Frank Hinrichs lives in Hamburg, Germany, a country that is “virtually the opposite in many ways,” as he puts it, of Cuba. “More than 8 thousand kilometers separate us, in addition to the language, culture, mentality, climate and temperament of the people.” Even so, something strongly unites him to the island.
Hinrichs was enchanted by the “Cuban paradise under the stars,” the internationally famous Tropicana cabaret. So much so that today he is considered one of the main experts on its history and has the largest collection of objects linked to cabaret in the world.
He arrived in Havana for the first time as a tourist, in the early 1990s, attracted by “the unique mix of history, architecture, beaches, salsa, revolution and extraordinary joie de vivre that Cuba offers, despite the adverse living conditions on the socialist island and the morbidity of the times that were called ‘special period’.”
“You may wonder how it is possible for a non-Cuban born in the 1960s to be so fascinated by the pre-revolutionary history of Cuba’s most spectacular nightclub,” Hinrichs told us. And he adds: “When I stepped foot in Tropicana it was love at first sight.”
“I felt like I was visiting an unreal world of exotic splendor, compared to the cold gray of my northern European home and culture. I was immediately captivated by Cuba’s starry sky, its warm moon, the sensuality and vitality of the show and the dancers, the exciting music and all this in a tropical garden setting. It was probably the charm of the Cuban night, which took my breath away, because there is nothing like it in Germany,” he said.
Was that the beginning of your interest in Tropicana?
This experience sparked in me a desire to learn more about the history of this legendary nightclub, and I soon discovered that it was a national icon and the most famous cabaret of the 1950s.
I realized that the spectacle I saw was pleasant and adapted to the expectations of Western tourists, but it was only a shadow of what Tropicana was in the pre-Revolution era.
So I familiarized myself with its history, spoke with contemporary witnesses, contacted the family of the former owners and with some of the last dancers of the golden age who were still alive. Everyone shared their anecdotes and photo collections with me. From there, I took a small leap to becoming a serious collector.
So you then begin to collect photographs and pieces related to the cabaret…
The rise and history of Tropicana and its protagonists in the 1950s is so fascinating that it inspired me to become a passionate admirer and collector of photos and memorabilia from that era for the last 25 years. This enthusiasm and passion led me to compile what is now considered Tropicana’s main archive, with photographs vintage unpublished and historical memories of its pre-revolutionary era.
What type of pieces make up your collection?
In addition to 1,200 original photographs, the collection contains countless printed advertisements, casino chips and dice, bingo cards and various memorabilia, such as menus, postcards, brochures, souvenir photo sleeves and other curiosities: cocktail stirrers, matches, complimentary napkins and even a complete set of original VIP tableware.
The distinctive element of all the high-quality promotional material was the iconic spinning dancer, a slender female figure designed by the artist Rita Longa in 1950, which represented temptation and delicacy, and which still stands as a sculpture in the entrance area of the cabaret.
Collecting Tropicana memorabilia has become a true passion, much more than just a hobby. The thrill of finding a new photo, print ad or promotional material lies in putting together the pieces of a puzzle to uncover a stimulating narrative about the history of cabaret.
Searching for new pieces and following clues in books, magazines, notes on the back of a photo, or interviews with the last living dancers—or their families—is especially exciting when you discover something you have been searching for for a long time: for example, the name of a specific show or a dancer who until then appeared unidentified.
How did you obtain the pieces in the collection?
The vast majority—especially the photos—appeared in Cuba. They were used for marketing, promotion and articles in publications such as the Navy Diary or the monthly magazine of Cuban entertainment SHOW. Original copies of these were given to the dancers, musicians and artists of the shows as souvenirs.
As the years working in cabarets were, in many cases, the best time of their lives, many dancers, musicians or artists gathered large quantities of photos as their personal collection. When they died, their families used to sell those souvenirs to raise funds for basic needs.
My greatest successes as a collector were those moments when I managed to acquire one of these family collections. Relatives of emigrated artists and descendants of the former owners of Tropicana also frequently provided me with their photographs, which would remain for posterity through my collection.
What is the most unique or curious piece you own?
The passport of the famous choreographer Roderico (“Rodney” or “El Mago”) Neyra and the original of his contract.
My passion for collecting is clearly driven by the desire to preserve this unique material for future generations, especially those with Cuban roots, offering them the opportunity to relive those glamorous early years of Tropicana through the eyes of the observer.
I imagine that one day the best pieces from my collection will be included in the first illustrated book about Cuba’s incomparable entertainment industry in the “fabulous fifties.” Contributing to that body of photographic evidence, a monument to those who will come after, is a rewarding legacy.
Through photos, background research, and interviews, I learned how much talent, passion, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit it took for so many people to turn a simple Cuban mansion into the most exotic and glamorous nightspot in the Americas.
