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THE COPA: JULES PODELL AND THE HOTTEST CLUB NORTH OF HAVANA by by Mickey Podell-Raber and Charles Pignone

November 5th, 2007 by Scott Marks

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The Copa: Jules Podell and the Hottest Club North of Havana by Mickey Podell-Raber and Charles Pignone

Published by Harper Collins

212 pages / $26.95

The closest I ever got to The Copacabana was watching Joey take Vickie there in Raging Bull or following Ray Liotta to his impromptu ringside table in Goodfellas.

Even though I couldn’t pick the place out in a line up, the name alone conjures up images of showbiz royalty. You weren’t born until you played The Copa.

Monte Proser’s Copacabana nightclub opened it’s doors in October of 1940. While Proser’s name was on the lease, everybody who is anybody knew that the he was fronting for mobster Frank Costello.

Prior to running The Copa, Jules Podell operated a Coney Island restaurant, a Fulton Street chophouse and the Kit Kat Club. By 1950, all traces of Monte Proser vanished and Jules Podell’s name adorned the awnings and menus. According to Ms. Podell-Raber, the exact details behind the change of power “remain unclear.”

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Mickey pulls no punches when it comes to painting an honest, unflinching portrait of her father. In addition to talk of his mob affiliations, she’s very open about dear old dad’s “racist tendencies.” Jules Podell issued strict instructions that no blacks be allowed entrance to his club.

In 1944, serviceman Harry Belafonte was denied admittance to the club due to the color of his skin

Years later, when Sammy Davis, Jr. (accompanied by Buddy Rich) showed up at Franks Sinatra’s behest, the doorman couldn’t seem to locate their names on the reservation list and curtly turned them away.

When a report of the incident was filed with Mr. Sinatra, he nearly had a thrombo. He read Podell and General Manager Jack Entratter the riot act. Mr. Davis, Jr. was his invited guest and as such will be treated with the utmost respect. Furthermore, were Mr. Sinatra to yell and scream it might harm his vocal cords thus forcing them to cancel his engagement.

Color was no longer an issue once Podell learned of Sammy’s ability to pack the place. Sammy continued to play The Copa up until Jules Podell’s death. The same is true of Harry Belafonte who was a star attraction in the 1950s.

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The author is not so kind to Jerry Lewis. Dean & Jerry started playing The Copa two year after they paired up. While she had a crush on the handsome Italian, “Jerry could be loud and obnoxious.” She goes on to say that Jerry was mean, unfunny and didn’t really like children.

The boys’ agent Abby Greshler had been trying to sell Jack Entratter on the act and each time he took a pass. When he finally agreed to give them a shot it was as Vivian Blane’s opening act, something M&L did not cotton to. Greshler convinced that that if they were a hit at The Copa, they could write their own tickets to superstardom.

The duo made such an impression on the April 8, 1948 audience that Ms. Blaine ran from the stage crying after patrons kept interrupting her act with pleas for more Dean & Jerry. Between shows, Podell informed the boys that there would be a change in the billing. Ms. Blaine quit on the spot when told that she would no longer be the headline act.

The most infamous incident in the club’s history took place on the night of May 16, 1957. New York Yankees’ players Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Hank Bauer, Johnny Kucks and Billy martin brought their wives to The Copa to celebrate Martin’s birthday.

Sammy Davis, Jr. was the headliner and during his performance a table of drunken bowlers began taunting the singer with racial slurs. The show was disrupted, tempers flared and before the night was over, one of the bowlers was found lying unconscious, his nose broken, on the bathroom floor.

Many believe that it was Hank Bauer who threw the punch. He denied it, was sued by the bowler and found not guilty. The incident made headlines across the country. Several of the Yankees involved received a $1,000 fine. Yankees management blamed Martin, who they viewed as a bad apple, and traded him to Kansas City.

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Jules Podell

The book is loaded with great stories and pages of sensational photographs. Those interested in learning more about this legendary hot spot and the stars and era that made it the place to see and be seen should seek this one out.

Buy: The Copa: Jules Podell and the Hottest Club North of Havana

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