A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

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Entry from June 25, 2021
“Big Apple” (spoken by Frank Sinatra, 1950)

American singer and actor Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) had a radio show called Light-Up Time, sponsored by Lucky Strike cigarettes. On the show for March 28, 1950, this is how Frank Sinatra introduced American operatic soprano Dorothy Kirsten (1910-1992):
       
“Hi, uptowners. Here’s the sweetie pie who last night sang for the upper crust for the Metropolitan Opera Company in Boston, but tonight she’s back with us in the Big Apple, Miss Dorothy Kirsten.”
       
     
Wikipedia: Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert Sinatra (/sɪˈnɑːtrə/; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
     
Wikipedia: The Frank Sinatra Show (radio program)
Light-Up Time (1949–50)
Media critic John Crosby called the teaming of Sinatra and opera singer Dorothy Kirsten “what seems at first, or even second, blush to be the most unlikely combinations of singers on the air.” The two singers co-starred in Sinatra’s Light-Up Time, the title of which came from an advertising slogan for sponsor Lucky Strike cigarettes. The slogan: “Light up a Lucky—it’s light-up time.” Jeff Alexander led the orchestra, and Don Wilson was the announcer. The program debuted September 5, 1949 and ended June 2, 1950. In March 1950, film commitments prevented Alexander from continuing on the program, and Skitch Henderson became the program’s orchestra leader.
 
Old Time Radio Catalog (OTRCAT)
Staring Frank Sinatra, Light-up Time is a swinging music program with special guest stars. A perfect compliment with a smooth smoke, Lucky Strike sponsored Light-out Time. An AFRS broadcast, old blue eyes smooth talks the audience in Light-up Time which is an enjoyable music program perfect for after work.
 
Don Wilson served as announcer on Light-up Time and co-hosts include Dorothy Kirsten, Jeff Clark and Skitch Henderson and His Orchestra.
 
Frank Sinatra makes a laidback host to this fine old time radio music program making an easy listening 15 minutes of music entertainment. Popular tunes featured in Lucky Strike Light-up Time include happy tunes. Lucky Strike Brand Cigarettes had a slogan that said “Be Happy-Go Lucky” which suits this program perfectly.
 
OTRCAT
(Light-Up Time from March 28, 1950—ed.)
2:14
“Hi, uptowners. Here’s the sweetie pie who last night sang for the upper crust for the Metropolitan Opera Company in Boston, but tonight she’s back with us in the Big Apple, Miss Dorothy Kirsten.”
   
Radio Echoes
Frank Sinatra Light Up Time
Now Playing: First Song Idve Baked A Cake
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.03.28
2:14
“Hi, uptowners. Here’s the sweetie pie who last night sang for the upper crust for the Metropolitan Opera Company in Boston, but tonight she’s back with us in the Big Apple, Miss Dorothy Kirsten.”

Posted by Barry Popik
New York CityThe Big Apple1940s-1950s: Assorted Big Apple citations • Friday, June 25, 2021 • Permalink


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