A 1930s publicity shot of Myrna Loy with typically high-arched eyebrows – isn’t she lovely?
Myrna Loy
1930s
A decade of Hollywood-inspired sophistication and grown-up glamour sandwiched in between the roaring 20s and the austerity of the 1940s.
1930s children in their Halloween costumes
A very serious-looking class of 5 year-olds in their Halloween outfits, 1937. I particularly like the pirate in the middle row! Who’s your favourite?
A 1930s Chorus Girl Pyramid on the Beach
Chorus girls from the Theatre Royal on Tamarama Beach, ca. 1938. Photographed by Sam Hood. I’ve never been tempted to do acrobatics on the beach but it seems to be a common theme for vintage seaside photos! Is it just me?
Evacuation day 2013
It’s my son’s school trip today. They’re learning about World War 2 in history at the moment and they’re off to have a WW2-themed day at Holdenby House where they’ll get to experience cooking with rations, bomb shelters and various other things which *may* give him nightmares. Having said that learning about the war is(…)
Woah, who’d be a lion tamer eh?
Wow, this photo raises lots of conflicting emotions in me (but I suspect that’s the sign that it’s a good photograph!). I have an enormous amount of admiration for this lady who must have nerves of steel, and I also feel sorry for the lions, who should never have been in captivity like this. Similar to(…)
The Art Deco Cleopatra
In 1934 Cecil B. DeMille directed a movie version of Cleopatra which was every bit as sumptuous and decadent as the later movie of the same name starring Elizabeth Taylor. This Cleopatra was dressed in opulent Art Deco style and Claudette Colbert who played the title role looked just wonderful. The costumes which were designed(…)
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo smouldering in a publicity photo from 1930, the year she moved from silent movies into talkies. Her first talking movie was advertised to the slogan ‘Garbo Talks!’ Ha ha! Give that publicity man a cigar… Her first talking line in a movie was “Gimme a whiskey, ginger ale on the side, and don’t(…)
The height of Hollywood actresses: a star-studded lineup
The height of Hollywood stars is something which has always fascinated me. I’m not sure why, but actresses always seem taller than they actually are (perhaps because they’re projected onto an enormous screen!). I had no idea that I was the same height as Marilyn Monroe, or that Veronica Lake was a diminutive 4’11”. Veronica(…)
Myrna Loy
1930s movie star Myrna Loy wearing an elegant halterneck dress. I’m slowly but surely falling for 1930s fashions, they were just so chic!
Joan Crawford wearing a LOT of makeup, 1930
I love all the early photos of Joan Crawford from the 1920s and early 1930s. They’re so different from the severe studio shots from the late 30s and 1940s and she looks like a completely different person. This photo was taken in 1930.
Carole Lombard 1934
Carole Lombard from Cinegraf Magazine 1934. The colours seem to be very strange in this picture, any idea why anyone? Is it just discolouration due to the age of the paper? Cinegraf Magazine produced by Eugene Robert Richee (1895-1972) and supplied to CINEGRAF magazine.
Strange vintage trends: fox furs
You know my feelings about real fur by now, and if you’ve somehow missed that you can read about it here. I have to remind myself though that the past was a very different place, where wearing fur was aspirational and fashionable and the ethics of it weren’t questioned at all. One thing I still(…)
1930s cruise fashions
2 stylish ladies and a baby on board a boat sometime in the 1930s. I’d love to know what colour these dresses were – what do you think?
The controversial 1930s sport of Turtle riding
The strange and (thankfully) short-lived sport of turtle riding was popular for a while in Australia during the 1920s and 1930s. The general idea seemed to be that you would sit astride a turtle as it heaved its way across the sand and tried to stay ‘aboard’ once it was swimming in the sea. Probably(…)
1930s race day fashions
Two very stylish ladies in their 1930s race day fashions at Warwick Farm racecourse. I particuarly like the long striped jacket (or is it a cardigan?). What colour do you think it was?
Amelia Earhart and chums roller skating (or trying to), 1930s
1930s aviatrix Amelia Earhart (standing) with Frances Marsalis, Elvery Kalep, Betty Gillies having a go at roller skating for charity. They look like they’re having fantastic fun don’t they?
An elegant 1930s sailor suit
Isn’t this a lovely outfit? The 1930s were so stylish with the slim fitting long and mid-length dresses. I love the sailor-styling and the bows on her shoes – so elegant! The lady is Miss Hera Roberts on board HNLMS Java, 10 October 1930. You can read more about her here.
Joan Crawford flashing her legs, 1930s
Joan Crawford flashing her legs whilst dancing and gazing seductively at the camera in this 1930s publicity photo.