Pic of the Week #3

Ok, I know advertising in it's younger years was sometimes a little weird, but what the heck is this?

                                       image from Found in Moms Basement

Bachelor Father Forever!

Who doesn't remember Bachelor Father?

When I was younger, in my teens, I developed a love for classic sitcoms. Mom hooked me up! Born in 1946, Mom was the epitome of a child of the fifties. She taught me about "My little Margie", "I Married Joan", and one of my favorites, "Bachelor Father" among others. My mother and I also spent many a sunday watching great classic movies together and she instilled in me a deep love for them as well. I didn't know it then but she was sharing something truly wonderful. She was handing me the baton. I won't ramble on here about how important it is to me to keep the "Good ol' Days" alive. I know for a fact that there are a whole hell of a lot of us out there who want that same thing and by gathering together in these great meeting places, we are doing just that, keeping them alive... passing the baton.

Anyway...I lay awake watching Bachelor Father many a night when I was just a kid. I LOVED it. I loved Bently Greg (John Forsythe) and Jasper, (the Dog) Peter (Sammee Tong) and Kelly(Noreen Corcoran) and her boyfriend Howard (Jimmy Boyd) and everything about the show.

Much of the show centered around Bentley's adjustments to his role as an adoptive parent, Kellys problems of adolescence and becoming a young woman, Bently trying to find a woman to share his life with, and sometimes peters misadventures.

Bentley Gregg was a Rich, successful attorney in Hollywood. He lived with his orphaned 13-year-old neice Kelly, his Chinese butler/houseboy Peter, and Jasper the Dog. They resided at 1163 Rexford Drive in Beverly Hills. (Kellys parents were killed in an auto accident so Bently assumed the responsiblity of raising her)

Kelly was a typical teenager; full of vinegar and dreams and quite often turning the household upside down with her antics. This is always a source of exasperation for Peter. During high school she had a steady boyfriend, Howard Meechim. Kelly's best friend was Ginger (Bernadette Withers) and the story goes that Gingers parents and last name were changed twice during the five-year run of the show and that only the last set of parents, Cal and Adelaide Mitchell, appeared often enough to be listed as regulars!

Throughout the show Bently is an irrisistable ladies man and has a very active social life with many beautiful women. Despite this fact, Kelly never fails in her attempts to try and hook him up with a wife. It also seems that Uncle Bently couldnt hold on to a Secretary. Five different actresses filled that role in succession: Alice Backus, Shirley Mitchell, Sue Ane Langdon, Jeanne Bal, and Sally Mansfield. The Bachelor Father series has the distinction of having aired on each of the three major networks during its 1957-1962 run. in the last episode aired on NBC, Kelly graduated from high school. Two weeks later, when new episodes began on ABC, she had started college. Howard does not get Kelly in the end. Kelly finds true love with Warren Dawson, a young lawyer who became Bentley's junior partner. The series actually ended with Kelly and Warren never actually marrying but we are to assume that if the show had gone on, they would have been.

TIDBITS:

John Forsythe was born John Lincoln Freund; January 29, 1918 John is 92 years old.

John Forsythe currently appears each year to read children's fiction during the annual Christmas program near his retirement home at the rural resort community of Solvang, California, north of Los Angeles.

John Forsythe owned and bred Thoroughbred racehorses for many years and was a member of the Board of Directors of Hollywood Park Racetrack. Among his successes, in partnership with film producer Martin Ritt he won the 1976 Longacres Mile with Yu Wipi. With partner Ken Opstein, he won the 1982 Sixty Sails Handicap with Targa, and the 1993 La Brea Stakes with a daughter of Targa, Mamselle Bebette, which he raced under the name of his Big Train Farm, a stable he named for Hall of Fame baseball pitcher, Walter "Big Train" Johnson

Noreen Corcoran left acting for a private career behind the scenes in theatre arts and dance. In 1966, she began an 11-year association with the Lewitzky Dance Company

Noreen Corcoran never married.

Noreen Corcoran is the third of eight children, some of whom were also actors. She lives with her brother Hugh today in the San Fernando Valley.
 

 Sammee Tong acted in more than 30 films and 40 television programs between 1935 and 1965

 

Sammee Tong  A close friend of Mickey Rooney, Tong was Rooney's co-star on the TV series "Mickey"

 

Sammee Tongs final screen appearance was posthumously as Cook in the 1965 film, Fluffy

 

1950s American Slang Word(s) of the Day #11

The 1950's american slang word of the day today is:


Sausage: n. 1. An inferior athlete, especially one with rippling muscles, as a prize fighter, weight lifter or wrestler. 2. A prize fighter, especially an inept prize fighter whos face is swollen, bruised or scarred from many severe beatings in the ring. 3. Any dull, stupid person. one who is as alert as a real sausage.

anthony quinn in requiem for a heavyweight 1962


Example: That Jimmy, what a sausage! I don't see how Irene can stand it. You'd think all those beatings he takes in the ring would knock some sense into him!


Clarification: That poor James, his face is so deformed that I tremble at the sight. I am unsure as to how his wife Irene endures such a situation. You would suppose that by now, considering all of the severe beatings he has sustained, he would have been taught not to be so silly.

1950s American Slang Word(s) of the Day #10

Our 1950's american slang word(s) of the day today is:

Hep; adj. Aware; informed; knowing; specifically self aware, aware of, wise to, informed of and with a comprehension of and appreciation for a specific field of endeavor, modern mode, fashion or way of life. Some student use since c.1915. Common use since c.1935 when the word became associated with jive and swing use. Still considered a jazz term and fairly common with students and young adults since c.1945. Superseded by "hip", especially in jazz and beat use.


Hep Cat; Hepcat; n. 1. A person who is hep or well informed. archaic. 2. specific. a devotee of jive or swing music. Mainly used by non devotees who don't understand the meaning of Hep or Hepcat. Archaic. 3. A dude. A sport. A young man who dresses fashionably and garishly. Knows the latest news, witty sayings and cynical opinions, and enjoys or pursues women, jazz, and a fast, tense, unrefined way of life. orig. Harlem negro use. the most common use by hep people. archaic since WWII.



Cab Calloway




Example: "oooooh Daddy, you look so hep in those smooth threads, just being near you has got Baby hot to go!"


Clarification: "Well I exclaim, my handsome male lover. You look so confident, self aware and fashionable in that fine suit that is also quite free of bumps and irregularities. Standing so close to you has made me ready and eager to kiss and caress you intimately and passionately."

Finally Done!

I've talked earlier about a project I've been working on over the past, well....forever! anyway, I am finally done with it. Not completely done as I still need to laquer the darn thing but done with the big part. This was really pretty danged fun and it kept me seriously occupied. I so enjoyed this that I plan on doing lots more and making special ones for friends and who knows, maybe I'll do a giveaway or something like that here.

I had a boring wooden stool just hanging around the house and I thought it would look pretty cool decoupaged up. I cut a trillion vintage ads, fonts, images, etc. out of a handful of the TONS of vintage 1950's and early 60's magazines I have and started pasting. I figured it would be really simple but in reality you can't just slap stuff on there. You have to make sure things fit together right and all that. (BTW; the photo date mode on the camera is not set properly. These images were taken today 2-15-2010)

"almost" every single image is cut out from vintage magazines, there are a handful of images that I downloaded and printed out from a couple of Flikr photostreams that I follow, namely from Wackystuff and Neatocoolville, whom always have killer images that I couldn't help but use.

I would think I was getting closer to being done with this thing and then there would be just a few more spots to cover, just a few more spots to get and then more would show up. it's surprising just how much surface there actually is to cover on a basic wooden stool. I had to get each leg, the support pegs, etc. I was determined that every single bit of exposed surface would be covered.

I got several comments on it while it was under construction. It really is neat and you can't help but get drawn in to the images and stuff. There is a lot of wording and stuff too. TONS of small print and little secrets tucked in here and there. I saw some really neat decoupaged stuff here on some great blogs. One really cool thing I saw was some absolutely KILLER travel cases/suitcases all done in like vintage illustrations...I think one had like Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs, etc. on it and I can't remember the other one, but they were SOOOOO cool.

So anyhow, I figure NOT TOO BAD for a first shot at decoupaging anyway. I did do a decoupage years ago when I was a little kid. I think I was in like 5th grade or something like that. I did a cool turtle on a peice of wood and we did the burned edges and all that. I thought it was so neat. Anyway, I think I could do picture frames, boxes, tables even. I could even do themes!

I don't want to inundate you with photos which, by the way, don't show nearly an inkling of the coolness that is this rocking decoupaged stool I crafted. Anyhoo...Finis.

OMG #4

image found in moms basement



Every now and then I run into something that makes me stop and stare in wonder and disbelief. This is one of those things. I'll bet young mothers slathered baby with a nice, even layer of baby oil before lying him down for his afternoon nap under the warm, wonderful glow of this amazing lamp!

1950s American Slang Word(s) of the Day #9

Our 1950's American Slang Word(s) of the Day today is:

Skin; n. 1. The hand as in the act of shaking hands. In several expressions=shake hands, e.g. "Give me some skin."; "Hand me that skin."; "Slip me some skin."; "Lay the skin on me."; and the like. Associated with jive use. 2. Ones life. Colloqu. 3. A stingy person; a skinflint. 4. A horse, esp. an old, worthless horse; specifically a racehorse. 5. A pocketbook; a wallet. orig. underworld use; since c. 1925; from leather of pigskin or of cowhide. 6. A dollar bill; a dollar. 7. any drum used in an orchestra or by a jazz musician, orig. and still predominantly jazz use since c.1930 8. a demerit. an official written reprimand. some WWII army and airforce use. some student use since c.1945 v.t. 1. to cheat, to take unwarranted advantage of. colloqu. 2. to defeat an opponent or opposing team decisively. skin-full. n. fig., containing a skin full of liquor. skin-ned. adj. Cheated; taken advantage of; having lost all or a large part of ones money to another in a gambling game or a business transaction, usually a dishonest one. Skin-s. n. plural. 1. a set of drums. jazz use. 2. Automobile tires. mainly hotrod use.

Example: "That Bastard Harry skinned my ass alive tonight. That sonofabitch is too goddamned lucky for my blood, too goddamned lucky!"

Clarification: "That Harold is despicable! I lost every bit of my money to him at the poker game tonight. I think he's a thoroughly mean, disagreeable man and I believe he must be cheating in order to have beaten me so badly!"

Great finds

I absolutely love fiction of the 50's, 60's and 70's...fiction of all types. I read every single book I find. I even read the killer 60's and 70's adult XXX books that my father collected like so many marbles and probably still has. I hope that doesn't shock some of you and run you off. I promise I won't post anything truly hard core without warning you first! Anyhow, I found these great books today at the Bishops Attic; one of my favorite thrift stores here in Anchorage. I've found most of my truly kick @$$ vintage items there. That and the new salvation army store in Mountain View. You've kind of gotta know when to hit them. It's just like gambling I think...you can actually feel it when there's good stuff coming!

I dig the artwork on these. Especially the first two and the C.S. Lewis "That Hideous Strength". I'm determined to do something with some of these covers I've collected so that I can enjoy looking at them all the time, I just haven't figured out exactly what yet. I've been working my butt off on a particular decoupage craft this past week because I've been putting it off half finished for quite awhile. I didn't realize how much time it was actually going to take. It is looking quite cool though and as soon as it's finished I promise I will share it here with all of you.

Ok, this book just drew me to it because of the Title. I was right in assuming that there is a series surrounding this particular Rabbi and each title is just as cool as this one. It goes like this: Monday the Rabbi Took Off; and of course this one, Tuesday the Rabbi Saw Red, Wednesday the Rabbi got Wet, Thursday the Rabbi Walked Out, Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry and Sunday the Rabbi Stayed Home. There are more in the "Rabbi" series but I won't go nuts here. This one here was written in 1973 and I'm looking forward to reading it.

This one looks cool.

This one is GREAT! for some true vintage wedding etiquette. It was published in 63. I found some notes written on pages from a 64 desk calendar hidden between several pages. I love finding those. I find lots of personal notes in vintage books. I especially love finding them in cookbooks. I find old grocery lists, cash register tapes, recipes, etc. in vintage cookbooks. It's like finding the toy in a cracker jack box but for vintage junkies.

I thought of Holly Hall over at Sweetheartville when I saw this. It's so perfectly country vintage.

1950's American Slang Word(s) of the Day #8

Our 1950's American Slang word(s) of the Day today is:

Prom Trotter: n. 1. A very popular girl; especially a female student who attends many formal dances. Student use. -2. A male student who is very active in college social life; one who goes to all the dances and parties. -3. A ladies man.

Example: "Madge, did you hear? That Millicent! She got asked to Friday nights dance by Billy, Tommy, Bobby and Buzz! Can you believe it? She's a real Prom Trotter, that one!"

Clarification: "Madge, did you hear the news about Millicent? Several good looking, popular young gentlemen issued her an invitation to the Friday night dance. I can hardly trust what I've heard, can you? Millicent attends an astonishing number of dances!"

"Brute Father" Cover

This is a re-do. I did another for this one a ways back but it's different. It's from a True Story submission called "BRUTE FATHER."

1950's American Slang word of the Day #7

Our 1950's American Slang Word of the Day today is:

Rumble: n. 1. A complaint to the police. Information or knowledge of a crime or criminal supplied to the police. underworld use-2. Police interruption or interference in an illegal activity or before a crime is completed. An arrest. underworld use- 3. A fight or battle, usually pre arranged between rival street gangs. orig. teenage street gang use now fairly well known, especially in large cities. v.i. To create a disturbance in order to distract attention from confederates while they are commiting a crime or escaping. v.t. To see, notice, recognize, report, scare or frustrate someone in an attempted robbery. some underworld use since c. 1925

image from Photograph of the Day

Example: "Moe, Jocko, Tony! The rumble's on at the quarry. Paulie says no bricks; sticks. We gotta move, fast!"

Clarification: "Moses, Jackson, Anthony! The battle we have pre arranged is scheduled to happen at this very moment at the rock quarry. Paul has suggested that there will be no bricks allowed but that sticks of all shapes and sizes are acceptable. To get there on time we must move quickly!"

1950's American Slang word(s) of the Day #6

The 1950's American Slang word(s) of the Day today is:

What Gives? 1. a common greeting. 2. "What's happening?", "What did I do to make you say or do that?" 3.="What's new?" perhaps the literal translation of the German "Was ist los?" ("What's the matter?" )

image from Square America

Example: "Holy Cow, Wilma...What gives?"

Clarification: "Excuse my sudden exlamation of shock, Wilma, but did I say or do something to upset you?"

Pic of the week #2

AAAAiiiiiEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee!!! I must say, this is...well, BAD. I wonder how many of these suits were actually sold? You are aware that there were some sold, right? I have come to realize that when I see something so downright horrid and unbelievably weird, something
that no human being in their right mind would ever consider wearing, using, or fondling, etc. that the very moment I am thinking that thought, somebody in the world is truly digging it. Not for the novelty of it or the sheer out of handness of the thing, but for the very fact that they quite seriously think it is one of the coolest things they've ever seen and that they're damn sure they're gonna look mighty fine in it.

Curves Ahead; The Incomparable Julie London

She was born Julie Peck in Santa Rosa, California, in 1926, to Jack and Josephine Peck, a vaudeville song-and-dance team. The family moved to San Bernardino, California when Julie was 14. She graduated there from Hollywood Professional High School and soon after took a job as a $19-a-week elevator operator in a department store in Hollywood. She sang at night with a band led by the violinist Matty Malneck. Julies lucky star was in her orbit. A chance meeting with talent agent Sue Carol would help start her movie career. The roles she first recieved were minor such as in Jungle Woman in 1944 and Nabongna in 1945, but she quickly gained popularity with movie goers with her performance in The Red House in 1947 with Edward G. Robinson.

pictured: Julie London and Lon McCallister

Ms. Londons singing and acting was put on hold for a time during a brief marriage to actor, Jack Webb. Julie met Jack Webb when she was fifteen; the two dated off and on until the marriage in 1947. Julie and Jack had two beautiful daughters, Stacy (1950) and Alisa (1952), during their relationship. Webb became a great star with the television series "Dragnet". The pressures of stardom coupled with the fact that webb was a self professed workaholic put an obvious strain on his marriage with Julie and it ended after 6 years in 1953. Webb always spoke highly of Julie and they remained friends throughout thier lifetimes.

Julie and Jack Webb at home

Julie and Jack with baby daughter 1953

After the divorce, Julie became somewhat reclusive and focused her energy on motherhood which was a role she cherished. While still married to Webb, Julie and he had shared a mutual love of Jazz music. and had spent many evenings touring the clubs together. Her love for jazz remained and she met the bandleader, Bobby Troup, during a nightclub visit on La Brea Avenue.. They quickly became smitten with one another and began dating. Bobby clearly recognized julies talent for singing and encouraged it. He believed she could make a career with such a talent. Finally giving in, Julie began singing at different nightclubs. The word quickly got around and Julie London became the most popular female vocalist for 1955, 1956, and 1957 as named by Billboard.

Always beautiful

Julie London, Feb. 1957


Julie London, Around Midnight 1960

My favorite LP cover of Julies

Julie London, Your Number Please, 1959

Julies voice has been refered to as "intimate, sleek, and sultry as well as smoky, husky, breathy, haunting, intimate and even "a voice for a smoke-filled room." My favorite is "A molten Mezzo."
While her looks clearly did attract record buyers, her voice was incomparable. Singing close to the microphone, London’s voice sounded controlled yet relaxed. It has been said that "the purity and naturalness of her vocal style tempts one to take it for granted, yet few if any singers have matched it." the anonymous author of the liner notes to London’s second album wrote: "there is an appealing loneliness in Julie, she has a way of getting out on a plane all by herself where no one can reach her". Julies music was so popular that "many male admirers bought her albums simply to gaze upon her come-hither countenance on the dust jacket", according to Hal Erickson (All Movie Guide). London recorded more than 30 albums--among them "Julie Is Her Name," "Lonely Girl," "Calendar Girl," "About the Blues," "Make Love to Me," and "London by Night", Despite all of the wonderful praise, Julie was notoriously shy and uncomfortable with stardom.
She was always very modest and rarely, if ever, took credit for her talent or work. She was a beautiful woman in spirit and heart as well as on the surface

Julie was once quoted as saying: "I'm sure any vocal teacher that listens to me would rather cut my throat than do anything."

Julie and Bobby Troup married on December 31, 1959, they had one daughter, Kelly and twin sons, Jody and Reese. Bobby was also a much beloved stepfather to Julies daughters from her marriage to Jack Web. Julie said about marriage; "I think that`s one of the most difficult things in any marriage - in order to build anything, you must be together. You can`t build anything over the telephone."

Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Troup, 1960 New Years


Julie, Bobby and friend working hard

Julie, Bobby (facing camera) and friend


Always working; Julie and Bobby


Julie and Bobby rehearsing at home as a family member looks on

Along with her new singing career, Julie's film career took off once more and she began guesting on television variety shows, appearing on shows such as Dinah Shore, Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como. Troup, the songwriter of such hits as "Route 66," even got her to write a couple of songs, the title song for the 1958 film about Alcoholics Anonymous in which she starred and sang, "The Voice in the Mirror." was written by Julie.

julie london and Richard Egan, " the voice in the mirror"

Julie and Bobby were hired in 1972 by Julies ex husband Jack Webb to act in his new television production, EMERGENCY! Julie was nurse Dixie McCall to Troup's neurosurgeon, Dr. Joe Early during the series' run from 1972 to 1977. EMERGENCY!

Julie as Dixie McCall EMERGENCY! 72-79

Julie 1967 (one of my favorites of her)

Julie at the Waldorf Hotel 1968

brought Julie to a whole new group of fans. It was a popular series during its run and has gained a great following by lovers of classic television today with the much awaited release of the show on DVD.
Julie enjoyed playing Dixie McCall and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her work on EMERGENCY! It was family, not career, that was Julie's priority. She was extremely family oriented and a real homebody, She spent as much time as possible with her husband and children at home. In regards to the family home, Julie said;
"I think homes should reflect the individuals and their individual taste rather than someone else`s." She enjoyed knitting, playing games with the kids, swimming, etc. Home truly is where Julies and the heart of her family was.

All the kids staying close to mom !

The Family Bed


Taking it easy at home

Julie in 1957 with Daughters Stacy & Alisa
and family pet

Julie and Bobby enjoying a meal

Dad stokes the fire while everyone else gets warm

Julie and the girls, Stacy and Alisa, Jan 1957

Julie with girls at home 57

Julie with Stacy and Alisa, at home 1957

Julies last music recording, "My Funny Valentine," for the film "Sharky's Machine" was made in 1981 after which she quite happily retired. Julie acted in 24 movies and her last motion picture was "The George Raft Story" in 1961, in which she portrayed Raft's first girlfriend, Sheila Patton. Julies last album was "Yummy, Yummy Yummy" in 1969. (thank you much to Mr. Lopez for that correction!) Julie considered the album "Easy Does It" her very best.

Julie with Ray Danton in the George Raft Story

Bobby Troup LP with his beloved Julie on cover

Julie and Bobbys marriage lasted 40 loving years. Many who knew them said "BobbyandJulie" as if they were one word, and that was the feeling of their life together.
About her husband Julie said once; " Bobby was one of the few people I had ever known who really wanted to do something for me." Julie suffered from a stroke in 1995 and began to suffer from many health problems from then on. in 1996 a sad and painful tragedy struck the family when their daughter Stacy was killed along with her passenger, Stephen Barnicoat, when the pickup she was driving collided with a california state patrol car. She was only 46. Bobby doted on and cared for Julie until his death from a massive heart attack at UCLA medical Center in 1999. Sadly and in a way, not surprisingly, Julie died a year later of cardiac arrest at 5:30 a.m. in Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center in October, (on Bobbys birthday), 2000, leaving behind a legacy and a voice that will be forever incomparable.

The Beautiful Julie London at NY Idlewilde Airport 70's