Post #812288 by Tiki Trader Al on Fri, Mar 8, 2024 11:43 AM

I've been doing a bit of research into Monte Proser's Beachcomber and thought I should share the timeline I came up with and the supporting documentation.

Monte Proser's Beachcomber in New York City opened in late December of 1939, just in time for New Year's Eve of 1940.

Four months later, Don Beach was calling gossip columnists long distance (an expensive proposition back in the day) to complain about Monte's Beachcomber and announce he will open one of his in Manhattan.

Don brought at least one lawsuit against Monte (possibly multiple, but it is unclear as the gossip columnists weren't the best at real world factual stuff.) In July of 1940, it was reported that Monte won the suit brought by Don and would continue to use the name Beachcomber as well as drink names (presumably the zombie). The accuracy of this info has to be measured against the source.

Although Monte supposedly won back in July, in November Monte is expressing confidence in the out come of his lawsuit.

In June of 1941, less than seven months after proclaiming confidence, it is reported that Don and Monte settled the lawsuit and the Monte would change the name of his establishment to Monte Proser's Zombie by July 1.

On June 30th, Monte was telling everyone it would the Beachcomber would reopen the next day as the Zombie.

In spite of the settlement, on July 25th it was reported that Monte's Beachcomber had closed even after changing the name to Zombie.

But all is not finished for this Not Don's Beachcomber; in September of 1941 it is reported that the Beachcomber will reopen on October 2nd with Joe Moss at the helm.

It appears to have actually reopened 5 days later than planned, on October 7th.

Needless to say, Don wasn't at all happy and, less than a week later, was heard to say that he would take Moss to court.

All this while the Beachcomber's reopening was being celebrated.

I've yet to determine when the Beachcomber finally closed its doors for good, but in May of 1942 it was announced that Don finally won his lawsuit and was awarded substantial (for the time) damages and exclusive use of the name Beachcomber.

Maybe not the original Monte Proser's Beachcomber, but almost exactly 18 years later, in May of 1960, Monte was supposedly going to "reopen the Beachcomber" in the same spot it was back in 12/39 through probably mid 1942. (We know now that it was the Lanai that opened in 1960 which very soon became the Hawaii Kai and operated without mention of Monte's involvement.)

As always, research and history does not follow a straight line -- there are still tangents to follow, as well as a few loose ends to tie up. I'll update this thread with new information on the timeline as i find it, and probably start new ones when I fall down the tangents.