Rare Moments In Time Never To Be Forgotten
By | December 8, 2022
There are just some moments in history that should never be forgotten: The ones that impart the most wisdom, the ones that remind us to express gratitude, make us laugh the hardest, and reflect the deepest...Most of these moments occurred during the groovy era; a time when free love and oh so many new ideals began swirling around. All forms of artistic expression got edgier, some of the biggest pop culture icons in history were at the height of their careers, and the rise of rock ‘n’ roll redefined what it was to make music. Collected here are some groovy moments in time that should never be forgotten.
Andre The Giant And Minnie Mouse At Disney Land - 1975. Where's Mickey?
On this rare occasion, Andre the Giant took a day trip to Disneyland in 1975. Many classic photos of Andre posing with Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and even the rarely seen Main Street Cinema ‘phantom’ came out of that trip.
André the Giant, was a professional wrestler who famously feuded with Hulk Hogan at Wrestle Mania III. He was a one-time "WWF World Heavyweight Champion", a "WWF Tag Team Champion", and was inducted into the "WWE Hall of Fame" in 1993. Andre also gave acting a whirl, his best-remembered role was the giant Fezzik, in The Princess Bride. His size was a result of gigantism and led to him being commonly referred to as "The Eighth Wonder of the World".
Claudia Cardinale, 1967.
Claudia Cardinale took Europe (and soon the rest of the world) by a storm. The Italian 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.
3 children viewing the solar eclipse, February 26th, 1979. Anyone else do this?
Believe it or not, this is how little GenX ers watched the solar eclipse of February 26, 1979. They made themselves little robot helmets from boxes or brown paper bags and took a stroll outside to view the eclipse and greet the Martians in style.
Canadian artist Janet Bright posted this along with several others on her blog. She wrote fondly of this memory and of her father: “He never got cold. Not even during the eclipse.”
She went on to describe the eclipse of 1979, “I’m fairly certain it wasn’t really as dark (pitch black) as my faulty memory tells, but there it is – the film running in my head, of a warm(ish) cold, mid-winter day when the moon got in the way.”
A group of schoolboys hanging out between classes in Havana, Cuba in 1937. The young man with the lollipop is Fidel Castro.
Pictured here is a young Fidel Castro just hanging out with friends at school. From here he went on to become a Cuban dictator, establishing the first communist state in the Western Hemisphere. He relationship with the United States was aggressive, to say the least as can be seen with the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. And his political and economic policies were quite stifling for his people. He did, however, manage slash illiteracy in Cuba and public healthcare was drastically improved under his leadership. Castro lived a long and ‘colorful’ life, he died on November 25, 2016, at the age of 90.
Golden girl Susan Anton in the 70's.
Pictured here is actress and singer, Susan Anton. Once named "Most Promising Faces of 1979," by Time Magazine, Susan went on to star in her own variety show, Presenting Susan Anton. Soon she went on to become a household name, appearing in films such as Goldengirl, Spring Fever, and Cannonball Run II. Anton also dons the cover of the paperback edition of Goldengirl.
As a recording artist, her biggest hit was a duet with country singer Fred Knoblock, "Killin' Time" in 1980. The record made Top 10 on the country charts and ranked in at 28 on Billboard's Hot 100. Anton has also appeared on the TV shows such as Night Court, Baywatch, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, The Larry Sanders Show, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
1970 eclipse over Washington DC, in multi-exposure photograph.
What you’re seeing here, are ten separate exposures on a single frame to display the phases of a partial solar eclipse. This particular viewing was of the 1970 eclipse over Washington DC.
According to NASA, the next solar eclipse the United States will see will be on October 14, 2023, and will be visible from Northern California to Florida. It will also be annular – which means it will look outlined because the edge of the sun will still be visible around the moon, like a bright ring. The next total eclipse in the US is set for April 8, 2024, and will be visible from Texas to Maine.
American soldier in Vietnam, 1965.
This iconic photo was taken by AP photojournalist Horst Faas on June 18, 1965, during the Vietnam War. He was with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Battalion at Phouc Vinh airstrip in South Vietnam. The team was on defense duty when Faas snapped this photo of member Larry Wayne Chaffin.
The contrast of a smiling handsome young soldier and the words “War is hell” written across his helmet is what made this photo so widely popular before the soldier's identity was even known. His identity remained a mystery for decades. But recently who he was and what became of him has been discovered. Larry Wayne Chaffin was from St. Louis and he spent exactly one year serving with that brigade in Vietnam. He was just 19-years old at the time the photo was taken and after returning home he had many problems adjusting back to civilian life.
He died young, at the age of 39 due to complications from diabetes, which is an ailment he is believed to have contracted from exposure to Agent Orange while in Vietnam.
Catherine Bach (1980) The Dukes of Hazzard.
Pictured here is a young Catherine Bach in the early '80s. She's donning a pair of pink shorts that are perfect for her iconic character Daisy Duke from the hit series Dukes of Hazzard.
Originally, the producers were looking for more of a Dolly Parton lookalike to fill the role (which Bach was not) but with those gams it didn't matter, she was hired on the spot anyway.
Bach is also responsible for Daisy Duke’s attire, the early idea was to have her in a tight white turtleneck, go-go boots, and a poodle skirt. But Bach went ahead and threw together a T-shirt, a pair of cut-off denim shorts, with some high heels, and the rest is history. The television series aired on CBS from January 26, 1979, to February 8, 1985. Interestingly enough, while starring on The Dukes of Hazzard, Bach had her legs insured for $1,000,000.
10-4, good buddy. Burt Reynolds and Sally Field starred in "Smokey and the Bandit" in 1977.
Sally Field and Burt Reynolds were more than just co-stars, they started dating while filming Smokey and the Bandit. According to the Reynolds, she was the love of his life. Apparently, he didn’t know a good thing when he had it and broke her heart after 5-years together. Their breakup was so bitter that they didn’t speak for over two decades.
Reynolds later decided to break the silence in 2015 and confess his regret through the press, “I did four movies with Sally and spent five years with her. She was the love of my life and I screwed the relationship up. That sense of loss never goes away. I have no idea what Sally thinks about it. She could pick up the phone and speak to me but she never does. I spoke to her son recently. He said that his mum talks about me all the time. Maybe she’ll phone me one day. I’d love to have that conversation.”
A Starr is born...Ringo and Barbara Bach getting married on April 27, 1981. She told reporters "I love the man, and that’s it."
Actress and model Barbara Bach played Bond girl Anya Amasova in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) four years later she was the wife of Ringo Starr, former drummer of the legendary rock group the Beatles.
Bach already had two children with her ex-husband Augusto Gregorini. After they split, she took the kids with her to the United States. Starr and his ex-wife Maureen also had three children together, so Bach and Starr were wrangling five kids together.
Their marriage has been going strong for over 35-years now, and the two are still very much in love and still sing each other adorable praises during interviews.
A very serious looking Julie Andrews, 1959.
Now, 82-years old, even after all the film work she has done over the years, Julie Andrews is still most remembered for her performance as Mary Poppins. That’s not to dismiss her role in The Sound of Music, but hey, a lovable flying nanny is not a bad thing to be most famous for.
More recently, Andrews starred in The Princess Diaries (2001), The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004). Then she joined the Shrek franchise and Despicable Me (2010) as a voice actress.
She also launched her own children's series, “Julie’s Green Room” on Netflix. It’s an educational program for pre-school children starring a cast of original puppets created by the masters over The Jim Henson Company.
David Bowie in the mid 70's.
David Robert Jones, known professionally as David Bowie, was one of the most iconic singers, songwriters, and actors in the world.
He formed his first band at just 15 years old, little did anyone know (except for Bowie perhaps) that he would soon be a world-famous performer known for his outlandish stage presence and extraordinarily unique music.
He was awarded nine Platinum album certifications, eleven gold, and eight silver, and released eleven number-one albums in the United Kingdom. In the United States, he received five platinum and nine gold certifications.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. He was a leading figure in music for over five decades before he lost his life to liver cancer, just two days after his 69th birthday in 2016.
An early photo of a 17-year-old Norma Jean aka Marilyn Monroe, as she came to be known, in 1943.
Pictured here is a young Marilyn Monroe, 17-years-old and really coming into her own. Despite her seemingly overt outgoing nature as a woman, she was actually very shy as a child and that didn't change just because she became famous. She was such a nervous child that she even developed a stutter.
Marilyn suffered from depression and insecurities her whole life. The studio assigned dictation and singing coaches to her and with that training, she was able to gain control and mask her vocal imperfections while performing but it never fully went away.
Marilyn Monroe had a deep attachment to her Aunt Ana. According to her, Ana was the first person she ever truly felt loved and accepted by. Needless to say, she took her death in 1948 rather hard, but her husband at the time, Joe DiMaggio, made arrangements to ensure Marilyn would be buried in the same cemetery when she passed away.
Coca Cola ad, 1960's.
The 1960's brought all sorts of changes to the United States; free love, Vietnam, and even Coca Cola got a makeover. The wholesome culture of the 50's was washed over with rock and roll and risque advertising. More and more women in swimwear began replacing the dutiful housewife in advertisements and Coca Cola products were no different.
They did manage to maintain a comparably wholesome image for a while, by using vague verbiage and showing women in a one piece swimsuit as opposed to a bikinis for example. They also used rock music to transition into this new era of marketing. They had a group of songwriters called The Limelighters write the campaign: "Things Go Better With Coca-Cola." The vagueness of the word "things" was left for Americans to let identify whatever they wanted. The same can be said about the wording of this ad here.
Andre the Giant holding Carol Vadnais and Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins up in the air. (1972)
Here we have Andre the giant and his giant afro back in 1972. Oh, and Carol Vadnais and Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins just happen to be there too. Despite how small they appear in this photograph, Vadnais and Orr were both around 6 feet tall and 200lbs at the time. But who doesn’t look pint-sized while standing next to the "Eighth Wonder Of The World." Vadnais and Andre bonded over their similar cultural upbringing and became friends back when he was still playing in California. He wasn’t acquired by the Boston Bruins until February 23, 1972.
Billie Holiday and her dog, Mister, at the Downbeat in New York, 1947.
To say Billie Holiday was a dog lover is a huge understatement, her dogs were an integral part of her life. She found just as much comfort in her dogs as she did her music when faced with relationship woes, racism in the music industry, past traumas, addiction, and even physical abuse.
Pictured here is her Boxer named Mister, but Holiday filled her life with dogs of all kinds. She had a small Poodle that fit in her coat pocket. She had a Great Dane named Gypsy, a Terrier named Bessie Mae Moocho, and Chihuahuas named Chiquita and Pepe.
Bob Dylan and George Harrison hanging out in Woodstock, NY (1968).
Pictured here are rock legends Bob Dylan and George Harrison of the Beatles, hanging out in Dylan's home in Woodstock, NY back in 1968. The two musicians became friends the very first day they met in 1964, they just clicked.
Harrison’s first wife Pattie Boyd later reflected on their relationship, stating “What bonded them was a shared love of music and humanity - and immense respect for each other's talents.” She went on to say, “I had the pleasure of seeing that friendship blossom over the years that George and I were together. I still have vivid memories of when George and I visited Bob at his home in Woodstock at Thanksgiving 1968.”
Very few people know that Carrie Fisher had an affair with Harrison Ford during Star Wars...
Here we have a gorgeous shot of Carrie Fisher, and her co-star Harrison Ford, from her most memorable role, Princess Leia of Star Wars. Don't they look cute together?
The multifaceted daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds accomplished far more than starring in the world’s greatest Space Opera, she also authored books, voiced video games, and had numerous film and television roles before her death on December 27, 2016).
Some of the films on the award-winning actresses resume include classics like, Shampoo (1975), The Blues Brothers (1980), When Harry Met Sally... (1989), Soapdish (1991) and The Women (2008 film).
As for television, she was nominated twice for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her performances on hit shows 30 Rock and Catastrophe.
Clint Eastwood, 1969.
Pictured here is actor, filmmaker, musician, political figure and all around badass, Clint Eastwood. The Unforgiven, Gran Torino, True Crime, Joe Kidd, Dirty Harry, Million Dollar Baby… Eastwood and his standard “tough guy roles” have pretty much sealed his fate as the official cultural icon of masculinity.
He achieved early success in the Western TV series Rawhide and quickly rose to international fame all throughout the 1970s with roles in just about all the Westerns worth being in at the time. Soon after, he went ahead and set the standard for the ‘anti-hero cop’ archetype with his performance as Harry Callahan in the five Dirty Harry films during the 1970s and 1980s. Clint Eastwood is the man!
Doing the Bunny hop...Hugh and his bevy of beauties at the Playboy Mansion in 1979.
This photo was taken back in 1979 during one of Hugh Hefner’s infamous parties at the Playboy Mansion. It and features Playboy founder Hugh Hefner surrounded by his usual crowd of beautiful women. Hefner quit his job at Esquire back in 1952 to launch Playboy, which was originally going to be called Stag Party. Clearly, he made the right decision.
His first issue was published in December 1953 and ended up selling over 50,000 copies. How could it not? After all, it did feature a photo of Marilyn Monroe sans clothing from her 1949 calendar shoot. He always credited Marilyn for putting Playboy on the map and now, after his recent passing, he is in the crypt next to hers at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.
Eleanor Donahue, Ron Howard, and Andy Griffith - The Andy Griffith Show (1960's).
The Andy Griffith Show followed the life of Andy Taylor, a widowed country-bumpkin of a sheriff who oversaw the fictional small town of Mayberry, North Carolina. Little Ron Howard was cast as Andy’s son, Opie Taylor.
In her 12 episodes, Eleanor Donahue played a pharmacist who was sweet on Andy Taylor. She was meant to be the main love interest for the series and was even given a mention in the opening credits. But, she asked to be released from her contract and left the show after just one season. The show ran for a total of eight seasons, from 1960 to 1968.
Elvis Presley outside of the Warwick Hotel in New York. (March 1956)
Pictured here is the “King” himself, Elvis Presley, outside of his hotel in New York back in 1956. Presley began his music career just two years prior to this photo being taken. He is credited with being an early popularizer of rockabilly and was known for perfecting the fusion of country with rhythm and blues. His first RCA single “Heartbreak Hotel” was released in January of 1965 and wasted no time in becoming a number-one hit in the US.
Elvis was also known for being quite the ladies man, after his divorce from Priscilla, he was said to have let some of the 'good looking' ladies that stalked his mansion, come inside after hours. On one occasion, it was a reported 152 women!
Gene Wilder (1950)
Pictured here is Gene Wilder back in the 50’s before he became the icon that he is today. He graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee in 1951, then went on to study Communication and Theatre Arts at the University of Iowa until 1955. Then it was off to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol, England. He studied fencing, was drafted into the Army, and was assigned to the medical corps.
His early acting career was on stage, his screen debut was an episode of the TV series The Play of the Week in 1961. Then his first film role came along in 1967 where he played a hostage in Bonnie and Clyde. Wilder’s first major role landed him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Leopold Bloom in the 1968 film The Producers. By the time 1971 rolled around, he was ready to take on his most iconic role; Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Jerry Lewis as Buddy Love in the "Nutty Professor" in 1963.
Iconic slapstick comedic actor Jerry Lewis had the leading role(s) as Professor Julius F. Kelp, Buddy Love, Baby Kelp in the 1963 version of The Nutty Professor. For those who don’t know this classic storyline, Lewis plays a professor plagued by insecurity who mixes up his own formula for an alter-ego far more outgoing than his own. Of course, now he has a split personality issue to deal with and the formula wears off at inopportune times, often to Kelp's humiliation... all while pursuing a love interest. So as you can imagine, hijinks ensue. And as always, Lewis gives an outstanding performance.
Jerry Lewis, 1970 R.I.P.
Jerry Lewis was entertainment incarnate; he worked as an actor, comedian, singer, producer, director, screenwriter, and humanitarian. He performed in films, television shows, live stage performances, and even radio. He was widely known for his slapstick humor and for his professional partnership with Dean Martin. From 1946 to 1956, he and Martin were the hit popular comedy duo known as ‘Martin and Lewis’. After that, he went on to rock industry as a solo artist and then began taking on philanthropic endeavors.
He served as national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He was the host of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon for 45 years, which ran live over Labor Day Weekend. In doing so he successfully raised over $2.6 billion in donations for the cause.
Lewis has been honored many times over the years including, Lifetime Achievement Awards from the American Comedy Awards, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Venice Film Festival and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He also has not one, but two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
John Travolta (1975).
John Travolta first became very well-known in the 1970s, first with his role in the hit television series Welcome Back, Kotter, and then starring in now classics, Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease in 1978, he was huge. Then strangely his career declined a bit in the 1980s but saw a resurgence in the 1990s. He’s been steady ever since, his most recent role was in 2016, in the first season of the compelling new anthology series American Crime Story. The first season was titled The People v. O. J. Simpson and Travolta portrayed one of O.J's lawyers, Robert Shapiro.
Johnny be good! John Lennon and his idol Chuck Berry on the Mike Douglass show in 1972.
As many remember John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, co-hosted the The Mike Douglas Show for about a week back in February of 1972. One of Lennon’s guests was his idol, Chuck Berry and the two rock legends decided to perform Berry’s 1959 composition, “Memphis, Tennessee.” That’s what this moment should have been about and it was… for the most part.
It’s just unfortunate that while given the opportunity to play back up on the bongos in what was a legendary moment, Yoko decided that wasn’t enough for her, and she really took away from it. She sets down her bongo, (more than once) and interjects this horrible dolphin-like chattery nonsense that has no place in “Memphis Tennessee” and Chuck Berry’s eyes go about as wide as they could. Lennon didn’t look all that shaken by it, but of course, he lived with it.
Lindsey Buckingham performing live, 70's.
Here is Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac performing live back in the ‘70s. It was 1974 when Mick Fleetwood asked Buckingham to join the band. He heard Buckingham and Stevie Nicks performing “Frozen” and soon the duo merged with Mac, their first album with the band, the eponymous 'Fleetwood Mac,' in 1975.
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham had more than a long-standing creative partnership, they were high school sweethearts.They formed “Fritz Rabyne Memorial Band” with some friends back in high school and played school functions and gigs all around the San Francisco Bay Area. The couple eventually branched off and made an album together as “Buckingham Nicks” beforefinally joining Fleetwood Mac in 1974.
Lisa and Louise Burns in "The Shining" (1979).
Pictured here are Lisa and Louise Burns. The little girls who played the infamous Grady daughters whose creepy demeanor horrified poor little Danny Torrance in the 1980's horror classic "The Shining". Their menacing invitation "Come and play with us, Danny, forever, and ever, and ever” still haunts horror fans to this very day.
After insuring the public was forever terrified of identical twins, they disappeared from the public eye after the movie's release. They weren’t seen on the screen again until 1999, on VH1’s Where Are They Now? Then again in 2014 with the documentary From Borehamwood to Hollywood: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Elstree.
Marilyn Monroe looking into a funhouse mirror, c. 1950's.
Mental illness ran in Marilyn Monroe's family, her mother was institutionalized as a paranoid schizophrenic and her maternal grandmother committed suicide. For those who don’t by the conspiracy theories, Marilyn also followed suit, gave in to her inner demons, and took her own life as well.
Her life contrasted in so many ways…. she was highly insecure, yet she was a sex and beauty icon. She became a massive star, yet she was shy and suffered from stage fright. She was loved by much of the public, but was often betrayed by those closest to her.
Her depression ran deep and the distortions and misconceptions written about her over the years didn’t help. She wasn’t able to shake off those false perceptions as easily as a mentally sound person would do. She saw herself as if through a funhouse mirror everyday of her life.
Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones at the 1984 Grammy Awards, after winning 8 awards for their Thriller album.
Here is a glimpse back at that night in 1984 when Michael Jackson made music history and took home eight Grammy awards in one night. Jackson’s winnings included: Record Of The Year (for "Beat It"), Album Of The Year, and Producer Of The Year (Non-Classical). All of which Jackson shared with Thriller’s co-producer Quincy Jones and engineer Bruce Swedien.
Jackson and Jones were musical giants and of course, the impact and legacy of Thriller are undeniable. Jackson also won trophies in the Pop, R&B and Rock Fields for hit singles "Billie Jean," "Thriller" and "Beat It." Later people commented how they weren’t surprised, everyone knew Jackson was going to win pretty much everything that year–how could he not? Thriller engineer Bruce Swedien later described the night, "It was very exciting, there was a lot of professional envy that night."
Morrissey and a very lucky Smiths fan, circa 1983.
Steven Patrick Morrissey, better known as Morrissey, is a singer, songwriter, and author who originally rose to fame as the frontman of the indie rock band The Smiths.
The Smiths formed in Manchester back in 1982 and consisted of vocalist Morrissey, Johnny Marr on guitar, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce. They were long considered the most important and influential alternative rock band of the to emerge from the80’s British indie music scene.
It was a sad day in 1987 when they called it quits. But Morrissey went on to have a very successful solo career, having made the top ten UK Singles Chart on ten separate occasions.
Nancy Kwan and Lionel Blair, The World of Suzie Wong, 1960.
Noel Redding, Jimi Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience - London, UK - August 21, 1967
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was formed back in September 1966 and consisted of Lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jimi Hendrix; backup vocalist and bassist Noel Redding, and drummer Mitch Mitchell. Between September of 1966 and roughly June of 1969, they released three studio albums and managed to become one of the most popular rock bands around.
Then, in April 1970, bassist Billy Cox came into the fold. He, Hendrix, Mitchell continued to perform and record until Hendrix's death in September that year same year they got started.Their trio is often billed as the "Jimi Hendrix Experience" also but this title was never actually formalized.
People dancing at Studio 54, 1978.
Studio 54 was the official go-to spot for spot celebrities and socialites in New York. They could drink, party, dance, and mingle with the most interesting and outlandish people the city had to offer.
The party was continuously changing. It was said to feel like going to a new place every night– so the 'regulars' never seemed to grow tired of returning so often. The only constant throughout the club was decadence. No matter the theme of the night, the sights, the drugs, the entire club scene was always decadent. Absolutely everything was done in excess.
Robert Plant and Jimmy Page checking their horoscopes, 1969.
Pictured here are Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, thumbing through their horoscopes like the superstitious mystics they were widely reputed to be.
The legendary rock band consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. It's because of the band's long-form songs combined with a heavy, guitar-driven sound that led to them being cited as one of the progenitors of heavy metal.
They drew their unique style drew from a wide variety of genres including blues, psychedelia, and folk music. Not to mention the Although they were initially unpopular with critics their fame grew exponentially, with their song "Stairway to Heaven", now among the most influential works in rock music history.
Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, Steven Spielberg and Richard Dreyfuss minus the shark during the filming of Jaws. (1974-75).
Pictured here are Director Steven Spielberg and actors Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss on the set of Jaws. While the movie turned out to be a classic, it was no easy task to get it on film.
The production was plagued with technical problems, most of which were because of the temperamental shark. The pneumatically-powered shark was nicknamed “Bruce” after Spielberg's shark of a lawyer Bruce Ramer. Bruce was an actual beast; weighing in at 1.2 tons and spanning 25 feet in length and not the easiest thing to maneuver.
Bruce was so mechanically flawed in fact, that they were forced to limit its screen time. This is why it's a good hour and 20 minutes before the shark fully appears.
Robin Williams and his wife having a good time at Studio 54 in the 70's.
Pictured here is the late comedy legend Robin Williams having a laugh with his then-wife Valerie, just after taping an episode of SNL back in 1983. Valerie Velardi was the first of three wives for comedic actor Robin Williams. She is also the mother of his oldest son, Zachary Pym Williams. Their marriage certainly did not end on a high note, as Williams found himself caught between his wife of nine years and the nanny she hired to help take care of their son. Needless to say, there was no point in "choosing" the marriage was obviously over.
Shady lady - Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller looking stylish while going for a drive. (1950's)
Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller were married on June 29th, 1956. And while it may seem rather short, having only lasted five years, it’s more surprising it even lasted that long. After the quick civil ceremony was out of the way, Miller had a traditional Jewish rite planned for July 1st and Marilyn was already having misgivings and almost didn’t go through with it.
Not long after, Marilyn found an open notebook of Miller’s left out and she read it. Her husband, the man who wrote The Misfits for her, had also written about what a disappointment she was to him. He went on to write he feared that his creativity was suffering because of this “pitiable, dependent, unpredictable waif he had married” and he deeply regretted the union. He also wrote, ‘The only one I will ever love is my daughter’. This was a blow the already rocky marriage would never recover from.
A stylish group of Londoners watching a partial solar eclipse back in 1954.
People sure did get all fancied up for solar eclipse viewings back in the 1950s, didn’t they? This particular moment was captured during the 1954 eclipse in London. This dapper crowd is relying on a (not so) protective film or smoked glass to view the partial eclipse from, as was common for the time period.
Telescopes, bellows cameras, standard sunglasses, goggles, cardboard boxes, or the good old fashioned hand shade with a squint of an eye… people have used numerous methods to catch a glimpse of an eclipse – not all of them wise. One of the more interesting low-tech ways back in 1954 was to fill a bucket with water, set it outside, and look at the reflection.
The beautiful songstress with the long tresses, Crystal Gayle (and younger sister of Loretta Lynn), 1977.
Born Brenda Gail Webb, Crystal Gayle grew up to to be a singer with twenty #1 country hits (18 on Billboard and 2 on Cashbox) and six of her albums certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, she was a force to be reckoned with during the 1970s and 1980s. Gayle was also the first female country music artist to reach platinum sales.
It appears immense talent runs in her family, as she is the younger sister of the legendary country singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn and the singer Peggy Sue. They are also distant cousins of singer Patty Loveless.
The New York Dolls, 1975.
The New York Dolls formed in 1981, just predating the big glam metal movement, making them one of the first to arrive in the early punk rock scene. Their first two albums—New York Dolls (1973) and Too Much Too Soon (1974), landed among the most popular cult records in the rock.They are credited with influencing the Sex Pistols, Kiss, the Ramones, Guns N' Roses, the Damned, and The Smiths, to name a few. Following a 2011 British tour with Alice Cooper in 2011, they disbanded. and they became one of the most influential rock bands of the last 20 years.
Jamie Lee Curtis, 1970's.
Pictured here is the legendary scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis dominated the horror scene of the ‘70s. With films like Prom Night, Terror Train, The Fog, and John Carpenter's Halloween. It wasn’t until Trading Spaces in 1983 that she started getting notoriety outside the horror genre. The role also earned her a BAFTA award as best supporting actress. She went on to work on A Fish Called Wanda and was nominated for a BAFTA as best leading actress.
In 1994 she won a Golden Globe for True Lies and hasn't stopped working since. She also reprised her role as Lori strode in Halloween II, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later and Halloween: Resurrection, she also had a voice role in Halloween III: Season of the Witch. It has recently been confirmed that Curtis will be Lori Strode once again, in Halloween 2018.
The opening day of Star Wars Episode IV... (1977).
George Lucas’s 1977 “Star Wars” was the first film in a trilogy that later launched the franchise still turning to this day. The original epic space opera focuses on the Rebel Alliance who aims to destroy the Death Star, under the lead of Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher).
Pictured here is a line for the blockbuster film which took the world by storm. As can be seen, the patrons of 1977 were just as willing to head to theaters early to secure their spot in a massive line. Patiently fans wait outside the movie theater in anticipation of the eye candy that awaits them on the other side of the velvet ropes.
This photo gives new meaning to giving someone a lift! Here's Andre the Giant lifting an Aston Martin DB5.
Very few have captivated the public quite like André the Giant.The man was of mythological proportions; standing at nearly 7 feet tall and weighing in at over 500 pounds just before his death in 1993. One of the big man’s favorite pastimes was moving his friend's cars around as a prank and he was certainly strong enough to pull it off. Andre would go out for a night of drinking with his buddies, then actually slid their cars into tight spaces or he would completely turn them around to face the opposite direction. All just to befuddle and freak out his intoxicated companions.
Throwback of when Patrick Stewart had hair! (1975)
Here we have a rare sight indeed, Sir Patrick Stewart one of Britain’s finest, with a full head of hair. The incredibly talented and versatile actor has also long been famous for his iconic bald head. Stewart opened up about his hair loss, which started at the alarmingly young age of 19 and the trauma he felt as a result was devastating. Whether it was male pattern baldness or alopecia is unclear, but he did spend a considerable amount of time trying to mask it with loose comb-overs, hats, and even a toupée.
Apparently, it took two of his friends holding him down and cutting his remaining hair off, for him to finally begin working towards accepting himself (which he now does). Even though numerous treatments have developed over the years, Stewart has instead chosen to accept his baldness. Which actually looks good, not everyone can pull it off but he really does.
Tippi Hedren on a promotional tour for The Birds, feeding the pigeons in Trafalgar Square in 1963.
Tippi had no intentions of acting at the start of her career. She was a successful model, donning the cover of magazines and doing commercial work when Director Alfred Hitchcock encouraged her to transition into film acting.
'I was terribly happy doing TV and modeling, and doing quite well financially," she explained. "But I was happy right from the start in the movies, too. It is more of a challenge."
The rising young star signed an exclusive 7-year contract with Hitchcock which turned out to be a brilliant move. She received world recognition for her work in his films, especially for her role in The Birds in 1963, for which she won a Golden Globe. Tippi expressed her gratitude, stating, "I am extremely fortunate in having him to guide my career." His guidance eerily enough started with the famed director calling her on a "Friday the 13th of October".
We will Rock you! Pro Wrestler Rocky Johnson with his son, Dwayne The Rock Johnson. (1981)
Pictured here is a young Dwayne Johnson, better known by his as The Rock. Next to him is his father, pro wrestler Rocky Johnson. Dwayne followed in his father’s footsteps gaining mainstream fame in the World Wrestling Federation from 1996 to 2004. He tried his hand in acting in 2000, with a role in The Mummy Returns and he’s been acting ever since.
According to Dwayne, his father has had a hard life and he admires him. Over the years Dwayne has surprised his dad with nice cars, trucks, and even moved him into a bigger house. "My dad, Rocky Johnson is a minimalist. Always has been. Never asks me for much and over the years his needs are always the barest." He went on to state, "Hell, I'll get him anything he wants, but the S-O-B just won't ask."
Xerox office meeting on bean bags, smoking was allowed (1970's).
This vintage photo from the 1970s was taken during an office meeting at Xerox. As you can see, they were pretty casual back then, lounging in bean bag chairs and smoking indoors. It’s strange to think of now, but there was once a time when smoking was more than socially acceptable, it was considered cool. Starting way back in the 1950s smoking was the epitome of glamour in the United States. Icons like James Dean and Humphrey Bogart were almost never seen without one. It seemed as though everyone smoked; at work, on airplanes, while pregnant. No one saw anything wrong with it for decades. Obviously, we became more informed as the years went on, but it wasn't’ until 1995 that the ban on smoking in most enclosed places of employment went through.
Young Ralph Fiennes in the 1980's.
Nowadays Fiennes is most famously known as the villainous Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series. But the English actor, director and producer originally won over American audiences with his portrayal of Nazi war criminal Amon Göth in Schindler's List (1993). The role earned him nominations for an Academy Award and the Golden Globe Award both were for Best Supporting Actor. He took home the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
His next brilliant, award-worthy performance was Count Almásy in The English Patient (1996). This earned him yet another Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations. Fiennes has numerous notable films under his belt including Strange Days (1995), The End of the Affair (1999), Red Dragon (2002), In Bruges (2008), Clash of the Titans (2010), and Great Expectations (2012). He also did the voices for Rameses in The Prince of Egypt and Alfred Pennyworth in The Lego Batman Movie (2017).
Dean Martin, Marilyn Monroe, and Jerry Lewis @ the Redbook Awards [1953].
Pictured here are Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and the beautiful Marilyn Monroe. This adorable moment in time was captured at the Redbook Awards event in the spring of 1953.
While some publications used Marilyn Monroe’s overt sexuality against her in print, the women’s magazine Redbook had been generally favorable towards her. On this particular occasion, they decided to honor Marilyn with its “Best Young Star of the Year Award”.
As can be seen here, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were both in attendance at the magazine’s party to celebrate and they showed nothing but love and support for the young icon.
Daring to go bareback or barefoot Skateboarding with bare feet during the 70's in California.
That's right, the ladies rocked the skate scene since the sport's infancy. By the time the 70’s were in full swing the California skate scene was not only making its way across the country, but it was welcoming female skateboarders into the fold. Female skaters happily joined up with the infamous Z-Boys, aerial skateboarding pioneers.
Once the ladies started shredding in the streets with the guys, the way women were viewed in sporting circles changed completely. And while you’d think the novelty of it all would ensure attention, skater chicks got far less coverage in the media than their male counterparts and they weren’t able to secure as much pay or sponsorships either.
Chilling out on Piccadilly rooftop, London, 1953.
This casual glimpse into old-school London isn’t too far off from the trend today. While the women seem to be sunbathing, nowadays those roofs have a different dress code. Rooftops are still all the rage in London and right smack dab in the middle of all the bustling tourist hub is Piccadilly road, lined with a whole bunch of tower-top terraces ready to offer a glamorous rooftop atmosphere complete with food, fine wines, and even gin bars above the busy street. The Piccadilly Circus, old-fashioned cabs, street vendors, shoeshine booths, and foot traffic donning long coats and top hats… London looked different in 1953.
