Last Day Of The 1939 Fair

Monday October 23, 1939 “Felt Low. Walked in the park. Cold day. ”

Tuesday October 24, 1939 “Cold clear day. Walked Bijou in the park. Read and shopped.

George Stinson “From Policeman to Opera Singer.” Image Source: HistoricImages – Store

Wednesday October 25, 1939 “Jeanne and I went to the Fair. Count Basie played. Heard George Stinson sing – grand voice. Also watched the Hawaiians, the Marimbas. 5pm met Tony at Brazil. Saw the gang. Home early. Then late had to pick up Sam and Phil at the plant. Lots of drinks.”

Thursday October 26, 1939 “Slite hangover – long walk in the park. Saw a crazy nut in the street.”

Friday October 27, 1939 “Had to pick up Sam. Out for drinks. Home late.”

Image Source: Cruising The Past

Saturday October 28, 1939. “To the Fair with Tony. Heard Orrin Tucker. Met Ted and had a couple of drinks. Stopped at the plant. A few more drinks. Home and more drinks. Sam drunk with Cy and Tommy. To bed late.”

Sunday October 29, 1939 “Last day of the Fair – quite a time. Jeanne, Duke, Tony, and Phil closed Brazil House – got three bags of coffee. Danced and drank at various places. Saw the closing ceremonies. Home, and Sam in not very good condition.”

I haven’t been able to locate images of closing day. But below is a newsreel style summary of the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition

 

Monday October 30, 1939. “Felt low. Jeanne stayed home – in bed most of the day.”

Tuesday October 31, 1939 “Still slightly shaky. Lazy day. Jeanne and I went to a show. Halloween – quite a lot of noise.”

Count Basie And Lily Pons In One Week

Image Source Hawaiian Time Machine VIEWS OF HAWAII THROUGH THE DISTORTING LENS OF TIME

Saturday October 14, 1939. To the Fair with Tony, Dodo & Jeanne. Saw glassblowers, the Honolulu Clipper. Lovely day. Nite – Ted back the house with us. He and Tony left about 1 am.

San Francisco Fox Theatre, One of the grandest movie palaces ever built was demolished in 1963. Image Source Cinema Treasures

Sunday October 15, 1939 “Sam to Union meeting. Jeanne, Tony & I went to the Fox Theatre – Then drove to Fisherman’s Wharf and saw the fishing fleet go out. Nite with Sam to Scotts – Tired!

Monday October 16, 1939. “Downtown – paid phone. Shopped a little. Nite with Sam to Library. Ted phoned & tried to date Jeanne.

Tuesday October 17, 1939 “Lovely Fall day – Walked in the park. Shopped on Clement Street. Read.

Image Source Jazz Lives – Count Basie seated, middle.
Wednesday October 18, 1939 Sam and I to the Fair after picking up Press Card at Marc’s. To Palace of Arts and heard Count Basie. Saw the Guard Mount and the Clipper departs. Bought shakers for Carola. Home early Tony called – party to be Friday.

Views of Fillmore Street, image source http://www.cable-car-guy.com

Thursday October 19, 1939. “Went to Fillmore Street for Brazil coffee – window shopped – very interesting. At the library afternoon and nite. Went alone to a show at nite. Nice walk in the park. Beautiful Fall day.”

Friday October 20, 1939. “Cleaned house. Nite to the party at Tony’s for the Brazil band. Vic and Ginni had a fight on the way home.”

Lily Pons 1939. Image Source www.albionmich.com

Lily Pons was renown and successful on many tracks. She was an opera singer known for her coloratura soprano repertoire – distinguished by agile runs, leaps and trills. She was also a successful concert singer with a lucrative schedule until her retirement in 1973. She was a recording artist, worked in movies and television.

Saturday October 21, 1939. “Hot today. Jon & Fred got in from L.A. Tony and I to the Fair. Heard Lily Pons. After coffee Tony and I went to the Press Club, etc. with Vic. Then home. Waldrons here. Drank Tom Collins. Vic stayed at Tony’s.”

Sunday October 22, 1939 “Jon, Sam & Fred to the Fair together. Tony, Jeanne, Phil & Vic and I met Sam and Jon and we did the rounds.”