On Thanksgiving weekend, 1942, the city of Boston was abuzz. Men serving in WWII were home on leave for the holiday, movie star Buck Jones was in town on a war bond tour as well as promoting his two upcoming films, and the undefeated Boston College Eagles were eager to celebrate a surefire victory over their rivals, the Holy Cross Crusaders. However, on the morning of Saturday, November 28, when Boston Globe reporter Jerry Nason wrote "This is anything-can-happen day," he had no idea how prophetic his statement would prove to be.

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Episode Sources:

“The Story of the Cocoanut Grove Fire” Boston Fire Historical Society

“The Cocoanut Grove Revisited” by Daniel J. Fleming, National Archives, Fall 2017

“The deadliest disaster in Boston’s history happened 75 years ago. Some worry the city is forgetting.” By Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Nov 28, 2017

“Inside the Cocoanut Grove disaster, America's deadliest nightclub fire that killed 492 people in 15 minutes” by James Pasley, Business Insider, Jan 2, 2020

“Cocoanut Grove Fire – Special Section” Boston Fire Historical Society

“Bob Shumway, last known survivor of the deadly Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire, dies at 101” by Bryan Marquard, The Boston Globe, Nov 12, 2025

Report Concerning the Cocoanut Grove Fire of November 28, 1942, William Arthur Reilly, Fire Commissioner, Nov 19, 1943

“The Cocoanut Grove Inferno” by Jack Thomas, The Boston Globe, Nov 22, 1992

“DEATH AT THE COCOANUT GROVE: HORRORS OF AMERICA'S WORST NIGHTCLUB FIRE” American Hauntings

“Hoofbeats”

“SHAME ON YOU” by Dotty Myles; Vin Parlay Ensemble, Harold Aptt

“Next Tokyo Raid to Honor Dancer” The Brattleboro Reformer, Jan 19, 1945

“The Fire That Changed the Way We Think About Grief” by Eva K. Rosenfeld, The Harvard Crimson

Buck Jones blog

“The Cocoanut Grove Nightclub Fire: A Boston Tragedy” by Stephanie Schorow, Oct 31, 2022

Cocoanut Grove Fire - Special Section, Boston Fire Historical Society

“Cocoanut Grove Nightclub Fire Survivor Stories” National Fire Protection Association

Creeptastic theme music by:

Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

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