The Thrilling Days of Yesteryear at KCET Benefit

WE GET LETTERS.

This one, in very fine penmanship, was prompted by a column item last week describing the lavish KCET benefit set for the Hollywood Palladium. The Jan. 15 bash celebrates the ‘40s era, when the Palladium was new and when the big-band sound ruled the airwaves.

The letter writer had chosen stationery that on closer examination looked suspiciously like a carefully torn half of a white paper place mat.

According to our correspondent, the Palladium mention prompted feelings--”I started getting sentimental and very excited.” And why not, since the writer had been there 46 years before, when that mecca of dance and romance opened.

But to return to relive those dances--ah, a major, realistic stumbling block. The $200 tab was all for charity, but for many, charity has to begin at home.

“How ironic that for some of us who were there that night, it will be difficult to attend,” the letter read.

That doesn’t dim the magic of memory for the sentimental letter writer. “It opened Halloween night in October of 1940. It was an unforgettable and glamorous opening. Dorothy Lamour was there. Frank Sinatra was just a young kid then.”

Hey, Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra and glamour girls walking by. An industry and stars still young enough, still innocent enough to be part of a crowded ballroom, with fans reaching and shaking their hands.

“I can still see Humphrey Bogart sitting at a corner table with his first wife, Mayo Methot. He acted just as he did in ‘Casablanca.’ ”

Pretty terrific memories. For sure, the KCET bash will be “unforgettable,” but you’re the one who really has it made.

Memories like yours can’t be bought for the price of a ticket--even if it’s for a good cause.

UPCOMING--L.A. Men’s ORT honors Howard L. Matlow and Kenfield E. Kennedy at its annual Hanukkah Brunch Sunday at the Century Plaza Hotel. . . . The L.A. Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, holds its awards dinner, tonight at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. To be honored--former New York Timesman Gladwin Hill and KNBC-TV’s Managing Editor Pete Noyes. . . . Orthopaedic Hospital’s Hispanic Advisory Council hosts a Christmas reception Thursday. The council was formed earlier this year to articulate the needs of the Latino community, to help provide support for the hospital’s charitable care programs and to inform the Latino community about the hospital and its services. . . . Jeff Bridges hosts a screening of his new film, “The Morning After” Dec. 18--and it benefits the End Hunger Network. The film, also starring Jane Fonda and Raul Julia, will be screened at the Cary Grant Theater at the MGM studios.

RUSHIN’ IN--Hey, in between sections at the Wednesday night screening of the miniseries “Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna,” one could munch on Russian delicacies and see some big stars. Like Steven Spielberg with Amy Irving (who stars as the Russian princess), Michael York, Samantha Eggar, Rhea Pearlman and Richard Donner.