Podcast appearances and mentions of Joe E Lewis

***SPOILERS AHEAD - LISTEN TO EPISODE 47 FIRST*** It is now post time.  Selected resources and links mentioned this week: * Follow @covidconsciousqueersnaarm on Instagram * Godmother of Elvis Sightings video essay by Johnny Law & Order * TCBCast After Dark, Rabia's new side project with Justin Gausman, which you can hear by subscribing to the TCBCast patreon. * Art Cohn - The Joker is Wild (1955) * Chris Heath - Feel: Robbie Williams (2004) * Joe E. Lewis - "The Groom Couldn't Get In" (1948) * Joe E. Lewis - It Is Now Post Time (1961) * Son of the Mask (2005) * Heckler (Jamie Kennedy, 2006) * Footage of The Joker is Wild premiere  * Episode of What's My Line with Joe E. Lewis, 8 October 1961 website: suddenlypod.gay contact: suddenlypod at gmail dot com donate: ko-fi.com/suddenlypod  

What if someone slashed Sinatra's vocal cords at the height of his powers? Would he still be able to cut it in showbiz off his charm alone? Could he get into comedy instead of music? More importantly, what would be left of the man without his act? Of all the fictional characters Sinatra portrayed in his early years of dramatic film roles, "Joe E. Lewis" was among the most iconic. This week, we're watching 1957's The Joker is Wild, in which the Lewis persona was presented over an timeline spanning more than 30 years from the early days of vaudeville to the post-war period - with all of this as a backdrop on which to project Sinatra's deepest anxieties and sorrows. This episode features a cover of Bob Dylan's "Jokerman" by John Cruz. website: suddenlypod.gay contact: suddenlypod at gmail dot com donate: ko-fi.com/suddenlypod

GGGACP celebrates the birthday of Grammy-winning singer and recording artist Jack Jones (b. January 14) by revisiting this entertaining interview from 2022. In this episode, Jack joins Gilbert and Frank for a conversation about headlining in the heyday of Vegas, touring Vietnam with Bob Hope, recording the theme from "The Love Boat" and working alongside his dad, actor-singer (and Marx Brothers co-star) Allan Jones. Also: Frank Sinatra plays Charades, Cesar Romero plays matchmaker, Gilbert shares his admiration for Fritz ("pop!") Feld and Jack shares the screen with Jack Benny, Judy Garland and Phil Silvers. PLUS: "Wives and Lovers"! "Playboy After Dark"! The comedy of Joe E. Lewis! The "charisma" of Ed Sullivan! And Jack reflects on his friendships with Tony Bennett, Steve Lawrence and Don Rickles! (Our thanks to Jim Della Croce and Gino Salomone!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP salutes the incredible life and career of the late writer-producer-director Norman Lear with this ENCORE presentation of a 2017 interview. In this episode, Norman holds court on a variety of subjects, including the inscrutability of Dean Martin, the Jewishness of Edward G. Robinson, the "inventiveness" of Mickey Rooney and the heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen. Also, Norman woos Frank Sinatra, praises John Amos, presents Jerry Lewis with a one-of-a-kind gift and remembers his friend Carroll O'Connor. PLUS: James Franciscus! Roscoe Lee Browne! "Hot l Baltimore"! Norman buys the Declaration of Independence! And the legend of Joe E. Lewis!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bea Franklin is a shining example of a life well-lived, defying age and adversity with her infectious spirit and zest for life. As the daughter of the iconic Pep Boys' "Jack," Bea has a rich history deeply intertwined with the automotive industry. Yet her journey extends far beyond her family's business legacy.Born almost 99 years ago, Bea is a testament to resilience and vitality. She proudly carries the title of a breast cancer survivor, inspiring others with her strength and determination. Bea's longevity is matched only by her vibrant personality, and she remains a true force to be reckoned with.One of the unique features that set Bea apart is her heterochromatic eyes—she possesses one blue eye and one brown eye. This rare trait, found in less than 200,000 individuals in the United States, is just one of the many fascinating aspects of Bea's captivating persona.Having served as a school librarian in her earlier years, Bea's love for knowledge and literature is evident. However, it was her serendipitous encounter with Corporal Jerry Franklin on November 4, 1945, that would forever change her life. The couple married in a spontaneous elopement just weeks later, on November 30, 1945, and remained devoted partners for an incredible 51 years.Bea's life is a testament to living life to the fullest. She has travelled the world, explored various countries spanning over 30 nations and visited 30 states across the United States. With a passion for theatre, Bea frequents upscale New York City restaurants and delights in the vibrant energy of Broadway shows. Her love for the arts extends beyond the stage, as she cherishes her friendships with accomplished actors and actresses, often travelling to support them during their performances in touring companies throughout the United States.Despite living in an age where landline phones are rare, Bea still proudly holds onto the same phone number she obtained in 1958—a true testament to her unwavering spirit and connection to the past.Bea's father, "Jack," co-founded the iconic Pep Boys brand and logo in 1921, leaving an indelible mark on automotive history. In addition to this achievement, he went on to establish another successful chain of stores, Strauss Stores, after relocating to New York City. The family's contributions to the automotive industry are deeply rooted in Bea's personal history.Through her late husband's lens, Bea bears witness to rare World War Two photographs that capture the unfolding events of history. Corporal Jerry Franklin, a US Army photographer with the Signal Corps' 163rd Photo Company, documented the invasions throughout Europe and North Africa. His gripping images include the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp, as well as encounters with renowned figures like Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Humphrey Bogart, Mickey Rooney, and Joe E. Lewis.As an engaging storyteller, Bea recounts her humorous experience of serving lunch to a future US President with an attitude. Her home has been a hub of social gatherings, welcoming influential individuals such as a US President, legendary boxing champion and TV personality Rocky Graziano, and prominent NHL players from the New York Rangers.Bea Franklin epitomizes a life filled with adventure, resilience, and genuine connections. Her experiences and recollections offer invaluable insights into a bygone era and inspire others to embrace every moment, cherishing the memories that shape our lives. As Bea continues to share her secrets to a fulfilling life, she leaves an indelible mark on all who have the pleasure of knowing her. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1929, Al Capone was worth an inflation adjusted 1.5 Billion Dollars. Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Chicago. Most speakeasies and night clubs serving illicit alcohol provided entertainment in some form, mostly jazz or a vocalist with a band.  One of these entertainers named Joe E. Lewis was a regular performer at the Green Mill, a club that was owned by the Outfit.  As compensation, Al Capone gave Jack McGurn a piece of the club's profits and when McGurn found out that Lewis was not going to renew his contract and was going to earn more money at the Rendezvous, a North Side Gang operation, he confronted the singer-comedian and told him he couldn't leave. Joe E. Lewis Lewis brushed him off, said his contract was up and that was that.  He actually performed at the Rendezvous for a week, protected by a bodyguard who accompanied him to and from his hotel residence.  Lewis then decided he didn't need protection, that McGurn had only been trying to scare him.  On November 9, 1927, seven days after he opened at his new club, three men showed up at Lewis' Commonwealth Hotel room, burst in on the sleepy Lewis when he opened the door and pistol whipped him into unconsciousness.  Then one assailant took a large knife to Lewis' throat and mouth and even cut off part of the singer's tongue.  Although they could have merely shot the defiant entertainer, the thugs instead sent a terrible message to Lewis and any other performer who attempted to assert such independence.  Joe E. Lewis managed to crawl into the hallway and was quickly taken to a hospital where he underwent extensive but successful surgery.  He recovered but eventually became a stand-up comedian, his voice now a bullfrog like croak, no longer able to belt out night club standards.  Ironically, most likely to counter the public outcry over the incident, Al Capone actually went out of his way to patch things up, claiming to Lewis personally that he knew nothing about the attack and that Joe should have come to him personally if he had a problem.  Capone also got him back to the Green Mill, equaling his deal at the Rendezvous, and gave Lewis winning tips at dog and horse races controlled by the Outfit.  Lewis' career continued successfully well into the sixties, and a biographical film starring Frank Sinatra called the Joker Is Wild was produced in 1957, reiterating Lewis' terrible ordeal and recovery. Al Capone, Philadelphia mug shot after firearms arrest While this investigation proceeded laboriously, in mid-1929, a curious incident occurred which only added to the mysterious lore surrounding Al Capone.  In mid-May of 1929, Capone traveled to Atlantic City to participate in what became known as the Atlantic City Conference.  Organized by Meyer Lansky, this gathering included almost all of American organized crime including Capone, Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello and many other gangsters from all over the US.  The meeting was the first attempt by the American underworld to set up a national organization to oversee and make decisions to divide territory and adjudicate disputes without violence.  Another underlying issue was a resolve to minimize the attention that Al Capone was generating, involving both the type of violence that occurred with the St. Valentines Day Massacre and Capone himself, who routinely sought out positive media coverage and made himself publicly prominent to the point of celebrity, behavior that created hostility from other prominent underworld figures who abhorred attention of any kind.  Following the conference, which concluded on May 16, Capone intended to return to Chicago by train via Philadelphia.  With some time on his hands, he and a bodyguard went to a movie and when the film ended, upon leaving the theater, both men were arrested, searched and found in possession of a firearm, in Capone's case a .38 caliber revolver. Capone, Time Magazine, 1930 .  But his respite was brief, In late April, the Chicago Crime Commission, a watch-dog collection of businessmen with no legal standing issued a list of the 14 most prominent Public enemies in the city.  Headlines about this list screamed over the front pages of every American newspaper and when Capone attempted to lie low in Miami, he was continually arrested there as a public nuisance, harassment that he eventually successfully fought in court. Al Capone, mug shot, Atlanta Federal Penitentiary Al Capone's legal good fortune ran out on October 18 when the jury returned with a verdict of guilty.  Six days later Capone received a sentence of eleven years, the longest sentence ever imposed for tax evasion.  By comparison, Nitti and Guzik received 18 months and five years respectively.  Although he would appeal, Capone was confined in the Cook County Jail until May 2, 1932, when the Supreme Court of the United States refused to hear his case.  Immediately, the Federal government prepared to send him not to Leavenworth , where Nitti and Guzik languished, but to the penitentiary in Atlanta, the system's harshest.  He began serving his sentence on May 4. Alcatraz Island and former Federal prison On August 19, 1934 Al Capone was placed on another train with 42 other prisoners, a train that was very different from his ride to Atlanta on the Dixie Flyer where he interacted with other civilians and played cards.  It was armored with bulletproof plating, its windows barred, the Atlanta prison warden and numerous heavily armed guards along for the ride.  The occupants were not told of their destination, but rumors had swirled for months about a new federal prison, even harsher than Atlanta, an escape proof dungeon on an island in San Francisco Bay.  It was called Alcatraz. Alcatraz, Prisoner Number 85 Because of his notoriety, his propensity for braggadocio about past criminal exploits and his constant demands from the warden for special treatment, Al Capone was not a popular inmate.  In fact, on June 26, 1936, another inmate stabbed him with the detachable blade of a pair of barber shears, which Capone survived. Al Capone, Terminal Island Finally, unwillingly to merely release Capone before his time, the Bureau of Prisons allowed his transfer to Terminal Island, in San Pedro, California on January 6, 1939.  By now, Capone's mental capacity was utterly diminished, his conversation peppered with the mention of celebrities. exploits and future plans that were utterly delusional.  Neither the Capone family or the Federal government wanted the spectacle of a public release of Al Capone.  Government doctors recommended that the family consign Capone to the care of members of the medical staff at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, the leading specialists in the nation on the treatment of neurosyphilis.  Capone was secretly transferred to the penitentiary at Lewisburg, PA and then officially released on November 16, 1939. Machine Gun Jack McGurn grave, Chicago It took longer, but the demise of Jack McGurn was perhaps the most illustrative example of how quickly Capone's power diminished.  McGurn was always considered a braggart and a hothead, and with Capone gone, Frank Nitti had no use for him, McGurn too recognizable as a hitman.  For a while McGurn tried to hustle a living as a golf pro, hanging out at a mobbed up Chicago golf course of which he was a part owner.  By 1936, still married to Louise Rolfe, McGurn was broke, hadn't killed anyone in years and was rumored to have threatened Frank Nitti if Capone's successor didn't let him back into the rackets.  On February 14, 1936, seven years to the day after the infamous massacre he allegedly planned, Jack McGurn was bowling with two buddies, a regular Friday night outing.  Shortly after midnight, three gunmen burst into the bowling alley and methodically shot him fatally in the head and back.  Although technically, February 15, earlier on Valentine's Day, someone knowing that McGurn would be at the bowling alley, left him an inscribed Valentine with a drawing of a couple, apparently in need of cash, standing gloomily with a For Sale sign next to their worldly goods.  The printed message inside read: “You've lost your job; you've lost your dough; Your jewels and cars and handsome houses! But things could still be worse, you know… At least you haven't lost your trousas!”

In 1929, Al Capone was worth an inflation adjusted 1.5 Billion Dollars. Most speakeasies and night clubs serving illicit alcohol provided entertainment in some form, mostly jazz or a vocalist with a band.  One of these entertainers named Joe E. Lewis was a regular performer at the Green Mill, a club that was owned by the Outfit.  As compensation, Al Capone gave Jack McGurn a piece of the club's profits and when McGurn found out … Continue reading Al Capone (Volume 5, Episode 4) Part Two →

Grammy-winning singer and recording artist Jack Jones joins Gilbert and Frank for a captivating conversation about headlining in the heyday of Vegas, touring Vietnam with Bob Hope, recording the theme from "The Love Boat" and working alongside his dad, matinee idol (and Marx Brothers co-star) Allan Jones. Also: Frank Sinatra plays Charades, Cesar Romero plays matchmaker, Gilbert shares his admiration for Fritz Feld and Jack shares the screen with Judy Garland, George Jessel, Jack Benny and Phil Silvers. PLUS: "Wives and Lovers"! "Playboy After Dark"! The comedy of Joe E. Lewis! The "charisma" of Ed Sullivan! And Jack reflects on his friendships with Tony Bennett, Steve Lawrence and Don Rickles! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacqueline Susann's life was more dramatic than any of the novels she wrote. She made her Broadway debut in Clare Boothe Luce's landmark The Women, worked in theatre, as a showgirl, in radio and television for more than twenty years. After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Jackie wrote for her life, and finally achieved wealth and fame. She wrote each day from 10 to 5 for 18 months. Jackie's media and marketing savvy was instrumental in the success of Valley of the Dolls. Jackie's first love, comedian Joe E. Lewis always told her never go to Hollywood unless they send for you. When they sent for Jackie, she went in style for her Hitchcock moment, a cameo in the screen version of her novel. The production may have been chaos, but the women in the cast agreed on one thing--they all hated director Mark Robson.

Known for his different style of comedy and funny facial expressions, Joe E. Lewis brings his style of laughter to the microphones of Jailhouse Radio.Marvin Gaye graces the stage with his musical hits over so many years. Listen to the memories.Grady L. makes memories every time he says something. Today is no different.Enjoy!

Highlights of old-time radio shows. Golden Days of Radio begin in 1949 and is still being broadcast today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Kurt Elling  sits down with Gary to discuss a broad range of topics.  With Roscoe at Cinecon, Gary flies solo in this one-on-one interview session. Learn more about Kurt in this bio from a recent concert and at KurtElling.com Gary gives a little background on his friendship with Kurt. One highlight was when Kurt sang the first dance at Gary and Betsy's wedding reception almost 10 years ago. Gary requested the classic 1952 song, That's All,  written  by Allen Brandt & Bob Haymes. First sung by Nat King Cole in 1957, it has been covered by an amazing group of artists such as Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme and Judy Garland. See list. Here is Kurt singing with his then 3-week old daughter Luiza, accompanied by the magnificent Becky Menzie. (Beckie and Tom Michael also sang many favorites at our very musical reception.) Thanks to our friend and audio engineer extraordinaire, John, we are lucky enough to have a recording from that day. Gary asked Kurt if we could share it on the show and he generously agreed. So look for his gorgeous rendition of That's All at the end of the episode! Not to be missed. Kurt talks about his newest CD release Passion World, the inspirations behind the creation of the album and the sources of his song selections. Kurt's aim is to share some of the world's greatest sounds and greatest songs. He also wanted to involve musician friends who inspire him from all over the world, such as French accordionist, Richard Galliano. He talks about the unusual way this CD was recorded in various venues. Gary says this is his all-time favorite Kurt Elling CD.  Learn More about Passion World Kurt talks about his most favorite world destinations. He says that one of them, Holland "is a jazz country." He says he's considered to be very amusing by the Dutch. We think he's pretty funny too.  Check out the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland Kurt discusses his early training in theology and the role spirituality plays in his work. He gives us some fascinating background on the nature and history of Jazz, explaining how it is actually composition in real time. Read more about jazz here. He talks about scatting and the way improvisation works in Jazz.  Ella Fitgerald & Mel Torme scatting at the Grammy Awards. We ask Kurt about his most memorable theatrical experiences, including a recent encounter with Broadway's Something Rotten, starring friend of the show, Brian D'Arcy James read more.  Kurt reveals that he is at work on a theatre piece based on the life of legendary crooner - and later comedian - Joe E. Lewis read more, who was a fixture at Kurt's long-time home club, the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge Wiki Link. This is a project we can't wait to see come to fruition! We will keep you posted on its progress. We play a little Chat Pack and learn more about the man behind the music. Gary invites Kurt to move back home to Chicago soon. They talk about his magnificent concert with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra on August 12. He played to a capacity crowd in Millennium Park on a a perfect Chicago summer night. Gary tells us about another of his favorite restaurants, The Gage, and our upcoming drawing for a $100 Gift Card. Sign up for our AList@booth-one.com for your chance to win. The drawing will be held on October 15 with the winner announced on our website. Kiss of Death: Frances Kroll Ring - Secretary to F. Scott Fitzgerald during his final years while writing The Last Tycoon.  Read the full obit from the L.A. Times    

Bill Friedman wrote the award-winning, Depression era, true-crime All Against The Law. He wrote the groundbreaking research work Designing Casinos to Dominate the Competition, published by the University of Nevada Reno. He is also author of the seminal book for succeeding in the casino business, Casino Management. He taught the pioneer course in casino management for UNLV’s College of Hotel Administration during the decade of the 1970s. Friedman was president of the Castaways Hotel and Casino and the Silver Slipper Casino in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip for thirteen years. He transformed them from perennial losers into super successes, consistently in the top of Nevada’s highest profit-per-square-foot performers. Friedman is president of the Friedman Management Group, which specializes in solving casino marketing, design, and operations problems. He has consulted for forty years to casinos in the U.S. and in England, Monaco, Russia, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and several Caribbean Islands. www.BillFriedmanAuthor.com30 Illegal Years To The Strip is the inside story of Prohibition’s most powerful leaders, who later ran elegant, illegal casinos across America, before moving on to build the glamorous Las Vegas Strip gambling resorts.The seven leaders of the three dominating Prohibition gangs imported the world’s finest liquors on a massive scale. Although in an illegal and dangerous business, these seven espoused traditional business values and rejected the key tools of organized crime - monopoly, violence, and vendetta. This made them the most unlikely gangsters to rise to underworld leadership. But they earned every criminal’s respect, and fate made them the most powerful gangland leaders in American history.In the mid 1900s, these seven leaders stood up to, and restrained, America’s worst villains. The seven prevented many gangland wars and killings. Unbelievably, the most murderous and most psychopathic gang leaders not only admired them but supported them in gangland conflicts.These were the first gangs to work closely together in mutual interest. Joining these three dominating liquor-importers was the violent Chicago Capone gang, as they partnered in both illegal and legal businesses during and after Prohibition. They were also close allies in the complexities, treachery, and violence of underworld politics. Exposed for the first time are the roles actually played by gang leaders Ben Siegel, Meyer Lansky, Charlie Luciano, Frank Costello, Joe Adonis, Al Capone, John Torrio, Frank Nitti, and Moe Dalitz.Some of these seven leaders became powerful over world political kingmakers. Allied with them in New York City politics was Arnold Rothstein, the ultimate gambler. His murder is one of several major gangland killings finally solved here.The biggest-drawing entertainer in these gang leaders’ illegal-casino and Strip-resort showrooms was comedian Joe E. Lewis. He single-highhandedly saved the Copacabana from bankruptcy and turned it into America’s most famous and glamorous nightclub.The careers and relationships of the gang leaders, who together would go on to build the Las Vegas Strip, are presented for the first time in this thoroughly documented, in-depth, authentic history of how organized crime developed. It contains 546 source notes, and many addendum’s that expose the serious fallacies and outright fictions of previous books about early organized crime.This book is based on 48 years of research that began, when Friedman was drafted during the Vietnam War. A conscientious objector, he was ordered to spend his alternative service in Las Vegas hanging out with gangsters to study the history and operation of organized crime.