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.

Recent entries:
•“Never underestimate my desire at any given moment to go home” (4/23)
•“I’m a better person when I’m tan and holding a margarita” (4/23)
•“You ARE a good driver. That curb DOESN’T belong there” (4/23)
•“‘It’s been a long week.’—Me, in the middle of Tuesday” (4/23)
•“Buying frozen pizza is such a lie. ‘Oh I’ll save this for when I don’t feel like cooking’. Surprise, surprise. Day one” (4/22)
More new entries...

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z


Entry from July 22, 2004
If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere
if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York
--The song "New York, New York" (1977)
by Fred Ebb and John Kander


This was a familiar saying in the entertainment world before it was immortalized in the above song/anthem. I don't know who started it, but the first citation below is interesting. As I always say, if I can make it in Julie Newmar's underwear, I can make it anywhere.



8 February 1959, New York Times, pg. SM30:
"Most people," she (actress Julie Newmar--ed.) said, "are contented with mediocrity. I want the best of everything." She expanded on that. "I want, say, the best fruit, the best clothes, the best underwear, even if I'm the only one knows I'm wearing it. That's why I came to New York. Because if you make it here, you make it anywhere."


6 April 1964, New York Times, pg. 116:
"This is New York. If you can't make it here, you can't make it anywhere."


26 May 1968, New York Times, pg. D23:
"If You Can Make It Here..."
By MEL WATKINS


Posted by Barry Popik
Names/Phrases • Thursday, July 22, 2004 • Permalink


Commenting is not available in this channel entry.