December 2007 - Vintage Culture

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Vintage Culture - December 2007

New Years Eve 1907 – The first time the ball dropped

December 31st 2007 05:37

New Years Eve 1907 – Times Square New York

The ball of Time

Today marks the 100 year anniversary for the iconic Times Square, New Years Eve countdown Ball drop. That’s right, a century ago a tradition began that has grown stronger with each turn of the Gregorian Calender to now be one of the biggest Celebrations in the world.

The party of 1938

Each year the event attracts up to a million party revellers, all determined to see in the next 12 months with a gigantic imbibed Harrah.

Back in 1907 the population was decidedly less, the crime rate lower and also from this archival New york Times article it seems from that “Not Many Women Smoked” was a newsworthy curiosity.

The ball loses its magic when the sun comes up

From Wikipedia-
“In 1907 – The New Year’s Eve Ball first descended from a flagpole atop One Times Square, constructed with iron and wood materials with 100 25-watt bulbs weighing 700 pounds (318 kg) and measuring 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter. * 1920 – The Ball was replaced with an iron material Ball and weighing less than the original, only 400 pounds (181 kg).”

The flashing shiny ball making its first descent must have inspired awe and wonder in the crowd. Since then the virtual landmark has evolved with technology and this year the shining crystals and halogen bulbs from the 2000 face lift are going eco friendly.

Apologies that I couldn’t find an actual news clipping about the time ball itself, but the nostalgia value of the NYTimes article left me glowing to share.

Vintage Times Square

Hope you have a great New Years and see you in 2008!

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Posted By: Tyronne - Category: No Category

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In 1934 - 5 000 lbs Manta Devil Fish caught

December 30th 2007 10:42

I feel sorry for the Manta Ray They're graceful, harmless fish that appear to fly though the ocean, scooping up plankton and fish larvae.

They've got this horns that have earned them the name 'Devil Ray', though, which is an unfortunate misnomer.

So you can imagine, back in 1934, when a passing fishboat got tangled up with a behemoth of a Devil Ray, that the fishermen crossed their hearts seven times before pulling it up out of the depths.

From the article:

"A Coast Guard vessel came to the rescue, and killed the 5,000-pound monster Manta Birostris with 22 shots from a high-powered rifle. The sail-like fish has been mounted and placed on exhibition by Captain Kahn.

An 18-inch baby Manta was born shortly after the mother fish was dragged ashore."

It's sad, isn't it? You've just slaughtered the mother with a rifle, orphaning a little baby Manta, then you killed it.

In tribute to that beautiful animal, why not sit back and enjoy some videos of Mantas swimming?

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Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: No Category

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Ava Gardner

December 28th 2007 00:14

Stunning Gravity

Ava Gardner

When I lose my temper, honey, you can't find it any place." - Ava Gardner

The word bombshell was invented just for a woman like Ava Gardner. Smart and sassy this heartbreaker took no prisoners to become one of the top female sex symbols of any era. Packing a voluptuous set of curves that never quit and a sensual charisma that tempted most of the global population, this silver screen beauty set the world on fire.
"I must have seen more sunrises than any other actress in the history of Hollywood." - Ava Gardner

The exploitation begins

In 1922 Ava was born into poverty as one of seven children. Already a head turner while still a teen with feline green eyes and long brunette hair she was discovered when a glamour photo in a shop window was noticed by an MGM talent scout.

Dressed to kill

Quiting Christian college to make her way for Hollywood in 1941 she immediately had to do extensive voice work to control her thick southern drawl. Within a year she married one of the biggest little stars in Mickey Rooney. 19 years old and married to industry elite, there union ended quickly because of Mickey’s loose monogamy.

Ava with her first two husbands

Dating the likes of Howard Hughes and marrying music legend Artie Shaw in 1946, her tumultuous personal life didn’t hindering her gradual rise to star status. After a string bit parts and non speaking roles it was that same year she entered the public imagination as Kitty Collins in The Killers opposite Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster.

The image steams up

Divorcing Shaw within 12 months, the now wiser and hardened Ava played the field before settling on the already taken Frank Sinatra. After the golden tonsils left his wife Nancy the two were wed in 1951. The often volcanic marriage ended six years later.

Ava and the Chairman of the Board

During this time she continued to work steadily and in 1953 was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in John Ford’s Mogambo with Clarke Gable. Appearing in Snows of Kilamnjaro, Show Boat and Lone Star just prior to taking on the job.

If you got it, flaunt it!

The Barefoot Countessa and The Sun Also Rises followed amongst others like the Australian set and filmed on location On the Beach. In the early 1960’s she sustained proof of her talents with great turns in 7 Days in May and 55 Days at Peking.
"I have only one rule in acting -- trust the director and give him heart and soul." - Ava Gardner

Peek-a-boo

In 1964 she reached what many consider the highpoint of her skills as a Tennessee Williams aging temptress on The Night of the Iguana. Again she was an Oscar Nominee.

Ava with Richard Burton for Iguana

Moving to England in 1968, later notable parts include The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, Earthquake, The Sentinel and Permission to Kill. Ava’s last hurrah came with a recurring character on the soapy Knots Landing.

In 1990 Ava Gardner died of pneumonia after years battling Emphysema, her final words were “I’m tired.”
"I wish to live until 150 years old but the day I die, I wish it to be with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other." - Ava Gardner

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Dean Martin

December 26th 2007 07:59

The Crooning Maestro

Dean Martin style

A favourite of my old man’s who ended becoming a favourite of my own. Dean Martin was a crooning, acting laugh riot that also had a serious side. Making his name as straight man to over expressive Jerry Lewis, The Martin and Lewis double act was a sensation.

A multi tasking showman, he at one time dominated with a hit television show, films, concerts, stage productions and albums.

Best remembered musically for his top selling tunes “That’s Amore”, “Everybody loves Somebody Sometime” and “Memories are Made of This”, Martin was famous for his laid back vocals and lounge style. Though often performing with a drink in hand the drunken posture was a put on.
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. They wake up in the morning and that's the best they're going to feel all day." - Dean Martin

Dean Martin "When I was Young"

Hatched in 1917 as Dino Paul Crocetti from Ohio as a cocky teen Dino dropped out of high school claiming he was smarter than all his teachers. Before becoming a star the jack of all trades worked on the fringes as a speakeasy card dealer, courier of illegal liquor and even boxed in the welter weight division.
"I can't stand an actor or actress who tells me acting is hard work. It's easy work. Anyone who says it isn't never had to stand on his feet all day dealing blackjack." - Dean Martin

Singing as a hobby at the start soon his career began to develop though the nightclub circuit seemed to be the limited size of his destiny, then he met Jerry Lewis. There official premiere was in 1946 but it wasn’t until the outlandish duo began improvising shows that they made it big.
“When Jerry Lewis and I were big, we used to go to parties, and everybody thought I was big-headed and stuck up, and I wasn't. It was because I didn't know how to speak good English, so I used to keep my mouth shut.” - Dean Martin

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis

In 1956, exactly a decade later the pair split ways after conquering the world of entertainment to become one of the biggest names of the 1950’s. Looking to hone his thespian talents and be taken as more than a cinema comedian martin joined method legends Montgomery Clift and Marlon Brando for the war film The Young Lions.
"Motivation is a lotta crap." - Dean Martin

Martin cooking pasta with The Duke

Rising as a solo artist to rule in the mid 1960’s with films like Rio Bravo and The Sons of Katie Elder opposite John Wayne. Around this time he also enlisted in Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack. A notorious raconteur Dean was the only member not under the Chairman of the Boards spell and he would often break formation.

Dean in the pack

Peaking with the famous series of Las Vegas shows and a movies including Oceans 11 and Sergeant’s 3. In 1965 the Dean Martin Show aired for the first time and was a ratings winner.

A lathario gambler with golden vocal chords and charisma to burn till the very end, Dean Martin passed away on Christmas day 1995. He will forever be missed.

Here is cool montage of Dino stills accompanied by "Ain't That a Kick In The Head"

Watch footage of Dean doing "That's Amore"

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Jayne Mansfield

December 24th 2007 14:31

One of the most popular sex symbols in English history, Jayne Mansfield was known for her cheerful good looks and her remarkable bust which would end up being the focus of her acting career.

Sadly though, there was another side to Mansfield... she had a reputed IQ of 163, spoke several languages and raised five children. She played the piano and violin. She studied drama and physics at University

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