Yesteryear

Anastasiya Vertinskaya: The Enigmatic Star of Soviet Cinema

Anastasiya Vertinskaya: The Enigmatic Star of Soviet Cinema

Anastasiya Vertinskaya is one of the most captivating actresses of Soviet cinema, admired for her striking beauty, emotional depth, and the sense of mystery she brought to her roles. Born in Moscow in 1944, she was the daughter of the celebrated singer and composer Alexander Vertinsky and actress Lidiya Vertinskaya. With such an artistic heritage, she seemed destined for the stage and screen.

Her breakthrough came at just sixteen, when she played Assol in Scarlet Sails (1961), a romantic fantasy that became an instant classic. The following year, she portrayed Gutiera in Amphibian Man (1962), another hugely popular film that turned her into a symbol of youthful idealism and ethereal beauty. Soon after, she moved into more complex roles, showing her range and maturity as an actress.
Vertinskaya’s collaborations with leading directors of the era—including her unforgettable Ophelia in Grigori Kozintsev’s Hamlet (1964)—cemented her reputation as one of the great talents of Soviet theater and film. Beyond cinema, she worked extensively on stage, bringing elegance and emotional intelligence to her performances.
More than just an actress, Vertinskaya became an icon of Soviet culture in the 1960s and ’70s, admired not only for her artistry but also for her poise and individuality. Her legacy endures as that of a performer who embodied grace, intelligence, and the timeless power of screen presence. Take a look at these vintage photos to see the beauty of a young Anastasiya Vertinskaya in the 1960s.

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22 of the Best Portraits of Twiggy From the 1960s

22 of the Best Portraits of Twiggy From the 1960s

Twiggy, born Lesley Hornby in 1949, was an English model, actress, and singer who became a prominent cultural icon during the “swinging sixties” in London. Known for her thin build, short hair, and large eyes with long eyelashes, she was declared “The Face of 1966” by the Daily Express newspaper and quickly rose to international fame, appearing on the covers of magazines like Vogue and The Tatler. She was considered one of the world’s first supermodels.

Her unique look, which was a significant departure from the curvy models of the 1950s, included a pixie haircut, a very thin frame, and large, dark-lined eyes with three pairs of false eyelashes. This “mod” aesthetic personified the youthful, rebellious, and free-spirited nature of the Swinging Sixties. Her influence extended beyond just modeling; she had a line of clothing called “Twiggy Dresses” and her name became a marketed brand, even inspiring a Twiggy Barbie doll.
Twiggy retired from modeling in 1970 to pursue an acting career, earning two Golden Globe awards for her first film role in The Boy Friend (1971).

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1935 Mercedes-benz 500k “Special Roadster”: A Masterpiece of Prewar Automotive Design and Luxury

1935 Mercedes-benz 500k “Special Roadster”: A Masterpiece of Prewar Automotive Design and Luxury

Built for Germany’s high-speed Autobahn network, this exclusive roadster featured some of the most striking coachwork of the 1930s. The Special Roadster represented the most desirable body style in the 500K lineup, with only 29 examples created during the mid-1930s production run.

Hermann Ahrens designed the flowing bodywork at Mercedes-Benz’s Sindelfingen facility, featuring sweeping fenders and prominent external exhaust pipes. The long-tail variant remains particularly sought after today. Priced at 28,000 Reichsmark (about $11,200 in 1935), the Special Roadster commanded a substantial premium over the standard 500K at 22,000 Reichsmark (about $8,800 in 1935).
Power came from a straight-eight 5,018cc engine with an innovative supercharging system derived from aircraft technology. The Roots-type blower engaged only at full throttle, delivering up to 160 horsepower and a distinctive howling sound. All-round independent suspension provided advanced handling capabilities for the period.
Mercedes built just 342 total 500K chassis between 1934 and 1936, making any surviving example exceptionally rare. These photos reveal not only the car’s flowing lines and exquisite craftsmanship, but also the spirit of speed, luxury, and timeless elegance that made the 500K Special Roadster a true legend of its era.

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Publicity Photos of Elvis Presley Posing With Famous Actresses for “Roustabout” (1964)

Publicity Photos of Elvis Presley Posing With Famous Actresses for “Roustabout” (1964)

Roustabout (1964) was Elvis Presley’s 16th film and a popular one at the box office. The movie is notable for its cast of actresses, particularly the legendary Barbara Stanwyck.
The most significant relationship on set was between Elvis and Stanwyck. A screen legend with a career spanning decades, Stanwyck was Elvis’s most distinguished co-star to date. Elvis was reportedly in awe of Stanwyck and worked hard to meet her professional standards. She, in turn, was impressed with his punctuality, good manners, and ability to deliver his lines. Stanwyck herself was intrigued by the idea of working with Presley, as it would expose her to a younger audience.
Producer Hal B. Wallis, who had worked with both stars before, famously said, “You’ve got it all wrong. Elvis is acting in Miss Stanwyck’s picture.” This quote highlights the high regard in which Stanwyck was held, and the mutual respect between the two stars was a key element of the behind-the-scenes atmosphere.
When Hollywood correspondent Armand Archerd asked Barbara how she and Elvis got along on the set. Elvis showed the “utmost respect” for her, she responded. He insisted on calling her “Miss Stanwyck,” despite her kidding him about it. Summing it up, “I liked him,” she said. Later she told Hedda Hopper, “He’s a perfect gentleman. After working with some people here, I was pleasantly surprised.”
In Al DiOrio’s 1983 biography of Barbara Stanwyck, he included the following statement that Stanwyck had made while working with Elvis Presley during the filming of Roustabout in 1964: “So many people expect the swelled head and all that sort of thing. As a matter of fact, very honestly, so did I. It is not the case. Elvis was a wonderful person to work with. His manners are impeccable, he is on time, he knows his lines, he asks for nothing outside of what any other actor or actress wants.”
Joan Freeman, who played Cathy Lean, Elvis’s love interest said, “First of all, I’d like to let people know what a fine person Elvis is. He’s very considerate and so modest you’d never know he was a big star with admirers in every corner of the world.” In real life, she and Elvis did not spend much time together off-set.
Joan Staley, who played Marge the waitress, recalled a particular scene with Elvis where her character slaps him. She asked if it could be “pulled” (i.e. fake/slightly off-frame) but Elvis said “no … I want you to slap me.” So that slap in the filmed scene is real.
Roustabout was an early, uncredited film appearance for Raquel Welch, who was just starting her career. She was one of the college girls at the tea house. “Roustabout in 1964 was my very first film in Hollywood,” she said. “I was a bit player in the opening moments. Like many adolescents of the 1950s, I had been completely gaga over Elvis. I saw him live in San Diego in one of his early shows. It was my first rock ‘n’ roll music concert ever. That was the first time that I ever conjured up what a sexy guy could be.
“But when I saw him on the set of Roustabout, I was a little bit taken aback because something had changed about him. It seemed like he was more packaged. His clothes were not the same, his hair was obviously dyed now, and it was all sprayed into place. It was a little shocking to me because it was a whitewashed, cleaned-up Elvis. They took all the sex out of him!”
Teri Garr was another future star who had an early, uncredited role. She appeared as a college girl and was a backup dancer in several musical numbers.
On set, Elvis seems to have had cordial, friendly relationships with many of the supporting actresses and extras. For example, extras or bit players (like Diane Libby, Suzanne Covington) recalled that Elvis would talk to people, sign autographs, etc.

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A Collection of 74 Wonderful Vintage Movie Posters Featuring Greta Garbo From Between the 1920s and 1940s

A Collection of 74 Wonderful Vintage Movie Posters Featuring Greta Garbo From Between the 1920s and 1940s

Greta Garbo (September 18, 1905 – April 15, 1990) was one of the most iconic and enigmatic figures of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her film career, though relatively brief left an enduring mark on cinema history with its blend of mystery, artistry, and unparalleled star power. Her persona was carefully cultivated by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), the only American studio she worked for, and she became known for her mysterious, ethereal screen presence and powerful dramatic performances.

Garbo, born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson in Stockholm, began her career with small roles in advertising films and Swedish movies in the early 1920s. Her breakout role came in the 1924 film The Saga of Gösta Berling, directed by Mauritz Stiller. This collaboration with Stiller, who would become her mentor, brought her to the attention of MGM’s Louis B. Mayer, who brought both of them to Hollywood in 1925.
Garbo’s first American film, The Torrent (1926), was a success. She quickly rose to international stardom with a series of popular silent romantic dramas, often co-starring with John Gilbert. Their on-screen chemistry and off-screen romance captivated audiences. Some of her most notable silent films include Flesh and the Devil (1926), Love (1927) and her final silent film The Kiss (1929).
With the advent of “talkies,” MGM carefully managed Garbo’s transition to sound, promoting it with the famous tagline, “Garbo Talks!” Her first sound film, Anna Christie (1930), was a critical and commercial success. Her husky, low-pitched voice defied expectations and only added to her mystique. She earned her first of four Academy Award nominations for this role, as well as for her second talkie, Romance (1930).
The 1930s were the pinnacle of Garbo’s career, as she solidified her status as a screen legend. She was a dominant box-office draw and a favorite of critics. Her most famous and celebrated films from this period include Mata Hari (1931), Grand Hotel (1932), Queen Christina (1933), Anna Karenina (1935), Camille (1936) and Ninotchka (1939).
Garbo’s final film was the comedy Two-Faced Woman (1941), which was a critical and commercial failure. The film’s poor reception, coupled with the onset of World War II which severely limited her European market, led her to step away from acting. She was only 36 at the time. Despite receiving many offers, she chose to live the rest of her life in seclusion, a decision that only enhanced her public enigma. She was awarded an honorary Academy Award in 1955 for her “luminous and unforgettable screen performances,” but she did not attend the ceremony.

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Vintage Photos of People With Their Motorcycles in the 1920s and ’30s

Vintage Photos of People With Their Motorcycles in the 1920s and ’30s

In the 1920s and ’30s, motorcycles were more than just machines—they were symbols of freedom, modernity, and adventure. In an era defined by rapid industrial growth and cultural change, people who rode motorcycles embodied a spirit of independence that set them apart from the rest of society.

After the First World War, motorcycles became increasingly accessible, serving both as affordable transportation and as thrilling vehicles for sport. Young men, and occasionally women, embraced them as a way to break free from traditional norms, speeding along country roads or gathering at racetracks. Riders often wore leather jackets, goggles, and helmets, creating an image of toughness and daring that would influence motorcycle culture for decades to come.
In cities, motorcycles were practical tools—used by police, couriers, and workers who needed to move quickly through growing urban landscapes. In the countryside, they became associated with leisure rides, road trips, and a sense of romance tied to open roads and untamed landscapes. Clubs and informal groups began to form, giving rise to early motorcycle communities and competitions that celebrated both skill and camaraderie.
These vintage photos from Vintage Cars & People capture not only the riders and their motorcycles, but also the spirit of freedom, style, and adventure that defined a generation on the move.
A family of three posing with a Harley-Davidson 1000 JE Combination in front of a brick-built house. The sidecar is attached to the left side of the bike, which suggests that the photo was taken in a country with left-hand traffic, circa 1928

A dapper fellow and a lady posing with a D-Rad R 0/5 Combination sidecar motorcycle in front of a monumental equestrian statue. The location is Deutsches Eck. The motorbike is registered in the Saxon district of Leipzig, 1927

A fellow in a leather jacket posing in the saddle of a single-cylinder motorcycle in front of Lorelei Rock in the Middle Rhine Valley. The motorbike is registered in the district of Rhine-Hesse, circa 1928

Three dapper fellows in suits and a stylish lady dressed in white posing with a HRD “Howard Davies 90” motorcycle. The bike is registered in the state of Upper Austria, circa 1928

A stylish couple posing in the saddle of a Norton 16H motorcycle in the countryside. The print is dated “1929” on reverse

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Three in a Casket: Tragic Post Mortem Picture of Keller Family – Father, Mother and Baby Taken in New York, ca. 1894

Three in a Casket: Tragic Post Mortem Picture of Keller Family – Father, Mother and Baby Taken in New York, ca. 1894

Mr. and Mrs. Keller were natives of Switzerland, the former being born in Zurich. They came to the US about five years ago. Keller secured employment as gardener in Philadelphia. He afterwards went to Washington, D.C. then to Auburn, New York two years back.
Mary Keller, 29 years old, shot and killed her husband, Emil, 30 years old, and shot their 9 months old babe, Anna, Thursday night January 25, 1894 about 8:30 at their residence, No. 10 Burt avenue.
The baby was the second victim of the insane woman’s pistol. The little one’s crib was within easy reach of the bed. It is thought that Mrs. Keller raised herself to a sitting posture and aimed the pistol at the little one’s heart. If she did it was the only one of the three shots in which her aim was not unerring. Then she turned the pistol against her own head and made the wound as described, which resulted in her death.
Shortly after 6 o’clock Friday night death came to the relief of little Anna Keller at the City hospital. It was found that the bullet from the mother’s revolver had penetrated the infant’s right lung and come out on the left side.
Father, mother and daughter were buried in the same casket, which was a special order, about 4 inches deeper and 9 inches wider than the ordinary, and covered with gray embossed plush. The head of Mrs. Keller rested on the left shoulder of her husband, thus hiding from view the wound in her temple and partly covering a discoloration of the right eye. There were traces of suffering in the woman’s face but her husband looks as if he were in slumber. His left arm encircled the body of his wife while his right rested on his hip. Between the mother and father was the infant, a handsome, plump child. Its right hand was clasped by the left of its mother while its left rested on the mother’s left arm. The mother and the infant were laid out in plain white shrouds while the husband and father had a coat and vest of plain black and trousers of a dark pattern.

The reasons behind Mary’s actions remain a tragic mystery, lost to time and silence. Newspapers of the day speculated about domestic strain, illness, or undiagnosed mental health issues, though no definitive explanation was ever determined. What is certain is the deep sadness that gripped the Auburn community in the aftermath.
The photo, preserved by the Thanatos Archive, offers a rare, haunting glimpse into 19th-century mourning practices and the way communities coped with such grim events. The image evokes not only grief but also a quiet contemplation of how fragile the line is between ordinary life and tragedy. The Keller family’s story, captured in one chilling moment, serves as a reminder of the hidden struggles people carry-and the profound human need to find peace, even in death.
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Anna Karina: The Muse of the French New Wave

Anna Karina: The Muse of the French New Wave

Anna Karina was one of the most luminous stars of European cinema in the 1960s, an actress, singer, director, and writer whose life and career captured the spirit of the French New Wave. Born Hanne Karin Blarke Bayer in Copenhagen in 1940, she moved to Paris as a teenager, where her striking beauty led her first into modeling and then into film. It was there that she encountered Jean-Luc Godard, who became both her husband and her most important artistic collaborator.

With Godard, Karina appeared in a string of films that would define an era: A Woman Is a Woman (1961), Vivre sa vie (1962), Band of Outsiders (1964), Pierrot le Fou (1965), and Alphaville (1965). In these works she embodied a new kind of heroine—playful yet melancholic, intelligent yet vulnerable, radiant yet mysterious. Her large, expressive eyes and her understated elegance made her unforgettable, while her performances gave depth and complexity to roles that might otherwise have seemed ephemeral.
But Anna Karina was far more than Godard’s muse. She pursued her own artistic path, directing films such as Vivre ensemble (1973), writing novels, and recording music that revealed her distinctive voice and sensibility. Throughout her career she remained a symbol of freedom, independence, and creative exploration.
Even decades after the height of her fame, Karina’s presence continues to inspire filmmakers, actors, and audiences around the world. She was not simply a star of her time but a timeless figure whose artistry and individuality embody the very essence of cinematic modernity. Take a look at these fabulous portraits to see the beauty of a young Anna Karina from the 1960s.

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50 Vintage Portraits of Women Wearing Lace Fingerless Gauntlets From the 19th Century

50 Vintage Portraits of Women Wearing Lace Fingerless Gauntlets From the 19th Century

Lace fingerless gauntlets, often referred to as “mitts,” were a popular and significant accessory in the 19th century, particularly during the Victorian era. More than just a simple piece of clothing, they were a powerful symbol of social status, modesty, and etiquette.
Fingerless gloves were fashionable in the mid-19th century for both day and evening wear, and their popularity waxed and waned throughout the century. One of the reasons for their appeal was their practicality. The open fingers allowed freedom of movement for tasks like turning book pages, writing, or needlework while maintaining the social expectation that hands and arms should be covered in polite society.
While full-fingered gloves were typically made of kid leather, fingerless mitts were often crafted from fine lace, silk, or cotton. They could be short, extending only to the wrist for daytime wear, or long, reaching to or above the elbow for formal evening occasions like balls or dinner parties.
The mid-19th century saw a significant shift in lacemaking. Prior to this, lace was an expensive, handcrafted luxury. The invention of lace-making machines in the mid-1800s made lace more widely available and affordable, allowing more people, including the working classes, to wear these stylish accessories. Working-class women, in particular, found fingerless gloves to be a relatively inexpensive way to accessorize and cover hands that were roughened by manual labor.
The term “gauntlet” typically refers to a glove with a flared cuff that extends up the forearm. In the context of 19th-century lace mitts, a “gauntlet” style would have featured a deep, often flowing, cuff of delicate lace. This style was particularly popular in the later part of the century, with some sources from the 1870s noting the popularity of “black lace mitts of the finest possible texture, made with deep flowing cuffs.”

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Glamorous Kodachrome Slides of Booth Models From the 1950s

Glamorous Kodachrome Slides of Booth Models From the 1950s

In the 1950s, booth models—sometimes called “exhibition girls” or “trade show models”—played a glamorous and highly visible role at fairs, conventions, and promotional events. Dressed in stylish outfits that reflected the sleek optimism of postwar design, these women were hired to attract attention, demonstrate new products, and embody the excitement of modern consumer culture.

They could be found at automobile shows, technology fairs, and even local exhibitions, posing with cars, appliances, or gadgets while engaging visitors with charm and professionalism. The booth model of the 1950s was as much a symbol of the era’s fascination with progress and modern living as the products they showcased.
Take a look at these glamorous Kodachrome slides capturing booth models from the mid-1950s in all their vivid color and timeless charm.

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