October 2007 - Vintage Culture

Vintage Culture

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Vintage Culture - October 2007

Have a Vintage Halloween

October 31st 2007 00:10

Vintage Halloween, old fashioned fun

Halloween Greetings

The wonders of what can be found on the net. Perusing through the assortment of Halloween themed sites I found a retailer dedicated to reliving the holiday as it was years ago.

the Jack-o-Lantern gift basket

Part of Dragonfly Design Studio, oldfashionedhalloween.com harks back to a more innocent time. An age where young trick or treaters could knock on a stranger’s door without fear of abduction, when imagination and tradition ruled, costumes were almost exclusively rendered on loom and sewing machine.

Off to the masquerade ball

On the site oldfashionedhalloween.com you will find an assortment of classic items like antique crepe paper hats and masquerade dresses plus noisemakers.

Toys of old available to buy

There are also old school style cards to celebrate the October 31st holiday that are reproductions of the Victorian and Edwardian age.

One of many cards available

There is the blood dripping goodness of the décor catalogue that tempts with jack-o-lanterns and lights plus paper decorations and themed table settings.

Jacks hat

Back before all celebrations seemed to be dominated by commercialised rewards, there is something refreshing about the simpler black cat, pumpkin head and witches themes to be found.

With a host of spooky art works that are filled with images of terror these are the type of products to give your holidays a family friendly motif.

A charming trinket

The more disturbing and grotesque style of today is far removed from the products endorsed. Toys are carved from wood, there is even a horror stand that makes good use of the skeleton concept.

A must for the halloween feast table

Skulls, owls and macabre items attached to the supernatural like witches are also prevalent ingredients in the cauldron of days gone by.

A feline noise maker

So if your stuck this Halloween for what to do with the family, this old Fashioned Halloween may be the answer you seek.

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Gene Krupa

October 29th 2007 01:45

Gene Krupa the drummer drums.

Gene Krupa was a pioneer, a musician who caused a revolution. Just as Django Reinhardt put guitars into the lead instead of rhythm, Gene Krupa took drums into the modern era.

Credited with designing the first drum kits and recording the first album using a bass pedal it was Gene’s rambunctious energy and flair that made him an icon. He even set the standard for using the cymbals, to this day he is revered in drumming circles, still often cited as the best to live.

Gene Krupa reinvents the beat wheel

Exploding during the big band jazz age he made his first recording in 1927 with banjo playing Eddie Condon. Defining the Chicago White jazz sound Krupa would join the famed Thelma Terry and her Playboys.

Moving to New York City in 1929 the kinetic drummer with a frenzied beat joined the legendary Benny Goodman five years later. This made Gene a recognizable public face and the price of celebrity took its toll.

Gene and Benny make history

Falling out over creative differences with Goodman, he formed his own band that met with success. Notorious for his drug use, in 1943 he was arrested for pot possession and spent time in the clink.

Gene in full flight

Once he got out he continued to play and organise dance bands, some with as many as 60 instruments. He even appeared in the Anthony Mann Academy Award winning film The Glen Miller story, playing himself.

Hollywood would later immortalise him with the 1959 film The Gene Krupa story which starred Sal Mineo (Rebel Without A Cause) as the possessed beat master.

Poster for The Gene Krupa Story

Retiring in the 1960’s his influence on the music world still affecting new players like the tragic Keith Moon of The Who, John Bonham of Led Zeppelin and he even taught Peter Criss from Kiss.

Gene Krupa died in 1973 of Leukaemia.

Here for your pleasure is Gene Krupa going against teh acclaimed Buddy Rich in a drum duel

110

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Yo-Yo’s

October 25th 2007 00:02

Yo-Yo's

More than a kids toy

Following on from my Chess post the other day I thought it would be fun to have a look at the history and influence of the Yo-Yo.

Invented in the Philippines hundreds of years ago, in the west the children’s toy that is still spinning today dates back to the 1700’s when it was called a “bandalore”.

The Bandalore circa 1700's

The basic design of two round disc with an axle in between attached to string is a nifty device. Proving to have infinite possibilities for use it is flung down and then the string attached can be manipulated into a myriad of clever shapes.

The classic Wood

Patented in the U.S in 1866, taking hold on the culture in the 1920’s, the yo-yo trend rises and falls each decade. Captivating each new generation who put there own unique “spin” on the tricks that can be achieved, the deceptively simple contraption is still evolving.

Made of wood, metal or plastic the term yo-yo was recognised in the 1960’s as part of common speech and allowed anyone to manufacture the product under the name. By the 1970’s ball bearing technology arrived allowing longer, faster “sleeping” that opened the door to new more complex tricks.

This is what my first yo-yo looked like. How about you?

Rocking the cradle, around the world, walking the dog, over the falls are all basic moves that are perfected early on when learning. In 1974 the World Yo-Yo championship was screened on television and every kid on the block wanted to make there fortune as professional of the sport.

Experts show us how

Coming in a host of shapes and sizes in the modern era that utilise aerodynamic technology the inertia of precise weighting adds to efficiency of design.

Innovation of design

I’m a big fan still as an adult and was lucky enough to get a beautiful Maplewood model in Canada which stimulates a sense of wonder in my infant nieces. I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I hope when they are old enough they can also experience the joys of it.

the revolution continues

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Joey Bishop - The end of the Pack

October 22nd 2007 00:05

Joey Bishop Dies

A publicity shot of Joey

One time member of the notorious Rat Pack Joey Bishop died last Wednesday at the age of 89.

Born in the Bronx he was the last surviving member of the group. An often ignored legend of comedy, screen and stage, Bishop will forever be associated with his iconic pals of the rowdy Frank Sinatra “Rat Pack” that consisted of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr and Peter Lawford.

Joey in the pack

Making his name as a stand up comic on TV’s Johnny Carson show, his downtrodden often melancholy persona made him a favourite of the chairman of the board. Balancing out the famous “Summit” shows in the Sands Hotel, while the energy of Sammy, the drunken antics of Deano and the crooning arrogance of Sinatra ruled, he brought a purposefully deadpan tone and also wrote much of the jokes.

Going on stage with Sinatra looking smashed

Improvising much of his material, seldom learning lines his quick wit made him a star. He was noticed by Sinatra when in the middle of a Copacabana show Marilyn Monroe entered to take a seat he quipped “Marilyn, I told you to wait in the truck”, a ballsy move.

Joey shares the loves

His most famous film roles were of course the ones he did with his pals co starring in Oceans 11 and Sergeant’s 3. Less known is his fine “straight” roles in big screen efforts like The Deep Six, The Naked and the Dead and Onionhead, all made in the 1958.

Oceans 11

Dropping out of the limelight by the 1970’s he only did the occasional part later appearing in movies like Delta Force and Betsy’s Wedding. The jug eared comedian will be missed and his superb timing has seldom been seen since.

Here is a fine clip that showcases Joey Bishop's work in film, TV and live. I hope you have one last laugh with him. Q-Why weren't you born a Comanche? A- I guess my mother ran to fast.