Roy Radin's Vaudeville Revue Visits Lorain – October 1973

Remember when Roy Radin's Vaudeville Revue would make an annual appearance in Lorain? It was a popular fundraiser for the Lorain Fraternal Order of Police that ran for several years.

Above is the ad that ran in the Lorain Journal on October 2, 1973 promoting the show, which was usually held at a local high school auditorium. 

The revue usually included a variety of Hollywood stars and other entertainers. The 1973 edition that appeared in Lorain included actor and comedian Red Buttons, Frank "Crazy Guggenheim" Fontaine, Laugh In's Jo Anne Worley, and singer/dancer/comedienne Donna Jean Young, "East McKeesport's Sex Symbol."

I wonder if Frank Fontaine remembered his earlier visit to Lorain, Ohio? He had been the emcee of the Mary Lee Tucker Benefit Show at the Palace Theater in 1957 (which I wrote about here). 

Kids loved the Crazy Guggenheim character. I remember the sequences he appeared in on The Jackie Gleason Show, interacting with Gleason as Joe the Bartender. First came the comedy bits, followed by a song featuring Fontaine's excellent voice.

And here's a commercial that Mr. Fontaine did as Crazy Guggenheim for Malt-O-Meal.

Roy Radin's Vaudeville Revue came to Lorain annually for many years. In 1972 the lineup included bandleader Cab Calloway, the New Kingston Trio, singer/actress Pat Suzuki and musician/satirist Allan Sherman (who did the 'Camp Grenada' song).

The October 1974 revue had an impressive lineup, featuring impressionist Frank Gorshin as the headliner, comedian George Gobel, singer Tiny Tim, Frank Fontaine (again), actor/singer George Jessel, and the Ink Spots.

The 1975 show featured dancer/comedian/entertainer Donald O'Connor as the headliner, with singer Johnny Ray, The Ink Spots, comedian Morey Amsterdam, and Paul Baron's Harmonica Rascals.