Category: Culture

Fun & Games

Look, Ma–no helmets!
This was from a 1939 yearbook, before we entered WWII. Keep in mind that in 1940, Chaplin came out with “The Great Dictator,” where he mocked Hitler as well.

Ain’t that sweet?

Pretty Sure That Was A Red Light, Stan

In the spring of 1958, LIFE photographer Russell Halford took a series of photos of Los Angeles motorists.

Some were irritated.

Some were happy to offer a light.

And some were dangerously mid-beauty routine.

I don’t think it’s going to help.

As an aside, note the nub shown through her window. That’s how we used to lock car doors. You could push them up and down.

Barb Grabbing Barbed Wire

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Barb was feeling solid that day. Clem had his good tie and hat on (the one that covered his high and tight, Macklemore-y, I was Fascist when Fascist wasn’t cool haircut), and the world was alive with possibility. The homestead was thriving. The fence posts were fenceposting. Barb threw caution to the wind and climbed aboard the fence and didn’t even care if the wire cut into the flesh of her palm. Her dress was fierce, her hair was amazing (think early Peanuts Lucy). What’s a little blood in the scheme of things?

Hoodlums, Shenanigans, And Cowboy Swagger

No doubt about it, this shot was taken in Texas. Although the man dead center has the look a mafia don caught red-handed in whatever deal is going down in that car, the other fellows seem amused. And the feller on the left with his boot propped up on the fender, well, he seems downright smug. Who wouldn’t be, with such a swoopy hat?

 

People Are Strange: 1950

Nu Sigma Nu 1950, Cactus
Alpha Kappa Kappa, UT Galveston

Grandpa wasn’t the only one smoking. And evidently, supermodel Christy Turlington was there.

I can’t even explain what’s going on up there.

They laughed at knobby knees. 

They said “How” and sat next to teepees before cultural appropriation was offensive.

They looked like Gomez from “The Addams Family.”

They did chores.

And they wore these boss golf shirts.

 

Thomas Jefferson High School 1940

Sometimes the ads in the back of old yearbooks are just as interesting as the pics inside. This is a right fancy car for only $790. Looks like you could rear end the fellow in front of you and still not come close to smooshing your legs.

The yearbook included this cool image of the students inside a cave. Creepy!

Then there’s this too close for comfort wrestling team. 

En garde! Theater students have all the right moves. 

Biding Our Time

This blog has offered up many a mid-century sorority pic–and today, we add to the pile. Excuse the descreening effect of the above image; I’m certain she did not have inordinately grand goose bumps on her forearms. (Or perhaps that’s why she looks so shocked! Poor Chicken-Arms Chelsea…)

These next ladies have fabulous forearms. One seems to be asking if she can get a what-what while she decorates.

The lucky four-eyed gal in the middle seems to be the object of engagement. Perhaps the other ladies should get in shape to snag a man, too! Bend your knees and touch your toes!

But in the meantime, snagging printed party dresses will have to do.