Dance hall days trivia

Frank Sinatra’s bright blue eyes earned him the popular nickname "Ol' Blue Eyes". He returned from his brief retirement with the appropriately titled album Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back in 1973.

Popular big band leader Glenn Miller lost his life in a plane crash during the Second World War. To this day, the exact cause of the fatal crash remains a mystery. Some people think it was friendly fire that took down the plane. Others suggest he might have been involved in espionage or even on a secret mission to end the war. The most likely cause was probably to do with poor weather conditions.

The Palais Royale, within The Exhibition Building site was a popular venue for weekly dances in the 1940s 50s. In the 1940s the Exhibition Building became known derogatively by locals as ‘The White Elephant’ due to its dilapidated sate. Little consideration was given to the historical significance of the building and it narrowly escaped demolition. However, a gradual appreciation of its heritage value meant that restoration work finally commenced on the building in the 1980s. Today the building is under the care of Museums Victoria and has secured World Heritage status.

Interestingly, the Eastern Market, opened on the corner of Bourke and Exhibition Streets in 1879 was also known locally as a white elephant from the day it was opened until it’s demolition in 1960.

During the Second World War the Green Mill was renamed the Forty Club and then the Trocadero and was a popular rendezvous for servicemen and their partners. In 1946 the Melbourne South Land Act was passed designating the Wirths’ Park site for the development of a “cultural centre” which would eventually include the National Gallery of Victoria, the Melbourne Concert Hall (Hamer Hall) and the Theatres Building.

Leggett’s Palladium in Prahran was a popular dance hall especially in the 1930’s and 1940’s owned by husband and wife ballroom-dancing promoters Emily Leggett and Joseph Henry Leggett. During the Depression they organised free dancing in the afternoons, and at night those that could not afford the full price (1s. 6d. or two shillings on Saturdays) were never turned away. During World War II the Leggetts hosted balls and shows with servicemen offered free admission. Leggetts was also well known for hosting spectacular themed nights such as 'A Night in Hades', 'An Evening in Paris', or 'Circus Night'.

Australian jazz legend Graeme Bell is a legend of Australian Jazz. He began playing in bands in 1935 and gained fame as a Dixieland and classical jazz pianist, composer and band leader. He was also one of the leading promoters of jazz in Australia, bringing American performers such as Rex Stewart to Australia. In honour of his impact on the industry the Australian Jazz Awards as called ‘The Bells’.

Square Dancing was brought to Australia as early as 1950 and the first established clubs were in Melbourne, Toorak and Brighton. Dances would be supported by a backing band and Caller whose job would be to call the moves and choreography for the dancers to perform. Good Callers were often great entertainers, often singing and dancing and putting on a show.