MARTY ALLEN & MITCH DEWOOD - 1956


{Nat King Cole}

Text below taken from this Nat King Cole 1956 Australian Tour Brochure

{Marty Allen}
{Mitch DeWood}
{Marty Allen}
{Mitch DeWood}
{Marty Allen}
{Mitch DeWood}


The text reads: "Marty Allen and Mitch Dewood. Gerneral Artisits Corporation" [then lists different six cities with offfices]. Lower corner states : "Schaeffer Hollywood"- [the photographer].

{short description of image}


1956

{Mitch DeWood}
Rare 1956 photo - Marty Allen - Harry Wisotsky (Nite Club Owner)
Mitch DeWood - Dick Shawn (Prize Fighter)

{Mitch DeWood}
Marty Allen with Harry Wisotsky - 1956


Marty Allen and Mitch DeWood are showing in the Empire Room of the Statler Hilton Hotel, Dallas, Texas, through Jan 8th 1958.

They are America's most talked about comedy team. These hilarious young gentlemen have been hailed by both critics and public alike for thier sprightly different routines and general hilarity. They offer a merry mixture of gags, impressions, situation comedy, dancing and singing.
[Article from "This Month in Dallas" - January 1958]

[From my research Mitch DeWood split up with Marty in mid 1958. Mitch DeWood was the road manager in 1962 - ? for The Everly Brothers....(still researching)]

[Mitch DeWood - assistant to producer; The Andy Griffiths Show - 1960-1968. (unsure of exact years Mitch DeWood was assistant producer.....still researching)]

[Tommy Ronca (The Brothers) worked as an entertainment director in Las Vegas with Mitch DeWood at the Aladdin; and in Atlantic City at the Tropicana. (research indicates 1965 to ?)



{NAT KING COLE}
MARCH 1958

{MARTY & MITCH} {ALLEN & DEWWOD}

{MARTY ALLEN} {MITCH DEWOOD}

{HORSESHOE CLUB} {SANDS LAS VEGAS}

{VIC DAMONE} {NAT}

Mitch Dewood 1924-2002



LATIN CASINO
Philadelphia
Photo jacket signed by:
FRANKIE LAINE
&
MITCH DeWOOD

{Philadelphia}

{Frankie Laine}

{Mitch DeWood}



{Photo Courtesy Allen J Singer}
[Photo Courtesy Earl W Clark and Allen J Singer]
[Photo was taken at the Beverly Hills Country Club in Southgate, KY in the early 1950s.]

Judging by the “STOP” cape and the black matador-style hat worn by comedian Marty Allen, he was perhaps rehearsing a bullfighter routine with his partner, Mitch De Wood. Allen appeared near the front of the nightclub bill as a show opener, and would later become a fixture in Las Vegas. Marty Allen was well known for his partnership with Steve Rossi, but before him, he and Mitch De Wood were a comedy duo whose humor was reminiscent of Martin and Lewis.
[From the forthcoming book - The Beverly Hills Country Club by Earl W Clark and Allen J Singer]

{The Beverly Hills Country Club}

[Book Review]
The uniqueness of Earl W. Clark and Allen J. Singer's book is that most of the photographs were not intentionally posed, natural snapshots with most of the celebrities just happy to smile for the camera. I know for a fact there is one photograph in this book that the celebrity was not aware even existed, now he does! and I can bet there are many others.

The book also details a most interesting history on The Beverly Hills Country Club, and until I read this book I had no idea the club had ever existed. Fascinating to say the least.

Denny Hammerton
Celebrity Historian for Marty Allen & Steve Rossi
www.hellodere.com

Beverly Hills Country Club, $21.99 Arcadia Publishing. Available at local retailers, online bookstores,
or through Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665 Arcadia Publishing






Tips on Tables - Robert W. Dana - January 10, 1958

Nat Cole Rides Again On Copa Reservation

Nat (King) Cole had many merry old souls applauding his return last night to Jules Podell's Copacabana. Without introducing a man who needs no introduction, let me say that here, again, is the classic Nat Coleexample of a performer who has been through the proverbial mill. The distillation as we see it, and hear it, is as exciting and rewarding as a concert appearance.

In a gray silk suit, his willowy figure attuned to his rhythmic repertoire, Nat ran through a program last night that had everybody relaxed and eager for more - and this after the comedy team of Marty Allen and Mitch De Wood had registered a distinct triumph of their own.

As Nat sang, I wrote, and here are the song titles, plus some annotations: Opens with "I'm Shooting High" (he touches a few keys on the piano from a standing position) "There Goes My Heart" (he commands great respect on this one), "I Am In Love"(he pounds the piano with an assist from Michael Durso's orchestra), "Stardust," "Night Lights,""Making Whoopee" and "Ballerina,"

A Pied Piper.

Nat Cole was a Pied Piper for me last night,leading me into wondrous other worlds with Victor Young's "When I Fall In Love," "The Party's Over" (from Bells Are Ringing), "I Want to Be Happy" (with a great jazz touch at the piano),"Lullabies of Broadway" and "Just One of Those Things."

The Douglas Cloudy revue has a new line of girls in costumes by Sal Anthony with Michael Durso, Mel Mitchell and Marvin Kahn turning out such catchy tunes as "Ukelele Rock a Bill," "Heartbreak Avenue" and "Pick a Partner," With Ted Morrell, Mimi and the dance team of Danii and Genii Prior to back them up, these are up to the Copa's high standard.

It is interesting that with Nat Cole, Jules Podell booked Allen and De Wood as a supporting act. It's one of the funniest comedy acts in the Nat Cartooncountry,sort of in the old Martin and Lewis manner. But these boys don't have to make their way as carbon copies.

Singers Open.

Show openers are the Axidentals, a rhythmic singing group,three boys and a girl,who work hard in the customary manner of the day. Harmony is good,arrangements well noted. But I keep thinking that the choice of name isn't too friendly to their cause.

Summing up: this is one of the best shows the Copa had in months. Even Jules Podell seemed to feel this was so, for he was posed with tapping feet on the stairway as Nat Cole wound up his performance.












Jamie Farr was asked this question: How did you meet your wife?

I met my wife Joy when I got out of the army. A Lebanese buddy of mine from Toledo, Ohio who also happened to be an entertainer introduced me to her. My friend’s name was Mitch Dewood and he was part of the comedy team of Marty Allen and Mitch Dewood. Joy had just moved to Los Angeles from Chicago and was staying in the same apartment building as my friend Mitch. He met her and told me about her and what a lovely lady he thought she was. He introduced me to her and she immediately fixed me up with her girlfriend. Well, her girlfriend and I did not get along too well so Joy said she would date me...she thought I was kind of cute. We are still dating after 42 years of marriage.