|
June Kassel's lengthy story of just how she became a Copa girl was followed by an exchange of several additional e-mails between her and Copa book author Kristin Baggalaar. They reveal even more about her experiences as a Copa girl during the late 1950's. June's responses to Kristin's comments or questions are shown in blue.
From:
Kristin Baggelaar
Hi June, Your description of trying out to be a Copa Girl was fabulous. It gives all the rest of us the feeling of what it was like. How funny that it wasn't even your intention originally to audition. Never entered my mind…..ever. What a shocker. You obviously had the "look" they wanted. I understand the “look” was very important. A very nice compliment. I'm sure you were (are) very beautiful. Offhand I don't recognize any of the names of the other girls in your line; no one w/ whom I've connected thus far. Let me go through some files and see who I can find from that time period. I did see Candace Hillagoss in a couple of TV dramas….one Hallmark or Kraft theater and a Twilight Zone. She was basically an actress. You mentioned walking to the Copa in the Spring. Do you remember what shows you were in? Jan-March? I started rehearsing in late November and we opened after the Christmas show ended, then the end of April or early May I got pneumonia ( I know it was warm weather) so I was there only 5 months. April-June? As a rule the Copa shows ran for three months, as you know; so I assume you were in two shows if you were there for 6 months. They combined the Jan to June shows for economic reasons I understand. I would go back stage if I was in the area to see the girls so they told me no costume changes for the summer shows. I might have Variety listings from then, if you can give me the names of some of the headliners as a point of reference. Johnny Mathis, Phil Ford and Mimi Hines, Tony Bennett, Corbet Monica, Sammy Davis, and Frankie Laine, Can’t recall any more at the moment…..1958 and 59. Keith Brasselle wrote the songs for the show if that’s any help. Best
wishes,
From: Kristin Baggelaar
Hi June, I found one of the shows that you referenced in your previous e-mail. Variety, Night Club Review, Feb. 11, 1959 lists Johnny Mathis, Corbett Monica, Vivian Cook, Zeme North, Ron Stewart, Paul Shelley & Frank Marti Orchs; staged by Doug Coudy; music & lyrics, Mel Mitchell, Marvin Kahn; costumes, Billy Livingston. That’s it….all those folks were there. Variety mentioned that, "The Copa is shelling out a heavier budget than usual this year. That’s why there were no costume changes from January. Aside from Skelton and Martin, the nitery pacted Prima & Smith. Louie Prima ended up being my brother in law in 1962, He auditioned singers in NJ after he and Keely split so my younger sister went for it. She was only 19 and had sung a bit with local bands but loved Keely’s voice. So she knew all the arrangements and sang in her key. She was hired on the spot and they were married the next year. In 1975, he died of a brain tumor after lingering in a coma for 3 years (his sister was a nun and was against pulling the plug). Their son and daughter play Vegas and Atlantic City doing retrospectives of their father, which my sister produces. to start May 7, followed
by Tony Martin on May 21. Nitery has also signed for the N.Y. bow
of Ford & Hines on the same bill w/ Tony Bennett, Feb 26. Mimi
and Phil were adorable. Great act. Lena Horne got very ill
one night up in the Rainbow Room and they were asked if they could replace
her. Mimi went ballistic. She was so thrilled. We all
went one night at a table she reserved for us…what a thrill. That’s
when they got Broadway shows and lots of TV exposure. Then they divorced.
I saw Mimi on a Frazier show in a bit part as a very fat nosy neighbor…..unbelievable
as she had a dynamite body at the Copa.
The only name that pops out is from the Sept. 1958 show (I don't know if you were there then), which is Toni Arden. She wrote a book with lots of photos of the ‘40’s and early ‘50’s Copa. She is a singer, not a CG, of course, but she and I have been in touch off-and-on for the past few years. I've had contact w/ one CG from that era, come to think of it - her name is Phyllis Ford; she told me she was in the line in June 1958 for the Ella Fitzgerald show. I believe she continued there throught the summer of 1958, w/ headliners Martin & Rossi, Jill Corey, and others. It seems like she might have left shortly before you came on board, right? I think she's the closest I can come to knowing other CG's from then. Too bad. It would be fun to see our group. Thanks so much for your efforts. I might have reviews for some of these shows, if you're interested. Did you save any clippings? If you have any photos we could post them w/ captions @ the Copa site, if you'd like. Everything I had was burned in a very bad fire we had and all I have left is one fading, 8 x 10 b/w photo of me and one of my roommates with the Copa logo on the cover of the souvenir folder. Best wishes, Thanks
again. June
From: Kristin Baggelaar To: June Kassel Sent: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 Subject: RE: Feb '59 show Hi June, How nice to hear back from you - and so quickly. Thanks for being so understanding about my e-mail botch job...very interesting about your connection w/ Louis Prima. BTW - what name did you use when you were at the Copa? June Maione……I forgot how traumatized I was to have to go to the police station and be fingerprinted for a cabaret license……I was using June Grace when I modeled but because I was fingerprinted, I used my family name. I was sorry to hear that you suffered a bad fire and lost so much. Maxine Barrat, a dancer from the 40s (Loper & Barrat - they performed a number of times at the Copa) had the same thing happen to her also. Fortunately she had some memorabilia stored at another location, so she didn't lose everything. I'm working on a biography of her now - and I have actually found a treasure trove of photographs at the New York Public Library Billy Rose Theater collection (also some in the NYPL dance collection, too), so we have been able to put together some of the images that had been in her personal collection. I loved how you interjected your thoughts/info into my e-mail - nice way to tie it all together. It seems like you had a memorable and very enjoyable time as a Copa Girl. Please let me know if you have any luck connecting w/ other CGs. If I have any luck, I'll send them your way.... Best wishes,
June Maione Kassel above as a model and . . . as a Copa Girl in the late 1950's: .. 
|
............................
