Schenectady Firemen-Police Put on a Show for Cerebral Palsy Back in 1953

09 Oct Schenectady Firemen-Police Put on a Show for Cerebral Palsy Back in 1953

The Schenectady, New York police and firemen had a grand old time knocking baseballs out of the park and rounding the bases. It was 1953 and the firefighters had put together a game to raise money for cerebral palsy. Both the fire and police teams were competing at the Schenectady Stadium, while 2,500 people watched the drama and comedy unfold.

Laughs were in abundance. People may have thought movie stars like Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell were on the field, but the truth was the “ladies” were actually dolled-up members of the Police Department (see image).

Hijinks were in full swing as Frank Mauriello and Nick Mazzacua sang “There’s no business Like Show Business” and offered impressions of 1950 musicians Johnny Ray and Vaughn Monroe. They even spoofed “Bride and Groom” a television show that featured on-air weddings and gifts for the newlyweds. Even the mayor, Archibald C Wemple got into the act.

But the biggest hit of all came when Arthur Hilliard presented a $5,000 (~$44,000 when adjusted for inflation) to Harold Armstrong, the chairman of the cerebral palsy drive.

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