El Morocco

On October 5, 1931, John Perona (born Enrione Giovanni Perona in Chiaverano in the Province of Turin, Italy), an Italian immigrant, with Martín de Alzaga opened El Morocco as a speakeasy at 154 East 54th Street, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. After prohibition was repealed, it became one of the most popular establishments in New York City. Originally known as The Morocco, the nightclub was soon renamed El Morocco because of its proximity to the Third Avenue elevated railway ("El"). Its iconic zebra-striped interior was designed by Vernon Balfour McFarlane, an Australian actor turned interior decorator. After his death in June 1961, his son, Edwin, took over the proprietorship. From 1964 and 1970, El Morocco was owned by Maurice Uchitel and Sheldon Hazeltine. Before taking over, Uchitel owned the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach for several years. El Morocco closed on May 23, 1970 and re-opened as a private club in 1971. In 1981, the Second Avenue wing operated briefly as a steakhouse. In 1992, it operated as a topless bar. In 1997, Desmond Wootton bought the property and opened the Night Owls nightclub. The site is now occupied by the Milan Condominium. ==In pop culture==

• In the “Lucy Is Envious” episode of I Love Lucy, which aired 3/29/1954, Lucy is reading the society section of the paper, learning that her old, and very wealthy school friend Cynthia, is in town. The article talks about the opera opening the night before, and all of the parties that the attendees went to afterwards, including at 21 Club and El Morocco. • The 1955 film My Sister Eileen includes the club, starring Janet Leigh and Jack Lemmon. • The club is a setting for a scene in the 1973 Arthur Laurents film The Way We Were. Katie Morosky spots a nodding-off Hubbell Gardiner at the bar, and a flashback ensues. • A fictionalized version of the club featuring distinctive zebra-striped banquettes is featured in the Woody Allen movie Cafe Society (2016). The club is referenced in Woody Allen's movie Radio Days (1987). • John Perona, billed as the club's "owner and operator", appeared as a mystery guest on the television show ''What's My Line'' on April 6, 1958. The particular panel included three regular panelists, Orson Welles. Perona himself was so well known that the panelists were blindfolded and he disguised his voice, following the show's custom with readily identifiable guests. • Allen Cooper takes Anne Welles to the El Morocco in the 1966 novel Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann. ==References==