Edward Andrews: Great Character Actor Who Took Imperious to a New Level

Many character actors might bristle at the idea of being branded a character actor. Because, after all, who wants to be branded as a type? If in your last ten movies you played that type, are you destined to play that type again and again? On the other hand, if you’re good enough, it means… Continue reading Edward Andrews: Great Character Actor Who Took Imperious to a New Level

Published
Categorized as 1950s, 1960s

Sands Hotel and Casino Sign in Las Vegas Was Mid-Century Perfection

When the Sands opened on December 15, 1952, it represented Las Vegas’ introduction to modern casino and hotel design. But the world wasn’t ready for it yet, as 1952 was a tender year for mid-century modern architecture: the Korean War was still being fought, Truman was still U.S. President. Few of the familiar signifiers of… Continue reading Sands Hotel and Casino Sign in Las Vegas Was Mid-Century Perfection

Golden Age of the Intercom

NuTone Intercom 1963

Remember the great age of home intercoms?  I don’t either! That’s because in the 1960s and 1970s, home intercoms were not found in your typical suburban house.  Unless your family were “people of means,” as your Mom or Dad might have referred to your rich neighbors, you didn’t have one–sadly enough.  Those neighbors with the sprawling,… Continue reading Golden Age of the Intercom

Tiki Torch: See How This Icon of Mid-Century Polynesian Pop Culture Started

Mad Men Season 6 In Hawaii

The Tiki Torch is both older and newer than you might think.  It’s newer in the sense that the tiki torch–or let’s use the brand name, Tiki Torch–burning in your backyard, the bamboo kind with a reservoir filled with petroleum-based fuel, has no basis in true Polynesian history.  It’s older in the sense that those… Continue reading Tiki Torch: See How This Icon of Mid-Century Polynesian Pop Culture Started

Radio City Music Hall Stage Cutaway, 1950

Radio City Music Hall Stage Cutaway

Fantastic cutaway of New York’s Radio City Music Hall stage in 1950, showing the 57 foot pistons that operate the three stage elevators.  This allowed the Rockettes to perform on three different levels. Source:  Popular Mechanics, April 1950