Author Archives: B.P.

Bettie Page, 1950s Pin-Up Icon With Companion

Bettie Page Goes Native

Previously we featured this photograph of Bettie Page a number of years ago. But we never gave the backstory, so here it is.

The photograph was taken in Africa, USA by future Playboy magazine photographer (and later a pin-up girl herself) Linnea “Bunny” Yeager.

Bunny Yeager self-portrait 1960 photo: Bunny Yeager

Bettie Page and Bunny Yeager 1954 at Africa, USA photo via Gnarlymag.com

Continue reading

Movie Tie-In Publicity Failure 1948

Who Is This Woman Selected As “Miss Panic For 1948”?

If a bizarre pose, pointy brassiere and looking up somebody’s nostrils are considered sexy then this photo has the necessary boxes checked.

The caption on the rear of the photo says:

“Candis Leo age 19 from West McHenry (Illinois) is selected to be Miss Panic for 1948.” (credit: unidentified February 2, 1948)

Besides the unusual pose, why is this publicity photo a complete failure?

For one, the woman in the picture is identified as Candis Leo.

It is not. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #165 – Broadway & 40th St. 1913

East Side of Broadway & 40th Street 1913

A Story Of Three Buildings On The Main Stem

This photograph taken by William Roege can be narrowed down to the autumn of 1913. Though photographer Roege engraved the year within the photo, he did not write an exact date.

The Empire Theater

We are looking at the east side of Broadway at 40th Street and the main clue to the time of year is the Empire Theater marquee which announces the appearance of actor John Drew.

John Drew

Drew was one of the turn-of-the-century’s big stage stars and the uncle of actors John, Lionel and Ethel Barrymore. Continue reading

St. Louis Cardinals Catchers At Spring Training 1937

Who Will Be The Cardinals Catcher? – March 3, 1937

Though these three men look like they could be in a softball beer league, they are actually major league catchers.

As the news slug explains:

A Lot of Backstopping
Daytona Beach, FLA. – The burden of St. Louis Cardinal catching duties is almost certain to fall on one of the three backstoppers shown at the Card’s training camp here. Front to back: Paul Chervinko, Arnold “Mickey” Owen and Brusie Ogrodowski. credit: Associated Press March 3, 1937

Of the three catchers Mickey Owen had the most successful career. Continue reading

The Beatles Recording Of Metallica’s Enter Sandman

The Beatles “Covering” Enter Sandman Via Artificial Intelligence

https://youtu.be/B5Yjgn9vLtU?si=blo5omst28z864AL

As pointed out here previously, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used in amusing ways. There is another version of this on youtube that is musically virtually the same note for note. But Continue reading

Braves Eddie Mathews, Joe Torre & Henry Aaron Spring Training 1965

Braves Big Bats Mathews, Torre & Aaron Are Ready For 1965 Season

HEAVY LUMBER MEN
West Palm Beach, Fla., Mar. 5 – Milwaukee Braves hard hitting trio reported for spring training today. Left to right, Eddie Mathews, Joe Torre and Hank Aaron. (AP Wirephoto March 5, 1965)

Spring training means a new start. It’s too bad that these three sluggers could not change the Milwaukee Braves overall fate for 1965. In 1966, the Braves would be in a new city.

Though Aaron and Mathews Continue reading

Food & Grocery Prices 100 Years Ago

Grocery Prices From The Buffalo Evening News February 21, 1924

Every so often we look back at life in the Unites States 100 years ago. In this case, we were looking at Buffalo, New York.

Besides the household prices for groceries, we glanced quickly at a few news items from the Buffalo Evening News newspaper for February 21, 1924.

Buffalo was dealing with a major blizzard. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #164 – Elevated Curve At 110th Street

The Ninth Avenue Elevated Curve At 110th Street c. 1880

The Ninth Avenue Elevated train tracks took a dramatic “S” turn at 110th Street to continue along Eighth Avenue. This part of the El system were very elevated, at certain points rising 100 feet above street level. Because of its phenomenal height Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #163 – The Financial District During An Air Raid Test

Pedestrians Scatter As President Eisenhower Runs An Air Raid Test In New York – 1957

My mother and father tell of practicing “duck and cover” in school.

The drill was to supposedly protect oneself from a nuclear bomb. As if crouching under a desk would have done anything to shield you from an atomic blast. Continue reading

Donald Trump & Joe Biden Debate – Who Was The Better Van Halen Front Man: Hagar or Roth.

What Presidential Candidates Should Debate About  – Rock ‘n Roll

Sammy Hagar David Lee Roth photo: Bryan Steffy/Getty, Jason Kempin/Getty

The future of artificial intelligence is a very serious subject which at some point we will cover in a serious way.

But in the meantime this is a short, frivolous use of AI, but entertaining if you are a Van Halen fan.

In reality I doubt either candidate could name one Continue reading