Evening star., 1942-04-09
After Dark
News and Comment of the Night Clubs.
BY the Spectator

4OlllSuG lS Lklc IIlBuG L1cy WILL DC
sharpening their claws for their
latest predatory swoop, and de-
scending on the Victory Room. The
victims, of course, will be Benny
Goodman and his band who pay q
snatch Of q visit to Mrs. Kramer's
place at that time, to depart again
before ot,sters have essayed their
first tentative Friday crows. The
swoopers, it need hardly be said,
are that tireless pack, the autograph
retrievers.
In the hush Of early evening one
may be able to discern the gentle
sucking noises of fountain pens be-
ing filled and the rustic of sheaves
Of notepaper, as signature flends all
over prepare for another gala round.
That is always the way 1t goes when
a name of significance comes within
easy public reach.
Whether it is affection or simple
mania that impels persons to such
activity, no one will ever know.
Seemingly, the mass urge to risk
trampling or at least q severe el-
bowling for the sake of some notable
scrawl warrants the extended exam
nation Of your Freuds and Brills.
Diagnosis could not possibly be
made by an amateur In the space
of a single evening with its frenzied
confusion OF straining faces, flop
ping arms and bodies flercely shov-
ing.
On occasions like these, there is
also to be taken into consideration
the aspect of the other spectators,
those safe from the ravages of Auto
graphus Americanus. Those pitiful
souls who forsook doing the dishes
or studying reports to fulfill a de-
sire only to without being
bowled over by swift passersby. Or
those who wanted merely to sit and
contemplate the orchestra without
having to mount a chair in order to
see beyond the heads Of addicts
wedged 30-deep about the band
stand. Expressions on the faces OF
many of these unfortunates fire.
quently would seem to indicate q
wish for sub-machine guns in hands
normally accustomed to transport
ing glasses Of cider.
Inorganic appointments of dine
wine spots 50 invaded also have
been known to suffer inroads. The
good Mr.. Goodman cites a few clas-
sic examples, such as the increas-
ing use of tablecloths for auto
graphing purposes. And napkins
employed by the conservative ele-
ment. OF course, arrangements
smile benignly when their equip
ment is put to such noteworthy
service.
Mr.. Goodman, in fact, has a spe-
cial blunt-pointed pen for signing
the above type of linen ware, to say
nothing Of crazy quilts which have
been submitted for his kind in
dulgence in the course Of his long
career with pen, ink and clarinet.
And some have even asked Benny
to fill his pen with catsup for the
ceremony.
Come to think of it, signature
seekers should be compelled in their
quests to use crazy quilts only.
Crazy quilts to be inscribed with
catsup, at all times.
Or would glue be more desirable?
Herbie Sachs fondly planned
Mahogany Room has begun at last
to take definite shape. Mr.. Sachs,
in fact, goes so far as to predict the
new Del Rio adjunct will be ready
to accommodate its public by April
81. Capacity of the den will be
IS males during the afternoon cock
tail hour, and a like number of
mixed company In hours thereafter.
The mahogany that goes into the
Mahogany Room is made up mostly
of seasoned timber drom the carved
fixtures left by a former occupant
Of the building) and Of new ma
terial to round out the panelling
effect which extends right. up to the
ceiling. Motif will be subdued:
Pale blue lighting, white grained
leather settee all around, mahog-
any frame leather chairs.
The next report you hear will be
Herbie bursting with pride and en-
thusiasm.
Next Tuesday the Willard throws
open a new set Of doors facing Four
teenth street to admit patrons to