APRIL 18 • 2024 | 73 ARTS&LIFE NOSTALGIA Mad World. Most of the actors/ actresses in this movie per- formed at the Elmwood! One day I was watching an episode of Gilligan’s Island called “Producer. ” The episode fea- tures a character named Harold Hecuba who works with the castaways to produce a play. Hecuba ends up sneaking off the island without the others. Later, the castaways hear a news report on the radio, mentioning that Hecuba just came up with a hit movie idea, the one they all worked on together. Gilligan then picked up an entertain- ment paper that was titled, SHOW BIZ. He shared his sen- timents about Hecuba’s shady actions, simply stating, “That’s show biz!” The actor who played the role of Hecuba is Phil Silvers, youngest child of Russian Jewish immigrants. About a week later, I saw another film that Phil was in. Beatrice Kay, who performed at the Elmwood, was in it, too. She played the role of Claire in the classic 1945 film, Diamond Horseshoe, starring beautiful Betty Grable and crooner Dick Haymes. While doing some research about the movie, I discovered that it was written and directed by George Seaton. He grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in Detroit. One last story. While recently listening to Joe Riddle’s Old Time Radio Show one Sunday evening, I heard entertainer Al Jolson. I wondered if he had ever played at the Elmwood. After a quick search, I was sort of surprised to find out that he hadn’t. However, he was good friends with another popular performer of the day, George Jessel, who had performed at the Elmwood during March of 1955. Both Al Jolson and George Jessel were Jewish. Al’s birth name was Asa Yoelson. George’s was George Albert Jessel. George spoke at Al’s funeral. The dome part of his mau- soleum, located at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery, fea- tures a huge mosaic of Moses holding the tablets containing the Ten Commandments, and identifies Jolson as “The Sweet Singer of Israel” and “The Man Raised Up High. ” continued from page 71 GEO LIGHTSPEED7 Louis Armstrong with Elmwood band leader Jack Madden, 1950s ORDER YOUR MOTHER’S DAY TRAY TODAY! ORDER YOUR MOTHER’S DAY TRAY TODAY! “…one of America’s finest carryout-only delicatessens! Star’s reputation has never wavered!” — Danny Raskin STAR STAR DELI DELI COMPARE OUR LOW PRICES WITH ANY DELICATESSEN IN TOWN! SALAD TRAY $17.99 per person per person DAIRY TRAY $25.99 SALAD TRAY W/ LOX & CREAM CHEESE $21.99 per person MEAT TRAY $16.99 per person Prices subject to change 24555 W. 12 MILE ROAD Just west of Telegraph Road • Southfield 248-352-7377 www.stardeli.net Support Local Businesses TEMPORARY HOURS: 8AM-7PM EVERYDAY Carry-Out, Delivery & Curb Side Available On Star’s beautiful already low-priced trays $5OFF Expires 5/17/2024. One Per Order. Not valid on Holidays. 10 Person minimum. With this coupon only. DELIVERY AVAILABLE HAPPY PASSOVER! Chicken Soup, Chop Liver & Veggie Chop Liver available!