This 1938 photograph shows the Roslea Drive entrance to Dennistoun Palais.
The original Dennistoun Palais opened in 1922, but was destroyed by fire in 1936. When it was rebuilt and re-opened in 1938 it was the biggest dance hall in Glasgow, with a capacity of 1,800. It was said that ten times round the dance floor represented a mile. Resident band Lauri Blandford and his Orchestra often stood aside for nationally-famous big bands such as the Joe Loss Orchestra. The Dennistoun Palais continued to provide memories for Glasgow dancers until 1962, after which the building was converted into a supermarket.
The “Denny Pally” is immortalised in a couple of lines from the well-known folk song Cod liver oil and the orange juice, which sums up its appeal for many - “Does this bus go tae the Dennistoun Palais? Oh-ho, I'm lookin' fur a lumber”.
Reference: Glasgow City Archives, D-CA 8/2636
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
ballrooms, bands, Cod liver oil and the orange juice, dance halls, dances, dancing, Dennistoun Palais, Denny Pally, fires, folk songs, Hairy Mary, Joe Loss Orchestra, Lauri Blandford and his Orchestra, lumbers, supermarkets
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