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ent000898-023

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ent000898-023
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    University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

    *' FREEMAN COMPANY pub/icists - 3 - Martin and Lewis, for instance, remember well that it was Jack Entratter who signed them to their first big-time break, when he scouted them at the Capitol Theatre in New Yodc, 19^7?╟≤ They were appearing as an unheralded attraction tinder Xavier Cugat, but Entratter thought enough of them to sign them for the NEXT 5 YEARS for his Copacabana shows. The top comedy team remembers that well enough today to sign with Entratter for the NEXT $ YEARS to appear 3 weeks annually at his Sands Hotelin' Las Vegas, as individual stars. It was this kind of foresight?╟≤ ?╟≤ ?╟≤ ?╟≤and planning that made Mr. Entratter sign Johnny Bay for $300 a week, when he first spotted him singing in a small bar in Queens, New York, while watching another bigger act. Miss Bankhead did her first nightclub engage- ment for Jack Entratter and will appear only for him for the next three years. Van Johnson, the movie star, had never appeared on a nightclub floor?╟≤ Mr. Entratter convinced him into going onto the stage before live people for the first time and advanced him his first week's salary of $15*000 to pay special material writers and choreographers to work up an excellent act for Van. As a result, Johnson's 10 year attempt to get a musical part in pictures was helped by his Sands engagement, and he landed a starring role in "Brlgadoon" and a whole new movie career for himself. It was Entratter's confidence in Ezio Finza that prompted the great singing star to debut a nightclub act at the Sands. Now he is signed to do 3 weeks there annually as his only nightclub engagement in America. Another example of showmanship was the teaming of Robert Merrill and Louis Armstrong in a "Jazz versus Opera" production that proved so successful, the two stars will tour the country in the same type of show ?╟÷ "High Hat and Low Down" ?╟÷ produced by Entratter. Another accomplishment never attempted before in nightclubs was the presentation by Entratter of a different star each ni^bt to celebrate the First Anni- versary of the Sands, instead of a single star for the entire week. 9508 WILSHIRE BLVD. ?╟≤ BEVERLY HILLS, CAL. ?╟≤ BRADSHAW 2-8611