Eerie Photos From The Past That Will Keep You Staring
By Sarah Norman | June 20, 2023
Adam West, on the set of the movie Batman 1966
Collected here are some enchanting photos of the past that will bring these moments back to life. You’ll find hilarious fashion fads, strange cultural trends, political protests, influential music, and various defining moments in history and pop culture. Come flip through these captivating photos that have left us in complete awe.
Holy plot twist, Batman! In 1966, Adam West burst onto the big screen as the caped crusader in the highly anticipated Batman movie. But did you know that this actually wasn't the first Batman film? Nope, not even close. In 1943, Columbia Pictures released a serial called The Batman, which, when it was re-released in 1965, helped reignite interest in the superhero's story.
So how did West land the coveted role of Batman? Apparently, the producer saw him in a Nestlé Quik commercial where he played a spy, and knew he was the perfect fit for the part. But after playing Batman on both the small and big screens, West found himself a victim of typecasting, making it tough to find other roles. But let's be honest, he will forever be remembered as the one and only Batman.
Did you feed your pet rock today?
Ah yes, the Pet Rock, the best, worst collectible conceived in 1975. Advertising executive Gary Dahl conceptualized the product, proving that marketing really is everything in business. These smooth stones from Mexico's Rosarito Beach (which you could always choose to decorate with paint and googly eyes), were marketed like live pets and sold in custom cardboard boxes complete with breathing holes. The fad only lasted about six months but it’s amazing it ever got going in the first place. Dahl sold about 1.5 million Pet Rocks at a whopping $4 each and became a millionaire…. An actual millionaire selling people rocks as pets.
Jimi Hendrix at age 15 with his first electric guitar, 1958.
Pictured here is rock legend Jimi Hendrix, or as he was still known as in this photo, Johnny Allen Hendrix. Even back in elementary school, Hendrix had a habit of rocking out… of course it was with a broomstick he’d pretend was a guitar.In 1957, Hendrix happened to find a ukulele tossed out in a trash heap, so he began following along to Elvis songs.
By mid-1958, Hendrix was 15-years old and the proud owner of his very first acoustic guitar, which he scored for a whopping 5 bucks. Within three months of playing with his band the Velvetones, he knew he had to go electric.
Brigitte Bardot practicing her ballet (1952).
The French model, actress, and singer was the original blonde bombshell who began her career in the arts as a dancer. From a very young age Brigitte was an aspiring ballerina and very dedicated to her craft. When she was just seven years old she was enrolled at the Cours Hattemer private school and only attended three days a week. The other three days she spent in dance lessons at Madame Bourget’s dance studio. Perhaps this is where all her seemingly effortless grace comes from. Brigitte Bardot’s style, grace, immense talent and her passion for animal rights, has heavily influenced culture as a whole.
Veteran Anatoly Golimbievsky who lost his legs in world war 2 being saluted by 4 young soldiers, May 9th 1989.
This piece of vintage war history was taken back in 1989. Featured here is heavily decorated Veteran Anatoly Golimbievsky, who lost both his legs while serving in World War 2. As can be seen here, he is being saluted by four young sailors on V Day.
Golimbievsky was found on the battlefield showing little signs of life back in 1942. He ended up being the only survivor in a landing party of marines led by Major Caesar Kunnikov and he was wounded in his arms and legs. He was taken to a hospital in Tbilisi but doctors were not able to save his legs. Golimbievsky was said to have handled the loss better than most, he was grateful to still have his life. He lived it with such zest, he even managed to win the affections of the hospital senior nurse, a Georgian named Mirtsa. He married her, lived to be eighty years old, and he worked almost up to his very last day.
Stevie Wonder visiting a children’s school for the blind in London.... (circa 1970)
Stevland Hardaway Morris, better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder. Wonder is an accurate description of the brilliant singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
He was a child prodigy who has been blind since (shortly after) birth and is now considered to be one of the most critically and commercially successful musical performers of the late 20th century. Pictured here is the beloved musician visiting a children’s school for the blind in London back in the 1970s. Stevie was good with kids and apparently had a way with the ladies... having an impressive nine children of his own with five different women.
The De Lackner HZ-1 Aerocycle had it's first flight test in 1954
Have you ever dreamed of owning a personal helicopter that you could fly with just a little bit of training? Well, back in the day, the De Lackner HZ-1 seemed like it could make that dream come true. The U.S. Army was planning to use it for reconnaissance missions, but they also saw its potential as a quick and easy mode of transportation for soldiers on the ground.
However, things didn't quite work out as planned. While the HZ-1 showed promise at first, it soon became clear that untrained pilots simply couldn't handle it. Despite being designed to be flown with minimal instruction, it turned out that inexperienced infantrymen lacked the skills necessary to keep the machine airborne.
To make matters worse, the HZ-1 had a tendency to crash, which is obviously not an ideal trait for any aircraft, let alone one that's supposed to be easy to fly. Sadly, after a few crashes, the project was scrapped and the dream of a personal helicopter faded away... for a while, at least.
A handsome, young John Wayne early on in his acting career. (1930)
Born Marion Robert Morrison, John Wayne, also known as the “Duke,” wasn’t just a man of many names, but also many talents. As an actor and a filmmaker he managed to spend three decades as one of the largest box office draws in the industry.
His first leading role came in 1930 with Raoul Walsh's The Big Trail, this part was just the first in a string of lead roles in B movies all throughout the 1930s– most of which were Westerns. In 1939 he landed the role of a lifetime in John Ford’s Stagecoach and from there he was a megastar. Literally, a megastar 142 pictures to be exact.
A young Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip (1968).
Elizabeth and Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, are second cousins once removed through King Christian IX of Denmark in addition to being third cousins through Queen Victoria. It was while crossing paths at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in July 1939, that young Elizabeth (only 13 years old at the time) fell head over heels in love with Philip.
The feeling was mutual and the two began exchanging love letters until July 9, 1947, when they officially announced their engagement. Elizabeth and Philip were married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey. They went on to have four children: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
Cherie Currie of The Runaways listens to records at home, 1977.
Cherie Ann Currie is best known as the lead vocalist of the all-female rock band the Runaways. Alongside bandmates Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Sandy West, Jackie Fox and Vicki Blue, Currie rocked the mid-to-late 1970s so hard, she was dubbed "the lost daughter of Iggy Pop and Brigitte Bardot".
Currie went solo after the band parted ways, then went on to team up with her identical twin sister, Marie Currie to create an album. Their duet "Since You Been Gone", charted number 95 on US charts. Currie has provided ‘guest vocals’ on many albums over the years, working with The Ramones and Rick Derringer. She also released some duet projects of her own including singles with ex-bandmate Lita Ford and Glenn Danzig.
Aerial view of the launch pads along Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, 1960's.
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, also known as “Cape Kennedy”, is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing. It’s headquartered at the Patrick Air Force Base on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
A number of American space exploration pioneers were launched here and the station has three launch pads currently active. Launches include, the first U.S. Earth satellite in 1958, the first U.S. astronaut in 1961, and the first U.S. astronaut in orbit was in 1962. It was also the launch site for all of the first spacecraft to (separately) fly past each of the planets in the Solar System (1962–1977).
Cover Girl-Photo of the beautiful Christie Brinkley from the 70's.
Born Christine Lee Hudson, Christie Brinkley achieved worldwide fame after landing three consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covers from the late 1970s through 1981. After that, she landed yet another huge gig, not only did she become the face of CoverGirl, but she spent 25 years in the position. Which was unheard of considering modeling is considered a “time sensitive” career. She had the longest running cosmetics contract of any model in history.
She also signed contracts with other major brands over the span of her three-decade career and has appeared on over 500 magazine covers. Brinkley remains a fashion and beauty icon but has also gone on to work as an actress, writer, illustrator, photographer, designer, and activist.
An impromptu kickline around 1950
While these lovely ladies have great gams, no one pulled off a kickline quite like the Rockettes. Looking back it seems so strange that such simplicity would grow so popular, although the attire of the Rockettes was able to bring it to life. One could easily come to the conclusion that the simplicity (not to mention the conformity) of the kickline was symbolic of the entire decade. The 1950s and its seemingly ‘Stepford-like’ norms displaying a complete lack creativity or any sort of individuality are perfectly expressed in this very basic but charming dance move.
Author Ernest Hemingway and bullfighter Antonio Ordonez enjoy a drink, behind bars. (1959)
Pictured here is a toasty Ernest Hemingway alongside an equally sloshed Antonio Ordonez, having a laugh and a few too many drinks behind bars in Spain. Ernest Hemingway is just as famous for his drinking as he is for writing. He frequented many bars throughout his lifetime. It seemed he had a favorite bar and even a signature drink in every place he ever lived or visited. He’s even credited with immortalizing a few of his favorite haunts through his writing. His favorite bar in Cuba, El Floridita even erected a life-sized bronze statue of the great Hemingway. They also dedicated a bar stool to him.
Caroline Kennedy holding her father’s hand, 1961
Pictured here is John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States escorting his adorable daughter Caroline. JFK’s administration ran from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. Little Caroline was just shy of her sixth birthday when she lost her father.
Today, Caroline is the only surviving child of President Kennedy and former First Lady Jacqueline Onassis. She grew up to become a prominent author, attorney, and diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Japan from 2013 to 2017. Much like her mother, she's an advocate for education reform and stays involved with charitable work.
Marilyn Monroe's film studio wanted to prove that she would look good even in a Potato Sack Dress, 1951.
Marilyn Monroe has long sat high up on the list of sexiest women in Hollywood history. That old saying about someone looking good, even look good in a potato sack applied first figuratively and then literally to Miss Monroe. Thanks to studio reps at Twentieth Century Fox, they proved Marilyn certainly could look good in anything.
What sparked this strange experiment was a comment made about a revealing red dress Marilyn wore to a party at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The columnist called her cheap and vulgar and went on to suggest the actress would have looked better in a potato sack. So, there it was, Marilyn Monroe, looking just as sexy in burlap as she did in slinky designer dresses.
Charlie Chaplin and his four wives (1918-1977)
Charlie Chaplin’s first wife was actress Mildred Harris. The two wed in 1918 after a pregnancy scare and while it ended up being a false alarm, Mildred did go on to mother Chaplin’s first child. Tragically, the baby died after only three days and the couple divorced in 1920.
Next up was Lita Grey, she too was an actress. She fell for Chaplin and the two were married from 1924 until 1927. Before their incredibly bitter divorce, the couple had two children: Charles Jr. and Sydney Earl.
Charlie Chaplin’s third marriage was to actress Paulette Goddard, who appeared in Modern Times and The Great Dictator. Their marriage lasted from 1936 to 1942 and by all accounts, it ended on amicable terms.
Charlie Chaplin’s fourth and final wife was Oona O’Neill. They married in June of 1943, and it seemed the star had found happiness at last. Of course, Oona was only 18 and Chaplin was 53… Before Chaplin’s death in 1977, he and Oona had eight children together: Geraldine, Michael, Josephine, Victoria, Eugene, Jane, Annette, and Christopher.
Claudia Cardinal (1959)
Claudia Cardinale took Europe by a storm, and soon the United States… and the rest of the world. The Italian film actress and sex symbol appeared in some of the most acclaimed European films of the 1960s and 1970s. She was blessed with more than just beauty, she had real talent as can be seen in her performances in films such as Girl with a Suitcase (1961), The Leopard (1963), and Federico Fellini's 8½ (1963).
It was her role in The Pink Panther opposite David Niven that got her noticed in the US. Then she began appearing in Hollywood films like Blindfold (1965) with Rock Hudson, The Professionals (1966), and the epic Western Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). She feared becoming a cliché and grew tired of Hollywood so she returned to Italian and French cinema.
In 1940 the Douglas DC-3 was the ultimate way to fly.
The Douglas DC-3 is credited with revolutionizing air travel. Prior to this legendary aircraft taking flight, it was a long grueling 25 hours to make the trip from New York to Los Angeles. It also often took at least two plane changes and around 15 stops to make the trip. Now, it takes one plane to cross the country and you’re only stopping three times at most to refuel.
The plane first took to the skies December 17, 1935 and airlines like TWA, Delta, American, and United ordered entire fleets of DC-3s, establishing the model as the official for long-distance travel. The Douglas DC-3 is widely considered the first airliner that was able to make money just from carrying passengers.
Jeannie Rousseau 1939, member of the French Resistance in WWII. She was caught and sent to three different concentration camps.
Pictured here is a smirking Jeannie Yvonne Ghislaine Rousseau. This brave beauty was an Allied intelligence agent working in occupied France during World War II. Rousseau was able to evade the Gestapo while behind enemy lines gathering intelligence on the Germans' emerging rocket weapons programs.
She forwarded her findings to London and her successful mission led directly to the British raid on Peenemünde and to saving thousands of lives in the West. Rousseau was captured twice and did end up spending time in three concentration camps but she made it through alive and after the war, she went on to work as a freelance interpreter.
Jon Bon Jovi and a few of his admirers (1985).
Pictured here is rock star Jon Bon Jovi, getting away with wearing sunglasses indoors. His band, Bon Jovi, formed in 1983 and included lead guitarist Richie Sambora, pianist and keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, and bassist Alec John Such (who was replaced by Hugh McDonald).
By 1986, Bon Jovi had achieved worldwide fame with their third album, Slippery When Wet. The band spent pretty much all of the late 80’s touring and recording non-stop. Finally, they took a hiatus in 1990, but that didn’t mean relaxation, it was just a break from each other because during this time Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora both went ahead and released their own successful solo albums.
Thus far, Bon Jovi has released 13 studio albums, six compilations, and three live albums. The band has sold more than 130 million records worldwide and was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006. As of October 5, 2017, Bon Jovi has been listed as a nominee for the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions.
Clint Eastwood and Manis the orangutan bonding on the set of Every Which Way But Loose,1978.
Pictured here is Clint Eastwood, Hollywood’s resident badass and the official cultural icon of masculinity cuddled up with an orangutan. The orangutan in question is Manis; who was Eastwood’s sidekick Clyde in the 1978 box office hit Every Which Way But Loose.
Unfortunately, Manis could not reprise his role in the 1980 sequel, Any Which Way You Can, because he had grown too much by the time they were ready to start shooting. After leaving Eastwood’s side, Manis went back to his Las Vega act before appearing in Going Ape! (1981), Cannonball Run II (1984), Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz (1985), and the hit series Cheers (1988).
Little girl on roller skates talks to army soldier on patrol in Northern Ireland.... (circa 1971)
Pictured here is little girl out for a roll around town in Northern Ireland, curious about the uniformed and heavily armed man in her town. But by the time this photo was taken in 1971, British troops had already been a regular sight in Northern Ireland for a couple of years.
What’s known as the Northern Ireland conflict or simply “The Troubles” was primarily political and nationalistic driven acts of violence that started in the 1960s and is considered to have come to an end with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.
The violence began spilling over into parts of the Republic of Ireland, England and mainland Europe... and they’d all had enough. So British troops were sent over to restore order in 1969 but it was a long process. They were there from 1969 until 1979. The British government suspended the Northern Ireland parliament and they were under direct rule from London by 1972.
Little Hippie dancing at WoodStock, 1969.
Hippy parents didn’t see anything wrong with dragging their kids to a weekend long, drug-fueled rock concert. There were probably a great deal of children conceived at Woodstock as well.
There were at least two confirmed birth’s at Woodstock. Can you image being at a three-day rock festival and then going into labor? There were reports of a new mother being airlifted to the hospital by helicopter and another birth happened in the nine-mile traffic jam just outside the festival.
At one point John Sebastian, lead singer with Lovin' Spoonful, announced from the stage: 'Some cat's old lady just had a baby, a kid destined to be far out!'
Looks like these ladies were having a good time at a bachelorette party in 1920!
Decadence, glamor, and apparently careless lounging on staircases was the type of fun young gals had in the roaring 20s. But it wasn’t all fun and games. The women of this era would go on to be remembered as a “new woman” because of all the changes that the decade brought. Significant changes put into motion during this time were in politics, the home, the workplace, and in education for women.
Women began to stand up and voice that they felt it was their right to take a serious part in politics, as it was their daily lives that political decisions were affecting too. When passed in 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote. By 1929, women were represented on local, state, and national political committees.
Maybe this diver with an umbrella was afraid to get wet...Paris, 1949.
This photo is dated 1949 and features the odd sight of a deep sea diver with an umbrella overhead. What looks like a strange hybrid of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea and Mary Poppins taken on the Disney backlot, was actually shot in Paris back in 1949.
These strange suits for exploring underwater worlds have a long history. Crude and often frightening designs date all the way back in 1715 when Pierre Remy de Beauve crafted his iron corseted suit and helmet that made sea explorers look like martians.
Mod fashion of the 1960's with psychedelic glasses and cut-out gloves. Far out!
Mr. Paul Newman, 1963.
Award-winning actor Paul Newman was also a director, producer, philanthropist, and had an immense love for race car driving. As old ‘cool hand’ once explained, auto racing was "the first thing that I ever found I had any grace in".
His film credits include playing the title characters in The Hustler (1961) and Cool Hand Luke (1967), as well as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973), and The Verdict (1982). Newman took home an Academy Award for his performance in The Color of Money (1986), a BAFTA Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Cannes Film Festival Award, and an Emmy Award… just to name a few.
Officials try to stop Katherine Switzer, the first woman to ever finish the Boston Marathon in 1967.
Pictured here is Kathrine Switzer competing in the 1967 Boston Marathon even though she wasn’t allowed to as a woman. Because she was dressed in oversized sweat clothes, she was able to go undetected long enough to get started. The problem was when a reporter spotted her and alerted Boston Marathon race directors Will Cloney and Jock Semple to her presence, “Hey, Jock, you’ve got a broad on your hands today.”
The next thing Switzer knows is she’s being charged at by Cloney and Semple. Both men tried to physically stop Switzer, but she managed to out maneuver them. Despite their efforts to stop her, she persisted and became the first woman to finish the race.
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor. A young George Carlin, 1950's.
It was in 1959 when comedian, actor, and author George Carlin met Jack Burns and formed a comedy team. The duo did local performances in Fort Worth before heading out to California in February of 1960. The as they say… a legend was born.
Carlin is now most known noted for his hilariously dark way of conveying his thoughts on…. Well on pretty much everything. He’s taken on politics, psychology, religion, just about every taboo he could get his hands on, and even the English language. Sadly he passed on June 22, 2008, but his work continues to influence the work of writers and comedians every day.
Some who credit Carlin as an influence are, Kevin Smith, Bill Burr, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld, Louis C.K., Lewis Black, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Maher among many others.
Photo showing Cousin Its' face (Felix Silla) on the set of the Addams Family. 1965
Here we have the face behind the hair, Cousin Its reveals the face of actor Felix Silla on the set of the Addams Family back in 1965. The Addams Family only aired for two seasons on ABC from 1964 to 1966, for a total of 64 episodes. It was in direct competition with The Munsters on CBS, which ran for the same two seasons but secured higher Nielsen ratings.
The Addams Family consisted of the very wealthy Gomez Addams (John Astin), his wife and obsession Morticia, née Frump (Carolyn Jones); their daughter Wednesday (Lisa Loring), and their son Pugsley (Ken Weatherwax). Extended family included the odd Uncle Fester (Jackie Coogan), and Grandma (Blossom Rock).
Protesters back in the 70's.
As we all know, the 1970s were a tumultuous time (on its own as a decade and as an extension of the issues from the 1960s). Everyone being marginalized fought for equality: Women, African Americans, Native Americans, and the gay community. Many stood up to protest the ongoing war in Vietnam. Some were taking on environmental issues…. The protest was a flourishing art.
President Richard Nixon undermined many people’s faith in the federal government. After Watergate, many decided to just withdraw from politics altogether and shifted their focus to pop culture. There was just so much happening that by the end of the decade there was this sense of exhaustion and disappointment. People decided to lose themselves in fashion fads, partying, pop-culture, and celebrity obsessions. A trend which has only continued to grow.
Rolling Stones Fans, 1978.
The Rolling Stones is easily the greatest rock band in the world, drawing in crowds of a cool 90 to 100,000 as they did in June 1978 in no surprise. Those roaring crowds in attendance consisted of your average rockers, frantic starstruck girls, and even other celebrities.
You can count on seeing it all at a Stone’s show; police escorting the more ‘enthusiastic’ fans out of the hall, girls flashing the stage, Jagger doing weird things with his tongue and skinny hips for a sea of adoring fans.
Teenage girl gets ready in her room with Aqua Net! (1980's)
If 80’s fashion could be summed up in a simple phrase it would probably be something like “big hair, don’t care". Of course, the 80’s had a tendency to lean towards big (and bright) everything… big jewelry, big sweaters, big scrunchies, big socks, and even bigger cans of Aqua Net! So maybe “go big or go home” would be a more appropriate phrase for the decade.
Whether it was to ensure your bangs could reach the heavens while rocking the ’side-pony’ or to achieve a full head of crunchy locks fit for the hood of Whitesnake's car, Aqua Net was your golden ticket to the helmet of your dreams.
The Bee Gees - Barry, Robin, and Maurice, 1952.
Pictured here are three little Bee Gees preparing for their future debut in 1958. Brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb had a steady stream of success throughout most of their career but two distinct periods were exceptionally successful. The first being in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and then as prominent disco era performers in the mid-to-late 1970s and 1980s.
Wonder if they knew on this day on this day in 1952 that they would go on to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after becoming one of the world's best-selling music acts of all time– over 220 million records worldwide.
The Boss and his bike in the 70's.
Pictured here is the patron saint of the working man, “The Boss”, Bruce Springsteen himself. Lounging back on a Triumph while rocking an Elvis shirt. Back in 1976 Bruce Springsteen actually climbed the wall of Graceland to meet Elvis Presley. But Elvis wasn’t home.
Springsteen was seven when he saw Elvis perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. He later recalled feeling mesmerized: 'I couldn't imagine anyone not wanting to be Elvis Presley', he said. It was after that, his mother Adele put a guitar in his little hands and even set up lessons for him.
Fast forward to 1976, when Springsteen is reveling in his first rush of great fame (having had just played Memphis on his Born to Run tour), decided the best way to celebrate was to crash his idol’s house. He grabbed a cab, got dropped off at Graceland, and climbed right over the gate. He was about to knock when security interceded.
'Is Elvis home?' he asked. The answer: 'No, Elvis isn't home, he's in Lake Tahoe'. (Which was true) and they escorted him back to the street.
The Boss Bruce Springsteen, 1975.
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen also known as "The Boss" is known for his work with the E Street Band. The Boss is loved for his brand of working class rock, often touting political sentiments and centered on his native New Jersey. His distinctive voice and energetic stage performances (sometimes running up to four hours in length) have always kept fans satisfied, yet still hungry for more.
The Boss has sold over 120 million records worldwide and more than 64 million records in the United States, making him one of the world's best-selling artists of all time. He has earned 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award as well as being inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Springsteen was a Kennedy Center Honors recipient and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom 2017.
The incomparable Gene Kelly doing what he did best, in 1952.
Actor, director, dancer, and choreographer Gene Kelly, is credited with introducing innovative dancing, staging, and styles of decor that greatly advanced the art of musical comedy in Hollywood throughout the 1940s and 1950s. His most famous works being On The Town (1949) and Singin' In The Rain (1952).
Kelly devised new styles of tap, jazz, and ballet for storytelling on the screen. He was also the mastermind behind the idea of having a single dance routine take place against a series of real backgrounds (as is seen in modern music videos).
In addition to being a creative genius, he was highly engaging and charming as a performer. Audiences loved his voice and breezy manner.
The interior of KITT from the Knight Rider series. (1983)
What could be better than watching David Hasselhoff and an artificially intelligent 1982 Pontiac Trans Am go head to head with the forces of evil? Not much in the 80’s. KITT was the supercomputer car of your dreams.
KITT’s "brain" is the Knight 2000 microprocessor, a "self-aware" cybernetic logic module that not only allowed KITT to think and communicate, (in Mr. Feeny's voice) but also to continue to learn. As if that wasn’t cool enough, he came fully stocked with an in-dash entertainment system: music, movies, videogames, and various computer programs.
KITT’s virtually indestructible nature comes from a "Tri-Helical Plasteel 1000 MBS" (Molecular Bonded Shell) plating. This protects him from pretty much all conventional firearms and explosive devices…. Why settle for anything less?
The Price Is Right host Bob Barker with Janice Pennington and Anitra Ford, 1972.
Popular American game show The Price Is Right has always brought in models to showcase the prizes. From 1972 to 2007 when Bob Barker hosted the show, these models were known as "Barker's Beauties."
Over 25 women have modeled for the show since its premiere, but those first three years belonged to the beauties pictured here, Janice Pennington and Anitra Ford. Dian Parkinson appeared from time to time but was signed on in 1975 and all three models appeared together until Ford left in 1976. Pennington, Parkinson and later Holly Hallstrom took the reigns together from 1977 all the way until 1993.
The Rolling Stones on stage in 1969
The Rolling Stones' 1969 US Tour took off in November 1969 and according to Rock critic Robert Christgau it was "history's first mythic rock and roll tour". Critic Dave Marsh described the tour as "part of rock and roll legend" and one of the "benchmarks of an era."
This was the first US tour the Stones had done since 1966 because of a series of complications-mostly drug related. It was also Mick Taylor's first tour with the band after replacing Brian Jones. Jones then died less than a month later, drowning in his swimming pool. So, a lot was going on for the Stones, the fact that they went out and rocked as hard as they did that fall of 1969 was a huge deal. The shows held at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 27 and 28 were deemed the major rock event of the year.
Volkswagen Beetles watching their hero, Herbie-The Love Bug at a drive-in theater in San Fernando Valley, Ca. (1960's)
Pictured here is a sea of Volkswagen Beetles parked for a viewing of The Love Bug back in the 1960s. The film’s plot centers around a race car driver who becomes a champion along with a Volkswagen Beetle named Herbie who has a mind of its own.
This photo was taken at a drive-in theater located in San Fernando Valley, Ca. back in the 1960's and is now an iconic image for obvious reasons. It almost looks like the cars are the ones there to watch the movie and a few humans just happen to be there...
When Sinatra won his Oscar Jerry Lewis tackled him and said I’m so proud of you I’m going to kiss you on the mouth - 1954
The night Frank Sinatra won his Oscar Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his work in From Here to Eternity, Jerry Lewis seemed even more excited than he was. Lewis was so excited in fact, that he literally tackled old blue eyes backstage and shouted out, “I’m so proud of you, I’m going to kiss you on the mouth!” Sinatra, while suffering from a laughing fit, managed to say, “No, no, don’t kiss me on the mouth!” This fabulous moment in the “bromance” of these two legendary entertainers was thankfully caught by a nearby photographer.
Who spent hours playing Pacman on the Atari 2600 This was high tech back in the day?
Ah yes, Pac Man and Atari… so much nostalgia here. It was 1982 when Atari Inc. released the hit arcade game Pac-Man for its Atari 2600 game console. Just like the original arcade version the public had already grown familiar with, the player controls PacMan with a joystick. The object is to traverse a maze, consuming all the wafers within while avoiding four ghosts.
Naturally, the anticipation for the game was high. Atari initially stated in 1981 that there were already pre-orders for "three or four million" copies of the Atari 2600 version. As was predicted, Pac-Man was met with huge commercial success, selling 7 million copies and eventually going on to become the best-selling Atari 2600 title.
Gary Lewis and the Playboys "This Diamond Ring"1965.
Gary Lewis & the Playboys were a pop rock group that rose to prominence in the mid 60’s and disbanded in the 1970s. Frontman Gary Lewis is the son of famed comedian Jerry Lewis. To get the group more exposure, Jerry Lewis used his contacts to get his son onto The Ed Sullivan Show. The episode aired in January of 1965 and made Gary Lewis and the Playboys instant stars. Their single, “This Diamond Ring” went on to sell over 1 million copies after that, and it made the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. They had a string of hit singles between 1965 and 1966 and by 1970 the original group decided to call it quits. However, a new version of the band later resumed and continues to tour, often playing for veterans' benefits.
Happy 87th birthday to Sean Connery.
The Scottish actor, Sir Sean Connery, is best known for the iconic role of James Bond between the 60s and 80s. Oddly enough, he almost wasn't.
Bond author Ian Fleming was initially against the idea of Connery playing Bod at first, he wanted Cary Grant (could you even imagine that). But he later admitted that Connery was ‘ideal’ for the role after seeing his performance in Dr. No - and then he went on to adapt future novels to give Bond a Scots background like Connery.
Connery is definitely blessed with a certain charm that only seemed to get better with age. Even at 69-years old, he was voted "Sexiest Man of the Century."
Bikers in Kabukicho, Tokyo ~ 1970's.
Pictured here are some Bikers in riding in Kabukicho Tokyo back in the 1970s. This was a common sight throughout the 60’s and 70’s, Kabukicho is still considered the “red-light district” of Shinjuku Tokyo. This picture was snapped by photographer Watanabe Katsumi who was known for capturing nighttime ongoings and inhabitants of the area during this time. Most of his subjects posed, as opposed to candid street photography. His models included biker gangs, sex workers, and transvestites. He would also print them and sell them in Kabukicho (often to his subjects) for a minimal amount of money. So he operated almost like a hybrid between a portrait and a street photographer.
Apollonia Kotero was Miss San Pedro, a model and a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1980's
Are you ready to learn about the inspiring journey of Apollonia Kotero? Before she skyrocketed to fame with Prince, she made a bold decision to leave school at 16 to chase her dreams of becoming a model. She quickly caught the eye of many with her striking beauty and even won the coveted Miss San Pedro beauty competition.
Not content with just modeling, Apollonia set her sights on Hollywood and made appearances in several film and TV series in the early 80s. But her big break came when she landed the coveted female lead role in Prince's iconic film, Purple Rain. From there, she stayed with the Prince camp for a few years before taking on a new challenge and appearing on Falcon Crest alongside Lorenzo Lamas for an impressive 10 consecutive weeks.
Apollonia's journey is a true testament to the power of hard work and determination. She never gave up on her dreams, and her talent and beauty brought her to the heights of success.
The beautiful and sultry Julie Christie, 1960s
The iconic Julie Christie's stage debut was in 1957, but it wasn't until her role in A for Andromeda in 1961 that people began to take notice. With each film she appeared in throughout the 1960s, Christie became more and more the quintessential symbol of the era. In 1963, she was nominated for a BAFTA Award for her role in Billy Liar, playing the would-be lover of the main character.
But it was in 1965 that Christie truly became a household name, starring as Lara Antipova in the sweeping epic, Dr. Zhivago. The film was a box office sensation, and the media dubbed 1965 "The Year of Julie Christie." Her talent and beauty captured the hearts of audiences around the world, making her one of the most beloved actresses of her time.
Elke Sommer, a German actress, entertainer and artist
Elke Sommer was a true bombshell of the 1960s and ‘70s, with a career that started in the most Italian way possible: on vacation. She was discovered there in 1958 and soon found herself in Hollywood, where she took the town by storm. Known for her stunning good looks, she became a favorite pinup girl and even graced the pages of Playboy twice.
But she wasn't just a pretty face. Sommer was a talented actress who appeared in many films before eventually retiring after The Prisoner of Zenda in 1979. She also had a passion for music, recording and releasing several albums throughout her career.
After the 1990s, she turned her attention to painting and has continued to be a creative force in the art world. With so many talents and a striking beauty, it's no wonder she captured hearts on and off the screen.
Singer/actor Jack Cassidy with his wife Shirley Jones pose with their sons, Shaun and Patrick, 1962
Valerie Bertinelli channeling 'Rhoda' for her Seventeen Magazine photo shoot in 1977
At just 17 years old, Valerie Bertinelli was already making waves in the entertainment industry as a child actress. She had landed a major role as Barbara Cooper Royer in One Day at a Time two years earlier, and her performance earned her not one, but two Golden Globes!
In this picture, Valerie is channeling her inner Rhoda Morgenstern with a colorful and flamboyant style. Those hair wraps are an absolute vibe! It's no wonder that Valerie became a style icon and a favorite among TV viewers during the 70s and 80s. She's a true inspiration to young women everywhere.
CCR was responsible for giving us songs like Bad Moon Rising, Proud Mary and Who’ll Stop the Rain
Alan Reed and Jean Vander Pyl were the voices of Fred and Wilma Flintstone, 1960s
Yabba dabba doo! Did you know that the voice behind Wilma Flintstone also voiced some of your other favorite cartoon characters? Jean Vander Pyl lent her voice to not only Wilma but also Rosie the Jetsons' robotic maid and several characters on The Tom and Jerry Show. And let's not forget about Fred, voiced by the talented Alan Reed. Before his iconic role as the lovable caveman, Reed had several other acting gigs, including voicing Boris the Russian Wolfhound in Lady and the Tramp. These talented actors brought our favorite cartoon characters to life, and we can't imagine them any other way!
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, 1968
Cool pic of Fleetwood Mac from the 'Rumours' album photo shoot in 1977, that LP has sold over 44 million copies to date
Singer\songwriter Emmylou Harris in 1969
Did you know that EmmyLou Harris got her start with a drama scholarship at University of North Carolina in Greensboro, NC? But, it wasn't long before she switched gears and began studying music instead. She even learned to play the songs of some of the most iconic contemporary singers, like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.
After a move to New York City and a few years of waiting tables, Emmylou finally released her first album, Gliding Bird, in 1969. Her talents quickly caught the attention of the music industry and fans alike. And although her marriage to Tom Slocum didn't last, she persevered and continued to follow her passion for music, even moving with her newborn daughter to live with her parents in Clarksville, Maryland.
Queen sure could pack a punch in the early years when it came to their rock star image (1975)
How we miss the glory days of Queen! It all started in London in 1970, where their music was a fusion of prog rock, metal, and hard rock. But they evolved into radio-friendly music with the addition of arena rock and pop rock elements. The world was shook with the release of Sheer Heart Attack in 1974, marking the beginning of their international success. And who could forget A Night at the Opera, which included the iconic "Bohemian Rhapsody" and its memorable "mock-opera" style. To top it off, Queen even released a promotional video to accompany the song, cementing their image as an unforgettable band.
The beautiful actress and former 'Bond girl' Barbara Bouchet posing with her dog in 1972
Swedish tennis player Bjorn Borg with 8 year-old future champion Andre Agassi in 1978
