Happy Birthday Lana Turner. Born Julia Jean Turner on February 8, 1921, Miss Turner achieved a fifty year career as a pin-up model and dramatic actress.
Showing posts with label Fifties Celebrity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fifties Celebrity. Show all posts
Wednesday Words of Wisdom From C.Z. Guest
New York socialite, prominent hostess, noted horsewoman, and lifelong member of The Best Dressed List, C.Z. Guest is quoted as saying:
"All the girls today want to be famous, but they haven't earned their spurs"
When taking inventory of American fifties' fashion icons, C.Z. Guest graces the list as royalty. Born Lucy Douglas Cochrane, she became known as C.Z. because of her younger brother's mispronunciation of "sissy."
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| C.Z. Guest 1947 Peter Stackpole Google: Life |
The stage was set for her ascension to fashion icon status when she married Winston Frederick Churchill Guest, a first cousin to Winston Churchill. Their wedding took place at Ernest Hemingway's home in Havana, Cuba. Hemingway served as best man.
Rest In Peace Fats Domino
The world lost one of the biggest stars of fifties' rock and roll music on October 24, 2017 when the legendary Fats Domino passed away. According to the coroner, he died of natural causes at his home in Harvey, Louisiana at the age of 89. Harvey is a suburb of his beloved New Orleans.
Second only to Elvis Presley, Domino had more than three dozen top 40 hits during the forties and fifties. His biggest hit was in 1956 with his version of "Blueberry Hill".
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 1985, Mr. Domino said, "I was lucky enough to write songs that carry a good beat and tell a real story that people could feel was their story too - something that old people or the kids could both enjoy."
Happy Birthday Rita
Rita Hayworth was born on this date in 1918.
Let me try to explain why I am so fond of Rita Hayworth. Actually there is not another Old Hollywood celebrity I love more.
My mother was only sixteen when she came to Arkansas to meet my father's family. My aunts have always said the first time they saw her she looked just like Rita Hayworth. In fact I have pictures of mama with softly waved, long auburn hair and full red rimmed lips just like Rita.
Apparently, my parents had high regard for Miss Hayworth too because they named me after her. Thanks to Rita Hayworth's popularity, many girls born in the fifties were named Rita. Ann was favored for the middle name. Barbara Ann, Karen Ann, Janet Ann, etc.
Rita Hayworth has been on my mind quite a bit lately. My mother in law passed away recently after a five year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. A quote attributed to Hayworth's daughter Yasmin Aga Khan described her mother as "still beautiful but just a shell" describes my mother in law as well.
Princess Yasmin honors her mother with her leadership and fund raising efforts for the Alzheimer's Association Galas throughout the country. Rita Hayworth Gala information can be found HERE
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| Rita Hayworth Costume From "Gilda" Jean Louis Designer Sold for $161,000 ©Bonhams |
We All Love Lucy
The fifties' most iconic television situation comedy "I Love Lucy" first aired on Columbia Broadcast System (CBS) on October 15, 1951. The black and white series starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, William Frawley, and Vivian Vance would go on to become one of the most popular and innovative sitcoms in television history. Not only was Lucille Ball a legendary comedienne, she became a pioneer in shaping American culture.
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| Maurice Chevalier, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz I Love Lucy August 1959 Leonard Mccoomb Google:Life |
Feminism Pioneer
As was the norm in 1950's films and television, Lucy and Ricky Ricardo's matching twin beds were separated by a nightstand.
More Than a Pretty Face
For International #AdaLovelaceDay, we honor the lovely visionary Hedy Lamarr.
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| Hedy Lamarr ©Google:Life Alfred Eisenstaedt |
Ada Lovelace Day is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Although better known as an incredibly beautiful screen actress, she was also a pioneer in the field of spread spectrum technology.
On June 10, 1941, while married to Gene Markey, Lamarr as H.K. Markey ET AL (George Anthiel) filed a patent with the US Patent Office for a secret communication system designed to combat the Nazis in WWII. The patent was granted on August 11, 1942. You can see a PDF of the Patent HERE,
Although the true significance of this innovative communication system was not recognized until much later, her contribution would form the foundation for today's cellular wireless systems.
Our highest regards for the inspiring beauty icon who was known as Hedy Lamarr.
Shakespeare's Take on Liz and Dick
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| Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in 1963 Cleopatra Public Domain Photograph |
"The course of true love never did run smooth"
#ShakespeareSunday "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Act 1 Scene 1
King of the Cowboys Roy Rogers
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| King of the Cowboys Roy Rogers |
The Roy Rogers Riders Club Rules
Be Neat and Clean
Be Courteous and Polite
Always Obey Your Parents
Protect the Weak and Help Them
Be Brave but Never Take Chances
Study Hard and Learn All You Can
Be Kind to Animals and Take Care of Them
Eat All Your Food and Never Waste Any
Love God and Go To Sunday School Regularly
Always Respect Our Flag and Country
Be Courteous and Polite
Always Obey Your Parents
Protect the Weak and Help Them
Be Brave but Never Take Chances
Study Hard and Learn All You Can
Be Kind to Animals and Take Care of Them
Eat All Your Food and Never Waste Any
Love God and Go To Sunday School Regularly
Always Respect Our Flag and Country
Special permission received for use of images and Riders Club Rules from the Roy Rogers Estate.
Tribute to Roy Rogers can be seen on Living In Fifties Fashion page Roy Rogers
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy is a 1950's American situation comedy starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, William Frawley, and Vivian Vance. The series first premiered October 15, 1951 and quickly gained popularity with the American public.
Lucille Ball won Best Comedienne and the I Love Lucy Show won its first Primetime Emmy Award for Best Situation Comedy in 1953.
Much of Lucy's unique fashion sense and keen style can be attributed to costume designer Elois Jennsen. The quintessentially 1950's Jennsen designed polka dot dress sold at auction in July, 2013 for $168,000.
Lucille Ball won Best Comedienne and the I Love Lucy Show won its first Primetime Emmy Award for Best Situation Comedy in 1953.
Much of Lucy's unique fashion sense and keen style can be attributed to costume designer Elois Jennsen. The quintessentially 1950's Jennsen designed polka dot dress sold at auction in July, 2013 for $168,000.
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| Iconic 1950's Polka Dot Dress |
You Belong To Me
Jo Stafford's romantic ballad "You Belong to Me" reached US Billboard Magazine's #1 spot on this date in 1952. It would remain number one for five weeks. Written by Pee Wee King, Clifton Price, and Redd Stewart, the pop music hit was also a top recording hit for Patti Page and Dean Martin.
Born Jo Elizabeth Stafford on November 12, 1917 in Coalinga, California, her initial forays into music was as a folk singer with her family. In 1938, she became the lead singer for a group later named The Pied Pipers and subsequently met and performed with Tommy Dorsey. She began touring with The Pied Pipers, a young Frank Sinatra, and Tommy Dorsey.
In 1944, Stafford left the Pied Pipers and signed with Capitol Records beginning a career that would last into the 1970's. Her radio, television, and music talents were recognized with three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1982.
Please enjoy this May 21, 1958 episode of "The Big Record" with Jo Stafford singing a medley of her favorite songs. Courtesy of Archive.org.
Daddy and Dale Robertson
Today would have been my daddy's birthday. Here is a little remembrance of the wisest and kindest man I ever knew.
Dale Robertson played in the TV Series Wells Fargo from 1957-1962. Daddy liked the show and watched it faithfully each week. Westerns were his favorite.
We were living in a basement apartment on College Avenue when the time for Wells Fargo neared. As the opening credits rolled, the music played, and Dale Robertson's face appeared, Mama said, "Ah, there's my man."
Daddy turned the TV off.
Harry Belafonte
On this date in 1956, Harry Belafonte's album "Calypso" went to #1 and stayed #1 on the charts for 31 weeks. Born March 1, 1927, Mr. Belafonte is an American singer, songwriter, and actor perhaps best known for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with his "Banana Boat Song."
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| By Carl Van Vechten - Van Vechten Collection at Library of Congress, Public Domain, |
Along with his impressive discography and acclaim for his songwriting and music talents, Belafonte has worked in films and television since the 1950's.
Today he is a humanitarian and social activist.
Miss Mitzi Gaynor
The beautiful Mitzi Gaynor was born on this date in 1931. She is an American entertainer, actress, and dancer. You can read all about Miss Gaynor Here
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| Publicity Photo of Mitzi Gaynor 1954 |
Search For Tomorrow
The popular American Soap Opera Search For Tomorrow first aired on CBS on this date in 1951 and would continue to run for 35 years . Along with The Guiding Light, The Edge of Night, and Another World, Search For Tomorrow would be sponsored by Procter & Gamble Productions during the 1950's and running through the 1980's.
The story centered around the small town housewife Joanne Gardner and her next door neighbors, Stuart and Marge Bergman. Mary Stuart starred in the role of Joanne until the serial's final episode on December 26, 1986.
Marilyn Monroe in Bus Stop
The 20th Century Fox romantic comedy Bus Stop opened on this date in 1956. Starring Marilyn Monroe and Don Murray, the movie was nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Motion Picture and Marilyn Monroe was nominated as Best Actress. Considered her first dramatic role, Miss Monroe's critically acclaimed performance made the film a box office success.
After the success of Bus Stop, Monroe would go on to star in The Prince and the Showgirl (1957), Some Like It Hot (1959), and The Misfits (1961). The Misfits was her last completed film before her death on August 5, 1962.
She is considered a major icon in American pop culture.
After the success of Bus Stop, Monroe would go on to star in The Prince and the Showgirl (1957), Some Like It Hot (1959), and The Misfits (1961). The Misfits was her last completed film before her death on August 5, 1962.
She is considered a major icon in American pop culture.
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