We have an early poster
advertising Whitey Kaufman and his orchestra to appear at
the Mount Pocono Casino on June 29, 1927. Click on
the poster to see larger image. Dancing was from 9
p.m. to 1 a.m., and the "expense" was $1 per person.
Pretty pricey for the 1920s, but Kaufman was a big-name
act, and had a hit phonograph recording called "Paddlin'
Madeline Home." This recording came out in 1925, just two
years after "The Charleston," and is one of those songs
associated with the Roaring 20s. (Remember that "records"
had only been around for 25 years at the time this was
made, and radio was just getting started!)
Marlin E. "Whitey" Kaufman was from Lebanon, Pa., and
formed the Original Pennsylvania Serenaders while a
student at Lebanon Valley College in the early 1920s. The
11-piece group went on to become Victor recording
artists, and were booked throughout the country through
the mid to late 1930s.
In 1927: Mount Pocono was incorporated as a borough
this year. Calvin Coolidge is president, and the country
is enjoying the "modernity" of the Roaring Twenties.
Henry Ford sells his 15 millionth Model T, Charles
Lindbergh makes the first transatlantic flight, and the
"Lindy Hop" becomes the latest dance craze. The United
States is halfway through the Prohibition years, Babe
Ruth hits a record-making 60 home runs, and the first
talking motion picture, "The Jazz Singer," is released.
The very first Academy Awards would be presented next
year, in 1928.