Born 1932 in Ewell, Surrey, British singer and actress Petula Clark began her professional career as a child entertainer on BBC Radio during the Second World War. In 1954, she charted with “The Little Shoemaker”, the first of her big UK hits, and within two years she began recording in French. Her international successes haveContinue reading “40 Vintage Portrait Photos of a Young Petula Clark”
Category Archives: 1940s
Women Paint “Stockings” on Their Legs at a Store in Croydon, London, 1941
Wallace Carothers produced the first nylon fiber in 1935, but it was the 1939 World’s Fair that first introduced the nylon stocking to the public. It was marketed as a fabric made from “carbon, water and air.“ Cheap and durable, better in appearance than silk, nylon soon became the material of choice for manufacturing women’sContinue reading “Women Paint “Stockings” on Their Legs at a Store in Croydon, London, 1941”
30 Portrait Photos of Actor Vincent Price in the 1930s and 1940s
Born 1911 in St. Louis, Missouri, American actor Vincent Price had his first film role as leading man in the 1938 comedy Service de Luxe. He became well known as a character actor, appearing in films such as The Song of Bernadette (1943), Laura (1944), The Keys of the Kingdom (1944), Leave Her to HeavenContinue reading “30 Portrait Photos of Actor Vincent Price in the 1930s and 1940s”
Beautiful Portraits of Eva Gabor in the 1940s and 1950s
Born 1919 in in Budapest, Hungarian-American actress and singer Eva Gabor had her first movie role in the U.S. in 1941’s Forced Landing at Paramount Pictures. During the 1950s, she appeared in several feature films, including The Last Time I Saw Paris, and Artists and Models. These roles were bit parts. In 1953, Gabor wasContinue reading “Beautiful Portraits of Eva Gabor in the 1940s and 1950s”
34 Wonderful Vintage Photos of Charlie Chaplin and His Last Wife Oona O’Neill During Their Marriage
In 1942, Oona O’Neill received a large amount of media attention after she was chosen as “The Number One Debutante” of the 1942–1943 season at the Stork Club. Soon after, she decided to pursue a career in acting and, after small roles in two stage productions, headed for Hollywood. In Hollywood, O’Neill was introduced toContinue reading “34 Wonderful Vintage Photos of Charlie Chaplin and His Last Wife Oona O’Neill During Their Marriage”
Sarah Vaughan: One of the Most Wondrous Voices of the 20th Century
Born 1924 in Newark, New Jersey, American jazz singer Sarah Vaughan grew up with a love of music and performing. Her first step toward becoming a professional singer was winning a talent competition held at Harlem’s Apollo Theater launched her singing career. She worked with bandleaders Earl Hines and Billy Eckstine before becoming a successfulContinue reading “Sarah Vaughan: One of the Most Wondrous Voices of the 20th Century”
Actor Ray Milland in the 1930s and 1940s
Born 1907 as Alfred Reginald Jones in Neath, Glamorgan, Welsh-American actor and film director Ray Milland served in the Household Cavalry of the British Army, becoming a proficient marksman, horseman and aeroplane pilot before becoming an actor. He had his first major role in The Flying Scotsman (1929). This led to a nine-month contract withContinue reading “Actor Ray Milland in the 1930s and 1940s”
20 Amazing Photos of Queen Elizabeth II in the 1940s
When Elizabeth was born in April 1926, she wasn’t destined for the throne. Her father Albert, known as “Bertie” to his family, was the second son of King George V. Elizabeth and her younger sister Margaret were doted on by their parents, with her father dubbing the family, “we four.” It was a comfortable butContinue reading “20 Amazing Photos of Queen Elizabeth II in the 1940s”
40 Incredible Colorized Photos Show What Life in America Looked Like during the 1930s and 1940s
Street kids at play, Georgetown, Washington D.C., Summer 1935 The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, lasting from 1929 to 1939. It began after the stock market crash of October 29, 1929, the “Black Tuesday”, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions ofContinue reading “40 Incredible Colorized Photos Show What Life in America Looked Like during the 1930s and 1940s”
Vintage Photos Show What Young Couples Wore in the 1940s
World War II dominated the first half of the 1940s as well as fashions in the Western world. Materials such as silk, nylon, wool, leather, rubber, and zippers were needed in wartime production. Clothing was rationed in the United States and parts of Europe. 1940s fashion designers had to be efficient and innovative in howContinue reading “Vintage Photos Show What Young Couples Wore in the 1940s”
