| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| HTA ID | HTA-0399 |
| Title | Palace Burlesque Reopens |
| Date | 1973 |
| Date Confidence | HIGH (Based on historical references: 56 years since ~1917 opening, 6 years since ~1967 move, 4 years since ~1969 closure) |
| Program | Eyewitness News |
| Station | WKBW |
| Duration | ~2 minutes |
| Format | Feature / Humor |
| Analysis Version | V2 (transcript + video analysis combined) |
Henry Lawrence (Tenenbaum) reports on the return of live burlesque to Buffalo's Palace theater after a four-year hiatus. The piece covers the history of the legendary local institution, noting its traditional Good Friday opening day (to attract Canadians escaping closed bars) and its eventual decline when live strippers were replaced by "skin flicks" and X-rated movies.
Theater operator Dewey Michaels explains his decision to bring back live acts, arguing that audiences are tired of explicit sex and violence in films and simply "want to laugh." The feature includes snippets of classic, corny burlesque comedy routines. Henry concludes the piece with a classic joke sign-off, claiming that anchor Irv Weinstein warned him not to go because he'd see things he shouldn't — and he did: he saw Irv Weinstein sitting in the front row.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| People | Henry Lawrence (Reporter), Dewey Michaels (Theater Operator), Irv Weinstein (Anchor - referenced) |
| Organizations | Palace Burlesque, WKBW |
| Locations | Buffalo, New York (Main Street) |
| Subjects | Burlesque theater, local entertainment history, changing obscenity standards |
| Themes | Humor/Satire, Local Culture |
| Tone | Comic, light-hearted, punchy |
| Career Period | WKBW Buffalo (1971–1974) |
"Because I think they're sick of the violence in pictures, they're sick of the over-sex pictures, and I think the people want to laugh." — Dewey Michaels
"Irv Weinstein always told me, 'Henry, don't go to the Palace Burlesque. You'll see things that you shouldn't.' So I went to the Palace Burlesque today, and he was right. I did see things I shouldn't. Like Irv Weinstein sitting in the front row." — Henry Lawrence
- Dark hair, prominent mustache, large thick-rimmed glasses
- Dark suit jacket, white collared shirt, wide brightly patterned tie (typical 1970s professional attire)
- Holds microphone with prominent "7" logo (WKBW Channel 7)
- CORRECTION: Previous record noted "trench coat" — video confirms it is a dark suit jacket and patterned tie
- Line of patrons waiting outside the theater
- Marquee reads: "Continuous SHOW from 11 A.M."
- Smaller sign: "LIVE BURLESQUE"
- Hand-painted colorful poster on sidewalk: "Burlesque IS BACK!" with musical notes and stars
- Traditional stage with wooden floor
- Heavy pleated curtains, illuminated with colored lighting (purple/pink during silhouette routine)
- Simple comedy skit set: door and patterned wallpaper
- Standard dark-colored theater chairs for audience seating
- Dancer in dressing room mirror applying makeup
- Dancer on stage in long, form-fitting sparkly white dress with large black feather boa
- Older male comedian in suit performing stand-up under spotlight
- Dancer in flowing pinkish-orange skirt (lower half shown twirling)
- Dancer with short curly hair in sparkly blue bra and sheer white cape/robe
- Silhouette of dancer performing behind lit curtain (notable backlighting technique)
- Comedy duo: older man in brown suit/red shirt + older woman in patterned blouse and fur coat
- Dancer with long dark hair in jeweled sparkly bra/panty set with black boots, garters, and arm bands
- Older gentleman, seated in theater for interview
- Light grey suit, patterned tie, dark fedora hat, glasses
- Predominantly (if not entirely) male
- 1970s casual wear: jackets, sweaters, some hats
- Man in front row clearly eating popcorn from a cup
- Mix of establishing exterior shots, stage performance footage, seated interviews
- Stage footage uses spotlights to highlight performers against dark background
- Notable backlighting technique: silhouette of dancer behind curtain
- Camera frequently follows dynamic movements of dancers
- Lower third: "HENRY LAWRENCE Reporting" alongside channel "7" logo
- Interview ID: "DEWEY MICHAELS PALACE BURLESQUE" lower third during interview
- Note: Lower third confirms "HENRY LAWRENCE" (pre-name-change era, consistent with 1973 date)
- Henry seated in theater audience
- Large fluffy WHITE feather boa suddenly thrown over his head and shoulder from behind
- Continues report while slightly adjusting boa
- Delivers comedic sign-off referencing Irv Weinstein
- Camera cuts back to dancer on stage
- Perfect comedic timing throughout
This is a quintessential Henry Tenenbaum feature. It combines local history, colorful characters, and a punchy, humorous sign-off. The inclusion of Irv Weinstein in the joke is historically significant, as it documents their on-air chemistry and the specific "Eyewitness News" format style that made WKBW dominant in the market.
The video reveals the full richness of the production: the variety of performers (from sparkly-gowned dancers to vaudeville comedy duos), the atmospheric backlighting techniques, and the perfectly timed physical comedy of the feather boa hitting Henry during his sign-off. The lower third confirming "HENRY LAWRENCE Reporting" places this firmly in the pre-name-change era.
The piece also serves as a micro-history of changing entertainment standards in 1970s Buffalo, as theaters transitioned between live burlesque and adult cinema.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Era/Station | WKBW Buffalo Era |
| People | Irv Weinstein (See HACD-0154 for Weinstein's later praise of Henry) |
| Source Tape | Found on same compound tape as HTA-0397 |
| Video File | WKBW SEVERAL PLUS Long Night, Tough Street PLUS Kb1 Mono.mp4 (compound tape, segment at ~31:44–34:17) |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Source File | WKBW SEVERAL PLUS Long Night, Tough Street PLUS Kb1 Mono.txt |
| Alternate Files | None |
| Source Location | /WKBW/ |
| Transcription Quality | Good (Lines 1286-1370) |
| Video File | WKBW SEVERAL PLUS Long Night, Tough Street PLUS Kb1 Mono.mp4 (Dropbox: id:MZwLUuNWhfcAAAAAAO7M9A, segment at 31:44–34:17) |
| Video Analysis Date | 2026-07-07 |
| Repository Status | Preserved in Source Repository |
Historical significance confirmed by video: This piece captures the essence of 1970s Buffalo and the revival of live burlesque. The hand-painted promotional signs, the "Continuous SHOW from 11 A.M." marquee (daytime burlesque — different from modern expectations), the all-male audience eating popcorn, and the traditional vaudeville-style comedy routines between dance numbers all document a specific cultural moment.
The performers showcase traditional burlesque elements: elaborate sparkly costumes, feather boas, silhouette routines, and the integration of comedy skits. Dewey Michaels in his fedora and grey suit is a perfect period character — the old-school showman bringing back the old-school show.
Key correction: The existing record described Henry wearing a "trench coat" during the sign-off. Video analysis confirms he is wearing a dark suit jacket and patterned tie — standard 1970s reporter attire. The feather boa is white (previously unspecified).