Banner Lodge Entertainment | East Haddam Stories

When the Catskills Came to Moodus

No other area resort came close to the level of entertainment offered to Banner Lodge guests. During the 1940s, 50s and 60s the entertainment roster included popular bands, singers, comedians and dancers. On Fridays and Saturdays, the playhouse would host popular performers who traveled the country's resort and nightclub circuits and later appeared on comedy, variety and talk television programs. In the 40s and 50s, the Banner staff also provided entertainment, in the form of goofy skits, sing-alongs and comedy.

There were three stages at Banner Lodge. The large playhouse, which was built in the 1940s, could seat about 500 people. This main stage was bracketed by a coffee shop, a den-like card room, a ping-pong room and an arcade space with games and pinball machines. In the 1950s, a nightclub was built in the basement, which extended the typical Banner day into the wee hours. A small stage was also situated at one end of the Olympic-size swimming pool, where bands and other entertainers would entertain.

A view from the back of the 500-seat knotty-pine playhouse.

Song and dance acts were popular.

Late nights after the 1950s took on a new style when the the low-ceiling basement nightclub was built.

Zero Mostel (1915-1977), Jack Banner's first cousin, made regular appearances at the playhouse through the years.

In 1959, Mostel, a popular Broadway and Hollywood star, returned to Moodus for another show.

Irv Jeffries (1928-2020) and his band entertained guests nearly every night in the nightclub and during shows in the Playhouse.

Marty Allen (1922-2018) is the really happy accordion player. On the left, Steve Rossi (1932-2014) is the other half of the comedy team Allen & Rossi.

Charlie Callas (1927-2011) was a wild comedian whose repertoire included strange sounds and mimicry.

Corbett Monica (1930-1998), a Banner headliner, opened for Frank Sinatra and other big name acts. Monica appeared often on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and other programs.

The Hines Bros., Gregory (1946-2003) and Maurice (1943-2023) made several appearances at Banner's. They went on to great success on TV, stage and in the movies.

Jack Gilford (1908-1990) might be best known for his Cracker Jack commercials, but he also appeared in "Cocoon" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

Before he played the Emcee in "Cabaret," Joel Grey (born 1932), was a big headliner at Banner Lodge.

Another Banner favorite was Morey Amsterdam (1908-1996), who played "Buddy" on "The Dick Van Dyke Show." Amsterdam died in 1996 at the age of 87.

Pat Cooper (1929-2023) built his act around his Italian-American heritage.

Comedienne Pearl Bower struts her stuff for Banner guests on the Playhouse stage.

Larry Storch (1923-2022) co-starred in television's "F-Troop" and provided voices for many cartoons.

Guests often would be able to meet the performers. Here Joe E. Ross (1914-1982), who gained fame as Gunther Toody on "Car 54, Where Are You?" poses with two Banner guests.

The Jacks Hosted a Bevy of Acts

Jack Banner and resident resort MC Jack Mathers greeted and catered to the ever-changing roster of visiting entertainers. Most came from the NYC and Catskills circuits. Posing with the visiting entertainers was part of the Jacks' job.

Jack (left), band leader Irv Jeffries (center) and entertainment director Jack Mathers (right) pose with performers in the 1960s.

From left, Susan Banner, Ceil Banner, Jack, and two of that week's performers (c. 1967).

A late 1940s shot of Jack and his first cousin Zero Mostel on the Banner stage. Zero remained loyal to the Banners, performing regularly through the 1960s.

The Jacks onstage.

Mrs. Mathers in the middle.

Unidentified entertainer with Jack, who's styling an interesting jacket (1950s).

Jack enjoyed meeting all the entertainers who came to the Lodge. Here, Joe E. Ross, who played Officer Toody on "Car 54, Where Are You," poses with Jack.