The Friars, the Players, the Lambs

News From VHSource, LLC Vol 1 January 2011 The Friars, the Players, The Lambs this category. All were once private male bastions of Famous Entertainment Industry great business and networking value. It was those Clubs of New York City particular values that eventually caused all club membership rolls to come under much closer scrutiny in the middle of the last century. Ladies suddenly ost everyone in America has heard of The wanted to be a part of such financial potential. Friars Club, famous for their annual Roasts, Musually of a famous comedian or celebrity. The United States Supreme Court began considering Some of you may also have heard of The Players Club the right of all male private organizations to exclude and a few may also know The Lambs Club. All three most everyone except male (and also often of these famous clubs pre-date 1910 and have figured predominantly white) members as the issues of civil prominently in the growth of the New York rights began exerting their strengths after the 1960s. entertainment world. They still exist today and it is The first case to come before the Court was one therefore worth taking a closer look at who they are and involving a Miss Roberts who sued the United States where they have come from. Jaycees for excluding women as members in 1984 – To start everyone on the same page, a private club is composed of a group of individuals of similar interests and business affiliations who each contribute to the club's funds through their dues, which are then used to pay the expenses of maintaining the club and conducting its activities. An incorporated club is generally governed by state and often city statutes. These clubs are primarily social in nature, allowing members to spend time with individuals of similar interests and backgrounds. Such “networking” has always led to business enhancements of all types, making membership in the organization highly advantageous and valuable. New York City and most large cities are filled with such clubs: school related (Princeton Club); athletics related (Downtown Athletic Club - home of the Heisman Trophy) and society Famed Players Club related (The Knickerbocker Club). A glance at the on Gramercy Park NYC yellow pages (that prehistoric listing of addresses and phone numbers) produces 60+ private clubs with a the Jaycees lost. The Rotary Club, was next large percentage of them located in mid-town in the involved in a lawsuit over admission of women in the 30s, 40s, and 50s on both the east side and the west state of California in 1987 – The Rotary Club lost. side. The three entertainment industry clubs all fall into The New York State Club Association next sued 2 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 1 January 2011 the City of New York in 1988 over the issue of the City theatrical event known as the Friars’ Frolic. This and the State controlling their membership with new event is written by, acted in, directed by and statutes prohibiting discrimination – The New York produced by members and was responsible for the State Club Association lost. Thus, private clubs of building of the very first Monastery in 1916 on W. New York were suddenly told in 1988 to cease and 48th Street. Abbot George M. Cohen broke a bottle of desist from all discriminatory practices or lose their sparkling American wine on the cornerstone and State Charters. All three of our subject clubs made the dedicated it to “art, literature and good fellowship.” appropriate adjustment, still exist today with their In the 1930s, the Friars lost this first edifice because famous members and club houses, and while not quite they could not pay a bill for butter, eggs and cheese as prominent as they were in the hundred years from that had run to $1,130.00. The group remained 1890 to 1990, they still remain a part of the fabric of nomadic until better times returned, and they landed the arts in New York City. on E. 55th . The Friars Club Membership rolls read like a Who’s Who in American entertainment: Victor Herbert was a We’ll begin with the youngest member of The Friars and wrote their theme song, of these NYC entertainment “Here’s To The Friars” rather than make a speech at his testimonial dinner; Irving Berlin wrote clubs – The Friars. The Friars “Alexander’s was born out of the necessity of Ragtime Band” stopping bogus press agents for a Frolic; from garnering free tickets to among other Broadway productions in 1904. famous members A group of 11 legitimate press we find: Al agents gathered at Browne’s Jolson, Oscar Chop House in New York City to resolve the problem. Hammerstein I, It took several more meetings to decide to prepare a George Jessel, “black list” of the dastardly fellows and distribute it to Mayor Jimmy theatre box offices. Once that problem was solved, the Walker, Jack group found they enjoyed each other’s company so Benny, George much that they decided to continue to “hang out Burns, Sammy together” for the pleasure of the experience. Davis, Jr., Richard Pryor, Originally called The Press Agent Association, the and seemingly, group soon began attracting actors and musicians and every other decided to expand their group into a more diversified famous comedian membership. They incorporated as The Friars Club in America as Friar Irving Berlin (from the Latin Frater meaning brother) and adopted well as Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Calvin the motto Prae Omnia Fraternitas (“Brotherhood Coolidge. forever”). In a way this name choice and motto were a likely bow to The Lambs Club and its Latin motto and Almost from the beginning this club loved to throw to a certain extent this group might also have black tie formal celebrations of members’ exploits. considered themselves a “working man’s” version of These rather bawdy dinners began attracting more both The Lambs and The Players. and more headlines and notices until in 1949, The Friars formalized their first “Roast” with French In keeping with the title of the club, the group’s club actor Maurice Chevalier as the first “Roastee”. house is known as the Monastery (currently at 57 E. 55th Street, NYC), their top official is called the Abbot, Most of America has long been far more aware of their President is the Dean and their Vice President is these extravagantly funny and ribald celebrations of the Prior. Funds to maintain the Monastery are raised an individual’s career (i.e., Bob Hope, Billy Crystal, not only from members dues, but also from an annual 3 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 1 January 2011 Lucille Ball, Alan King, etc.) than of the membership three to reside in its original clubhouse through thick and purposes of the club itself. If imitation is the and thin. Actor Edwin Booth, considered by many to highest form of flattery, then organizations all over the be the finest Hamlet in the 19th century, was the sole world have used The Friar’s Roast as a model both for founder of The Players. He always felt that actors celebrating an individual and for having lots of fun. lived a rather isolated life and needed to “interact more with outsiders”. Booth wrote in a letter two The Friars from years prior to the founding that “We do not mingle the beginning enough with minds that influence the world ...” In allowed women to May of 1888, he paid $75,000.00 for an 1847 attend many townhouse on the famous Gramercy Park, owned by events and even Elihu Townsend (a banker). Booth’s close friend, occasionally Architect Stanford White, was immediately hired to honored them – transform the townhouse into the private club that Sophie Tucker, Booth had dreamed of for many years. The official Phyllis Diller, opening night was December 31, 1888. Members Elizabeth Taylor, were delighted to find a clubhouse already filled with a n d B a r b r a Booth’s massive personal collection of art, theatrical One of first female Roastees Sophie Tucker Streisand, among memorabilia, and extensive library. They also found others. However, their leader ensconced on the third floor in his the Roasts remained a stag event even when the personal apartment. As the actor paid $75,000.00 for honoree was female as in 1962 when Lucille Ball was the building and whatever Mr. White’s design fee the honoree. This did not thrill some high profile ladies. entailed, one may safely assume he was entitled to Lauren Bacall is said to have sent her own choice living quarters. language audiotape to the Roast of her husband Humphrey Bogart. Before she herself was honored, Unlike The Friars and The Lambs, The Players do Phyllis Diller dressed as a man in order to crash the not appear to have a Latin motto. However, they do 1983 Roast of Sid Caesar just to see what “really went have a major mission statement: “The promotion of on” at these affairs. In 1988, The Friars joined the rest social intercourse between members of the dramatic of the male clubs in admitting female members, making profession and the kindred professions of literature, Liza Minnelli their first card carrying member, and painting, architecture, sculpture and music, law and therefore opening up the famous Roasts to female medicine, and the patrons of the arts." A Latin attendees. translation of that would be a bit difficult to be very practical. In addition to the club’s general social, networking and roasting activities, The Friars Foundation was The name of the established in 1977 to foster the performing arts and to Club was suggested date has raised over $5 million.

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