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Mr. Copacabana: An American History by NIght

Mr. Copacabana is the outrageous life story of Monte Proser, creator and operator of the famous Copacabana nightclub in New York City in 1940. Monte’s life story is a sweeping epic of the early 20th century through the eyes of one of the most colorful characters in American history. Because he was the involuntary partner of a series of the most powerful gangsters of the era, Monte’s story is also a keyhole view of the struggle between crime and conscience in America. It is a history of America by night.

Available December 1st 2013 – Pre-Order Your Copy Now
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Ten years ago, in a book about the singer Dean Martin, my father was described with one sentence saying that he was a “front man” for the mafia. In a dozen other books I’d read that mentioned my father, this description had never been used and it hurt to see it then in print. I knew it was at least partly true, that he was in business with certain gangsters, but I also knew it wasn’t the whole truth. What I didn’t know for sure was what he actually did and with whom.

What I’ve found out in the ten years since then was that my father had been tarred with that brush of the mafia since 1939. That was the year he created and opened the Copacabana nightclub in New York City. That was also the year the FBI opened a file on him. I found out that he had a partner named Frank Costello, the “Prime Minister” of the mafia.

I wrote this book to set the record straight about everything my father was and was not, because a lot has been said. I always hoped that my father was not just a front man but I needed to know for sure. Now I know.

Jim Proser
Playa del Rey, California
2008

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Praise for Mr. Copacabana

“The book recounts a single place in American Entertainment and as The Palace was the premium variety house, the Copacabana was the premium variety and comedy house. It was the best. If you played there, you were the best.”

Bernie Brillstein, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment

“Monte Proser was a quiet and dynamic man whose life story will no doubt inspire your readers. Who else could have brought together celebrities,gangsters and the rich and famous in an atmosphere to create the greatest American nightclub?

The Copa is a legacy unmatched by any other nightclub before or since –[this book has] artfully brought to life the essence of [Monte’s] character and the world in which he dared to live the American dream.”

Harriet Wright, ex-Copa girl, secretary of Copa Girls Association.

“I knew Monte and spent a lot of time at the Copa. They were both one of a kind. To my mind, Mr. Copacabana has got all the elements – romance, glamor, gangsters and the best entertainers in the world . . . I was fascinated to read the details.”

Danny Welkes, personal manager of Milton Berle

For Carrie Dawson…. our heart and soul.

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Praise for Mr. Copacabana

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