Yesteryear

Madballs

by editor@creativeunderworld.com | Yesteryear | 0 Comments

This series of toy foam balls was created initially by AmToy, (a subsidiary company of American Greetings who had been extremely successful with their range of Care Bears) in the mid-1980s to capture the toy demographic for boys. The toys were incredibly simple – just foam balls with hard features glued to the surface. But it […]

20 Stunning Portraits of Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas in the Mid-1960s

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Michelle Phillips, born Holly Michelle Gilliam on June 4, 1944, was the youngest member of the iconic folk-rock group The Mamas & the Papas, which rose to fame in the mid-1960s. Known for her striking beauty, ethereal stage presence, and pure soprano voice, Michelle became a key figure in the 1960s counterculture movement.

A native of Long Beach, California, she spent her early life in Los Angeles and Mexico City, raised by her widowed father. While working as a model in San Francisco, she met and married John Phillips in 1962 and went on to co-found the Mamas & the Papas in 1965. The band rose to fame with their popular singles “California Dreamin’” and “Creeque Alley,” both of which she co-wrote. They released five studio albums before their dissolution in 1970. Michelle Phillips is the last surviving original member of the band.

With her long blonde hair, natural makeup, and bohemian fashion, Michelle became a fashion icon of the era. She often wore flowing dresses, bell-bottoms, and fringe—quintessential 1960s looks that inspired fans and designers alike.

28 Vintage Photos of Rosalind Russell in the 1940s

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Rosalind Russell (June 4, 1907 – November 28, 1976) was an American actress, model, comedian, screenwriter, and singer, known for her role as fast-talking newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson in the Howard Hawks screwball comedy His Girl Friday (1940), opposite Cary Grant, as well as for her portrayals of Mame Dennis in the 1956 stage and 1958 film adaptations of Auntie Mame, and Rose in Gypsy (1962). A noted comedienne, she received various accolades, including five Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award, in addition to nominations for four Academy Awards and a BAFTA Award. Russell has been honored with a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1973 and Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 1975.

In her first years in Hollywood, Russell was characterized, both in her personal life and film career, as a sophisticated “lady.” This dissatisfied Russell, who said in a 1936 interview: “Being typed as a lady is the greatest misfortune possible to a motion picture actress. It limits your characterizations, confines you to play feminine sops and menaces and the public never highly approves of either. An impeccably dressed lady is always viewed with suspicion in real life and when you strut onto the screen with beautiful clothes and charming manners, the most naive of theatergoers senses immediately that you are in a position to do the hero no good. I earnestly want to get away from this. First, because I want to improve my career and professional life and, secondly because I am tired of being a clothes horse – a sort of hothouse orchid in a stand of wild flowers.”

Russell was a prominent actress, known for her comedic and dramatic roles in films in the 1940s. She was recognized for her talent and was even awarded for her cooperative nature in the Hollywood film industry. She often played strong, intelligent, career-driven women, breaking away from traditional female roles in film at the time. Known for her quick delivery, elegant yet assertive demeanor, and her ability to transition between comedy and drama seamlessly.

In the 1940s, Rosalind Russell was known for her tailored suits, structured dresses, and bold accessories – mirroring the professional women she often portrayed. Off-screen, she was considered glamorous and fashionable, frequently appearing in studio publicity stills with polished curls, strong brows, and an authoritative presence.

40 Vintage Photos Showcase Couple Styles From the 1950s

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In the 1950s, couples had distinctive and recognizable styles. Men often wore leather jackets, white T-shirts, and jeans for a rebellious look, or tailored suits with narrow lapels, skinny ties, and polished shoes for formal occasions. Hair was usually slicked back or neatly combed. Women emphasized an hourglass figure with dresses that had tight waists and full skirts, often worn with petticoats to add volume.

Common outfits included shirtwaist dresses, swing dresses, and pencil skirts. Accessories like gloves, pearls, and scarves were popular, and hairstyles were carefully styled in curls or rolls. Together, these styles created a polished, classic image of young couples in the 1950s, reflecting both traditional values and emerging youthful rebellion.

Step back in time with these vintage photos and see how couples looked in the 1950s.

20 Fascinating Portraits of Paulette Goddard in the 1950s

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Paulette Goddard (born Marion Levy; June 3, 1910 – April 23, 1990) was an American actress and socialite. Her career spanned six decades, from the 1920s to the early 1970s. She was a prominent leading actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

In the 1950s, Goddard—once a major Hollywood star of the 1930s and 1940s—experienced a decline in her film career but remained socially and culturally prominent. Her film roles became less frequent and less prominent during this decade. By the early 1950s, she had largely stepped away from major Hollywood productions. Some of her final screen appearances were in lower-profile films, such as: Babes in Bagdad (1952) – a colorful but critically panned film. The Torch (1950) – a Mexican-American production that had limited success.

Though no longer a leading star, she retained her glamorous reputation. Her elegance and wit kept her in the public eye through occasional magazine features and society columns.

Bravo Two Zero (1999)

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This made-for-television movie (produced by the BBC) puts big-budget Hollywood war movies to shame with its telling of the true story of the most highly decorated British patrol since the Boer War – an eight-man SAS team inserted behind Iraqi lines during the Gulf War in January 1991. Their top secret mission is to take […]

Funny Photos of Josephine Baker Crossing Her Eyes

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Josephine Baker was known not only for her talent as a dancer, singer, and actress, but also for her vibrant, playful stage presence and sense of humor. One of her signature comedic moves was crossing her eyes in exaggerated, silly expressions during her performances. This unexpected contrast—between her glamorous, elegant costumes and the goofy, childlike face she’d make—became part of her charm and stage persona.

The crossed eyes, often combined with wide, surprised expressions or playful dances, made audiences laugh and fall even more in love with her. It was a deliberate part of her act, showing she didn’t take herself too seriously and had a knack for physical comedy.

40 Fascinating Photos of a Young Suzi Quatro in the 1970s

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Suzi Quatro (born June 3, 1950) is an American singer, bass guitarist, songwriter, and actress. In the 1970s, she scored a string of singles that found success in Europe and Australia. Quatro was revolutionary for her time. She was one of the first women to front a rock band, sing lead vocals, play bass guitar, and write songs, challenging the male-dominated music industry.

Her iconic image, often featuring a leather jumpsuit with her bass slung low, was influential and became synonymous with her tough, rock-and-roll persona. She herself states that the leather and her image were her own ideas. While often associated with glam rock due to the timing and her aesthetic, Quatro consistently maintained that she was a “rock & roll” artist, not “glam rock.”

After moving to London in 1971 and signing with Mickie Most’s Rak Records, Quatro found immense success, particularly in Europe and Australia. Her breakthrough came with the singles “Can the Can” (1973), “48 Crash” (1973), and “Devil Gate Drive” (1974), all of which were major hits and topped charts in various countries. These were largely penned by the renowned songwriting duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman.

Later in the decade, her duet with Chris Norman, “Stumblin’ In” (1978), became her only Top 40 hit in the US, showcasing a softer rock sound that was a departure from her earlier work. Other notable songs from the 1970s include “Daytona Demon,” “Too Big,” “The Wild One,” “Your Mama Won’t Like Me,” and “If You Can’t Give Me Love.”

Quatro’s impact on female musicians is undeniable. She paved the way for countless artists and inspired generations of women in rock. Artists who have cited her as a major influence include Joan Jett, Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads (who learned bass by listening to Quatro’s albums), Debbie Harry of Blondie, Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go’s, and KT Tunstall.

Beyond music, Quatro gained significant recognition in the United States for her recurring role as Leather Tuscadero, a bass player, in the popular sitcom Happy Days between 1977 and 1979. This role introduced her to a wider American audience.

In summary, the 1970s was a pivotal decade for Suzi Quatro, establishing her as a groundbreaking and influential rock artist who left an indelible mark on music history, particularly for female musicians.

In March 1912, U.S. Army Captain Albert Berry Made the First Parachute Jump From a Powered Airplane

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On March 1, 1912, U.S. Army Captain Albert Berry climbed into a Benoist pusher-type airplane piloted by Tony Jannus, and made the first parachute jump from an airplane.

Berry had extensive experience parachuting from balloons before his first airplane jump. The 36 feet (11 m) diameter parachute was contained in a metal canister attached to the underside of the plane, and to a harness worn by Berry. The plane took off from Kinloch Field—today’s St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

At 1,500 feet (460 m), Berry dropped from the plane, his weight pulling the parachute from the canister. He dropped 500 feet (150 m) before the parachute opened. He landed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Berry is credited as being the first man to perform a parachute jump from a moving airplane.

The Associated Press reported the event:

ST. LOUIS, March 1. —For the first time in the history of a heavier-than-air flying machine, a man leaped from an aeroplane at Jefferson barracks this afternoon and descended safely to earth in a parachute. Capt. Albert Berry made the spectacular leap and it was witnessed by hundreds of cheering soldiers.

Berry and Pilot Jannus left the Kinlock aviation field in the afternoon in a two-passenger biplane, carrying beneath the machine, in a specially constructed case, a large parachute. With practiced hand Jannus steadied the machine, Berry gave a quick jerk of a rope and, while the aeroplane, first bouncing up like a cork, suddenly poised and steadied itself.

Hundreds of watchers held their breath as Berry shot toward the earth, the parachute trailing after him in a long, snaky line. Suddenly the parachute opened, the rapidity of the descent was checked and, amid cheers, the first aviator to make such an attempt lightly reached the ground.

He jumped from an airplane again on March 10, 1912, in front of a crowd in San Francisco. The successful jump helped demonstrate the potential of parachutes for aviation safety and military use.

Antony H. Jannus and Captain Albert Berry, U.S. Army, prior to their flight, at Kinloch Field, Missouri, 1 March 1912. The parachute is packed inside the inverted cone.

Captain Albert Berry parachuting from the Benoist biplane over Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, March 1, 1912.

Heartburn Hotel

by editor@creativeunderworld.com | Yesteryear | 0 Comments

1 9 9 8 (UK) 6 x 30 minute episodes 1 x Christmas special 2 0 0 0 (UK) 6 x 30 minute episodes After a lifetime in uniform, ex-army cook and Falklands veteran Harry Springer (Auf Wiedersehen Pet star Tim Healy) now owned and ran the seedy Olympic Hotel in Birmingham. He had bought the […]