Manhattan’s Stork Club, one of the most famous watering holes in the long history of American nightclubbing, was—from its opening in 1929 to its demise in 1965—the place to see and be seen in the Big Apple. The slick, sexy, smoky creation of a native Oklahoman and ex-bootlegger named Sherman Billingsley, the Stork was, in the words of legendary gossip columnist and radio loudmouth Walter Winchell, “New York’s New Yorkiest” joint.
Billingsley was, it would seem, born for the role of nightclub big shot; rarely a night went by when he wasn’t on the floor, shaking hands, slapping backs, greeting movie stars, musicians, powerful pols and famous athletes, keeping the booze flowing, playing cards with the clientele—in short, running an upscale saloon like a well-oiled (and highly profitable) machine.
While a hands-on kind of guy, Billingley was also just downright handy—as in, secret hand signals sent to his staff when sitting with customers. The trick? The signals had to be discreet enough so the customers wouldn’t catch on, and clear enough, amid the din produced by a well-oiled crowd, that the staff wouldn’t screw it up.
Here, LIFE.com looks back at the Stork Club in its heyday and, specifically, at some of Billingsley’s most frequently employed creative gesticulations.
Billingsley portrait: Alfred Eisenstaedt–The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Sherman Billingsley (lower right), Stork Club owner, plays cards with a patron in 1944.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesThis one means, "Call me to the phone, I want to get away from this table."Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images"Get them out, and don't let them in again."Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images"No check for this table. I got it."Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images"Get them a bottle of perfume." Billingsley routinely gave out perfume and other gifts to preferred customers.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images"Not important people," or, "No need to pay attention to these folks."Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images"Bring a bottle of champagne."Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images"Bring a round of drinks to these folks."Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images"The music in the main dining room is too loud."Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesJust a fraction of the $100,000 worth of gifts that Stork Club owner Sherman Billingsley presented to his favorite patrons each year, including a gold compact with a horseshoe of diamonds and rubies ($1,500), perfume ($200), bottle of booze, cigar clippers, hosiery, and much more.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesThe Stork Club, New York City, 1944.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesArtist Lester Gabba and his lifelike mannequin, Cynthia, who became something of a celebrity in the 1930s, enjoy a drink at the Stork Club in 1937.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesPatrons dine and dance to Ecita (with maracas in the air) and her orchestra in the Stork Club dining room in 1944.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesThe Stork Club powder room, 1944.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesMerle Oberon and Walter Winchell at the Stork Club, 1940.John Phillips—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesShirley Temple and date at New York's Stork Club, 1944.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. "Sailor with date has his reservation checked under the canopy at the Stork Club, where unescorted women are not allowed at night, but are much in evidence during lunch and cocktails."Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesA Stork Club ashtray, circa 1944.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
