Lady Olga Maitland’s Diary
There was an uproar all last week in Monte Carlo where the rich and chic had gathered for the top social event of the year, the Red Cross Gala presided over by Princess Grace.
For the star of the evening Frank Sinatra upset organisers by refusing to arrange his cabaret to fit in with a spectacular dance show which has been a tradition for years.
As a result he has insisted that it should be cancelled.
For three days dancers and their organisers pleaded with the singing star reminding him that the 28 girls had been rehearsing solidly for the last four weeks for what was to be the highlight of their year. But their pleas fell on deaf ears.
One of the dancers tells me: “Even Princess Grace tried to explain what this means to us. We are so distressed. The trouble is that everybody is rather frightened of him in case he walks out.
“The whole thing is extraordinary. Nobody even in his entourage has bothered to apologise or say sorry.
“The trouble blew up because the dancers need a full stage. So the organisers asked Frank Sinatra if he would put his band on a sliding platform and perform from the front. This he just refused to do.
“It is all so unfortunate. There will just now be Frank Sinatra singing. He knew all along that the dancing is an important part of the programme. He was here last year and saw the form.”
The Sunday Express (August 10, 1980)
Grace&Family 