This week I want to take you back in time. Recently I caught a documentary on TV that was centered on all the “new” changes that came along after the end of WW II in the late 40’s and 50’s. Now, for some these changes may not ring a bell. Seeing as how I am older than time many of these sure register with me and I am sure with your folks.. So for now let’s take a look back and see just what “Do You Remember?”
When going to the Saturday movies was just 10 cents to see two features, a cartoon, newsreel and the weekly serial.
How about weeknights at 7 p.m. and watching “Kukla, Fran and Ollie?
Remember those big time 10”and 12” black and white TV sets we had?
How about going to Woolworth’s sitting at the lunch counter and getting a ham salad sandwich and drink for 40 cents.
Did you ever help your folks build a “Victory Garden” in the back yard?
Remember when most every candy bar was just a nickel.
Every day at 5 p.m. were you one who watched “Howdy Doody” with Buffalo Bob Smith and Clarabell the Clown.
Remember only 3-4 TV channels? They all signed off at midnight with the national anthem and then that jazzy test pattern.
If you were driving back in the day, remember when gas was anywhere from 17 to 25 cents a gallon and you didn’t have to pump it yourself?
Remember starting each school day with the Pledge of Allegiance?
How about Tuesday nights? The streets were empty because everyone was home watching Milton Berle and the Texaco Star Theatre?
Do you remember that for most air conditioning was by opening the windows?
Remember duck tail haircuts, poodle skirts, penny loafers, pony tails and bobby sox?
How about the slam bang excitement of the Roller Derby? ( I actually skated in it for a year.)
Another late afternoon “must” was a show from Philadelphia called “American Bandstand” with Dick Clark.
I’m sure you remember frozen TV diners from Swanson? Yummnmmmy!
There was the news show in the early morning “Today” on NBC that critics said wouldn’t last a year. It is now celebrating it’s 72nd year on the air!
Did you look forward to the white truck and the Good Humor man coming down the street so you could get your ice cream favorite?
Remember sneaking a few friends into the local drive in theaters in the trunk or back seat of the car?
Do you remember when a submarine was a ship in the Navy, not a sandwich you ate?
Remember the fun you had with this new round thing called a Hula Hoop?
How about Elvis Presley’s first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” and all those screaming girls?
Do you remember going to a new hamburger place called McDonalds and getting a burger for just 15 cents and fries for 10 cents?
How about the “big money” quiz shows on TV? Then finding out one of them was rigged as contestants were given the answers ahead of time.
How cool was it to have one of those small transistor radios in your pocket?
Do you remember Feb. 3, 1959, “The Day the Music Died” when Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens were killed in a plane crash?
Yep, those were the days of the sporty 40’s and nifty 50’s! There are many more we can remember from back. Yes, all the changes that have happened since then have had a profound effect, both good and bad, on the world we live in today. Still, wouldn’t it be nice if we could go back and revisit those days once again? Thankfully because of so many technology advances we can relive those days through shows like this documentary was.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
