Hello, Dolly O'Day

One thing that always strikes me when I’m scrolling through microfilm of the Lorain Journal from the 1950s and 60s is how vibrant Lorain’s and the surrounding area’s nightlife used to be. In addition to all the local bands and combos, there seemed to be a steady parade of various entertainers and musical acts passing through while on the road making a living.

I’ve highlighted a few of those entertainers, including Woody Ernhart, who was appearing at Ben Hart’s Show Bar back in January 1963.

I also did a post about Zsu Zsa and the “Don’t Stop Go” Review, who appeared at Benny’s China Gate (a later incarnation of Ben Hart’s nighclub) in June 1965.

Well, here’s another entertainer that passed through Lorain County, although a little earlier than the two performers mentioned above. Dolly O’Day, “Continental Star of Stage & Screen” made appearances at Richi’s Tavern (the subject of its own post here) back in February 1952.

Here are two ads for Miss Day’s burlesque act that ran in the Lorain Journal – the first on February 8, 1952 and the second on February 11th.

As you can see from the ad copy, Miss Day’s gimmick was her platinum blonde hair, which was insured by Lloyd’s of London for $10,000.

Later during the same year, this small item in the October 25, 1952 Billboard appeared. It notes that Miss Day, “featured strip and burly first-timer of the blond miniature variety, is being spot-booked on the circuits. She comes from lengthy nitery engagements at the Silver Frolics, Chicago; Paddock, Miami Beach, and others in Tampa, Fla., where she has her home not far away from Jessica Rogers.”

There’s not much information about Dolly online; just a few mentions in men’s magazines, as well as in a book by Jack Espinosa looking back at his days as a comic and emcee. It looks like her heyday was the early 1950s.

If Dolly is still out there somewhere, here’s hoping that she has had a good life since her dancing days ended.