What we’ve got here today is bald Brad Bourland crowning the winner of the University of Texas’s 1947 “Ugly Man Contest,” Ed Andrews. I don’t know about you, but Ed is certainly not the ugliest man to which I’ve born witness. Not by a longshot. As a result of the election, the Campus Chest received funds, which the pinned Jimmye Kimmey (that’s what the yearbook says her name is, folks) is delightfully clutching, alongside the repugnant Ed.
Category: 1940s
Abominable Yeti Sweater
I can’t tell if those figures are bald skiers or yetis, but at least he’s got the confidence to pull this thing off. They really dug Christmas sweaters in days of yore.
Well, it appears that the DUDES did.
No wait, here’s a cute couple, wearing matching reindeer moose sweaters. And a guy with a pipe.
You have to keep it interesting. These two matched, but the design was basic.
Now this couple knows how to customize! Way to be festive.
Always Take Your Pipe Out Before Rooting For The Home Team
This man has everything: a visor, sunglasses, the tie, a pipe, and even popcorn. #Winning
Cool Kids Drink Coke
Varsity Carnival, Univ of Texas 1948
I see shades of a young Priscilla Presley in the pouty girl.
As far as the dandy on the left, whose name is cited as Royall King, I had a feeling that kid went places.
Pin-Ups Killed Hitler
Among my favorite WWII books that I keep on hand is United We Stand by Richard J. Perry. It’s full of brightly-colored 1940s images, and you know that’s my bag. Unless otherwise noted, all of today’s images come from this book. While I don’t go in for the nudity in many pin-ups, I do appreciate the artistry, skill, and the motive for hanging them–which was to inspire the GIs. (Incidentally, did you know GI stood for “Government Issue”?)
If it were up to me, all pin-ups would keep their clothes on, and wind would not be constantly blowing their skirts up. They might also not look so surprised about the blustery weather. But I admit when I was young, I thought the Vargas girls were just beautiful. I had no idea they served any purpose other than looking pretty.
Upon whichever end of the spectrum you stand, in this world of rampant internet porn and the demise of the iconic Playboy, it’s hard to argue against the fact that pin-up girls made our boys want to stay alive. They helped win the war. Whether it was on the nose or side of the plane…
…or when they smoked (which was often)…
or on the walls at nightfall…
…these pin-ups reminded our fighting men of home, of their girlfriends, of the home front. Sweet, innocent-looking but scantily clad, hourglass-figured, predominantly wavy-haired young white women. Clean women for dirty thoughts.
I can’t explain it; I’m XX. Women don’t respond to visual stimuli in the manner that men do. We can turn away. We can frankly be bored by it. In fact, I’d wager that if women were doing the fighting, it would be posters of chocolate and wine on the walls. Damn the enemy who takes my freedom to eat dark chocolate pecan delights and sip Riesling! Or maybe the posters would include Matthew McConaughey holding chocolate and wine. But he’d still be wearing pants.
Well, maybe not. In any event, we’d be more realistic about it. We wouldn’t pretend paper boys looked like this. Extra, extra, my clothes are falling off, and I’m in stilettos!
Or that petty officers looked like this.
But if it worked, it worked. Whatever keeps your eye on the prize. Defeat the enemy and come home to touch naked women. Surely the Axis boys had pin-ups, too. Maybe it just came down to which side had the best pin-ups?
Even German hospitals knew what was effective medicine.
The image of Marika Rokk, famed music star in Nazi Germany, may have helped this wounded German soldier heal. But they still lost.
Like it or not, right or wrong, men like attractive naked women. That’s how they’re hardwired, so there’s no point in faulting that. Look at the interior cabin of any semi truck today. By comparison, WWII pin-ups (whether art or photography) would seem tame. I bet it’s pretty raunchy in that cab. It would probably gross me out. But that’s the price of freedom. And thank God for freedom.
Eat Those Leftovers, Dagnabbit
While you are pigging out gluttonously this Black Friday, don’t forget that stars are pigging out, too. They may be purging later, but don’t you make that mistake. Your relatives slaved over those dishes. Speaking of slaving, here’s our favorite pinafored redhead cooking a roast.
Judy Garland may not have been over the rainbow, but I bet she was over the moon about this chicken.
Marilyn gets some help from a swarthy friend, while donning an inappropriate halter dress. Even Giada wouldn’t wear that in the kitchen.
Now Giada would wear this. Can any man resist Sophia Loren’s pasta-making skills?
For the ladies, here’s Ol’ Blue Eyes about to dunk his doughnut in 1950.
Rita Hayworth seems to be taking an awfully big bite in that easily-stainable white bikini. And is that a sea monkey at her feet?
Swapping War Stories
Inside Lincoln, Nebraska 1943, Part III
Today we wrap up the series on Lincoln Nebraska during 1943. All of these pics were taken from the Northeast High School Yearbook, otherwise lost to posterity. I’m so glad to preserve these images digitally, and thereby preserve bits of history.
“Making these for defense?” I don’t know how a hog house aids defense, but there’s a lot I don’t know. Like the words “Modernage” and “dirndl.” Maybe a dirndl dress was a good distraction from the worry of brothers and boyfriends fighting overseas.
Meanwhile, back at the hatchery…
Here a woman reviews wallpaper samples at Van Sickle’s Paint Store, and a couple checks out rakes at the hardware store.
Even though life wasn’t “business as usual,” a little butter and rouge could help preserve a lady’s sanity.
Thanks for joining me on this glimpse into Lincoln!
Inside Lincoln, Nebraska 1943, Part II
Fourteen points! Can you imagine buying meat with points? War changed life on the homefront.
Down at Helin’s Grocery, you could take your pick of produce without using your blue ration coupons. That’s a good way to get folks to eat their greens.
Able-bodied men who were not overseas were able to advise ladies on fruit purchases.
But who wants cheap fruit when there’s a bakery nearby?
Inside Lincoln, Nebraska 1943, Part I
Smack-dab in the middle of WWII, life went on in small town America.
Fortunately, that wasn’t the only place to go for a Coke date. Baker Pharmacy was also well-stocked.
Aware that their future likely held military enlistment, teen boys from Northeast High School enjoyed the luxury of hometown life, hot food, and picture shows such as World At War.
All Hail Mrs. Hale
Isn’t this a great image, so full of action and gratitude? Mrs. Hale, the wife of a British soldier, is shown offering troops tea and refreshments in front of her home, as a show of military support while her husband fought in France. After tea, if she was up to it, she was known to play a little accordion.
And sometimes, when you extend a kindness to others, they will pay it forward.
Post #1111 On 11/11
I Don't Get It 