Trocadero (Los Angeles) facts for kids
The Cafe Trocadero was a very fancy nightclub that opened in 1934 on the famous Sunset Strip in Hollywood. It quickly became the place where Hollywood movie stars loved to go and be seen. Pictures of stars enjoying themselves at the Trocadero one night would often appear in The Hollywood Reporter newspaper the very next day! This was because both the Cafe Trocadero and The Hollywood Reporter were owned by the same person, William R. Wilkerson.
This club was like a fancy French-style dinner club, located at 8610 Sunset Boulevard in a posh area called Sunset Plaza. It was known as one of the most famous nightclubs in the world.
Contents
New Owners and Changes
In May 1938, William Wilkerson sold Cafe Trocadero to Nola Hahn. But within a year, the club had new management under Felix Young. The club closed suddenly in October 1939.
However, the Cafe Trocadero briefly reopened later that year. It even hosted a big Hollywood party for the movie Gone with the Wind in December 1939! But by May 1940, the club closed again, and its furniture was sold off.
William Wilkerson, the original owner, later opened other famous places on the Sunset Strip, like the Ciro's nightclub and LaRue Restaurant. He also helped start the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel.
The Cafe Trocadero then had several different managers, including a musician and businessman named Turk Prujan. Many advertisements for the club would say "Turk Prujan Presents..." followed by the name of a musical artist who was going to perform.
The Smaller "Little Troc"
In January 1942, a few weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Felix Young opened a smaller nightclub. It was called the "Little Troc" and was located a bit further west on Sunset Boulevard. The very first singer to perform there was an unknown artist named Lena Horne. Her shows were so popular that she became famous overnight in Hollywood! This led her to perform at Mocambo, another club on the Strip, and even get a contract with the movie studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Eddie LeBaron's Trocadero Era
In August 1943, a bandleader named Eddie LeBaron and his brother Albert Gastine opened a new club at the original Trocadero location. They called it Eddie LeBaron's Trocadero. This club became well-known for holding exciting jitterbugging dance contests!
The Final Years
After World War II, the Trocadero had many different owners and managers. It finally closed its doors for good in 1947. Today, a shopping center stands where the famous club used to be.
Stars Who Visited the Trocadero
Many famous people loved to visit the Trocadero. Some of the well-known celebrities who went there included Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Jackie Gleason, Henry Fonda, Judy Garland, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Ted Healy, Jean Harlow, and Norma Shearer.
Actress and comedian Thelma Todd spent an evening at the Trocadero at a party hosted by Ida Lupino and her father. This party was one of the last times she was seen before she passed away in December 1935.
The Trocadero was also the last place that Ted Healy was seen before he died.
Sunset Trocadero Today
The building that once held the original Cafe Trocadero was torn down a long time ago. The land was empty for many years until 2013, when a new building with fancy shops was built there. Today, a nightclub called Sunset Trocadero operates at 8280 Sunset Boulevard. This is about four blocks east of where the original Cafe Trocadero used to be.
