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Mexborough to Hollywood – Bar Where Stars Read “South Yorkshire Times”

June 1948

South Yorkshire Times June 26, 1948

Denaby to Hollywood
Bar Where Stars Read “South Yorkshire Times”

It Is a far cry from Denaby Main pit to a Hollywood cocktail bar, but this is the success story of a Mexborough man, Mr John Stokes, who is now in Mexborough after an absence of 15 years, and a flying visit from California to see his sister, Mrs. A. Goddard, of 7 Hallgate, Mexborough.

First Call

First port of call after his plane, touchdown in Britain was to see his father, Mr Tommy Stokes, an ex-welter weight champion.

You can find ‘Johnny’ any day at 6162 Hollywood Boulevard, behind the cocktail bar of the popular Sportsman’s Club, rendezvous of your favourite film stars and the biggest names in the American boxing world.

“Johnny” invited a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter on Wednesday morning to visualise his little “spot” with its smart television set in a cosy alcove, the gay walls covered with signed pictures of America’s Sportsman and the high stools at the bar seating the well-dressed patrons from the film set, and the broad-shouldered pugilists.

Film star Alan Lad gave “Johnny” a couple of ties to bring over for his brother-in-law, and film actress Pat Lane presented him with a pair of shoes to give to the folks Mexborough.

If we looked into the sportsman’s Club ” (which we are not likely to do) we would be liable to drop across any of the following personalities:

Jack Dempsey, James Cagney, George Temple (Shirley’s brother), Victor McLagan, and many more.

One thing we would have been surprised to find is a copy of the “South Yorkshire Times” reporting on the counter. “Johnny” has it sent religiously every week. He told our reporter that often a celebrity picks it up and inquires as to the whereabouts of Conisbrough, Goldthorpe and Mexborough – “Johnny” promptly tells them.

“Johnny,” who wears pair of smart well cut American slacks, a thick silk shirt and those typical square lens glasses, has required that quick incisive accent, and uses it in some pithy remarks about what he thinks of Britain today. “I think it’s pretty tough over here. You are getting a raw deal. We go short of nothing over in the States.  I get  $125 a week, which is about £20, out of which I have £1 stopped for taxes. I get my cigs for 7d for 20 and a lot of other things cheaper than you get them (if you can get them) over here.”

“Johnny” is married to an Irish girl he met on a voyage over to America.

 

6162 Hollywood Boulevard around time of Article

6162 Hollywood Boulevard

Yul Brynner’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
6162 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood
Los Angeles, California 90028
United States

On This Very Spot is located Yul Brynner’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Source: Hollywood Chamber of Commerce