Book Launch Party at the Algonquin

January 15, 2015| Kevin Fitzpatrick| 0 Comment | 7:31 pm

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The Algonquin Round Table New York (Globe Pequot Press) was published today. I hope you can find a copy in your local bookstore. Here you can enter your ZIP code and it will tell you the closest bookstore to shop local.

We had a fantastic book launch party at the Algonquin Hotel. What was wonderful was the descendants of the Vicious Circle that attended, I thank them so much!

: Dandy Dillinger and Don Spiro at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Terin Miller, Diane Wade, Dandy Dillinger, and Don Spiro at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Frank Werber (left) and Michael Colby. Michael is the grandson of Ben and Mary Bodne, former owners of the Algonquin Hotel. Launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Michael Cook is the grandson of composer Deems Taylor. He produced a CD of his grandad’s music. Launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Vincent Gong (left) and Craig Rosenthal. Vince took photos for the book. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Christine Cassidy and Bob Tevis at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Joan Grossman, Michael Cook, Susan Cotton, and Nancy Arcaro. The three sisters are the great-nieces of Dorothy Parker and Michael is the grandson of former owners of the Algonquin, the Bodnes. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Eric Taraby and Christina Hensler at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Rocco Staino, Trish Belfatto, and Michael del Castillo. Rocco is chairman of the Empire State Center for the Book, Trish is a member of the Princeton Club, and Michael is a founder of Literary Manhattan. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Author Kevin Fitzpatrick with Dandy Dillinger and photographer Don Spiro at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Mariette Booth and Paul Katcher at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Author-Director Trav S.D. and artist Carolyn Raship at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Susan Cotton, Dorothy Parker’s great-niece, holds Dottie’s Cartier wristwatch at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Nancy Arcaro, Dorothy Parker’s great-niece, wears Dottie’s Cartier wristwatch at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Nancy Arcaro, Dorothy Parker’s great-niece, wears Dottie’s Cartier wristwatch at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Kathy Werber, Frank Werber, and Nancy Arcaro at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Ariane Von Kamp and Gigi of Beverly Hills at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Author Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ariane Von Kamp, Susan Cotton, and Joan Grossman at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Anton Briones at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Author Kevin C. Fitzpatrick speaking at the launch party at the Algonquin Hotel for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Susan Cotton is the great-niece of Dorothy Parker and Harry Atkins is the nephew of Arthur Samuels. Samuels was an Algonquin Round Table member. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Joan Grossman, Nancy Arcaro, Susan Cotton and their family scrapbook. The three sisters are the great-nieces of Dorothy Parker. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Joan Grossman, Nancy Arcaro, Susan Cotton and their family scrapbook. The three sisters are the great-nieces of Dorothy Parker. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Colin Megna, Tom Megna, Lee Morgan, Michael Colby, and Nicholas Sciammarella. (Tom is Lee’s husband and Colin is their son). Lee is the great-granddaughter of former Algonquin owner Frank Case, Michael’s grandparents Ben and Mary Bodne bought the hotel from Lee’s grandmother, Margaret Case. Nicholas is the social media and marketing director for the hotel. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Raconteur Joseph Griffo at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Dandy Wellington and Anton Briones at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Dandy Dillinger and Darlene Elkanick at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Louise Chardos and Nuala Marley at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Michael Colby, author Kevin Fitzpatrick, and Lee Morgan. Both Michael and Lee’s grandparents once owned the Algonquin: Michael’s family is the Bodnes and Lee is from the Cases. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Rocco Staino, Trish Belfatto, Don Spiro, and author Kevin Fitzpatrick at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Author Kevin Fitzpatrick holds a pocketwatch that belonged to Harold Ross, founder of The New Yorker, at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Power Couple. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Harry Atkins and author Kevin Fitzpatrick. Harry is the nephew of Arthur Samuels. Samuels was an Algonquin Round Table member. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Editor James Jayo, Dandy Wellington, and author Kevin Fitzpatrick. At the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Eric Taraby and Kaitlin McMenemon at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

: Matilda in her perch at the launch party for The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide, by Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Algonquin Hotel, January 2015. Photo credit: ©2015 Jane Kratochvil (janekratochvil.com).

Former location of the Blue Bar and Oak Room.

Algonquin Hotel Gut Renovation Moves Bar, Reconfigures LobbyAlgonquin Hotel Gut Renovation Moves Bar, Reconfigures Lobby

August 21, 2020| Kevin Fitzpatrick| 0 Comment | 3:50 pm

Former location of the Blue Bar and Oak Room.

In the most extensive renovation in many decades, the Algonquin Hotel is underway with a major overhaul that has removed the bar, restaurant, front desk, and ceiling. The Round Table is gone, and so is the perch that Hamlet had in the window on Forty-fourth Street.

East side of hotel, where front desk was located.

The hotel, opened in 1902, has removed the Blue Bar completely. Visible from the sidewalk, the ceilings are open and the floors are down to bare concrete. On the east side of the building, the front desk and the areas around it are wide open. The Round Table Room, at the back of the property, is under wraps. Little is visible from the street of the details.

It is currently not open to the public; the owners are using the pandemic to overhaul the property. In April the Algonquin was housing healthcare professionals.

The Algonquin was last renovated in 2012, in an overhaul that saw the Blue Bar expanded and the Oak Room reduced in size. That work maintained the distinctive qualities that dated to the 1998 renovation overseen by Alexandra Champalimaud. That had followed the $20 million mechanical renovation in 1991 ($38 million today) by the Aoki Corporation; that was when the tiny Blue Bar moved across the lobby.

Front entrance, closed to public.

While the Algonquin Hotel has city landmark status, it only applies to the exterior, not to the interior.

I have reached out to Marriott to inquire about a visit and look at the plans. An update could be coming soon.

These photos were taken on August 21, 2020. For the history of the Algonquin Hotel, buy the book.

West side of Blue Bar and Oak Room.

Dorothy Parker and the Earlier A. A. Milne BusinessDorothy Parker and the Earlier A. A. Milne Business

August 3, 2018| Kevin Fitzpatrick| 0 Comment | 4:00 pm

With A. A. Milne back in movie theaters today, it’s time to revisit the beef that Dorothy Parker had with the author. The feud was flamed by her mentor, Franklin P. Adams, always known as FPA.

It’s common knowledge about what she thought about Winnie the Pooh, from Mrs. Parker’s book review published in The New Yorker, about The House at Pooh Corner, from October 1928:

And it is that word “hummy,” my darlings, that marks the first place in “The House at Pooh Corner” at which Tonstant Weader Fwowed up.

However, this is a year after Mrs. Parker had found herself in a mess about Milne. Her publisher, Boni & Liveright, were marketing her debut poetry collection Enough Rope with advertising copy, “America’s A. A. Milne is a lady. She is Dorothy Parker.” Not very smart.

Mrs. Parker wrote a response for FPA called “When We Were Very Sore.” This was published on March 10, 1927 in the New York World. She likely wasn’t paid for this verse, which is written in the Milne style. FPA had a lot of fun with this one. He quipped, “What lady was America’s A. A. Milne? Answer: That was no lady, that was Dorothy Parker.”

When We Were Very Sore

Round Table Movies in the Library of CongressRound Table Movies in the Library of Congress

August 9, 2019| Kevin Fitzpatrick| 0 Comment | 10:01 am

Edna Ferber and James Dean on the set of Giant.

The Algonquin Round Table has many ties to film history. With so many writers and actors, it’s no wonder there are links to many classic Hollywood productions. Most of these names are in The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide. Lucky for us, the Library of Congress National Film Registry is around.

Motions pictures that members of the Round Table contributed to, and that the Library of Congress has added to the National Film Registry. These films are to be preserved in the national archives for perpetuity:

A Night at the Opera (Harpo Marx, star; George S. Kaufman, screenplay)

Citizen Kane (Herman J. Mankiewicz, writer)

Duck Soup (Harpo Marx, star)

Giant (Edna Ferber, writer)

Showboat (Edna Ferber, writer)

It’s A Wonderful Life (Dorothy Parker, un-credited script doctor)

The Big Parade (Laurence Stallings, writer)

The Philadelphia Story (Donald Ogden Stewart, adapted screenplay)

The Sex Life of the Polyp (Robert Benchley, writer & star)

The Sound of Music (Peggy Wood, co-star)

How many have you seen? Do you think any were overlooked?

Book Launch Party at the Algonquin

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