Vintage shots from days gone by!

Paris, 1934

 

Aftermath of the Hungarian Revolution, crushed by Soviet troops in November 1956 (Erich Lessing)

 

Zoot (adj.) - Exaggerated
Zoot suit (n.) -the ultimate in clothes. The only totally and truly American civilian suit.

 

Wrong Mr Grumpy!
Zoot suits started early 40's.

 

Cab Calloway 1931 "Minnie the Moocher"

 

My name is #%*+": and I am addicted to this thread.

 

A little more about the Zoot Suit:

"A killer-diller coat, reet pleats and shoulders padded like a lunatic's cell" - Malcolm X

Pictures are of a couple of Los Angeles examples, circa 1943-44.

 

This style of dress was popular during the roaring twenties in Harlems speakeasy's and during prohibition. Adopted by the young hispanic's of southern California in the late 30's and 40's, they were known as Pachucos. It not only identified thier style of dress but thier music and style of automobile. We know them now as lowriders/bombs.

 

Wow....Just wow.

 

1929 Durant Automobiles

 

Calloway is about the only big band leader I can think of that wore them but there were probably others. He was flamboyant, and the zoots seemed to fit his style. He could belt out the tunes too, and he sure wasn't 'chicken' to show off!

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A British group the Jive Aces has revived or continued the zoot tradition, although a bit more reserved but very stylish. They even include a bit of "scat", reminiscent of Louis Prima and Cab:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjFMW7td98M&list=PLkFA_YMbVl5zDoRM_KoHvV3Ojd-7kSdtH&feature=mh_lolz

 

1961 Mar. 17. Automobiles lined up in preparation for being loaded onto the SS Hawaiian Packer


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1933 Oct. 23.

 

Dinner eaten, back to posting.
Blues singer extraordinaire Linda Hopkins, circa 1952:

Not exactly a household name but had an amazing career. Recorded her final album, The Living Legend Live! in 2006, now retired and living in Hollywood.
Laguna Beach Arts Festival, 1967:

San Francisco 1954:

Mexico City 1959:

San Diego Zoo tour bus, Oct. 1964:

Next three were taken by my dad; Atlantic City, Apr. 1956:



Colorado 1956 (the Crestwood Motel is still in business; that's our first '53 Bel Air third from right, and note that whip antenna on the Ford):


Otto again and his '63 Galaxie, Death Valley Nov. 1966:


Two from a box I found in the trash at the Monrovia, CA Pick-A-Part. Both are from San Diego; first is from April 1960 (note the sedan delivery; '41 Chevy?):

Second is from November 1968:

Now for some autobiographical stuff. Ten-month-old Chrisbcritter, my mom and our '53 Bel Air sedan, Evanston, IL May 1961:

From an 8mm movie frame: Almost three years old with a broken leg, and my uncle's coral-and-white '58 Bel Air, July 1963:

Two from my fourth birthday, July 1964 ('60 Olds wagon belonged to one of my friends' mom):


The Eldon truck is long gone but I still have that blue Matchbox car carrier.
My 5th birthday, new Sears bike with Mattel VRROOOM! motor, and our '53 Bel Air sedan, July 1965 (note the Band-Aid on my elbow fron when I fell off the damn bike earlier that day):

Soon afterwards we sold the '53 Chevy for $90; last we heard the guy drove it from Chicago to Memphis with no problems.
My brothers and me (and I'm starting to grow into dorkiness), 1970. I'm thrilled because I just found that wheel cover in the abandoned '58 Plymouth Savoy. Still got the wheelcover and its hood emblem as well.

More to come as I find it...

 

1955 Oct. 28.

 

It was Gladstone Park (not quite on the river, but not too far away), the big 7th Day Adventist camp (still there, now has a big conference center also). It's just off of I-205 if you take the Gladstone exit. I'm not sure when the Canby property was purchased, but it's been held there ever since (I used to help run one of the exhibit buildings for a couple of years).

Oh hey, here's the history link:

http://www.clackamas.us/fair/history.html

 

Regarding the Snow Cruiser:

It was underpowered and the smooth tires proved to be useless in the snow. The team abandoned it on the ice and, I believe, it eventually sank.

 

Not that I wanted to start a controversy... but I think Zoot suits and all at least started in the 30's. IMHO, the guy in the photo posted earlier definitely has the look - baggy pants, long chain, big brimmed hat, and I think that coat even has padded shoulders. Who knows, perhaps he was one of the truck drivers (not)! But he IS an old Zoot, isn't he? I don't think the fad died out until after WWII was over. Gary

 

This lady wrote a book about zoot suits ~

http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/curre...oot-suit-all-american-fashion-changed-history

 

Both?