Recovered Vintage Photos Show A Different Side To The Past
By Sarah Norman | September 8, 2023
Candid shot of Keith Richards (and his beverages) during the Rolling Stones U.S. Tour back in 1972
Keith Richards’ drug use has been well known, and he has been arrested several times in the 1960s and ‘70s. Audiences knew that during his performances he was likely intoxicated, but to have his beer and hard liquor readily available on stage while Mick Jagger sang to the live audience, well that takes it to a whole new level. Not many people can perform with his ability, let alone do so while drinking. After all those years of drinking and playing, he has recently stated that he has tempered his alcohol consumption.
The De Lackner HZ-1 Aerocycle had it's first flight test in 1954
At one time, the De Lackner HZ-1 was expected to become a standard reconnaissance machine for the U.S. Army. The HZ-1 was a “personal helicopter” which was designed to be a personal helicopter that could be flown be inexperienced pilots. They were supposed to be able to fly the machine with only 20 minutes of instruction. It did show some promise at first, but with more testing, they found that untrained infantrymen were unable to control it. During testing, the machine crashed twice, and they abandoned the project.
Patrick Swayze and wife Lisa on a road trip via his motorcycle, 1979
Before Patrick Swayze became an actor, he studied ballet at the Harkness Ballet and Joffrey Ballet in New York City. In 1970, he met Lisa Niemi, who was taking ballet lessons from his mother. She was 14 at the time, and five years later, in 1975, they married; they remained married until his death in 2009. He started to act in 1979, around the time that this picture was taken. His acting career really began to take off shortly after this, with his 1983 appearance in The Outsiders.
A young Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson in the 70s
Melanie Griffith, who was 14 at the time, met the 22-year-old Don Johnson on the set of The Harrad Experiment in 1973. They started dating; according to Griffith, she instantly fell in love with him. Though the age difference raised eyebrows, they got married in January 1976, although the marriage lasted a total of six months. By November of that year, they were divorced. The relationship may have not lasted through the 1970s, but the two remarried for a short time in 1989; during this second go-round, they had daughter, Dakota Fanning. This marriage lasted a little longer, ending in 1996.
Sharon Tate and Bruce Lee on the set of the Matt Helm film The Wrecking Crew (1968). Lee trained Tate for her fighting scenes in the film
Not only was this Sharon Tate’s final film, but it was also the first time Bruce Lee worked on a film. While he did not appear in the film, he was credited as “Karate advisor” for his work as a choreographer. He also trained Sharon Tate for her role as Freya Carlson. Freya, a beautiful, bumbling woman from the Danish tourism bureau, is actually a British secret agent, and is able to help Matt Helm (Dean Martin) who is trying to bring down the evil count Contini (Nigel Green).
Groovy Barbara Bouchet in the 60s
Barbara Bouchet was born in Reichenberg, Sudetenland, which was ceded to Nazi Germany during World War II. After the war, her family eventually immigrated to the U.S. She got her start as a dancer on the KPIX Dance Party, a San Francisco television show which she was on from 1959 to 1962, she moved to Los Angeles to model and act. Her first minor role was in What a Way To Go (1964). Over the next few years, she was in a few minor parts, but when she got tired of not landing a starring role, she moved to Italy in 1970.
Clint Eastwood at his apartment building in Los Angeles, 1956
Although he liked to say that he had been drafted into the Army during the Korean War, he was a lifeguard at Fort Ord for his entire stint in the Army. During his time at Fort Ord, the Universal-International film company was shooting there. He managed to get some minor roles, and by the time this picture was taken, Universal had terminated his contract, and he managed to land his largest role to date, in The First Traveling Saleslady. However, he was still a struggling actor since, at that point, he didn't have a contract.
“Duck and cover,” was the plan
Once the Cold War began, fears of nuclear war began to spread, as did the need to come up with solutions in the case of a nuclear attack. In the 1950s, in schools across the U.S., they instituted drills to prepare for Soviet attack. The government also commissioned a film featuring Bert the Turtle (yes, a cartoon turtle) demonstrating the proper technique of ducking and covering. Basically, kids were to duck under the desks, if possible) and cover the backs of their necks and their faces. This seems comical now, because how would the desks have kept them safe?
Jimmy Stewart and Raquel Welch attend the UK premiere for 'Flight of the Phoenix' (1965)
Although Jimmy Stewart starred in Flight of the Phoenix, Raquel Welch had just gotten her start in Hollywood. The year she attended this UK premiere, she had landed her featured role in A Swingin’ Summer (1965). Her first leading role would come the next year with Fantastic Voyage (1966). She would star opposite Jimmy Stewart (and Dean Martin) a few years later in a western, Bandolero (1968). Flight of the Phoenix was not a commercial success, but it was well received by the critics.
Lauren Hutton, classic style and beauty, photographed by Richard Avedon in 1973
Lauren Hutton was 30 when Richard Avedon took this photograph. She started her modeling career in the mid-1960s, after going to New York and changing her name. Agents advised her to hide the gap in her teeth, which she did for a while before embracing this “imperfection.” She was photographed by Richard Avedon in 1968 for a Chanel advertisement. In 1973, the year this photo was taken, she signed a very profitable contract with Revlon, which, at the time was the highest paid contract in modeling yet. It continued for 10 years, and 20 years later, she would again sign a contract with Revlon.
Mary Tyler Moore and Elvis star in the film, 'Change of Habit' in 1969
A little bit of Elvis trivia: Change of Habit was his 31st and final film. This film, in which he played Dr. John Carpenter, was also the only film he played a professional in. The movie was a bit of a mashup, combining musical with crime drama. Mary Tyler Moore plays one of three nuns who are undercover so that they can aid the community; they are worried their true identities will keep people from turning to them for help. The film ends with the doctor, who has fallen for Moore, singing in church.
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2) relaxing on the set of 'The Empire Strikes Back'
Chewbacca was tall and hairy, while R2-D2 was tiny and a machine. The two actors who played the roles may have been very different sizes, but they shared a lot of the same struggles: from finding the right size clothes, to health issues, to the stares of strangers. In between shooting scenes for the films, the two became fast friends, a friendship that would last long after the filming was done. As Mayhew said of Baker upon his death in 2016, he was “my little friend with the giant heart.”
The Jimi Hendrix Experience- Noel Redding, Jimi and Mitch Mitchell in 1967
In May 1966, Jimi Hendrix, who had been struggling on the R&B circuit rejoined Curtis Knight and the Squires for a performance. The girlfriend of Keith Richards, Linda Keith, saw him and was so impressed she invited him for a drink. They became friends, and, after a series of events, Hendrix ended up with a band designed to highlight his skills. The Jimi Hendrix Experience had their first performance on October 13, 1966. They quickly found success, and performed together until Redding grew tired of Hendrix’s behavior. They had their final performance with their original lineup on June 29, 1969 at the Denver Pop Festival.
Gotta love the prices of the menu items at Mr. B's Hamburgers, 1954
Mr. B’s Hamburgers was a hamburger joint at the southeast corner of 38th and Fauntleroy in West Seattle. Before it became a place to buy burgers, it was a service station. While these prices are really low when we see them today, the food at Mr. B’s was actually more expensive than at the McDonalds which was selling hamburgers for 15 cents. For two cents more than the double decker hamburger, a customer could get a hamburger, French fries, and a milkshake.
Patsy Ann McClenny aka Morgan Fairchild in 1975
Prior to becoming Morgan Fairchild, Patsy Ann McClenny found a job as a double. Faye Dunaway was supposed to drive a stick shift in the film Bonnie and Clyde (1967), but didn’t know how to. Fairchild was able to use this particular talent; hence, her career was born. She took her new first name from the film Morgan—A Suitable Case for Treatment (1966) and made her way to New York. Her first credited role came in 1973 in the soap opera Search for Tomorrow. Around the time this picture was taken, she also appeared on a number of other shows.
Jacqueline Bisset during production of 1977s Columbia Pictures hit, The Deep
The Deep, a 1977 thriller based on the Peter Benchley novel of the same name, starred Bisset and Nick Nolte. The two play a vacationing couple who go scuba diving off the coast of Bermuda. They discover some artifacts near the site of shipwrecks which leads to the rest of their adventure. During filming, an unknown photographer snapped a shot of Bisset underwater, wearing a t-shirt; they used it as a marketing technique. As you can imagine, this caused some controversy, especially considering that Bisset didn’t give them permission to use the shot. This, of course, is not that picture!
Hayley Mills in the film 'Pretty Polly' (1967)
By the time Hayley Mills appeared in Pretty Polly, she had already appeared in several films, including The Parent Trap (1961). In fact, she had been discovered when she was only 12, appearing in Tiger Bay (1959), for which she won a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer To Leading Film Roles. In Pretty Polly, a film based on a short story by Noël Coward, she played Polly Barlow, who left England to travel with her spinster aunt. When her aunt dies, she is left alone and a romance with a local Indian Singaporean tour guide begins. While the romance went nowhere, Mills’ acting career flourished.
Goldie Hawn began her dancing career at a very young age and found small successes in that field
It’s hard to imagine Goldie Hawn doing anything other than acting, but before that part of her life began, she was a dancer. She started taking ballet and tap dance lessons at the age of three, and at 10 she was in the chorus of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo production of The Nutcracker. She decided to major in drama in college, but dropped out at 19 to instruct and run a ballet school. She also worked as a professional dancer prior to appearing on the screen.
Roller skating at Venice Beach in 1980
Although roller skating has a long history dating back to 1735, it fell out of favor in the early 1900s. It found its way back when waitresses began rolling out to cars at drive-ins. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s and ‘80s with the disco era that it really found its home. What better place to skate than Venice Beach, with is paved pathway running alongside the pristine California beach? As another sign of the times, check out the stylish tube socks!
Priscilla Presley modeling an outfit for Bis and Beau, 1975
When you first hear the name “Priscilla Presley,” you may think of her marriage to Elvis, but she found her way after her split from her famous husband. She opened the clothing boutique Bis & Beau after the split, and, in this picture, she modelled their clothing. The shop didn’t last long, closing in 1976, but she continued to recreate herself, as an actress, producer, and activist. She also developed a line of fragrances and linen and helped to turn Graceland into a profitable tourist attraction.
The natural beauty of Jodie Foster in 1982
In 1982, Jodie Foster was only 20 years old, and had been a successful actress since 1968, when she appeared in the television sitcom Mayberry R.F.D. Foster’s career started earlier than this acting debut however, as the beauty started modelling at the age of three. She found stardom with her role as a teenage prostitute in Taxi Driver (1976) about which she said it was “the first time anyone asked me to create a character that wasn't myself.” Indeed, in this picture, she looks nothing like the character she played.
John Belushi and Bill Murray on the set of Blues Brothers, 1980
No, Bill Murray was not one of the Blues Brothers, but he did appear on the set of the film. As one of the cast members of Saturday Night Live for a few seasons, he knows a bit about the origins of the film. Dan Ackroyd’s unlicensed bar The Holland Tunnel Blues Bar became the spot for Saturday Night Live afterparties during the time that Belushi and Murray were on SNL. So, the bar, along with the Killer Bees sketch, helped to bring the film about.
Super model Cheryl Tiegs in white linen, 1970s
Cheryl Tiegs has often been called the “first supermodel”. She got her break in 1964 at the age of 17. She appeared on the covers of Glamour, Seventeen, and Vogue, and was the first to appear twice on the cover of Sports Illustrated. While this image may not be the iconic “pink bikini” image, it definitely shows off her natural beauty. This beauty is more than just a pretty face however, as she has established a line of sportswear, and she has been engaged in philanthropy and activism.
Stevie Nicks on stage- Fleetwood Mac, 1976
Stevie Nicks, whom Rolling Stone has called “the Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll” got her start as a duo with then-boyfriend, Lindsey Buckingham, before joining Fleetwood Mac in 1975 and helping the band skyrocket to success. In these early days, she was already sporting the fashions that she would become known for, such as the gossamer tunics and shawls, often in black because, as she said it is “easy and slimming.” After people accused her of being a witch because she wore black, she briefly switched to colors like seafoam green.
Sammy serenading his guests, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, on 'The Sammy Davis Jr. Show'. 1966
The Sammy Davis Jr. Show lasted a total of 15 episodes in 1966. Unfortunately, before it even premiered, it faced challenges, which they tried to overcome with a spectacular first episode. Sammy lined up Elizabeth Taylor a Richard Burton, which should have been fabulous since they refused to appear on television. But they would do so for Sammy. Because of the need to accommodate Taylor and Burton’s schedule, he had to fly to L.A. on Saturday to record their segment, and then fly back to New York Monday morning. They recorded the rest of the episode in New York.
The Pointer Sisters backstage at the London Palladium in 1974
The Pointer sisters grew up singing gospel music under the watchful eyes of their parents, Reverend Elton Pointer and Sarah Pointer, but they quickly found a love of other types of music. This grew into a desire to create music that fused jazz and bebop to create their own style. They started to tour and provide background vocals for established singers before signing with Atlantic. Their ability to improvise helped them to put their unique look together as well, as they shopped thrift shops to find vintage 1940s clothes.
Anita Pallenberg was an Italian actress, artist, and model
The German-Italian “It” girl was a fashion icon who spent some time in New York in Andy Warhol’s Factory before going to Paris to become a fashion model. She studied medicine, picture restoration, and graphic design, but she never managed to get a degree. Instead, she drifted around a bit, finally settling in London. During her 40-year acting career, she appeared in around a dozen films, including Barbarella. However, she may be better remembered for her relationship to the Rolling Stones, helping to keep things a little crazy.
The beautiful and sultry Julie Christie, 1960s
Julie Christie’s career started with her stage debut in 1957, and her first role which garnered her attention was in A for Andromeda in 1961. As she appeared in a number of films throughout the 1960s, she became the persona of the swinging sixties British woman. She received a BAFTA Award nomination for playing the would-be lover of the eponymous character in Billy Liar (1963). In 1965, she played Lara Antipova in Dr. Zhivago, the role for which she would become best known. The film was a major box office hit, and Life magazine called 1965 “The Year of Julie Christie.”
Singer/actor Jack Cassidy with his wife Shirley Jones pose with their sons, Shaun and Patrick, 1962
They were quite the talented family! Jack Cassidy not only acted sang; he also directed. He was nominated for several Tony Awards, and he won a Tony and a Grammy. His wife, Shirley Jones, appeared in a number of musical films, starred in The Partridge Family, and won an Academy Award for her appearance in Elmer Gantry. Both Shaun and Patrick ended up finding careers acting and singing, as did their half-brother David (who starred with Jones in The Partridge Family). The fourth brother, Ryan, briefly acted before pursuing other interests.
Adam West, on the set of the movie Batman 1966
In 1966, Adam West first appeared on the big screen as Batman. The film was proposed to help publicize the television show, but it was not the first Batman movie. In 1943, Columbia Pictures released a serial, The Batman, which, when it was re-released in 1965, helped to spur interest in the new film. West was cast in the role after the producer saw him perform as a spy in a Nestlé Quik commercial. After starring as Batman in both the television series and the film, he found himself typecast, which led to difficulty finding other roles.
Elke Sommer, a German actress, entertainer and artist
Elke Sommer had her heyday as an actress in the 1960s and ‘70s. The German actress got her start working on films after vacationing in Italy in 1958. She changed her surname from Schletz to Sommer and moved to Hollywood in the early 1960s. She became a popular pinup girl and posed in Playboy in September 1964 and December 1967. She appeared in numerous films, leaving acting after her appearance in The Prisoner of Zenda (1979). She also recorded and released several albums, and started to focus on painting after the 1990s
Alan Reed and Jean Vander Pyl were the voices of Fred and Wilma Flintstone, 1960s
Jean Vander Pyl, the voice of Wilma, was not only the wife of Fred Flintstone, but also an actor on a number of television shows, and provided the voice for other characters, including Rosie, the Jetsons’ robotic maid, and several female characters on The Tom and Jerry Show. Fred, voiced by Alan Reed, also had a number of roles as an actor before lending his voice to Boris the Russian Wolfhound in Lady and the Tramp in 1955. We came to know and love their voices, rarely seeing the actors who helped bring them to life.
Elizabeth Montgomery photo shoot, 1960s
Elizabeth Montgomery got her start in the 1950s before becoming known for her role of Samantha Stephens, the beguiling star of Bewitched in the late 1960s. Before the show ended in 1972, she had earned five Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and four Golden Globe nominations. Her acting career continued after the show ended, and she also became involved in political activism and charitable work. She is considered to be one of the earliest supporters of gay rights and advocating for AIDS patients.
Valerie Bertinelli channeling 'Rhoda' for her Seventeen Magazine photo shoot in 1977
At the time of this photo shoot, Valerie Bertinelli was, herself, 17. By this point, she had achieved recognition as a child actress, and, two years earlier, she had been cast as Barbara Cooper Royer on One Day at a Time. As a young actress, she won two Golden Globes for her performance in the role. In this picture, she seems to be mirroring the style of Rhoda Morgenstern, with her colorful, flamboyant style, with, of course, those hair wraps.
CCR was responsible for giving us songs like Bad Moon Rising, Proud Mary and Who’ll Stop the Rain
The sound of Credence Clearwater Revival is a mix of a number of styles, including roots rock, swamp rock, Southern rock, and blue-eyed soul. Their lyrics often include references to catfish, the bayous, and the Mississippi River. The band formed in 1967, and, in addition to songs that seemed connected to the American South, their music also focused on politically and socially conscious topics relevant to the time. Despite their music, they actually formed in the East Bay subregion of the San Francisco Bay region. These West Coast Southern rockers managed to achieve four years of chart-topping success before going their separate ways.
Cool pic of Fleetwood Mac from the 'Rumours' album photo shoot in 1977, that LP has sold over 44 million copies to date
The photo that was eventually used for the iconic cover of Rumours was quite different from this picture that was part of the photo shoot. The album itself became the first number one album in the UK for the band, and it also topped the US Billboard 200. Four of the singles from the album reached the US top 10, and “Dreams” hit number one. The album has often been cited as one of the greatest albums of all time. This photo from the shoot seems to provide hints of the tensions that the band was dealing with at the time
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, 1968
In 1964, the Soul Giants were formed. When Ray Collins and the original guitarist got into a fight, Collins asked Zappa to join them. He did, but he also took the band in a different direction, convincing them they should play his music. Zappa soon became co-lead singer, and the band changed their name to The Mothers. They became The Mothers of Invention because the Verve, the label that signed them didn’t like the slang associations with their name. Zappa then came up with their new name.
Singer\songwriter Emmylou Harris in 1969
Emmylou Harris briefly attended University of North Carolina at Greensboro on a drama scholarship. Before dropping out, she started to study music, and she learned to play the songs of contemporary singers including Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. She moved to New York City to pursue her music ambitions, waiting tables while performing folk music in coffeehouses. In 1969, she married Tom Slocum and released her first album Gliding Bird. The marriage didn’t last, and she moved with her newborn daughter, Hallie, 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)
When Queen got their start in London in 1970, their music was influenced by prog rock, metal, and hard rock. However, they started to transition to more radio-friendly music, adding the influences of arena rock and pop rock. They found their first real international success with the 1974 release of Sheer Heart Attack. In 1975, they released A Night at the Opera, with its “mock-opera” “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Queen also released a promotional video to accompany the release of the song, helping to cement their image as a band.
Suzanne Pleshette on the cover of Gent Magazine- 1965
By the time Suzanne Pleshette appeared on the cover of Gent magazine, the almost 30-year-old had already been a stage actress, including several Broadway appearances, and had started her film career, with a notable role in Hitchcock’s The Birds (1963). The magazine she appeared on the cover of, Gent, was a “men’s interest” magazine which focused on pictures of large breasted women. Gent, which was founded in 1956, was prosecuted for obscenity, but was found to not be hardcore pornography. Pleshette continued acting for the rest of her life, and she wrote plays under a pen name.
Swedish tennis player Bjorn Borg with 8 year-old future champion Andre Agassi in 1978
Borg, who was born in 1956, was a teenage sensation when his career started, and in the 1970s, his consistent success helped to boost the popularity of the sport. Tennis Magazine ranked him as the sixth-greatest male player of the Open Era, and his popularity helped to make the professional tour more lucrative, paving the way for players like Agassi. Agassi, pictured here at eight, won the1982 National Indoor Boys 14s Doubles Championship in Chicago, marking the start of a brilliant future in the sport.
The beautiful actress and former 'Bond girl' Barbara Bouchet posing with her dog in 1972
By 1972, Barbara Bouchet had tried her hand at Hollywood and moved to Italy because she was tired of trying to get leading roles but remaining typecast. Before her departure, however, she was cast as a Bond girl, playing the role of Miss Moneypenny in Casino Royale. She continued to act in Italy, and over the course of her acting career in both America and Italy, she appeared in more than 80 films. She also appeared several times on the small screen, produced fitness books and videos, and opened a fitness studio.
John Bonham, Robert Plant, Sandy Denny and Jimmy Page in 1971, Sandy did a duet with Robert called “The Battle of Evermore” and is to date the only guest vocalist on a Led Zeppelin album
In 1970, Melody Maker announced the winners of their annual awards. Denny won for best female vocalist, and Led Zeppelin won for most popular group. Hence, the picture of them posing together. However, their history goes back a bit further, as Sandy Denny and Jimmy Page had been friends for years, since they were in school. In the late 1960s, Denny fronted Fairport Convention, one of the bands that the members of Led Zeppelin admired. It was, however, Robert Plant who decided to have her sing the duet.
The Beatles, with Billy Preston, gave their final live performance atop the Apple building on January 30,1969
The Beatles were joined by keyboardist Billy Preston for this impromptu rooftop concert which had been dreamt up only a few days earlier. They were thinking about returning to live performances since recording Let It Be (1970), but instead of this performance ushering in further shows, it marked the end as crowds of onlookers congregated in the streets to listen to them play five new songs during their 42-minute set. The Metropolitan Police arrived and asked them to quiet down, and as they ended with “Get Back,” John Lennon joked, “I'd like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we've passed the audition.”
The dreamy Barbara Eden in 1963
Barbara Eden got her start in 1955 as a semi-regular on The Johnny Carson Show, and she had a number of featured appearances on other shows such as The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, Rawhide, and Father Knows Best. Prior to landing the role she was best known for, she starred in the TV series How to Marry a Millionaire which lasted from 1957-1959. By the time she landed the role of Jeannie in I Dream of Jeannie, she had developed quite a resume. The show started in 1965 and ran for five seasons, but her career lasted much longer.
The Pretenders performing in London. (1979)
The Pretenders, who had formed in 1978, released their first single, a cover of the Kinks song “Stop Your Sobbing” in January 1979. They followed it up with “Kid” in June. The live performance pictured here happened shortly after they formed and before they released their first album. After this London performance, they hit No. 1 in the UK with “Brass in Pocket” in January 1980, the same month that they released their self-titled debut album, which has been regarded as one of the best albums of all time.
Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks out and about.
The long-lasting friendship between Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks had its beginnings in obsession. Just after Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac, she started hearing Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ music on the radio and fell in love with it. She did everything she could think of to meet him, but to no avail, finally making an album that sounded like his music. The two met in 1978 and started a friendship that lasted until Petty died in 2017. He gave her the song “Insider” but then took it back, keeping her vocals. He also gave her “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” and she recorded the duet for her 1981 album Bella Donna.
Who remembers 'The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin' TV Series 1954-59?
ABC aired 164 episodes of the show from October 1954 to May 1959. In the show Lee Aaker starred as Rusty, a boy who was being raised by soldiers at Fort Apache, a US Cavalry Post. Rusty had been orphaned after an Indian raid, though he still had his German Shepherd, Rin Tin Tin. The pair were helping to bring order to the Wild West. The canine character was named after a legendary 1920s screen dog, and supposedly was played by a descendant of the original. However, this descendant didn’t have stardom in his future, as he was mostly performed by another dog, Flame Jr.
Vincent Price dancing with a bony partner on the set of 'House On Haunted Hill' (1959)
In this film directed by William Castle, Price plays Frederick Loren, an eccentric millionaire, who invites strangers to the supposedly haunted house which he has rented, promising he will give them each $10,000 if they stay the night. They stay, and face an assortment of terrors throughout the night.The campy film was a success and may be best known for the use of a particular promotional gimmick: “Emergo.” Some theaters had a pulley system that allowed them to fly a plastic skeleton over the audience at a specific time late in the film.
Who remembers having a cool pedal car in the 50's or 60's?
Pedal cars actually got their start in the 1890s, and they were modeled on the cars on the road at the time. In the 1920s and ‘30s, only the wealthy could afford them, and they stopped production in the 1940s because of the war. They were produced again in the 1950s, and, like real cars, had working lights and horns, moveable windshields, ragtops, hood ornaments, white wall tires, and chrome details. Because of the market, they stared manufacturing other products like pedal trains. Unfortunately, plastic brought an end to the era, because the pedal cars were no longer created with the sort of detail that metal allowed.
Who remembers the G.I. Joe in an Astronaut Suit with Space Capsule from 1966?
Stanley Weston developed the original idea for the G.I. Joe action figure in 1963, defying the belief that boys would not play with dolls, which were considered girls’ toys. Thus, part of the marketing strategy was to call them action figures instead, and “America’s fighting man” became a registered trademark of Hasbro. The original prototypes were of a marine/soldier and a pilot. In 1965, an African American G.I. Joe was introduced. A year later, they introduced G.I, Joe with a space capsule, and naturally, a G.I. Joe sized space suit. They came with detailed panels and controls, and even a seatbelt to keep him safe.
Who remembers going to the corner store where you could walk in with ten cents and leave with a little paper bag full of goodies?
Back in the day, the type of candy you could buy in the corner store was most likely penny candy. The term refers to the small individually wrapped and sold piece of candy that typically sold for, you guessed it, a penny per piece, though much of it was sold by the pound. One of the first candies of this sort was the Tootsie Roll which was introduced in 1896, and soon followed by Sweethearts. Hershey’s Kisses came along in 1907, along with bottle caps, candy corn, jawbreakers, and licorice. Penny candy was sold for years in pharmacies and places like F.W. Woolworth’s original five and dime stores.
