Evening star., 1942-06-09
After Dark
News and Comment Of the Night Clubs
BY the Spectator.
TYads Marx Resistersd q q. Patent Cknes

oy Vic .
And 20 after months Of devoted
and time-expending service to the
Virginia Home Guards, Burt de-
cided his personal war effort was
not enough, that he must either
Jump into the thing with both feet
or just retire to the shadows. He
resolved to jump. In fact, the
United States Coast Guard may Al
ready call Burt its own. inasmuch
as he left last evening for the
Curtis Bay Receiving Station.
But before he headed for Union
Station 1t was Burt Lopatin's pleas
ure-sort Of tearful-to be honor
guest Of IS friends 1T . surprise
luncheon in his Trans-Lux estab-
hshment. This was Saturday, and
from the look on Mr.. Burt's face.
1t will remain Q day to warm his
soul when cold ocean winds are
whistling through his whiskers.
Materially. there were scores Of gifts
and one big bon-voyage card signed
by scores Of wel-wishers. The
latter item helped especially.
For the duration, then, the task
Of operating Trans-Lux devolves ON
Mrs. Burt, who stoutly declares
there will be no change in policy.
"Y. F. b." even, will be extended
another two weeks and the prize
money doubled for the winning
solution of the enigmatic initials.
So it's carry on" in every respect
for the Burts. And more power to
both of them.
A young lady who had made ar
rangements for . dinner party at
one Of our out-of-door Gases pre-
sented herself early at the place to
see whether everything was in order.
Yes, the table had been properly
reserved and sufdcient places set
for the guests. So she thought she
would tip of tho head waiter - to
what guests to be expecting in order
that they might be steered to the
right table.
There viii be three officers IN
uniform and two ladies'" she In
structed. Don't let them 20
astray, please" And with that she
relaxed at- her table, an eye on the
entrance.
Came . pair Of uniforms to the
head waiter. Much discussion, shAk-
ing OF heads and pointing in her
direction. The uniforms moved On.
Came another uniform: Much dis
cussion, head-shaking and point
set of uniformed men and the head
waiter went through his same con-
scientious inquisition on behalf Of
the young lady At the table, and
this kept up for 10 minutes. by the
end of which time he had had
enough.
He approached the waiting maid.
Madam" he said, II am beginning
to feel like the inspector general Of
the Army. And besides, soldiers are
beginning to laugh. Would you mind
looking for your parties yourself7"
She spotted her companions
eventually. but entirely ON her own
initiative.
You might think 1t Is with in
creasingly detached boredom that
the Crossroads Ralph Hawkins Is
waving aside offers from New York
band people to join their bands.
It isn't. If Mr.. Hawkins can reach
an agreement with his present con-
tract-holders he will snap fiercely
at the latest oner-from Music
Corporation Of America, which is
no grits and chittNngs sort Of Or
ganization. MICA. 1t appears,
would dearly love to have Ralph
bring his entire band to Gotham
for q five-week stay. starting Au-
gust. in . large hotel spot. Omcial
discussions on the subject are con-
tinuing apace out at the Croesroeds.
Whatever. you may have asked
yourself recently, prompted Owner
Jules James to install those vast
photomontages Of Washington scenes
on the first floor walls Of his Res
taurant 400? The answer Is Is
simple as 1t is logical. Patrons,
apparently newcomers to the city,
suggested the project Is an aid TO
out-of- f-towners desirous Of seeing
the sights, yet unable to locate
them in the labyrinth Of Wash
ington, 1912. OF course. the idea
is unusual and decorative, too
always good reasons for any under
taking Of this sort.
Thus, in sections, five-by-six-feet
Intentionally. patrons Of. 400 may
view Lincoln Memorial, Washington
Monument, all the cleaning struc-
lures which form the Government
triangle; the Capitol, White House,
etc, illuminated by indirect light
ing and free from the jostling which
is an eternal part Of the tourist
mod scene.
It's really very thoughtful Of
Jules.
In any conversation with the
Heintze brothers who play duo
piano in the Restaurant 1913 the
theme inevitably turns to Johann
Strauss II. This is not surprising
In view Of the fact that the Heintzes
entertain a consuming love for the
music Of the waltz king, which be-
comes manifest every time they
come within three feet Of q piano.
We learned something about
Strauss, the poseur. In our latest
session Of the 823 Strauss Admira-
ton and Piano Society. It came to
us as q protracted hiss from Brother