38.  Another Sunday night attraction in late July 1939 was Rita Rio and her all-female orchestra.  She had recently appeared in the Eddie Cantor movie “Strike Me Pink.”

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Copyright 2007 F. Charles Petrillo