20th Century Culture and Trivia #1 (Read Only) Export

This discussion is in the Arts and Entertainment Archives
With the 20th Century winding down, this is the perfect time for a pop quiz on its culture, people and events. Join us here and pose questions about the period from 1900 to 1998. More than one question can be posted at once, so jump in with whatever subjects interest you: people, radio, television, books, wars, musicals, sports, films,theater, et cetera.

Discussion Leaders: Marilyn E and Marilyn T

Try this one for starters: Name three American automobile manufacturers that went out of business between 1946 and 1960.

Nash, Rambler, Edsel, Studebaker

That's good, Barb. Nash (made the Rambler) and Studebaker are right on. However, Ford made the Edsel - so there are still two more that could be named.

Barb's right Hudson was one of the two Packard was the other. DeSoto was made by Chrysler The Tucker came and went awfully fast, but it fits the time period.

Anyone have a new question for us?

jimd, who was tucker? I missed or can't remember that one.

Marilyn and Marilyn, you mean we are to ask the trivia questions? Gee, that's one way I would get the answer right.

BTW, have I met you gals before?

Shirley - Yep, everyone is invited to jump in and suggest one or more questions about the 20th century. If you have one (some) in mind, please start us off again. Don't know if jimd will see your question soon, so I'll try to answer. Mr. Tucker designed a very innovative car along about 1950, depending on which story you believe, he was either a fraud or a very inventive fellow who was deliberately destroyed by the big auto makers. It's said he only produced one car and that was his prototype. There was a film made about this story several years ago. Oddly enough, it was called "Tucker".

Don't think I've met you before, but I'm glad to meet you now!

Barbara, Shirley, Jerym and jimd: Thanks for helping us 'kick-off' the first day of the Trivia Quiz. Why don't one or all of you post a new question for us to guess?

In the meantime, here is another one: What Broadway musical is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year? It was the first big successful musical to be produced after WWII. Was made into a movie about 10 years later.

Carousel?

Here's another question: what Broadway musical (around 1950) was based on characters created by Damon Runyon?

Guess again Barbara and Marilyn---it's neither Sound of Music nor Carousel.

How about "Oklahoma"?

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

50th Annivesary, Give my Regards to Broadway

Hi dapp, are you better?

dapphne---you're correct! OKLAHOMA, opened on Broadway in l948. I don't know who starred in that original theater production? We're probably more familiar with the Cinerama movie version that came out in (I think?) l957, starring Shirley Jones, Gordon McRae and Rod Steiger>>> "Poor Judd is daid, a candle lights his haid". (Love that song!)

Guys and Dolls? re: Damon Runyon --

Guys and Dolls is right. Joyce, Dapphne,Shirley, Barbara give us some new questions to work on!

What sleek looking leading man passed away in 1955 from a heart attack....

He was young and played the sexty gangster in many movies....

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

dapphne: the only actor that comes to mind is Humphrey Bogart, but I don't think he died of a heart attack?

No, not Humphrey, this fellow was only 35 (I belive) when he died.....

Famous for his ganster moveies....

Over thirty movies....

They were not all ganster ones, but those are the ones that I remember...

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

You got it JIMD!!!

Now, what did I say wrong, as I did this from memory and I was only about twelve at the time and LOVED him!

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

Dapphne, was it James Cagney? I don't know if he died in 55 or of a heart attack, but he sure was sexy. Those eyes of his sure flip me. I am going to have to get a trivia book. I don't know any kind of questions to ask.

Guess I was wrong, even so I think Cagney was sexy.

I have one. Does anyone know the name of John Wayne's production company? This should be pretty simple. Diana

Diane, Cagney died just a few years ago, a very old man.... And I agree, he was sexy too!

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

While we're on the subject of John Wayne, name some of his famous WWII movies (there are at least four, perhaps more).

Diana: Just a guess, but---Duke Productions?

Marilyn T: "Sands of Iwo Jima" was one.

How about:

Fighting Seabees
Green Barets
Hell Fighters
I covered the war
Jet Pilot
Operation Pacific

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

Good list Dapphne - there were three others in addition to The Fighting Seabees Wayne made during the war. Anyone remember those titles?

Marilyn E. Sorry wrong answer.

Marilyn T., I think one was Flying Leathernecks. Another one was maybe Flying Tigers. Right now it is all I can think of.

Fighting Seabees and Flying Tigers are two of the war related films he made during the war. There are two more. Want to keep thinking?

How about "Bombadier"?

Reunion in France

Back to Bataan

They Were Expendable

Barbara has the last two I had in mind Back to Bataan ('44), They Were Expendable ('45) and she added one more, Reunion in France ('42). Dates on Flying Tigers and The Fighting Seabees are ('42 and '44).

Good going, Barbara. You're "it." Give us some good ones to chew on.

Hey! DP, I think I have the answer for John Wayne's production company is it PILGRIM, by any chance?

What famous star did NOT make any films during World War II because he was too busy fighting in it?

Oh, what fun! A contest!

Robert Taylor was fighting in WW II. Also Jimmy Stewart and that darling man David Niven.

Any of them right?

While I'm here, I'll pose a question: What were the top 5 rated films of the 20th century? I just read it in the newspaper and I think there was a TV show about them.

Well, I had Jimmy Stewart in mind. He ended up with the highest rank-- Brigadier General (I think) of any Hollywood personage.

AND NOW it is someone else's turn.

Top 5 rated--saw a part of that show last night, I think. Citizen Kane was number 1 and The Godfather was in there also (maybe). Gone With the Wind and Sound of Music are maybes. Could have been in the top ten, not top five.

Another was Casablanca.

#1 CitizenKane
#2 Casablanca
#3 Godfather part 1, (I think)

And the rest infuriated me. I watched the whole show on TV, and they had very few of MY favorites.

John Wayne's company was called Batjac Productions.

Another star in the war was Tyrone Power. What a hunk he was.

Katie: My wife and I both watched the the program about the top 100 films...and we agree with you.

You may have missed it ... these film were selected within the industry by the film community.

Not to say those selected were not good films but many did not entertain me...sadly only one musical was selected, two if you consider the "Wizzard of Oz"a musical.

Speaking of musicals...What ever happened to Dan Dailey...I thought he was one of unsung song and danceman greats of the post ww2 musicals movies!

Question...Pat Boone had 17 or 18 number one hits in the 50's..a lot of these hits were vanilla covers of R&B hits from that era...who was Pat's father in law?

Pat Boone's father-in-law was Red Foley. ( I think)

Don, I agree. I think too Dan Dailey was one of the greats. I really liked him in Wings of Eagles, with John Wayne. I think that is the name of the movie. John Wayne played Spig Wead. Maureen O'Hara was in it too, I like her quite well also. As you can tell, I'm a big fan of Wayne.

Diana

I'm sure you are right, Joan. Red Foley.

You named the top 5; my paper listed all 100.

I'm thinking Pat Boone's father-in-law was a minister, but I don't think it was Billy Graham, was it?

Dan Dailey, was also in a TV sit-com in the '70's. He played either the governor of a state, or the mayor of a city? Can't recall the name of the show, or the exact time frame, but remember watching it and liking it.

Just for grins I have taken the list of the 100 greatest films and chosen five among them as my own personal choices for "greatest". This isn't exactly in line with our game, but does anyone want to pick their own list to post? Your choices for "greatest" don't necessarily have to be on the American Film Institute's list. Here are my picks: 1.The Treasure of the Sierra Madre 2.Grapes of Wrath 3.Fantasia 4.Sunset Boulevard and 5.To Kill a Mockingbird

Pat Boone's Father-in-law indeed was Red Foley who you may remember for his own hit from early fifties or late forties 'Chattanoga Shoe Shine Boy'. Since my film taste lean toward musicals...comedies and detectives stories...My top 5 would be very biased in that direction.

Hi Don! Doesn't matter about your preference for musicals, etc. Shoot us your list of the five greatest.

Certain movies I never tire of watching over and over again through the years: l. Gone With the Wind 2. Dr. Zhivago 3. To Kill a Mockingbird 4. Bridge on the River Kwai 5. The Best Years of Our Lives (a little 'corny' by todays standards, but still very watchable!) I also love, The Last Picture Show, A Streetcar Named Desire and more recently, The English Patient. I could go on and on, but will spare you all!

There are a lot of movies I haven't seen, but how about Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and On Golden Pond. Yes, I like Hepburn but think those movies overall should be among the greats.

Five? I can only choose FIVE "greatest pictures"? My definition of "great" does not necessarily coincide with those in the industry. If I can watch it over and over with much enjoyment...and I do...then I consider it "great".

1. The Quiet Man
2. Casablanca
3. Field of Dreams
4. Sabrina...both of them, 'cause I can't decide between them.
5. The Sundowners

When you want the next 20 on my list, let me know.

Love...Katie

LOL - Go for it, Katie! I think we all could come up with a long list of what are "greatest" to us.

I have watched The Sting, or parts of it, several times. Still like it.

OLD TIME RADIO - There are some products that will always be associated in the minds of many old time radio listeners with certain programs. Here are five products, can you name the programs they sponsored?

Oxydol
Cream of Wheat
Johnson's Wax
Ovaltine
Wheaties

Have any more you'd like to suggest for the rest of us to try our hands at remembering?

Ovaltine was Little Orphan Annie, I think,--Jack Armstrong for Wheaties, & Johnson Wax,-- Fibber Mcgee and Molly ?

Oxydol's own----Ma Perkins.

Putney, you're right on all three and Marilyn E's answer is right. Anyone for Cream of Wheat?

How about programs to the sponsor:

Captain Midnight

Tom Mix

Superman

Terry and the Pirates

I always liked the "House of Mystery" on Saturday morning...where all the mysteries had a logical explaination...which at the time wasn't very logical to me!!!!

Don - I can only remember Tom Mix - Shredded Ralston - listened to all the others but sponsors escape me. Loved The House of Mystery, too!

Anyone remember Don Winslow?? He was a captain on a boat, that is all that I can remember.... and he had a neat song for an introduction.. It might have been "anchors away".. this was early fifties...

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

Sorry, I don't remember any radio shows. I'm afraid that was a little before my time. My favorite movies would be-1. Gone with the Wind, 2. In Harm's Way, 3. King of Kings, 4. The Quiet Man, 5. Twister. I love most all Biblical movies. Diana

Don: Captain Midnight was also sponsored by Ovaltine, I think? One of the daily serials was sponsored by Quaker Puffed Rice and Wheat, but can't recall which one? I remember the slogan---"shot from guns"!

I don't think I ever heard the House of Mystery, on Saturday morning. After "Let's Pretend", I loved to listen to, "Grand Central Station".

Let's Pretend sponsored by Cream of Wheat!

20TH CENTURY PRESIDENTS OF THE U.S.

1. How many presidents has the U.S. had since 1900?

2. Who served longest? Who served shortest?

3. How many can you name?

4. How many do you actually remember?

5. How many died while in office?

6. Who succeeded them?

Hello everyone, this looked like a interesting folder so thought i would check it out, not sure i can add anything to it but will just read for awhile.

Boy you all are to smart for me, i can't remember what i had for breakfast today , much less some of the things you are talking about. But what fun , i remember the shows and the radio programs.

1) 16 Presidents since 1900
2)F.D.Roosevelt served the longest; Warren Harding served the shortest.
3)
    Name                        Inaug.Date        Died
Theodore Roosevelt           1901                1919
Wm. Howard Taft              1909               1930
Woodrow Wilson                1913                1924
Warren Harding                1921                1923 (died in office)
Calvin Coolidge                   1923                1933
Herbert Hoover                1929                1964
Franklin D. Roosevelt        1933                 1945 (died in office)
Harry S. Truman               1945                1972
John F. Kennedy                1961                1963 (died in office)
Lyndon B. Johnson             1963               1973
Richard M. Nixon               1969                1994
Gerald R. Ford                   1974
James E. Carter                 1977
Ronald Reagan                    1981
George Bush                       1989
William J. Clinton                1993

4) The earliest one I can remember is H.S. Truman
5)3 died in office:Harding, FDR, Kennedy
6) Coolidge, Truman, Johnson

šjane›

Hate to admit this but can remember Hoover.. Remember FDR very well. Perhaps one reason I remember Hoover is my parents argued about Hoover/Smith a lot. I also worked for the company Herbert Hoover, Jr owned.. Never met the father however.

Jane, you are way to smart for me. The first President I remember is Eisenhouer(?).

But, I think I missed him on my list...don't remember typing that. Gotta check my World Almanac...Hmmm...

Diana...You're right...Dwight David Eisenhower belongs after H.S. Truman and date is 1953. So, the number must be 17.

I wonder how the World Almanac decides what name to put in. For example, they say Jimmy (James Earl) Carter, but list present President as Bill Clinton. Yet, JFK is listed as John Fitzgerald Kennedy, not Jack Kennedy. Hmmm... strange

šjane›

Excellent Jane! The first president I remember is Franklin Roosevelt. The list I worked from showed 18 men - in reverse alphabetical order:

Wilson, Truman, Taft, Roosevelt, T., Roosevelt, F. Reagan, Nixon,

McKinley*, Kennedy, Johnson, Hoover, Harding, Ford, Eisenhower,

Coolidge, Clinton, Carter and Bush

*McKinley was originally elected in 1896, but was starting a second term after the turn of the century. Add him to the list of those who died in office.

Hey, everybody! Please post questions, too. That's how the fun keeps going on this round table.

Good Morning, I have questions, but I don't know the answers.

That's OK, Diana. Almost certainly someone in this sharp bunch of cookies will either know or find out the answers! Let 'er rip.

Marilyn: Yup, you're right...18. McKinley is listed as dying in office in 1901. He was assassinated, wasn't he...as, of course, JFK. Was anyone else, except Lincoln, of course? I DON'T have the answer...just the question!!!!

šjane›

Good morning, Jane

James Garfield was the other president who was assassinated - so that makes four. I'll be gone for the rest of the day. You kids play sweetly now! {8+}

Does anyone know what a Crown of Thorns is? And do you know the story that goes with it?

Good Morning trivia fans: Only one week into this new discussion, and we already have 81 posts! That's great, but we need you to help us keep it going, by posting your questions, answers, etc.

Diana: That is a thoughtful question about the Crown of Thorns. I don't know the answer, but will be looking forward to finding out.

Crown of Thorns-- (Euphorbia milii--E. splendens)-- is a plant, of course.--Originally from Madagascar, and named after Euphorbus, who was the King of Madagascars physician.---But exactly why the common name, I'm not sure, except for the obvious,--it's appearance.....

THE NOBEL PRIZE

The Nobel Prize was established in 1901. Two years later, the first woman was honored. Who was she? What was her field?

How many women have received a Nobel Prize since 1901?

I think Madam Curie (spelling?) for radium--physics?

I agree, Jim...I think Marie Curie in Physics...1903

šjane›

Exactly right jimd and jane! Either of you want to answer the second part of the question? If no one gets it by this time tomorrow, I'll post the answer.

Crown of Thorns is a plant. It has some wicked looking thorns on it and small leaves pop out on the top of each stem. I was told it was the plant used to circle Jesus's head when crucified. Hence the name. Don't know if that is true or not. My mother had one and it died, I have been trying to find one, but they are hard to get.

Gee, I'm crushed. No one mentioned "Hoosiers" or "Breaking Away" for favorite movies. Met author of "Breaking Away," originally from near here. And any movie that is about Indiana basketball is ok in my thinking. But all kidding aside folks, I liked "South Pacific" and "Sound of Music" alot.

MOVIES

Between 1933 and 1948 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made nine films together. How many of them can you name?

Fred Astaire also did a TV series in 1969-70. Can you name it?

In addition to her dancing talents, Ginger Rogers was an Academy Award winning actress. For what 1940 role was she honored with that award?

Ann Sothern became Maisie, in 1939. How many Maisie films did she make between 1939 and 1947?

Sothern had two TV series one from 1952-54 and another from 1958-60. Can you name them?

Three of the nine Astaire/Rogers films are--- "Flying Down to Rio", "Top Hat" and "Swing Time."

Ruth Warren: I recently saw "Breaking Away" for the first time, on either the Encore channel or AMC. It was really good! Now I'm trying to think of the name of another Indiana, movie that I enjoyed years ago---it starred Tom Cruise???

Right you are, Marilyn. Three down, six to go!

Three more Rogers and Astaire movies..."Barkleys of Broadway", "Gay Divorcee", and "Shall We Dance". Plus..."Follow the Fleet", "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle", and "Roberta"

Ginger won her Oscar for "Kitty Foyle".

Wasn't Fred Astaire part of "The Rogues" series? Loved that show!

Helloooo Katie! You got all the rest and Kitty Foyle, too. The name I found for Fred Astaire's TV series was different, though - so - we'll leave that one open.

By the way, on the Nobel Prize question - 30 women have received the prize since 1903.

ANN SOTHERN: The Ann Sothern Maisie films, after the original, are Congo Maisie, Gold Rush Maisie, Maisie was a Lady, Maisie Get's her Man, Maisie Goes to Reno, Up Goes Maisie and Undercover Maisie. I don't actually remember seeing any of them, but the titles sound familiar, so probably saw some of the later ones. Don't think I ever watched her TV show, but remember seeing her doing some funny bit with Lucille Ball, so she must have been a guest on I Love Lucy?

This book was a bestseller around l956. It was considered very risque at the time, but would probably look mild by todays standards! It was made into a movie, and then later, was a long running TV drama. What was the name of the book, who wrote it, and who were any of the many famous people who were either in the movie or TV show?

Was the novel Peyton Place by Grace Metalious? I think the O'Neal was in this .

Joan

Joan Grimes, you just get up too early for me, beat me to Peyton Place.

There are sooooooooo many questions going on all at one time, it gets confusing keeping things straight in here. But I try. Also some things are before my time. My memory starts in the 50's.

I vaguely remember (I think!) Ann Sothern's TV show...my recollection is she played a secretary...and the words Ann Sothern were in a script across the screen on the diagonal...in B & W, of course. End of recollection. {Now I know why our brains are all those nooks and crannies...memories must get stuck in there...with all those kinks they can't get out! But...where's the rest of the info I need???? Maybe I need to defrag my brain!}

šjane›

Marilyn E - right on all those "Maisie" pix and jane remembers correctly that Ann Sothern was a secretary in first of her TV series "Private Secretary." Excellent excercising of those nooks and crannies!

Ricky Nelson was one who was in the cast of "Peyton Place". Just saw that on Biography last evening.

Mia Farrow was the young girl in Peyton Place that the story was all about.....

Her mother was a very famous actress, whos name is on the tip of my tongue...ah.. Lanna Turner!!!!

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

dapphy: No, I don't think it's Lana Turner...remember Lana's daughter, Cheryl something, stabbed that mobster boyfriend, Johnny Stampano (or some such name)...{See, "Nook and Cranny" disease again!}
I think Mia's mother is one of the Maureen's...hmm....maybe Maureen Sullivan or Maureen O'Sullivan or help...or what???? O'Hara ?????

šjane›

You're all doing really well on Peyton Place! I remember reading the book, and being totally shocked---this was around l957. (Those were the good old days, when I was still 'shockable'!) In the movie, the lead woman character was played by Lana Turner. In the TV series, she was played by Dorothy Malone. Everyone gets the two different shows mixed up. (including me!) I know that Ryan O'Neal was in one, and Mia Farrow and others that later became famous or popular in other things.

Ryan O'Neal was on the tv series as was Mia Farrow.

BUT...who is Mia Farrow's mother in real life??? Maureen WHO??? Sullivan/O'Sullivan/O'Hara/???????

šjane›

Maureen O'Sullivan. Just looked it up.

BIG BANDS AND ORCHESTRAS: Many musical groups had names other than just "The Joe Blow Orchestra." Here are eight orchestra leaders - can you remember the names of their groups?

1.Guy Lombardo and his ----- ---------.

2.Phil Spitalny and his -- ---- ---------.

3.Bob Crosby and the -------.

4.Woody Herman and the ------ ----.

5.Jelly Roll Morton and his --- --- -------.

6.Glenn Gray and the ---- ---- ---------.

7.Spike Jones and the ---- --------.

8.Red Nichols and his ----- -------.

NEXT TIME: Orchestra theme songs!

Only one I can remember without looking up is Bob Crosby and the Bob Cats. Think Nichols had Pennies in there someplace.

Marilyn T: One of my favorite subjects>>>Big Bands and Orchestras! I'll start out by answering #1. Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.

Barbara - right! Bob Crosby and the Bobcats and Red Nichols and his Five Pennies. Marilyn E - right! Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.

Five more to go!!

1. Royal Canadians
2. All Girl Orchestra
3. Bobcats
4. Herman Herd
5. ???
6. Casa Loma Orchestra
7. ???
8. Five Pennies

Jelly Roll Morton and the Red Hot Peppers; Spike Jones and His City Slickers. Looked these up.

Hot dog, you all are good! OK here we go for the next batch:

ORCHESTRA THEME SONGS (10 of 'em)

1.Tommy Dorsey

2.Louie Armstrong

3.Kay Kyser

4.Glen Miller

5.Artie Shaw

6.Paul Whiteman

7.Benny Goodman

8.Ray Noble

9.Ted Lewis

10.Desi Arnaz

Glen Miller-- In the Mood or one of the Serenades. Ray Noble--The Very Thought of You. ?????

I know I enjoy listening to these big bands but I sure can't tell you their theme songs. I was born in 45 and I got my appreciation of these from my mother.

Right, Barbara - Miller's was "Moonlight Serenade" and Noble's "The Very Thought of You". Off to a good start! Diana, be glad for the good influence of such a wonderful, music loving mother! {;

Tommy Dorsey: "I'm getting Sentimental Over You"

Kay Kyser: "Thinking of You"

Benny Goodman: "Let's Dance" - closing theme was, "Goodbye"

Artie Shaw: "Begin the Beguine"?

Marilyn T: On my husband's advice, I'm changing Artie Shaw's theme from "Begin the Beguine" to "Nightmare"?

Marilyn - Good advice from your husband 'cause "Nightmare" is correct, as are your other three.

That leaves four to go: Paul Whiteman, Desi Arnaz, Ted Lewis and Louie Armstrong.

Desi: Babaloo (don't grade on spelling, did it phonetically)

Hi Ruth, I'm not too sure myself, but the title I have is "Cuban Pete" and I'm going to agree with you that Pete must have said "Babaloo" in there somewhere! {;-

We're now down to three - Louie Armstrong, Paul Whiteman and Ted Lewis

Ted Lewis--Me and My Shadow ??

Paul Whiteman--Rhapsody in Blue.

Louis Armstrong: possibly "Muskrat Ramble"?

Here are a few more for you to guess:

1. Lawrence Welk

2. Duke Ellington

3. Les Brown

4. Harry James

5. Glen Gray

6. Count Basie

7. Charlie Spivak (A hard one, but I had to throw him in, because he's my husband's cousin!)

Barbara is right with "Rhapsody in Blue" for Paul Whiteman Ted Lewis is "When My Baby Smiles at Me" and Louie Armstrong is "When It's Sleepy Time Down South"

Lawrence Welk---ChampagneWaltz????????

Harry James - "Ciribiribin"

Diana: I think Lawrence Welk's themesong is called "Bubbles in the Wine", but "Champagne Waltz" is certainly close enough.

Marilyn: You are right on Harry James!

Duke Ellington "Take the 'A' Train" -- Glen Gray "Smoke Rings"

Count Basie "One O'Clock Jump" -- Cousin Charlie Spivak "Stardreams"

Marilyn - I kind of cheated on Charlie - but it was in a good cause. {*-

Marilyn: Right, on everything, including "Stardreams"! I'm really curious as to where you found that bit of obscure information? Please tell me if there is a Cousin Charlie web site, somewhere in cyberspace?

Check out http://209.63.231.35/

That's where I found him. It's called Big Bands Database in case I messed up on the address. I don't know if they need to be, but the three Ws are capitalized.

In 1953 a great furore arose over three words used in a light comedy film featuring David Niven, William Holden and Maggie McNamara. Can you name the movie?

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Good guess, Barbara. This one was even before "Breakfast." The hubbub about it was the biggest since Rhett said he didn't give a "damn."

The Moon Is Blue. (Of course, Breakfast at Tiffany's had Audrey Hepburn.)

Now what were the three words? Something to do with "I don't know whether I'm supposed to be there or just drop in." This was a David Niven line and referred to breakfast, but don't know the movie, etc. I am not a movie buff.

The words were "virgin", "seduction" and "mistress". Apparently really risqué stuff for 1953.

How about your tossing out the next question for us?

How about describing who these people were?

Molotov
Malenkov
Tito
Brezhnev
Gorbachev

Tito - Yugoslavic ruler....

Brezhnev - Russian ruler....

Gorbachev - Russian ruler....

I think...

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

Adding on to Dapphne's post above:
Molotov - Russian statesman...and one for whom the Molotov cocktail ( a bomb thing) was named
Malenkov - Russian political leader and premier

šjane›

dapphne & jane--well done!

The water goes down the plughole anticlockwise in the southern hemisphere - true or false

JOAN...been there, but never noticed!

I'm told that the water does just that.

This cartoonist's career took off in the 1950s - he gave us a swamp full of characters and the saying "We have met the enemy and he is us." Who is he? What was the name of his strip?

My guess:
Walt Kelly ~ POGO

šjane›

Pogo is strip, can't recall artist.

You're both right!

What were the given names of the Katzenjammer Kids?

Hans and Fritz? (Or am I thinking of Saturday Night Live? LOL)

*BIG GRIN* Yep, Hans und Fritz! Give us another.

THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW: Here are a few trivia questions about The Honeymooners:

What was Jackie's name on the show?

What did he do for a living?

What actress played his wife and what was her name on the show?

Who was his best friend and neighbor---real name and show name?

What did he do for a living?

Who played his wife and what was her name on the show?

My GUESSES for Honeymooners:

Jackie = Ralph Kramden
occupation = bus driver (for city?) ...I think
wife = Audrey Meadows / Alice (???)
neighbor = Art Carney / Norton/ sewer worker
Norton's wife = actress? /name = Trixie

šjane›

Jane----correct answers on one of my all time favorite TV shows! Jackie Gleason was so talented---also wrote his own theme song, and played secondary roles in alot of movies in the 1940's. Trixie was played by actress Joyce Randolph.

Now it's your turn to post a question on any subject that interests you!

Maureen O'Sullivan, Mia Farrow's Mother just died this week. I think she was first Jane in Tarzan movies.

Hootie

Marilyn:
Here's a "now" trivia question for you:

The world's biggest suspension bridge..i.e., has the longest span... is under construction. [I don't know if it is completed yet or not]

What country is it in?

šjane›

Suspension bridge--Suez Canal, Egypt?

No, not in Egypt.

šjane›

JANE...you mean someone is building a suspension bridge longer than the 5 mile Mackinac Bridge? How dare they???

I think its in Japan. Walt Kelly drew the Pogo strip. Two of my today favorite strip are "Rose" and "Sally Forth".

I'm pretty sure Japan is right. Don, got another question for us?

Yes...it's JAPAN...name of bridge is AKASHI KAIKYO and the longest span (feet between supports) is 6,529 feet!
Congratulations, Don!!

Sorry, Katie...YOUR Mackinac is only 3,800 feet between supports...nice, but NO CIGAR!!

Go, Don...it's your turn!

šjane›

Whew! Thanks Jane. I didn't really need...or want...a cigar! As long as that bridge is in Japan, might as well send the cigar to AKI.

DON..."Sally Forth" is my favorite comic strip, too. We don't get it on Sunday, tho. Sob! A friend in Arizona sends me the Sunday strips...a huge bunch at a time. I cut out the dailies to send to my son in Toledo. They have two whole pages of comics, but no Sally.

Next question, please...

Who did General Eisenhower defeat to win the Republican nomination for president. Who did he then defeat in the general election of 1952 to become president?

Back in the late 40's...my brother and I spent some time with my grandparents in West Texas where we were born...Aside from listening to a Clint. Texas radio station...My grandparent were avid listeners to a program that came on around noon...It was a family based radio soap and the interesting point of the program was...that all the characters were performed by one actor...Jimmy Schribner or Jimmy Johnson... to my best recollection...the show may have been called 'One Man's Family". Does anyone recall the program... There were some pretty good programs on the air back then. I remember "Gunsmoke" with William Conrad (The Fat Man later on)...'Sam Spade' with Howard Duff saying"Take a Letter Effie?"...Seems to me there also was a radio version of "Dragnet". I think DDE Defeated Adlai Stevenson.

Don: I definitely remember "One Man's Family", but it's a vague memory? I think the family name was Becker, but I'm probably way off? Also think maybe it was a 15 minute nightly show, set up like a daytime soap?

Don & Marilyn--I remember hearing "One Man's Family" as I would deliver the evening newspaper, perhaps at 4:30 or 4:45 PM Oklahoma time. I know it was popular in Perry, Ok., at least with my mother and neighbours.

It might have been Robert Taft that Ike won the nomination from, and it WAS Adlai Stevenson that he beat for the presidency.

"One Man's Family" had more than one person doing the voices...some of them went on to movie careers. Was Sada Thompson on that show?

I, too, have vague memories of "One Man's Family." Wasn't there a female character named Claudia? I remember that name...thought it was beautiful when I was a kid. I have a vague memory that it may have become one of the first tv shows, but didn't really adapt well to tv. I also have a vague memory of this show having run for years and years...and then it started over again ??? maybe when it went to tv???? My mother was totally disgusted...THAT I remember! Does any of that sound right to anyone else???

šjane›

JANE...I think you're right on all counts. It wasn't as successful on TV, but it was on for a few years, as I remember. I also loved the name "Claudia". Even knew one once.

My recollection of "One Man's Family" differs a bit, but here it is. The family name was Barber (or perhaps Barbour). They lived in the San Francisco area in a community called Sea Cliff. The family consisted of the parents and some sons and daughters (Claudia) was one daughter. My mother never missed the show which I think was on Sunday afternoons once a week. Can't remember too much else except that the mother's name was "Fanny" - I remember that because there were two great-aunt Fannies in my family. The weekly opening of the show said something about "their bewildering offspring." Didn't really understand that until I got some bewildering offspring of my own.

Got the answers about Eisenhower right on the button!

I remember One Man's Family as being broadcast on Sunday evenings. My mother loved it - mainly because the children grew up naturally. One of the daughters, might have been Claudia, was my mother's age and had matured from a teen-ager to being a married woman and mother right along with Mom.

Taking off from Don's original question - there were two radio shows, one more famous than the other, on which the voices of the all the characters were performed by two men. Remember them?

Amos N' Andy for one?

Ken's got the more famous of the two programs. Reach into the recesses of your minds and remember that other one for us.

How about this new look!?

Ray and somebody out of Chicago? Chicago Breakfast Club?

Bob & Ray did voices.

The Breakfast Club out of Chicago was hosted by Don McNeill, I still remember "Good Morning everybody and welcome to you" and the "March Around the Breakfast Table!"

"First call to breakfast to all of you out there..... America, awake! The Breakfast Club is on the air!"

Loved Don McNeil and the Breakfast Club, loved Bob & Ray even more, but the team I'm looking for did an program set in a small town called Pine Ridge.

Pine Ridge was the home of Lum & Abner.---

Yea, Putney! That's right. Please toss us another question to bounce around!

While we're still on the subject of old radio programs, I'm wondering about some of the 15 minute daytime soap operas, that I loved to listen to whenever I had the opportunity to stay home from school. Does anyone remember the name of the show that started out something like---"the story of an Iowa farm girl, who fell in love with a famous Broadway actor, and moved to New York City"? Also, there was one called Stella Dallas. Was that story taken from the book of the same name? I don't know the answers to these myself---just trying to remember?

Mary Noble, Backstage Wife! Thanks, I hadn't thought of that one in years!!! It was she "...fell in love with a matinee idol..." I think.

There was The Guiding Light, Woman in White, Lorenzo Jones and His Wife Belle, Just Plain Bill, Ma Perkins... lots more that just won't come to me now. The only time I got to listen to them, of course, was when I was home from school sick.

Guiding Light, was disappointed much later on in tvland when the original character family lines were dropped. The soaps of today bear no resemblance to their original counter parts. The least they could do is keep the younger generationa in the story line. I was an avid "As the World Turns" fan from it's inception. I came home for lunch alot and watched most of it during lunch hour. Very few of the old family names are around. About 10 years or so introduced a whole new family story and even they are not around much. I guess they need to have these adventurous or sexy stories to keep the younger generation of watchers. But they lost me years ago.

Off the soapbox. And on to more trivia. Watched a biography of Arthur Godfrey on A&E last week. Remember him? Can anyone name a few of the "acts" that were introduced on his show?

Two people I recall from Arthur Godfrey were Julius LaRosa...and the famous firing...and the woman who was the Irish (?) singer...reddish hair...think her name began with a C...(????)

I always remembered(I don't know about spelling)Hali Loke, she was the hawaiian dancer. Always liked her. I remember Julius LaRosa too. That's about all I can remember.

Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" boosted the careers of many - including Rosemary Clooney and the McGuire Sisters.

Is Carmel Quinn the name of the Irish singer?

Boy you have good memories, I wouldn't have remembered if I hadn't seen A&E Biography.

Talking of sidkicks, who was Jack Benny's sidekick, and not Don?

He had a beautiful tenor voice and his name was (is?) ........duh ( a very irish name)

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

Keep thinking Dapph, or have you already brought up the Brew? I sure could use a gallon of it today! But instead will try the new Lipton Green tea I bought today flavored with Jasmine, etc.

About Godfrey's show: He also had a morning show I think...plus he DID fired La Rosa on the air...The Chordettes appeared on his show...plus his band leader, Archie Blyer had a hit called "Hernado's Hideaway"...from 'Damn Yankees'. As for Jack Benny...his announcer was DON WILSON...Dennis Day...(Irish tenor)singer, Rochester as his valet, chauffer<?>...Mel Blanc did a lot of voices. Were there any amateurs from the Original Amateur Hour (Major Boyles...Ted Mack) that made it big? At the moment I can't recall any. AS for my first thoughts about the new look...kinda of an official look...maybe after it is watered a little...it will grow on you...just kidding...I really haven't had a chance to look it all over.

Yes, but there was a nutty singer "Oh Dennis" but what was his last name, I fogot.

Dennis Day ! That's the one..... his name wasn't as irish as I remembered......

What fun!

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

way to go Dapph, but where's my brew?

It is in the cafe....

but for you....

brew's up!

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

Wiping away the suds - here's a wee bit more about "One Man's Family." It ran from 1932 until 1959. There were five children: Paul, Hazel, Claudia, Clifford and Jack.

Hope everyone has a great holiday.

THE FOURTH OF JULY

Celebrations on Independence Day, always include patriotic marches by that great American composer and musician, John Philip Sousa. Name a few of his more famous compositions?

Mt. Rushmore, in S. Dakota, is an awe inspiring sight! It Would be a thrill to be there on July 4th. Who carved the famous faces? How long did it take to complete the monument?

Stars and Stripes Forever, Washington Post March, The Thunderer, and dozens more.

My own personal favorite after "Stars and Stripes" has always been "The Liberty Bell". Seems like there was another called "King Cotton."

What well known musician, composer and sometimes radio personality performed with Sousa's band?

Just to finish off the 4th of July weekend---Mt Rushmore was carved by the sculptor, Gutzon Borglum. It took 14 years. Started in l927, and dedicated in l941.

Marilyn T: Did a little research and tried to find the person who played in a Sousa band? Found many interesting sites on Sousa, but no mention of anyone familiar??

Meredith Willson was a member of Sousa's band along toward the end of its heyday. He tipped his hat to his old maestro in "The Music Man's" Seventy-six Trombones.

Going back to the Mt. Rushmore question for a moment - Theodore Roosevelt was a 20th Century president. Why was he among the presidents chosen to be honored?

Can you name two (or more) American writers who received the Nobel Prize for Literature?

This has nothing to do with what you are asking.I haven't a clue anyway. In tribute to Roy Rodgers, his horse was named Trigger, do you know what Dale's horse was called?

Dale's horse ~ Buttermilk ????? That name came to mind when I read your question, Diana.

American writers ~ Nobel Prize for Lit ~ at least the following = Toni Morrison, Joseph Brodsky (USSR-US), Czeslaw Milosz (Pol-US), Isaac B. Singer, Saul Bellow, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Pearl Buck, Eugene O'Neill, Sinclair Lewis.

œjane

minerva: The first question, about Rushmore---I think that Borglum, was a personal friend of Teddy Roosevelt?

Marilyn E - It may be that Roosevelt was a personal friend of the sculptor, but he was also a strong supporter of conservation of America's wilderness areas and the National Parks system.

One of the PBS or Discovery programs about our Nat'l Parks refered to Teddy (Mr. President) as the "Father of our park system". Here's question someone might answer for me since I don't know...who came up with the idea of the flag with 13 stripes and 13 star in a field? Seems like 13 was a pretty lucky number for us!!!!

Don Schreier--Search engine query gives

The Stars and Stripes--"Old Glory." On June 4, 1777, Congress authorized the stars and stripes design for the American flag. "WHETHER BETSY ROSS SUGGESTED THE DESIGN IS NOT KNOWN." Thirteen stripes appeared in several Revolutionary War flags made before the flag committee began its work. NO ONE KNOWS WHO SUGGESTED THESE STRIPES IN THE EARLIER FLAGS; HOWEVER, THE STRIPES AND GENERAL DESIGN ARE SIMILAR TO BRITISH FLAGS THEN IN USE.

Hey! Great goin' Jane - I think that's every one of them.

In 1959 an auto manufacturer advertised one of its models as: "America's only authentic sports car..." What car were they selling? What car were they knocking?

Jane, I believe you are right. I think her horse was named Buttermilk. On the cars, was it the camero? I don't know which one they were knocking.

Can only think of 2 American cars I ever considered sports cars...Corvette and Thunderbird...back when it was a 2 seater! However, I think Mustang may have been advertised as a sports car...but I'm not sure if 1959...So, my guess: Mustang, but knocking....Corvette????

jane sounds logical.

'59 was a few years before Mustang's time. It was Corvette knocking Thunderbird which had come out a few years before. The T-bird was the sporty two-seater in 1955 or so. If they had only left it alone!

Marilyn: AMEN to the "wish they'd left the Thunderbird ALONE"... It was a beautiful little car...I even liked a few of the early 4 seaters...but then they blew it, in my opinion...and ruined a lovely sports car and turned it into an ordinary car.

Have to agree. The Thunderbird was one sharp car. Never did like the corvette all that much.

As one of his characters on his TV show of the '50s, Jackie Gleason often mentioned a silent movie star as "....and the ever popular --- -----." This actress appeared in over 100 movies during her career including several with Laurel and Hardy. Can you remember that name?

It was the ever popular MMMae Busch!

Nope, Ruth. Not Mae West. As far as I can discover, Mae West never made a slient film. With a little digging, I found out Mae Busch made 105 films both silent and sound between 1912 and 1946. She worked with directors Mack Sennett, Hal Roach and Eric von Stroheim in silents and with actors Lon Chaney and Laurel and Hardy among others. Her last film was "The Blue Dahlia" in 1946 with Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake.

Pretty good for someone we never knew about.

MARILYN...I have heard the name and read the name, but sure couldn't pick her out of a lineup.

Today is Milton Berle's 90th birthday - so:

On what night of the week was Berle's TV show? Who was its original sponsor? What was it called? Who was its second sponsor? How long has Berle been in showbiz? Berle did lots of jokes about his deadbeat brother - remember his name?

I think Milton Berle's show was on Tuesday night, sponsored by Texaco, called The Texaco Star Theater? ("We are the men from Texaco--we go from Maine to Mexico", etc.) Maybe that was the second sponsor--not sure?

Just heard in the last few days that Berle's son, who is now only 37, has written a "tell all" book about what it was like having Uncle Miltie, for a father. Judging from the excerpts, it was definitely no picnic!

In show business for 85 years. Did first movie at 5. Have no idea what.

Right, Marilyn and Barbara. That leaves only the second sponsor and the deadbeat brother's name.

Isn't it interesting that almost every show biz child has nothing much good to say about his/her famous parent(s)?

Buick became the sponsor of Berle's TV show after Texaco had a long run and "Frank" was the deadbeat brother.

It was 110º here yesterday - so it's too hot to think. Anyone have another subject to start us off again? (-*

I've got one! Who remembers the hardship of taking a bath (once or twice a week) before we had that "modern convenience" of hot water pipes?

Not me Ken, before my time.

KEN: Even though I am possibly older than you, I can't relate to not having hot water pipes. Probably because I was born and raised in a big city, amd maybe you are from a rural area or small town?

SPORTS MOVIES: I heard an interesting bit of trivia on the radio this morning. Two separate lists of the top ten sports movies of all time. The first list was by movie critics, and the second was by people like us. I only was able to write down the top five on each list. Can anyone guess what they would be? (A hint: The #1 choice of the critics is one I have never heard of? However, all of the other movies are well known.)

Well, I'm just a baby (-*, but I had two sets of grandparents - one had a clawfooted bath tub (the rich ones) and the other a #2 wash tub. Both had plenty of running water - cold only - so we heated just enough water in a kettle to take off the chill and that was a bath. However, when we visited them there was none of this couple of times a week bath business - we heated water every day - our mother insisted on it, even while we were out of her sight.

Great sports movies: I have but one guess - "The Natural."

Marilyn E--Actually no, I'm remembering life on my grandparent's farm when we would visit them. We lived in a small town and had plumbing at home. I remember grandad warming kettles on the old pot-bellied stove, pouring a washtub of water and taking a bath right there in the living room, singing and soaping himself. Of course, grandma required privacy, so we would take a stroll outside the house. By the way, even in town in th 40's, we had to have ice delivered--in assorted size chunks for the ice box. I later worked one summer in the "ice house" and helped make deliveries. It was hard work but I enjoyed it.

MARILYN E...don't leave us in suspense! I, too, love "The Natural", but "Field of Dreams" would be tops on my list. Also like "Bull Durham", "Tin Cup", (must have a thing for Kevin Costner!) "Pride of the Yankees", and "Brian's Song", altho it was for TV. Notice there are NO boxing movies on my list? I'm sure "Raging Bull" and "Rocky" rate A1 on the lists of some.

Katie and Marilyn: You did really well on the 'peoples' favorites. #6. "Brian's Song" #5. "Bull Durham" #4. "Rocky" #3. "The Natural" #2. "Field of Dreams". I'll let you guess again for #1. (A hint: Ruth Warren, will be happy!)

As to the critics list: Katie, you guessed #5, "Tin Cup". The other four are a little harder, but keep trying!

Chariots of Fire and Pride of the Yankees?

How's about Breaking Away?

Ruth: YES, "Hoosiers" was number one! I had a feeling you would like that! "Chariots of Fire" and "Pride of Yankees" were on the lists, but were not on the top 5 of either one, so I'm not sure what numbers they were.

I'll tell you #1, on the critics list. Something from the late l930's called "Olympia". Leave it to a bunch of movie critics to pick an obscure movie that no one has ever seen, to be their favorite!

See if any of you can come up with the last three. They are all boxing movies. One fairly recent, and the other two out of the '40's. I'll post the answers before I go to bed tonight.

Sorry, was sidetracked last night and never got back. The last three on the critics list are: #4. "The Harder They Fall"---Humphrey Bogart's last movie. #3. "Body and Soul"---remember John Garfield? and #2. "Raging Bull"--- always near the top of most favorite lists.

BOO!!!to their choices.

Here is what Leonard Maltin has to say about the winner:

"Olympia"...(1936-German)220 min.,**** Dir.Leni Riefenstahl. Two-part record of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, highlighted by truly eyepopping cinematography, camera movement and editing. Of course, it's all supposed to be a glorification of the Nazi state. Various edited versions exist (some of which omit all footage of Hitler, who appears throughout the original print.)

Which probably explains why most of us have never seen it. Sheesh!

Katie: The review I read on "Olympia", said it was "overrated and overlong"! How could I have lived so long as an avid movie fan, and never even heard of it until now?? Also, I read over your first post, and see that you DID name "Raging Bull". Sorry that I missed it--- you definitely get credit for guessing the the majority! Think of a new question for us?

What was the name of Sherlock Holmes' housekeeper? (Too easy?)

Gee, Katie - it wasn't to easy for me!

Since I have to leave the answer to someone smarter, I'm going to ask this question: "Sunset Boulevard" came out in 1950 and starred Gloria Swanson and William Holden. Does anyone remember the last line of that film, who said it and to whom it was addressed?

m.m.---"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr.DeMille"

Katie: Not easy at all---someone out there must know?

Oh, c'mon, you guys! I doubt if I'm the only A&E addict around here!

OK Katie---how about Mrs. Hudson? (Didn't come up with that on my own---have to give credit to a knowledgeable friend!)

Congratulations, MARILYN E.!!!

You win first prize!

Did you know that Jeremy Britt, who played Sherlock Holmes in the A&E productions, was also Freddy What's-His-Name of "On the Street Where You Live" fame in "My Fair Lady"? The late Jeremy Britt. Sob!

Marilyn, You're a winner all the way 'round. An interesting sidelight on that movie is that the part of Norma Desmond was offered to Mae West, Mary Pickford and Poli Negri before it was offered to Gloria Swanson.

Who was it who did a series of skits that were wickedly funny spoofs of "Sunset Boulevard" on a regular TV series of a few years back?

Carol Burnett. Finally am current enough to answer one.

BrEtt, BrEtt, BrEtt...who is about to show up on AMC, even as I speak. They are running "My Fair Lady" again. Guess I needn't have bought the video...it's on TV every other week. You'd think I'd KNOW how to spell Jeremy's name!

Do you remember Carol Burnett singing "Feelings"? Hilarious! Every time I've heard it since, I groan.

Oh, I DO remember that rendition of "Feelings!" Remember which one of Carol's many characters gave that incredible performance?

I'm betting it was Eunice!

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Someone asked me to do this over the weekend - please join me in making a list of things we never even dreamed were possible until after WWII - for example: ball point pens, electric typewriters and electric toothbrushes... Add to the list as many as come to mind and let's see how long a list we can make. Doesn't necessarily have to be just things - can be new words, new attitudes...just anything at all that was unheard of before 1945.

How about microwaves, remote cardoor openers, CDs, VCRs (Imagine! Who would ever dream that we could watch a movie in our own homes without having to put up a screen and figuring out how to thread a projector!), Hula Hoops, water skiis, and, of course...the personal computer!

I can think of a million of 'em!

Love...Katie

For the list:
Panty hose! (no more little garters!)
velcro!
stretch wrap!
self-fastening plastic bags!

45 rpm and 33 1/3 rpm phonograph records, playtex (killer) girdles, residential air conditioners and butterfly chairs.

Things that have become commonplace in our lives----answering machines, digital clocks, garage door openers, RV's or motor homes, dishwashers, garbage disposals, automatic drip coffee makers, (thank you, Mr. Coffee!), huge indoor shopping malls, and 'theme parks' such as Disneyland or Six Flags.

How about "Fly Me To The Moon" for real! Neal Armstrong and all the astronauts, the finding of the Titanic, the deep sea dives and recovery of many sunken ships from centuries ago. And the elimination of carbon paper as the most common way to make duplicate copies. Thank heavens for word processors or duplicating machines. This list could go on and on.

Forgot to mention that all important and ever present piece of plastic---THE CREDIT CARD!

Yes, Marilyn - not to mention the ATM machines to use 'em in! Add supermarket checkout scanners and EMAIL!

Credit cards bring to mind ATM machines. Add supermarket checkout scanners and that wonder, EMAIL!

Laser Beams--Penicillin--Polio Shots--Frozen Food--Artificial Hearts--What an age we have lived in!!!!!!! And I really can't imagine an invention, or inovation that would surprise me.-

And I remember reading somewhere about some guy who thought...way back...maybe early 1900s that the Patent Office should be closed because "everything that ever would be invented already had been invented." hehehe...think he was a bit unimaginative...and certainly would be shocked today!

šjane›

Maybe it was ALL invented back in the days of ATLANTIS

dapph ~ lZ

LifeStyleS

Good going everyone! Now let's put it reverse - think of some things that have largely disappeared since 1900 - for example: ice houses, home delivery milk, bread and ice men and neigborhood grocery stores.

Medicine Man Shows
Real tent circuses
Telephone party lines

JANE...a few years ago a friend was the only one left on a 12 party line, but she still got the 12 party line rate.

How about doctors who make house calls?
Penny postcards.
Rumble seats.
School desks with ink wells, or, for that matter, school desks with the fold-up bench seats.

Marilyn: I have a necklace made of Jacks...and in the center...with 5 jacks on each side...spaced...is the rubber ball. I love it...and wear it often...The jacks are different primary colors. At school, where I work, the kids LOVE it...and these are high school kids. I"ve been amazed that they know what it is!! The "older" teachers love it too!!! It's on a black cord...talented folks could make one.... I had to buy mine!!!

Tent circuses aren't quite obsolete yet. We still have one that comes to our area every summer, complete with side shows.

Things I havn't seen in a long time: Saddle shoes, roller skates that strap over shoes, bathing caps, and the wonderful game of "Jacks". Used to sit and play jacks by the hour, on any smooth surface where the ball would bounce---the sidewalk, hardwood floors, school corridors, porches, etc.

Jane: Guess I forgot to hit "Post My Message", so it didn't show up after you saw it! Your necklace sounds wonderful!

MARILYN: I saw your earlier post..it was BEFORE mine...that's why I responded about the jacks necklace..but it's not there now...spooky!!!!

Oh, boy, Jacks! My mother was the undisputed Jacks queen of her school as a girl and she could still get up to eightzies and even tenzies the rest of her life.

There was another game we played called Pick up Sticks - had thin wooden sticks pointed on both ends. You dropped them and tried to pick them all back up without moving one - when you moved a stick, you lost the game.

I'd like to add wooden spools for thread to the list. Haven't seen one in years.

Speaking of wooden spools...(I have a few my mom saved)...remember using a large spool...cutting pie-shaped wedges out along the edges to make it serrated...and tying a string to the spool long enough to wind up....and using a nail through the hole...and putting it against a window at halloween and pulling the string to make a terrible racket against the window???? Along with a bar of soap...these two items were amongst the "tricks" to be played on the neighbors, etc.

How about the tinker who used to come by and sharpen knives and sissors. Penny candy. Very few of those old fashioned soda fountains in drug stores. Old, dusty hardware stores with crooked wooden floors. Sunday mail delivery. Two a day mail delivery in the Christmas season.......

Dime stores that always had the most wonderful array of things that a kid could afford. Fleer's Dubble Bubble gum (the kiss kind wrapped with a twist at each end).

Marilyn T: Maybe it was just out here is California, but I remember standing in long lines of impatient kids, waiting to buy a few pieces of Dubble Bubble! This was right after WWII, and it had just come back on the marklet. Also, does anyone else remember the Milk Nickel?

Five and Ten Cent Stores where you could get something for five or ten cents!
"Brown paper packages tied up with string...!"
Ice balls made in front of you with a shaver, a block of ice, and a whole bunch of bottled flavors.
White gloves and straw hats on Sundays
soda fountains in drug store with lots of ice cream treats

One of our local drugstores has done extensive remodeling and expanding...and is putting back in a "soda fountain"...the black and white tile floor is down, the little stools with the red tops are about ready to install. It's advertised as a return to "yesteryear"...or at least the "50's"...will be interesting to see how successful it is when it gets going. It's a shame it hasn't been ready on time...this has been Ice Cream/Soda Fountain weather here most of the summer!!!

Does anyone have an afternoon newspaper delivered anymore? All of ours have gone to being morning papers.

šjane›

Marilyn, that bubble gum shortage must have been nationwide. My sister's boyfriend gave her a whole box of it, and being a sophisticated high school girl, she passed it on to me. For one brief, shining moment there I was in charge of a Dubble Bubble Camelot!

jane, That soda fountain sounds great. I hope it catches on and expands to other areas. We lost our last evening newspaper in these parts six or seven years ago.

Am really enjoying everyone's input. Keep 'em coming.

Hurray for the soda fountain!

Well, I think once the local soda fountain is up and running, I shall, in the interest of scientific discovery and all the "inquiring minds" here, have to go down there...and try one of everything...so I can report back what's good and not so good...like it used to be, etc. Yes, I know this will be a big sacrifice on my part, but we must know!

Speaking of the dime store, does anyone else remember going to Woolworth's, Kress or Newberry's, to buy Tangee Lipstick? Must have been every girl's first lipstick, in the l940's. It went on neutral, and then turned color once it was applied to your lips!

LOL, jane. Can't help but love ya for being willing to make such a sacrifice for all of us.

Marilyn, I remember the Tangee lipstick - do you remember Evening in Paris perfume (loved that midnight blue bottle) Maja soap and Mavis talcum powder?

Does anyone remember a dime store chain called Duke and Ayers?

We also had 5 and 10 stores named Kreskee (sp??? was pronounced Kres-keys) and Grant's, in addition to Woolworth's and Newberry's.

Jane-I remember a Kresges or Kresghees.

We had all of those chains in Pittsburgh. Also McCrory's. I think there is one Murphy's left.

Rats! We're down to NO 5 and 10¢ stores. Woolworth's went out two years ago, so now we're trying $1 stores and Ben Franklin. I always liked Kresge's best.

JANE...please have a Boston Cooler for me! An Iowa girl should know what that is.

I hate a morning paper. Takes me till noon to get started on anything else. Ours has been that way for four years now.

Love...Katie

I remember going to the city and the 5 and 10 stores with my mother. I just loved it, there was tons of stuff to look at and drool over. Could spend all day looking. I think it was either Woolworths or Kresges, not sure which one. We have a Ben Franklins here in town. But it is not a 5 and 10 any more.

Our Kresge's had a fresh doughnut counter. Big, light & fluffy with a slightly crispy outside - and warm. Ambrosia!!!

And how about Big Little books? With sketches in the corner of the pages that you could flip through for animation?

Marilyn T: "Evening in Paris", is a very popular collectible at the antique shop. You'd be amazed at the number of old, intact sets that are for sale out there! The individual bullet shaped vials, or the boxed sets (never opened) of cologne, powder, sachet, etc.

Jeanne: Same applies to the Big Little Books. Some of them go for as much as $200 to $300 per book. Nancy Drew, books are also getting very popular. Although they are in a much lower price range, some of the older editions are are hard to find and desirable. Other popular books for collectors are, Dana Girls Mysteries, Bobbsey Twins, Five Little Peppers, and Cherry Ames. I remember reading them all, and loving every single one!

Remember the Box Car Children?? I don't know if that's the right name, but that's what floats to the top of my brain...and the magazine Highlights for Children? Only mag I think my Mom ever subscribed to for us....of course, there weren't as many then, or else we didn't have the $$ for such things.

Marilyn - Very interesting about Big Little Books and Evening in Paris - wish I still had my books - and bottles. I only got the bottles when empty so they wouldn't be prized as antiques, but it'd be fun to have them.

jane - I associate Highlights for Children with my kids' visits to the doctor. Remember the Box Car Children.

Highlights is still published! I subscribed to it for two of my grandchildren in recent years. I think I still have Cherry Ames' books in my mother's attic! It's amazing to think of Evening in Paris as an antique!

Jo--Evening in Paris is an antique? Or is it a collectible. Think that something has to be 100 years old to be an antique. Please correct me if I am wrong. Should ask Jackie Brown, I guess. She would know.

Barbara, no, no - you are right, I'm sure. It's a collectible found in antique stores - somewhere! See Marylin T. and Marylin E. posts a few clicks back. (#'s 291, 293)She or someone said it had to be an unopened set to have any value. When I was a kid it had to be unopened because nobody wanted to smell it!

What about Blue Waltz perfume?

Blue Waltz! Had just about forgotten that one.

Add to the list: wooden soft drink cases, soft drinks sitting among the ice in grocery store drink coolers, bulk cookie displays with those little glass doors, paper popcorn sacks at the movies - for that matter, people who actually still say picture show instead of movie and icebox instead of refrigerator.

Did anyone mention my favorite, "penny candy" that actually cost a penny......

Heres one for you that will make you stop and think...

"The Beaver" is fifty years old!!!!

ha ha ha ha ha!

dapph ]Z

LifeStyleS

Dapphne: Hard to believe that "The Beaver", is 50 years old! I read recently that "Eddie Haskell", (can't remember his real name), has RETIRED from the LAPD!!

Marilyn T: Those slanted glass cookie display bins at the dime store! I remember staring longingly at the Windmills and Pinwheels, and begging my mother to buy them. But not once did she give in! Her answer was always that we had better, homemade cookies at home. Of course she was probably right, but the "store bought" kind were the novelty back then. Now it's the other way around.

How 'bout Orange Crates...when they were really made of wood. Sotres now get fruits in cardboard, I believe...or at least they used to..maybe that's changed now, too!!

And, going to the doctor's and leaving with little white envelopes with pills in them the doc got from his cupboard of pills.

šjane›

Speaking of penny candy, does anybody remember the colored marshmallow candy that actually had a little ring stuck down in it, like a ring box (without the box)?

I didn't like the candy very much for I just LOVED the rings! I wanted one for every finger.

Boots

Blue Waltz, oh my does that bring back memories. Yes, Evening in Paris was best left in the containers, but they were so pretty.

Boxcar children series is still around. Now in easy read version too, my grandson devours them.

Remember cherry phosphates? Remember walking all over town with the "gang" any time of day without a care?

Ruth, absolutely yes to your last two items. I made cherry phosphates when I worked at the drug store soda fountain and we walked and rode on the trolley all over town when I was a pre-teen. No worries, no harassment- visited the zoo, museusms, art gallery, churches and cathedrals went to big stores and movies in the city without a problem. Imagine letting kids do that now!

Hey! I saw The Beav, Jerry Mathers, IN PERSON, earlier this month, right here in Traverse City! He was the Grand Marshall of one of our parades during the Cherry Festival. Donna whar's-her-name, Ellie Mae Clampett, was the other Grand Marshall.

My grandmother actually WORE Evening in Paris. The only other perfume I can think of that was (is?) as popular is "Youth Dew". Anyone still wearing that?

JANE...no more wooden crates! How sad. What are students and newly-weds using for furniture nowadays?

Do they still make those parrafin things full of liquid? You bit a chunk off so you could drink the juice, then you chewed the thing like bubblegum. I spent an afternoon under the teacher's desk for sneaking another bite. Haven't liked them since.

Love...Katie

Jo and Ruth: Yes---our children and grandchildren will never know what it's like to have that feeling of freedom and independence. As a pre-teen, I used to have to take the bus into downtown Los Angeles, every few weeks to see the orthodontist. Would get on the bus after school, and wouldn't arrive in L.A., until around four. (this meant that it was usually dark by the time I finished my appointment.)

The bus station, of course, was in the worst part of the city, so I had to walk many long blocks to the medical building. This took me past the burlesque theaters, tattoo parlors, street drunks, and a broad assortment of strange characters selling things like pencils, etc. Would always anticipate going past the Follies Theater, where I could take a good look at the life size cardboard image of stripper, Lili St. Cyr, smiling out at me as I passed by!

Although I hated and dreaded the whole tedious trip, it never occurred to me to be afraid!

Marilyn E and all: I lived in a much smaller city and my freedom was a bike which I rode everywhere with never a care.

In the matter of penny candies, I remember those little parafin bottles with colored sugar water, but my favorites were the "two fer a penny" jaw breakers.

Candy cigarettes!! Gracious - who do we sue for that contribution to our later fascination with the real thing!? *-)

Katie, the current replacement for wooden crates is those plastic milk baskets, the real thing not those flimsy things you can buy in the store. Even I use them as filing drawers. Son got tons of them years ago when he was conselor at a Boy Scout camp at the end of summer.

I lived in a smaller town, but so urbanized right next door to another, etc. Took bus all over, but walked in the immediate areas late at nite, etc. Usually ended up alone a few blocks as I lived in opposite direction.

One of my vivid memories of my teens was all going back to the hs after a football game and putting our instruments away (in band) and running in the girls bathroom and getting out of that stupid uniform and all walking to a "corner cafe" where the pranksters would dump salt in sugar containers, leave lids off them and shoot up those fancy toothpicks in the ceiling tiles. Always insisted on several toothpicks in our sandwiches. You didn't dare go to the bathroom or you'd never know what was done to your food.

Marilyn E. Was the bus station at 5th and Los Angeles Street? I used to work in LA when I first started and took a bus to an outlying town. Almost always dark when homeward bound. I didn't like it either, but not afraid and that was the worst part of town.

Folks in the Café were talking about grocery deliveries. My dad had a neighborhood store, and Saturday mornings, my sis and I took the phone orders, "put up" the orders, packed them in cardboard boxes, etc. for Dad to deliver at about 11:00 am. Same folks would call, week after week, and I bet my Sis and I could still put together Mrs. Tate's order....even though it's been 43 years or so. She was ever faithful in calling in...and, like all of us, bought the same things, week after week. It was difficult for her to get around and I think she was only physically in the store on maybe 3 occasions in all the years Dad had the store.

šjane›

So--what did Mrs. Tate order? Can those items still be found on the shelves of today's super markets?

While we're waiting for Jane to come back, there used to be soft drinks and beers that were strictly locally made - have any fond (or otherwise) recollections of favorites from your locality?

For example, Dr. Pepper used to be known only to Texas and a few surrounding states and there were several beer brands (Bluebonnet, Pearl and Southern Select) which were unknown in other parts of the country.

Ok..here's the best I can do on the grocery list...nothing dramatic...pretty basic staples stuff...all canned...very little frozen then:
3 loaves of Holsum bread
1 tube of Ben-gay
1 carton of Alka-Seltzer
1 carton of Pepsi (6 bottles to the carton in those days)
1 jar Vicks
1 beef roast (3 1/2#)
4 or 6 pork chops
1 chicken
1# hamburger
1# bacon {or salt pork, if Dad had it}
2 cans of creamed corn
1 can of green beans
1 can peas
1 pkg of 4 rolls toilet tissue
The other stuff I can't remember...but I suspect some canned milk was on that list...
Mrs. Tate would then ask what the "Specials" were for the day...and say...around the holidays "You tell your Daddy that Otto got his bonus check." That meant my Dad was to take some extra money when he delivered. My dad cashed her husband's che