Young ladies in 1940s bikinis overlooked by some giant seahorses at the municipal casino: Lido Beach, Florida. c. 1945. Don’t they look elegant? (the girls and the seahorses)
Giant seahorses and 1940s bikinis
1940s
The hardships which were caused by a world at war dictated the fashions of the 1940s. Once again Hollwood had a major influence of the style of everyday women who were encoraged to look good despite rationing and shortages to keep up morale.
What’s in a name?
Quite a lot if we believe the Hollywood Studios of the 30s and 40s! There were only a handful of Classic Hollywood stars who kept their own names, including Jane Russell, Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn and Grace Kelly. The majority of actors and actresses had their identities completely re-written. How many of these 20(…)
Marilyn and her biggest fan
Marilyn Monroe and Groucho (I think?) Marx in 1949. The young Marilyn (and her wiggle) made a lasting impression on Marx during her first screen test for the movie Love Happy. Apparently it was all because of her walk! Love Happy is regarded as the worst Marx Brothers movie, but we’re still grateful that it(…)
Classic horror movie posters
[5 photos]
Vintage Aquascutum for the teenage Princesses
Some vintage Aquascutum adverts from the 1940s along with a fascinating note from Buckingham Palace regarding articles ordered for the Queen, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret for their 1947 trip to South Africa. I wonder whether they wore any of these lovely items or whether everything was bespoke..? Either way I particularly like The ‘Ladies(…)
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(…)
Post War British textiles – animated
I wanted to share something a little different with you today. This lovely animation has been created by animator Gavin Edwards and was inspired by the Post War Textiles exhibition at the Copenhagen Design Museum. This is what he had to say about his inspiration and creative proces: The exhibition in question was at the(…)
Japanese movie posters for classic Hollywood movies
I love movie posters – especially from classic movies. I have a poster of ‘To Catch a Thief’ in my living room which I absolutely adore. I’ve always particularly liked foreign language posters of Hollywood movies too though, like these Japanese versions. They’re an interesting take on the really familiar. From top: Singing in the(…)
Hedy Lamarr
Warner Brothers Studio publicity photograph of Hedy Lamarr for the 1944 film The Conspirators. I love her necklace!
Judy Garland looking sexy…
It’s strange I suppose, but I never really thought about Judy Garland as being sexy. I think my image of her was fixed at the point she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, especially since I watched that movie so much growing up! These, however are undeniably smouldering publicity photos of her. Doesn’t she(…)
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(…)
A little bit of joy for a Sunday morning: Gene Kelly and Jerry
Go on, have a slice of pure unadulterated joy this Sunday morning. What could be a better start to the day than Gene Kelly and Jerry mouse having a dance? This clips is from the 1945 movie ‘Anchors Aweigh’. Enjoy! x Edited with BlogPad Pro
10 things you didn’t know about Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn received four Academy Awards for Best Actress – I think this is a record but I couldn’t verify it, does anyone know? She had 26-year affair with her costar Spencer Tracy which was hidden from the public. The young Hepburn was a tomboy who liked to call herself Jimmy, and cut her hair(…)
How to bend down in a bikini
Sarasota Sun-Debs from 1949 learning how to elegantly pick things up off the floor at Lido Beach, Florida. Which one of these two are doing it correctly? I’m guessing it’s the girl who’s got her knees bent rather than the one bending down with her bottom at perfect pinching level! Does anyone know what a Sun-Deb is? Are they(…)
10 things you didn’t know about Rita Hayworth
Best known for her performance in Gilda, Rita Hayworth was one of the 1940s most famous (and one of my all time favourite) movie stars. I certainly didn’t know all of these facts, so I’d love to know how many are new to you too! Rita Hayworth was born Margarita Carmen Cansino in Brooklyn, New(…)
1940s shoes on a chorus line of 1 legged women
A how of 1940s shoes from the cover of McCall Style & Beauty magazine from 1942. I’d love to know how all those ladies are standing on one leg, what must this picture have looked like from backstage?!
Young Elvis Presley aged 12
A very young Elvis Presley photographed in 1948 aged either 12 or 13. He looks completely different without his trademark hairstyle doesn’t he?
WW2 factory girls
WW2 factory girls working on military aircraft in 1940s America. [4 photos]