What's New, Pussycat?
These are all the stories — in no particular category — that are posted for awhile on our home page. It’s a pretty good record of all we’ve posted in one place.
When The Menu At The Roast Was Tom Jones (In 1970), There Was A (Rare) Woman Among The Diners
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008The Friars Club, as many of you know, is a show business shrine — a shrine to laughs and entertainment — and very exclusive club where members can gather. For most of its history it was an all-male bastion, formed in 1904 as the Press Agents Club. Its Roasts of the famous have become legendary. They’re private and feature what used to be “for men only” jokes. Through the years, the greatest names in entertainment — theater, music, film — have been members and have been roasted until well-done. In 1970 it was Tom’s turn. (He’s shown at the roast, top left, with Milton Berle — with whom he had another famous encounter — and, between them, stands the author of the article. What she wrote for what looks like some sort of tabloid is below. It doesn’t give much detail of what was said, only of what it was like to be a woman masquerading as a man and attending. (We’d have liked less of that and more of what actually went on, but it was almost 40 years ago and things were different then.) One note: Many of you may remember comedian Freddie Roman, who is now the Abbot (president) of the Friars Club, from the years he opened for Tom back in the day. Thanks to AF for the article.
THE man with the mustache peering over the shoulders of singer tom Jnes and comedian Milton Berle isn’t really a man at all.
She’s freelance writer Gail Bryce — trying to find out just what men talk about when they get together for an all-male celebrity roast.
What she heard was enough to scorch her notebook.
Gail, disguised in men’s clothing, a fake mustache and wig, bluffed her way into a Friar’s Club roast for Tom Jones at New York’s Hilton Hotel. She was the only woman in a sea of men.
“I felt like Judas at the last supper,” she said. “one by one, actors, comics and singers stepped p to tell jokes that got dirtier and dirtier. In my opinion, the women haven’t been missing much.”
Gail mingled with Jones, Berle, Henny Youngman, Howard Cosell and Cab Calloway at an all-male cocktail party before the roast.
Then, during the roast itself, she noted such notables as Telly Savalas, Elliot Gould and Harry Guardino rolling in their seats as the dirty jokes were told.
Gail did have some touchy moments. Her stick-on mustache made her want to sneeze and at one point a man asked her for the time. ‘I just froze, pointed to my write and mumbled a throaty ‘eleven.’” She said.
Later, she was seated at a table with four strangers.
“I was a disaster as a dinner companion,” she said. “I coughed out ‘George’ during the introductions, pointed to my throat and then forked through the chicken, remembering to take bigger bites than usual.”
Her uneasiest moment came when she had to use the bathroom.
“Here was the moment of truth — men’s or ladies,” she said. “I picked the moment carefully and used the empty men’s.”
To prepare for the event Gail first called on Jacques Bellini, who designs outfits for Margaux Hemingway and Liza Minnelli. He fitted her with a brown and white pinstripe suit. Then she visited make-up artist Mark Traynor. He provided her with the faint five o-clock shadow, the mustache and dark man’s wig.
Gail left at the end of the roast without anyone recognizing her. Friar’s spokesman Walter Goldstein, who stood next to her at the cocktail party said later, “You’re the first woman to get away with it.”
June 17th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
What an incredible story, and the photo to prove she was there is sensational! I would have liked it if she’d shared what “scorched her notebook”… but it may have just been dirty jokes? Great find! Loved reading it.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Loved it. Quite curious at to what Tom Jones’ reaction was when he learned about the secret guest later on? Was Tom a true gentleman, or just like the rest of the guys contributing to the “men’s” jokes? It would be hard to believe that he wasn’t anything but a gentleman.
June 17th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
So funny - but hey all what men do is telling dirty jokes when there are no women around???? - so basically the same what they do when there are women around, hahaha - sorry
June 17th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Oh - I wonder what TOM said????
June 18th, 2008 at 1:47 am
Tom is a gentleman and a profesional but I expect he had a good laugh.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Neve doubted for a second that Tom Jones was a gentleman at his own “Roast.” All the times I had seen him at Westbury Music Fair, NEVER was he ever rude or condescending to his audience. That is why my family and I always went to see him in concert whenever he was in town. More performers should follow his example of showmanship. Truly, Sir Tom Jones is the best and a rare one-of-a-kind person, and a True Gentleman.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I am sure a lot of the men there loved to roast Tom and say some mean things, in jest of course. They were all jealous of him. No one looks like or sings as great as Tom Jones. I would have loved for her to post some of the jokes that were told.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Ahh…to have been a fly on the wall…but, I guess only a male fly would have been admitted back then - or at least a cheeky one in disguise! We’ve come a long way baby; to be able to sit in with the “good old boys” and listen to dirty jokes and every four letter word ever thought of. Gee, I wonder what topic they could have had to joke about with Tom! Can’t begin to imagine!