Weird Wednesday - Sticking it to the Fuhrer

I found this fun ad on the back of my December 5-11, 1942 issue of Movie Radio Guide. I thought it would be a perfect fit for Weird Wednesday.

How did they know what I've always wanted to do?

Fantastic! It lasts a lifetime and even has his Prussian boots.

I looked all over the place for photos and video of FDR and the pin cushion, but was unsuccessful. It's got to be out there somewhere, but I haven't been able to find any today.

Definitely think Hitler would be hollering, but this women looks awfully pained having to stick him in the bum.

It's a club? And 10 days to decide? And a special 3 for $3.49? How could you not buy one?

Can you believe Hitler wouldn't endorse such an item? It's like he doesn't think it's funny that someone would stick pins in his bum. Obviously he needed a sense of humor

If you have one of these gems lying around your house today or see one at a yard sale, they go for $100 - $450. Not bad for a novelty pin cushion!

RIP Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis (June 3, 1925 - September 29, 2010)

Tony Curtis [on dying]: "I may have them take my ashes and spread them all over Las Vegas!" (IMDB)

Weird Wednesday - Can Toilet Paper Stop Germs?

It never would occur to me that toilet paper could double as a surgical mask, but I suppose in wartime you had to do what you had to do. I'm not quite sure if this remedy worked but since I've always been a Charmin girl, I guess I'll never know.

RIP Billie Mae Richards, voice of Rudolph and Tenderheart Bear

A little off track, but I have a soft spot for the 1964 classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Rankin/Bass (and all their other specials for that matter). Just heard today via Rankin/Bass Historian's blog that the fabulous actress who played Rudolph, Billie Mae Richards, passed away today. She was also the voice of Tender Heart Bear in the original Care Bears for all those 80s kids out there, like me. RIP

I've always been the ultimate misfit. Completely sympathize with Rudolph and Hermey. Hooray for us freaks!

I adore this song and try to keep it in mind every day

Foreign Beauties # 3 - Fifi D'Orsay

"Fifi D'Orsay has graced these pages regularly of late, and why not? Letters continue to arrive, asking for more pix of this personable Parisian." (Film Fun, 1941)

Fifi D'Orsay (April 16, 1904 - December 2, 1983) was born Yvonne Lussier in Montreal, Canada. Nicknamed "The French Bombshell", Fifi started out in The Greenwich Village Follies at age 20. Appearing on vaudeville and in 24 films, Fifi dies at age 79 of cancer. These clips of her are fantastic. I would love to see the full length films. Maybe they'll come out someday.

Fifi will be appearing on TCM:
September 23, 2010 - 6:15 am est - The Life of Jimmy Dolan
December 2, 2010 - 10:15 am est - The Life of Jimmy Dolan

Foreign Beauties #2 - Karen Verne

""How do you do?" from Sweden, we have this blond vision, Karen Verne, definitely a Hollywood prospect." (Film Fun, 1941)

I couldn't find anything about a Karen Verne from Sweden. The only actress I found named Karen Verne, was born in Berlin, Germany and married to Peter Lorre at one point in time. Many sources say that Karen's German heritage was disguised because of her debut during World War II. Perhaps they said she was from Sweden.

Foriegn Beauty #1

"This month's review of foreign beauties is headed by our comely charmer, one of the chorines in the Britisher, A Girl Must Live. In passing, she reflects, "The girl whose called a little dear often cheapens herself"" (Film Fun, 1941)

I have no idea who this girl is, except I loved this photo. All Film Fun will tell us is that she was a British Chorus girl in A Girl Must Live from 1939. The only person on the cast list that she even remotely resembles is Lilli Palmer, but Palmer is a main player in the film. Must be an uncredited actress in the photo.

Vintage Inspiration September 4th - Maria Montez

Maria Montez

Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga

I have to admit I don't think I've seen any of "Mexican Spitfire" Lupe Velez's films. She was obviously a stunner and died way too young. Here are some stills from her film Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga, released by Universal in 1941. Lupe is posing with one of her co-stars Guinn "Big Boy" Williams.

Barbara Stanwyck ages 100 years in only 1 film!

"Barbara Stanwyck plays the oldest heroine ever depicted on the screen, a 100-year-old granny in Pioneer Woman. That might have been a tough job yesterday, but not now. They all look alike in slacks on Hollywood Boul" (Film Fun, 1941)

I looked everywhere for the film Pioneer Woman, and couldn't find anything with that title starring Barbara Stanwyck - or even everything near the year of publication with that title. Either the film was never made, or the title was changed to The Great Man's Lady (1942). In it, Barbara plays Hannah Sempler, a 100-year-old woman who tells the story of her life through flashbacks. Star crossed lovers, the Gold Rush, and the fabulous Stanwyck aging 80 years - how can you go wrong? The Great Man's Lady is appearing September 8, 2010 on TCM at 8 pm est and is available on The Barbara Stanwyck Collection.