From Our Scrapbook: Two Ten Galas Through the Years

In 1940 Two Ten's "annual banquet and entertainment" was such a success that we did it twice - first in June and then again in December. The second "annual" dinner of 1940 was held at the Hotel Statler Imperial Ballroom in Boston and tickets cost $5 each. It was such a success that planning began immediately for the spring 1941 extravaganza, which would feature Milton Berle at Radio City Music Hall.

At the Two Ten banquet in 1948, the Foundation announced the introduction of the T. Kenyon Holly Memorial Award, to be bestowed upon an outstanding man or woman in the industry. That year, Betty Taylor was the headline performer and the rest of the entertainment lineup featured Henry Busse and his orchestra. 

More than 4,000 people reserved seats at Two Ten's annual banquet and show in 1949. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were the top-billed performers, just about to turn their popular radio broadcast from the Copacabana onto a television series. The comedy duo was followed on stage by dance duo Mary Raye and Mario Naldi, then Henry Lefcourt's Red Jackets played before Evelyn Kaye and the all-girl "Hour of Charm" orchestra closed out the show that year.

Actor and comedian Eddie Cantor headlined the Two Ten Banquet in 1951. According to a news report at the time, “Mr. Cantor not only gave his regular theatrical routine, but also spoke of the wonderful spirit of 210 and its credo of giving a helping hand to the afflicted in the shoe industry without regard to race, creed or color." And the ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria was filled to capacity for another sold-out event.

Two Ten's annual dinner and show spectacular is once again held at the Waldorf Astoria in 1954 and the entertainers include Danny Thomas, Tony Martin, Eddie Fisher, and Jean Carroll among others.

Sammy Davis Jr. was the headliner for the Two Ten banquet in 1965, appearing on stage at the Waldorf Astoria along with comedian Norm Crosby and singer and actress Abbe Lane. 

Once again holding to the tradition of not disclosing the entertainment before the banquet, Two Ten held another sold out event at the Waldorff Astoria in 1971. It was billed as "the biggest and best" Two Ten show spectacular ever and the invitation didn't give guests any hint of who'd perform. But it did list a Who's Who of performers who'd appeared in recent years: Bob Hope, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Ethel Merman, Buddy Hackett, George Jessel, Louis Armstrong, Danny Kaye, Dihann Carroll, Milton Berle, Dinah Shore, the McGuire Sisters, Lena Horne, Jack E. Leonard, Jimmy Durante, Red Buttons, Alan King, Jose Greco, Gordon and Sheila MacRae, Xavier Cugat, Leslie Uggams, and Sammy Kaye and his orchestra.

In 1973, Two Ten heads west, taking its annual banquet and show to Chicago, to the world-famous Palmer House. Always a sell-out event in Boston and New York, the benefit does not disappoint in Chicago, either. Shoepeople grab up individual tickets for $30 and tables for $300.

In 1975, for the first time in its 36-year history, Two Ten revealed who would headline the entertainment portion of its annual banquet in advance of the event. We were too excited to keep it a secret: singer Ella Fitzgerald and comedian Jack Carter would lead the list of stars performing that night. 

Bill Cosby headlined the Two Ten banquet in 1980, when the annual fundraiser was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas. Tickets to the dinner and show sold for $50 a person.

In 1982 the Two Ten banquet was - briefly - rebranded as the "Foot Ball" and the newly renamed annual event was held at the Roseland Ballroom. A 14-piece swing band keept things hopping. According to Footwear News, "a high point of the evening was 'Let's Twist Again' as scores of shoe-dogs swiveled their hips and ground their soles into Roseland's huge hardwood dance floor."

In 1984, Two Ten once again orders a double, holding two annual dinners - first one in New York, then another one in Chicago. The New York banquet, held at the Sheraton Centre, was headlined by Peter Allen. The Chicago banquet was held at the Park West Theater.

After a few years of song and dance at the Copacabana, the Two Ten banquet returns to the Waldorf Astoria in 1986 and more than 2,000 guests turn out to raise funds for relief and education. The entertainment lineup features three former teen idols sometimes referred to as the "Golden Boys" of Bandstand - Fabian, Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell. 

The entertainment lineup at Two Ten's 1987 benefit dinner included EGOT-winning composer and conductor Marvin Hamlisch as well as comedian and talk show host David Brenner. But there were stars in the audience as well, including guest Liza Minelli, who was instantly recognizable on the dance floor.