Phil Harris at the Wiltshire Bowl

[Greg]

Hey guys. I'm listening to the 1939-1940 season right now and there are a lot of jokes being dropped about the Wiltshire Bowl and Phil's band playing there. Jack makes a lot of snide comments about the venue.

What is the background behind it? Why was it considered a less-than-elegant place for a band to play?

Thanks,
Greg

[Maxwell]

Hey guys. I'm listening to the 1939-1940 season right now and there are a lot of jokes being dropped about the Wiltshire Bowl and Phil's band playing there. Jack makes a lot of snide comments about the venue.

What is the background behind it? Why was it considered a less-than-elegant place for a band to play?

Thanks,
Greg

I'm not sure why the gags.

Here is a picture ca. 1938: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79761301@N00/2513421484/.

Here's another shot from a different angle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79761301@N00/2092055250/.

From what I've found by googling, it was a restaurant/night club/dance hall on Wilshire Blvd.'s "Miracle Mile." The restaurant later became Slapsy Maxies. I love art deco buildings like this. Too bad it's long gone.