The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-03
Breezing Round New York
Where What See Where to Eat and What to Do

New York, August 2-There seems
to be a magical method of helping
thousands of people each week to
get "hep" to places catering to
milling crowds keen on lively en-
tertainment.
One might assume Jack Dempsey S
on Broadway attracts admirers from
all over the globe, and rightly SO.
They represent part Of the nightly
droppers-in and stayers-on for eat
ing, drinking, dancing and enjoying
fast-paced program that keeps
things interesting every minute Of
every hour during each evening.
| Scenic effects with coffee cream
colored back-drop can be seen
through huge Broadway darkened
windows and help to excite those
promenading on the West Side of
the Times Square main stem. Great
numbers of those people stop to
peek in for a lengthy view of the
gaiety of that portion of the
crowd that have made up their mind
on their form of entertainment Of
the moment.
A large number of sailors stand
about the great windows for a
glimpse Of Dempsey's civic enter
prise, undetermined whether to enter
or go on to distance places in search
of fun to pack into their few hours
of liberty.
No such celebrity appeal can be
attached to the name Aquarium on
Seventh Ave. This place makes en-
trance esay by eliminating great
stretches of plate glass windows so
that is being well patronized by
couples who applaude enthusiastic
cally at the end of each crowded
round.
I suspect also that getting ire
mendous patronage here is aided
and accomplished by an old trick
of croWd-gathering. Huge mirrors
reflect a tightly packed dance
patronage making the scene appear
twice it's size.
Nothing succeeds quite so we'll m
making people stop and patronize,
than a great throng of willing and
eager customers already assembled.
Crowds seem to be very important
to the success of most enterprises.
Hot" musicians blare forth their
tunes, entertainers demonstrate their
wares and merry makers on their
way up or down the east side of
Seventh Avenue stop. look and lis
ten. A few join the ever swelling
crowd, some staying to dance, others
after their short visit continue their
ambling in darkened Times Square.
These places are on what might
be called natural Broadway
Boardwalk" The area seems more
like beach fun section every week.
Just beyond The bright light but
dimmed area is less pretensious
side street known as West 51st. On
its southern side between Seventh
and Sixth Avenues is side door to
the Taft Hotel, Stage entrance to
the Roxy, and a long stretch Of
darkened tents Of an intended
circus.
Almost as dismal is the north side
OF the street. One lighted place can
be distinguished as the Ace. There
is nothing to make 1t appear any
different than side street taverns.
Inside is a bedlam OF activity Ace
management evidently has the
knack of getting people hep" to
their fun spot.
There Is more young blood and
action on the dance floor here than
to be found generally in place its
size. Any patron beyond the age OF
26 is an old timer. Any gray haired
men wandering into the place are
good naturedly addressed as "sher-
lock Holmes" If sporting a pipe.
Everybody talks to anybody without
introduction and on any topic that
seems agreeable.
AS view the scene 1t reminded
me of a remark by soldier Of his
early experiences at chow time. He
said there isn't any such thing