The era of stark, lifeless bathrooms is quickly disappearing. In its wake is an exciting trend toward colorful, interesting bathroom design. In the 1950s, style-conscious homeowners insist on planning their own bathrooms as they do the other rooms in the home… they are proud to “leave the bathroom door open.” What goes into a “comfortable”Continue reading “A Gallery of 20 American Bathroom Designs From the 1950s”
Category Archives: 1950s
40 Beautiful Photos of Ann Blyth in the 1940s and 1950s
Born 1928 in Mount Kisco, New York, American actress Ann Blyth performed on children’s radio shows in New York for six years, making her first appearance when she was five. When she was nine, she joined the New York Children’s Opera Company. Blyth had her first acting role on Broadway in Lillian Hellman’s Watch onContinue reading “40 Beautiful Photos of Ann Blyth in the 1940s and 1950s”
40 Vintage Portrait Photos of a Young Petula Clark
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”
Gorgeous Photos of Ava Gardner in the Early 1950s
Ava Lavinia Gardner (December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was an American actress. She first signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1941 and appeared mainly in small roles until she drew critics’ attention in 1946 with her performance in Robert Siodmak’s film noir The Killers. She was nominated for an Academy Award for BestContinue reading “Gorgeous Photos of Ava Gardner in the Early 1950s”
Crazy Double-Faced Swimming Caps of the Late 1950s
These vintage crazy swimming caps were invented by a Long Island housewife, Betty Geib, to amuse her children. After they flew off the rack at a church bazaar, she started a new business, Betty Darling, selling her wares for $3 to $6. The caps featured indeed funny masklike faces and motifs including a sea serpent,Continue reading “Crazy Double-Faced Swimming Caps of the Late 1950s”
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”
Ricky Nelson: One of the Biggest Teen Idols of the Late 1950s and Early 1960s
Born 1940 in Teaneck, New Jersey, American singer, musician, and actor Ricky Nelson began his entertainment career in 1949, playing himself in the radio sitcom series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1952, he appeared in his first feature film, Here Come the Nelsons. In 1957, he recorded his first single, debuted as aContinue reading “Ricky Nelson: One of the Biggest Teen Idols of the Late 1950s and Early 1960s”
Fascinating Vintage Photos of Rome in the Mid-1950s
These amazing photos were captured by Allan Hailstone on a trip to Rome as a schoolboy with his father and a friend in August 1956. They had been inspired to go after seeing the 1954 movie Three Coins in the Fountain. “Before the advent of cheap airfares and mass tourism, it was easy in 1956Continue reading “Fascinating Vintage Photos of Rome in the Mid-1950s”
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”
