Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

CAY PA REE Is On THE AIH! A Little Bit of Paris Is Transplanted To California and Broadcast To RomanceLovers From Alaska To Mexico by Jack Cone BERT ROVERE FLASHING feet, throbbing music, hurrying white-coated waiters . . . tinkling glasses . . . laughter . . . color and romance, glowing under soft rosy lights. Paris! The Montmartre . . . with the twinkling lights of the Eiffel tower in the distance . . . suave, softspoken "garcons" hovering over little street-cafe tables with steaming, delectable dishes on their arms for cosmopolitan patrons from all walks of life. "Ladies and gentlemen, you are listening to the Paris Inn, broadcasting a nightly program from KNX," announces Jack Carter from his little telephone booth announcer's box. Radio listeners are familiar with the famous "Singing Waiters" of the Paris Inn, the snappy dance music of Davy Mack's orchestra and the fast, informal program from the Inn. But while much of the intriguing European atmosphere of the place is apparent over the air, only a visit to this unique cafe can really bring the true impression. It is truly a little bit of Paris transplanted to a downtown Los Angeles side street. It is a little world of its own, far removed from the hurrying, unromantic hustle of everyday life, where tired business men and romance-starved city dwellers may go for a few hours of unmarred plasure. Seven years ago Bert Rovere, a Franco-Italian opera star, athlete and business man, and his old friend Innocente Pedroli, once chef to Italian royalty, decided to start a cafe that would be different. They made their new enterprise a replica of a delightful Parisian cafe, and a bored California poured through the Old-World doors of the unique little restaurant. For five years Rovere and Pedroli sang, cooked and smiled their way into the hearts of their followers, and two years ago, they decided they were ready for something bigger. So they moved the Paris Inn a block down the street and remodeled an entire two-story building for their new home. Probably the most unusual innovation by Rovere is his famous "Singing Waiters." All of the garcons have entered into the spirit of the act, and all have good voices. Bert himself leads them out on the floor, where they march two by two around the dance floor, singing as they go. Then they line up in front of the stage and sing their beautiful choruses of rollicking French songs that have made them famous. Occasionally, the waiters roam around among the tables, with their trays on their arms, singing as they go. Every year Rovere stages a waiters' race, that is rapidly becoming one of the novel occasions of the year. Last year thousands of persons gathered to Behind the mike at the Inn is youth . gaiety and music, all in an Old World setting that is a far cry from the hurry and flurry of the American s average life. watch the race; reporters and movie photographers were on the spot to cover it. The race was over a distance of about a mile and a half, through the crowded streets of the city, and finished at the Inn. Waiters from hotels and night clubs from all over the Southland participated. The Paris Inn Waiters' Race is patterned after a similar annual contest held in Paris, and is true to form in all details except the contents of the bottles carried on the trays. Each contestant is required to carry an open bottle of milk and a glass on his tray, and the first one to get to the finish line with milk and glass absolutely intact, wins. This year Rovere has planned an even more elaborate race, and instead of a mile and a half, the distance will be about three miles. The winner will receive $100, with several other prizes for "also rans." There is a spirit at the Inn that is difficult to describe. There is camara[Next Page] RADIO DOINGS Page Nineteen