Phillip
A.
Glass

PHILLIP A. GLASS was the nom de plume for a fellow who wrote a "advertising column" about the Camden and South Jersey bar and nightclub scene in the 1930s. "Phillip A. Glass" is a pun, "fill up a glass" (with now-legal liquor) is the joke here.

I have no idea who wrote this column, or if the picture at left, which purports to be "Phillip A. Glass" is that person. If anyone has a clue to this, please e-mail me.

Phil Cohen

Camden Courier-Post - February 1, 1936

MAKING THE ROUNDS
with
Phillip A. Glass

Here we go again on another epoch making trip .. with much slipping and slid­ing, we managed to mark in our log the following ports of call ... those of you who have followed us in our meanderings will agree that much fun can be had at .he following;

* * *

Congratulations Tom Mayer and Herb Marker for your great find, the Original Blue Jay Orchestra ... besides knowing your mixing business you have keen ears for what's good in the music line ... Many of the Blue Jay's friends have been around to wish them a long run and it looks as though they've clicked .,. I predict many capacity nights for the Hi Hatters Club from now on, the address is 224 Market street, Camden.

* * *

Every nite is party nite at the Lakeview Inn, Cooper street, Almonesson ... Johnny Cusick, fun making "prop" of the Inn, will be glad to extend the hand of hearty welcome to his old pals ... the Rhythm Rascals are still turning out their fine brand of music ... Call Johnny and arrange for a party; number is Blackwood 182.

* * *

Good old Cap the capering captain of Cap's Grille, Northwood avenue, Merchantville, is still doing a whale of a business ... he sure deserves the popularity ... Cap has the happy faculty of making everyone feel at home ... and he makes it his personal pleasure to see to it that you ... and you ... and you, have a rip roarin’ time.

* * *

Eddie Wilson, keeper of the finest copper bar in this territory ... invites you to quaff the foaming beverage with him and the fellows at his lively spot tagged Wilson's Grille, just go down Black Horse Pike to Grant avenue in West Collingswood; can't miss it ... get Eddie to show you some of the fine points of the ancient game of Rummy ... and incidentally he mixes a wicked high­ball.

* * *

Saturday night's the night at the Smart Spot in Batesville. 'Hal" and Mary have asked this column to extend a blanket invitation to all to attend their first anniversary party . .. enjoy one of Mary's own delicious deviled crabs served by Ernie ... listen to Ed Finnegan's 10 magic fingers rhapsodize on the keyboard ... and by the way Hal's brother Ed, who is maestro of the bar at the Hollywood in the big bad city (N, Y. to YOU), is coming down to officiate on the big night ... we'll see you there!

* * *

Balloons, balloons, what if they should burst (happy thought) what a catastrophe that would be down at Abe's Browning Lane Inn, Bellmawr ... Lucille Ray is there with her sensational balloon dance ... the first to be presented around these parts ... Abe figures there ought to be some crowd present with Lucille's presentation; what with a real supporting show full of pep, snap and variety,

* * *

Close your eyes, listen- who is that singing? Who'! 'Morton Downey'! Nope, you're wrong again … that was Johnnie Carns, Downey's voice double ... Johnnie's doing his stuff out at Rodeo Ray Hinkson's Dude Ranch along with a complete, new, all-star floor show which is ably assisted by Curly Mack's orchestra. Travel out the Marlton pike, stranger, 'til you come to 27th street and you're there-Pennsauken's the township.

* * *

In the shadow of the great Delaware River Bridge lies one of Camden's foremost fun spots; to wit, Caesar's Grille, Point and Elm streets, Caesar has been rightly enjoying immense popularity for quite some years- good, clean entertain­ment in a homey atmosphere, wholesome food served properly and good music are the paramount features of Caesar's place ... stop in there tonight- see if you don't agree with us.

* * *

Club Lido, 1411; Broadway, Camden, is still wowing 'em with Joe Camp­bell and his rol1icking crew of merry­makers, which crew includes Elaine Hinkle, Charlotte Clune, and Eddie Carrigan's band … Joe always sees to it that there is something new and different each week for the edification of the cash customers.

* * *

These cold days always bring out a yen on our part for a good hot steaming dish of sauerkraut prepared a'la Beringer... for those addicts to good old fashioned German cooking we can heartily recommend Mrs. Beringer's famous meals, served at 2nd and Federal Sts., Camden. We'll bet you'll come out feeling like "a million" after one of her soul satisfying meals. 

January 15, 1938

January 29, 1938

Camden Courier-Post - February 1, 1938

MAKING THE ROUNDS
with
Phillip A. Glass

Tom Mayers and Herb Marker, two old pals of mine, are twining again at the famous Hi Hatters Club, 224 Market Street, Camden… which means in brief, barrels of fun. If any of you guys and gals haven't as yet paid the boys a visit we're here to tell the world you've missed one grand port of call. That new orchestra is sure packing 'em in with a sax player that plays a mean reed , .. music every night in the week. Stop in for one of those jumbo sandwiches, there's a full meal in every one. Keep in mind that Hi Hatters are out to win the S, J. Golden Dart championship, so if you toss 'em join the best, no fee.

* * *

Danny Rich dancing, singing emcee heads this week's floor show at Joe Macciocca's Genova Cafe, 306 Arch Street, Camden. Danny is ably supported by the famous vaudeville team Of Doyle and O'Donnell with music for dancing by the Royal Hawaiians orchestra, three shows nightly. This famous Arch Street hacienda specializes in Italian food prepared by an Italian chef and any and every favorite dish you desire will be served from the Cafe's complete kitchen. That's a mighty glass of Gretz beer Joe retails, one of the largest I've ever looked o'r... time for 'nother.

Camden Courier-Post - February 12, 1938

MAKING THE ROUNDS
with
Phillip A. Glass

This desk was heaped with replies to last week's riddle and Joe Kelly, mgr. of the Broadway Theatre was besieged with answers at the door. Ans. Hawaiians run 'round till they're down and out . . . Indians run 'round till they're all in. Passes are in the mail.

Here's another riddle and its answer. What's become of the famous S. J. maestro "Reds" Alibone and his orchestra, formerly of the White Way Inn and Steubing Tavern? "Reds" master of the hot sax and his bunch of note swingers are holding forth at my good friend John's Chews Landing Hotel, on the turn of the old section of the Black Horse pike at Chews Landing. John and his father are great team mates for this ace band leader and they should prove a combine worthy of a visit from all you 'rounders. The Inn is large with a spacious dance floor . . . excellent food and drinks.

Danny Richards heads another outstanding revue at Joe Macciocca's hit spot the Genova Cafe, 306 Arch street, Camden, featuring Patsy Taylor, singing and dancing beauty; Betty Brooks, petite dancer, music by the Royal Hawaiian orchestra . . . three shows nitely. As the name Genova implies the Cafe specializes in Italian food . . . full course Italian dinners at 50c, 75c, $1 ... and they're the real McCoy prepared by a native chef. Joe has a tempting business men's lunch every day at 25c, 35c. When it comes to drinks he sports the most complete selection in the city.

Tony Egidi, well known to Camden sports, now proping a spot light rendezvous he is rapidly bringing to the fore , . . Ha-Del Cafe on Chapel avenue, one quarter mile beyond Haddonfleld road, South Merchantville . . . announces an all-new show blending beauty, comedy, singing, dancing and novelty. Mary Hubbard, mistress of ceremonies heads the show with her blues renditions supported by gorgeous Sue Lombard and a host of others making up a bill that Tony justly calls "the largest and best floor show in South Jersey." Music by the Imperial Hawaiians, direct from Steel Pier.

Another riddle. Where are all the Camden boys these nights? Well, they got wind that our good friend Abe down at the Browning Lane Inn, Bellmawr, was having his troubles with a flock of N. Y. cuties. It seems the prop is the only man there and the gals crave company . . . they're easy on the eye and the swellest bunch of entertainers the Inn has had in many moons and that's saying plenty. To name a few: Rose Aurora, Doris Ardroore, Hazel Leonard, Billie Franklin, Jean Andra and Joan Sennett. Shows twice nitely . . . Sunday too.

Down at a spot famous for Its contagious brand of merriment . . . the Silver Slipper Cafe on Pine Hill, one quarter mile from Clementon, they're going to celebrate the seventh anniversary of Wayne and Ina's ball and chain act this Sunday. It shows promise of being a grand time with oodles of fun and stuff as only these two can provide . . . drop down it'll be open house. Our pals the Four Keys orchestra are still packing 'em in every weekend . , . it's a complete orchestra even to an accordion . . . and "Smiles" Ina throws together a great floor show.

If good music you crave and plenty of room to swing your tootsies then drive down to Mr. and Mrs. Applebee's Apple Inn, on Berlin-Cross Keys road, Albion. "Reds" Wright and his Four Gates are supplying plenty of sock in the way of toe tickling chimes these nites . . . and If you'd like to hear an expert on the musical saw this is the place, the best we've ever heard. Keep in mind the barn dance shindig to be held mid real rustic atmosphere here at the Apple on February 18th . . . plans are almost completed so watch this column for all the details next week.

Florrie, the genial hostess of the Mason-Dixie Inn, on the White Horse pike, one block north of the Silver Lake Inn, Clementon, informs me that she has a Valentine party scheduled for Satiday nite ... if we judge it by events the lady has tossed in the past it'll be a wow. Of course the orchestra will be on hand providing backtime for the entertaining talent that frequents the Inn. Suggestion: Mills at the piano and Carl vocalizing. Remember the magician the Ernst family (Bill, Tom, Nellie and Florrie) have booked for next week . . . and does Florrie have the goods on him?

From one extreme to the other . . . that's Wilbur Hess the regular guy in charge of affairs at Hess Tavern, at the intersection of Berlin and Kresson roads, Haddonfleld . . . Wilbur has made a complete change in his music dept. for the coming weekend . . . so 'elp me the boy has me bewildered . . . he's brought in a topnotch group of swingsters, (radio contracts forbid mention of their name). But why should I dwell so much on the rhythmic end of the entertaining features of Hess Tavern when there are so many points to play up, fer instance the moderate prices, excellent quality of food and drinks, etc. . . . well, because dancing at Hess', has always been tops.

If Sunday afternoon or evening is slow in your neck of the woods take a gander out to Cap's Grill on Northwood avenue, South Merchantville . . . bend elbows with as great a gang that ever put foot on a brass rail . . . and the beers fairly shake the bar when you set 'em down they're so big. Cap, the man at the helm down there, tells me in addition to his regular setouts he is specializing hot dogs and sauerkraut . . . real juicy kraut and big meaty franks, 'nough said. Music and floor shows Cap makes no claim to sport . . . but anything else . . . the stuff's there..

February 19, 1938

Lakeview Inn
Almonesson

Silver Slipper Cafe
Pine Hill

Cap's Grille

Silver Slipper Cafe

Kosy Korner Kocktail Bar

Browning Lane Inn

Lakeview Inn

Mason-Dixon Inn

Genova Cafe

Apple's Inn

June 4, 1939

Lakeview Inn
Almonesson

Silver Slipper Cafe
Pine Hill

Rustic Tavern
Route 40 (Route 70), Marlton Pike
Delaware Township (Cherry Hill)