Going to the Cotton Club in 1940


When I saw this image on the Duke University website, and saw that it was the Cotton Club, but the address was 48th Street and 7th Avenue, I have to admit to being a bit puzzled. Luckily, the internet came to my rescue, and I learned that it moved to the Midtown Theater District in 1936. Apparently it closed in 1940 so this would be one of the last photos of it.

I'm definitely no expert on the history of the Cotton Club, so hopefully that small amount of information is correct. This is the internet, and I know that there are experts out there! So I'm just going to stick to doing what I do best, looking at stuff, and reading the signs.


Looks like Andy Kirk is the big star, he has his name in lights. The sign on the right says: The World Famous "Cotton Club" Presents 2nd World's Fair Edition of the Cotton Club Parade starring Buck and Bubbles, Andy Kirk, Sister Tharpe, Aland & Anise, Tip, Tap & Toe. 50 Sepian Stars with 50 Tall, Tan, Terrific Girls. Dinner $1.25 Sat Sun & [?] 2.99. Music by Andy Kirk and his Clouds of Joy, June Richmond, Mary Lou Williams, Pha. Terrel, Floyd Smith and "Monchito" King of the Conga.


The World's Fair is going on, so I'm gonna go check to see if the date is correct. Hang on. Yep! The World's Fair was in New York in 1939-40 so the date on the Duke site checks out. Looks like we can get some cut-rate souvenirs, so let's go get some while we wait for the show. If we bring them back to the 21st Century we could sell them on eBay!


In fact, we may want to get so much that we'll need more luggage. Luckily, there's plenty for sale right there at Ripley's!


And in case you're wondering why this photo was taken, it was just to prove to that advertisements were displayed properly, like this one for Raleigh cigarettes. Yes, it was legal to have billboards promoting tobacco back then. It looks like Sir Walter there is signaling the start of a horse race. They're off! By the way, just in case you're wondering, yes, the Edison Hotel is still there.


Let's see, anything else? Do you want to get some doughnuts, or a sandwich at Rudley's? Maybe a Havana cigar? Cuban hand made! No, nothing for me, I'm fine. I'm ready for dinner, shall we go in? I want to see the tall, tan, and terrific girls!

Image from the Duke University Library Digital Collections.
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