Sherry for the New Year

The Sherry-Netherland Hotel was the tallest hotel/apartment building when it opened in 1927. Today’s first image shows MGM actress and singer Jane Powell standing in front of the hotel as the bellman hails her a cab. Judy Garland used the hotel for a little get together with reporters in 1945 to promote her dramatic film “The Clock.”

Here she is again at the Sherry with Sid Luft on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1952. She was in town to sing at Ann and Jack Warner’s party for their daughter Barbara, held at the St. Regis Hotel. The private New Year’s Eve party at The Sherry was given by “Friends of Charlie Cushing,” and guests included the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The Duke and Judy harmonized at the piano; that must have been something to witness in person!

Judy’s February 1964 stay at the Sherry was not quite as pleasant; she slipped in her three-room suite, resulting in a mild concussion which required a hospital check-up. Here’s a contemporary exterior view from 2016 that I shot during one of my visits to NYC:

Scrolling through ebay, I found a few vintage promotional items, like this ashray:

A matchbook:

This delightfully vintage advertisement. Don’t you love the pretentious alliteration? “Distinctive Domiciles for People of Distinction.”

See more Sherry-Netherland Hotel photos at my main website.

Judy Goes To New York City

Judy Garland is seen here talking to a reporter at a party thrown in her honor at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel in New York City circa 1945. Judy was in town to promote her upcoming film, "The Clock," starring Robert Walker. Here are two contemporary shots of the Sherry-Netherland:





"The Clock" was directed by Vincente Minnelli, who had recently married Garland. This lesser known film was a dramatic departure from the musicals Judy had been cranking out for the last five years. The story takes place during a 48 hour time period and covers the whirlwind romance of Judy's character (Alice Maybery) and Walker's (Corporal Joe Allen). The two decide to get married and find it challenging to do so before his leave from the war (WWII) is over.



Because World War II had not yet ended, filming on location was not considered cost-effective. These two photos show MGM's version of Penn Station on their soundstages in Culver City, recreated at a cost of $66,000.





See more Judy Garland photos on my Judy Garland web page.