Gossip Corner: Friars Club
The Friars Club is a private club in New York City, New York, famous for its risqué celebrity roasts.
The Press Agents’ Association, out of which grew the present Friars’ Club, was organized in the autumn of 1904, and its initial purpose was to identify and eliminate the “free pass” frauds who persistently, and by means of many ingenious devices, endeavored to secure “complimentary” admission to the New York theatres.
Friars Club Roasts were first televised in the late 1960s, first as part of the Kraft Music Hall series, and later The Dean Martin Show.
In June, 1907 a new constitution was adopted, and on the 29th of that month was held the ever memorable pilgrimage to Belmar, New Jersey, during which members voted for the officers to serve the ensuing year: The result of the election was as follows: Wells Hawks, Abbot; Charles Emerson Cook, Dean; Philip Mindil, Corresponding Secretary; Clinton W. Moffett, Recording Secretary; John W. Rumsey, Treasurer.
Jerry Lewis is the current Abbot, named in 2006 during a roast in New York City.
The first meeting was held at Browne’s Chop House, in response to a call issued by Charles Emerson Cook, press representative for David Belasco; Channing Pollock, representing the Shuberts; and John S. Flaherty, since deceased, who was manager and press representative for the Majestic Theatre.
Previous Abbots have included Alan King, Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan and George M. Cohan.
The Friars’ leadership is made up of a series of positions similar to those in an Abbey, including positions such as “Abbot,” “Dean,” “Prior,” and “Scribe.”
Founded in 1904, its motto is Prae Omnia Fraternitas, which is Latin for “Before all, brotherhood.”
The first year in The Monastery was notable for the development along many lines, but the business of conducting a club was new and untried to the officers, and it was found impossible to make the revenues meet the expenses.
The channel later produced its own roasts under the title of Comedy Central Roast independently of the Friars’ Club roasts.
Channing Pollock was elected President; John W. Rumsey, Treasurer; and John S. Flaherty, Secretary.
Their monthly newsletter is known as the Epistle.
The club’s members are composed mostly of comedians and other celebrities.
The Club had adopted a policy of wholesome entertainment, including a series of Frolics given in the Big Hall of the Monastery which was always taxed to its capacity.
In 2001, Hugh Hefner ’s roast at The Club was the scene of Gilbert Gottfried ’s public telling of the Aristocrats joke, made famous by the documentary of the same name.
The first guest of honor was Clyde Fitch, and the dinner was held at the Cafe des Beaux Arts, which for a time became the meeting place of the organization.
It featured never-before-seen roast footage and interviews with Friars such as Milton Berle, Buddy Hackett, Sid Caesar, Steve Allen, Henny Youngman, Jeffrey Ross, Larry King, Ed McMahon, Phyllis Diller and many others.
The Club House was formally opened on May 9, 1908.
The Board of Governors included Harry G. Sommers, Frank C. Payne, George W. Sammis, W. G. Smyth, Bruce Edwards, Marcus R. Mayer, A. Toxen Worm, Wallace Munro, Willard D. Coxey, and W. M. Hull.
George M. Cohan, who had been elected Abbot, issued a call for a meeting for the purpose of raising this $30,000.
Those who attended the inaugural meeting, and assisted in organizing the Press Agents’ Association, were: John W. Rumsey, Charles Emerson Cook, Channing Pollock, Philip Mindil, Mason Peters, William Raymond Sill, Burton Emmett, Bronson Douglas, Harry C. Schwab, and John S. Flaherty.
It had given five successful festivals or frolics and interested itself in the work of the Actors’ Fund, Red Cross and other charities, and was always foremost in patriotism, such as was shown by the large contingent that journeyed to Fort Meyer to entertain the recruits of the officers’ reserve.
An issue of bonds was authorized, and a committee of fifty, under the chairmanship of Friar Attorney A. L. Jacobs, was appointed by the Abbot to take up the question of the club’s finances, and the chairman, with the aid of Jerome Siegel, Edward T. Moriarity and Daniel A. McCann, who were appointed a sub-committee on finance, devised stringent economy in the club’s business management.
The Board of Governors included Charles Emerson Cook, Frank J. Wilstaeh and Samuel McLeary Weller.
These officers were elected: Charles Emerson Cook, President; Frank J. Wilstach, VicePresident; John W. Rumsey, Treasurer; Wells Hawks, Secretary.
Much of the money needed for the enterprise was secured through the First Annual Festival held at the New York Theatre the same month, through the courtesy of Mr. A. L. Erlanger.
It was determined to remodel the old buildings for club purposes, and accordingly plans and specifications were drawn at an estimated cost of $30,000.
In June, 1911, the Fourth Frolic was given and the sum of $40,825.56 was realized.
The newly elected Governors were: George W. Sammis, Willard D. Coxey, E. V. Giroux, Rennold Wolf, Frederick Edward McKay, W. G. Smyth, Louis F. Werba, Wallace Munro, Louis Nethersole and S. Goodfriend.
