Classic Hollywood #167 – Betty Grable

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Betty Grable & Poodle – 1944

Pin-Up Queen Gets On The Ball
Hollywood, Calif. – Vivacious Betty Grable, a “Mamma” of five months, romps with this frisky poodle as she gets back in the groove on her return to the kleig lights. The famous Grable gams will dance their way through 20th Century-Fox’s Technicolor musical, “Diamond Horseshoe” now in production. photo: Acme 8/19/1944

Gams. Talk about 1940s jargon. I don’t think I’ve recently heard anyone refer to a woman’s legs as gams except in the movies.

Supposedly Grable’s legs were insured for $250,000 dollars by Lloyds of London. It was a publicity stunt, but an effective one at drawing attention. Continue reading →

Metallica Plays “Am I Evil” Live With Diamond Head’s Brian Tatler

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Brian Tatler Joins Metallica For A Rare Full Length Performance of “Am I Evil” – June 26, 2024

It may be one of the most recognizable opening riffs in all of heavy metal.

But the band who wrote it achieved limited commercial success. They did however influence countless other heavy metal bands – the most important of them being Metallica.

During a concert in Oslo, Norway on June 26, 2024, Metallica brings Brian Tatler on stage and does something they have rarely done: perform Am I Evil in its entirety. Metallica singer and guitarist James Hetfield sounds absolutely great here.

Diamond Head

Am I Evil was written by Diamond Head’s guitarist Brian Tatler and vocalist Sean Harris. The song was released in Great Britain in 1980 on the album Lightning To The Nations Continue reading →

Yankees Old-Timers’ Day – Yesterday Versus Today

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1965  – The All-Time Greats Show Up, A Game Is Played & History Is On Display

Today – Only Ex-Yankees, A Few Notable Players Attending, A Lot Of “Who’s He?” & No Old-Timers’ Game, With A Scofflaw Sponsor

Will The Yankees PLEASE Stop Holding “Old-Timers’ Day”

1965 New York Yankees Old Timers’ Day program

The Yankees Old-Timers’ game on Saturday, July 31, 1965 honored All-Time Award Winners.

The players were names that every person knew. Either by seeing them play or having their fathers or grandfathers talk about them. The ballplayers attending represented what made Old-Timers’ Day a special day.

The master of ceremonies, Yankees broadcaster and former Cardinals catcher Joe Garagiola began announcing the players over the public address system. A dizzying assortment of former superstars names echoed within the vast Yankee Stadium: Bob Feller, Pee Wee Reese, Continue reading →

55 Years Ago Today The Woodstock Music Festival Dramatically Concluded

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Jimi Hendrix Closes Woodstock With A Memorable Performance – August 18, 1969

Bethel, N.Y. – August 16: Huge Crowd At Rock Festival
Air view shows part of crowd Friday which converged on Bethel, N.Y., for rock festival there. More than 200,00 persons are estimated to be present. photo A.P.

While the attendance numbers have been in dispute, there probably were close to a half million people who attended The Woodstock Music and Art Fair. The concert began on August 15, 1969, and by the time it was over on Monday, August 18, it is estimated that less than 200,000 people remained to see the conclusion.

The final act was Jimi Hendrix. Continue reading →

Old New York In Postcards #29 – New York Mounted Police 1905

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The Mystery Location Of The Mounted Police Unit

Looking at this postcard of New York’s finest on horses my first thought was: where is this?

The postcard itself holds few clues unless you are an expert in recognizing mundane landmarks from 120 years ago. The card shows some buildings and the mounted police.

But there was a way to find out by taking a closer look.

Because this postcard was put out by the Detroit Publishing Company in 1905, there might be an original photograph held by the Library of Congress where much of the company’s archive resides. A search provided a clear match. And from that photograph the location could be pinpointed.

The most important clues Continue reading →

James Caan’s First Wife Dee Jay & Yankees Manager Ralph Houk – 1962

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Ralph Houk & Dee Jay Mattis At Yankee Stadium – 1962

DIAMOND DOINGS
Dee Jay Mattis, dancer on Sing Along With Mitch over NBC-TV, shows manager Ralph Houk of the New York Yankees that in addition to dancing she can also swing a bat. Dee Jay has been named honorary mascot of the team. photo: July 5, 1962, Hazleton-Standard Speaker staff photo / Milburn McCarty Associates Public Relations

Dee Jay (Dorothy Jeanne) Mattis of Union, NJ main claim to fame is being the first wife of actor James Caan. The two married In Halifax, NC on July 8, 1961 when Dee Jay was 19.

Mattis quit Mitch Miller’s show in 1963 to join her husband in California as his acting career was getting busy with roles in television series such as Route 66, The Untouchables, Wide Country and  Dr. Kildare to name a few.

The pair had a daughter Tara Alisa in 1964. Caan described the marriage as turbulent. On January 16, 1966 Mattis and Caan divorced. Mattis said it was more important for Caan to go out with his friends than being with her or their year-old daughter. She also complained Caan swore at her, struck her several times and belittled her in the presence of his friends. Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #170 – Wallack’s Theatre 1870

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Wallack’s Theatre Broadway & 13th Street – c.1870

This stereoview shows Lester Wallack’s Theatre located at 844 Broadway on the northeast corner of 13th Street.

Lester Wallack (1820-1888) is known today only by theater historians. But in the nineteenth century Wallack was among the most famous producer’s, director’s and actor’s in the world.

Wallack’s Theater was run by James and his son Lester Wallack. Over the years there were a few addresses associated with the impresarios, but the most notable location was 844 Broadway. The land and building was owned by Wallack’s partner, William Gibson whose name is emblazoned in large letters on the frieze near the roof. Gibson was a dealer in glass architectural and decorative fittings. Continue reading →

Dr. Cole Helps Men To Stop “Wrecking Your Manhood” -1903

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NIGHT LOSSES THAT DULL THE MIND, WEAKEN THE BODY, DESTROY THE SEXUAL STRENGTH AND CHANGE THE MAN ARE UNHEALTHY AND SHOULD BE CURED

In this advertisement from The St. Paul Globe of July 18, 1903, Dr. Alfred L. Cole does not explicitly say what condition he is treating in “night losses”, but it sounds extremely perilous.

The mores and morals of the time would not permit the condition to be talked about in polite society.

But, reading between the lines, Dr. Cole proposes to stop men from having wet dreams. Continue reading →

The Sexy Women’s Lingerie, Corsets, Nightwear & Undergarments Of The Early 20th Century

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What The Early 20th Century Woman Wore Under Her Clothes

Sexy Lingerie, Corsets & Other Flattering Clothing

Gimbel Brothers Department Store Catalog 1910

What was considered sexy 100 years ago might not draw the same conclusions today.

To look her best, the woman of the late 19th and early 20th century was stuffed into a variety of tight fitting and often times restrictive undergarments.

Much like today with online shopping, store catalogs offered goods of all sorts to the public without the need to first try on the merchandise.

Gimbel Brothers Department Store Catalog 1910

From nightgowns to corsets to petticoats to chemises to reducing garments, women could buy a wide variety of underclothing, never setting foot in a store. Continue reading →

Classic Hollywood #166 – Christie Comedy Starlets

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Christie Chorus “Sports Girls” Prepare For A Scene – 1925

What is about to happen in this 1925 film is anybody’s guess. But these 16 chorus girls are ready to do some sort of athletic routine in their spiffy hats. As the news slug says:

The athletic training indulged in by the Christie Sports Girls even comes in handy now and then in the pictures. Witness this gym scene in a new Bill Dooley comedy. photo: NEA,(Newspaper Enterprise Association)  December 3, 1925

Forgotten today are brothers Al and Charles Christie of the Christie Film Company. Continue reading →