Harry Altman: Buffalo’s Master Showman, by Susan Fenster, is a biography about the impresario who ran the famous Town Casino and Glen Casino in Western New York, bringing major stars like Sammy Davis Jr. and Jayne Mansfield to the region from the 1920s to the 1960s.

The book details his rise from a Russian-Jewish immigrant to a major entertainment figure, navigating challenges like antisemitism and organized crime, and covers the history of his venues and the subsequent rock venue, The Inferno.

Published in late 2025, it’s available through Buffalo History Books and other local retailers.

About Susan Fenster

Susan Fenster graduated from Buffalo State University with degrees in history and journalism.

For more than 30 years, she has built a career as a writer and author specializing in non-fiction with a focus on New York State history.

She now lives in Williamsville, New York, near Glen Park.

Susan visited the Flamingo Lounge on February 16, 2026.

Greg Hennessey’s “In the Flamingo Lounge with Rockabilly Greg” podcast is must listen content for fans of Western New York music. Hennessey has over 200 episodes in his archives at https://rockabillygreg.com.

New episodes are available at 9 a.m. EST each Saturday at RockabillyGreg.com. Each posting includes a link to the podcast, website, and social media links, images, and other interesting tidbits about the week’s guest(s).

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