Here is a cool video from the 1950's titled "American Thrift - A Tribute to the Woman American". It makes you wonder what our economy would look like today if we still held onto some of those old values! It's a long film, but a good watch! It even has some great 1950's appliances!
American Thrift - A Look at the American Economy in the 1950's
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whirlcool
Well-known member
Yes and everything was GM built in this film!
Half way through this production I just knew it was from 1962. You'd think that most people drove Corvairs back then. They showed just about every car from the 1962 Chevrolet lineup. And at the supermarket the entire parking lot if filled with Chevrolets!
I would say this movie was made for Home Economics classes. It has the look and feel of other movies I had seen in High School, such as drivers education movies. I think the auto manufacturers were big on making these for schools.
Half way through this production I just knew it was from 1962. You'd think that most people drove Corvairs back then. They showed just about every car from the 1962 Chevrolet lineup. And at the supermarket the entire parking lot if filled with Chevrolets!
I would say this movie was made for Home Economics classes. It has the look and feel of other movies I had seen in High School, such as drivers education movies. I think the auto manufacturers were big on making these for schools.
At the beginning it says "Presented by Chevrolet".
athanasius80
Well-known member
For those that were there, did people really dress so nicely back then?
I wasn't around then, and that film probably didn't reflect 100% reality. (For example: not everyone owned a Chevrolet!)
But from what I've heard, people did dress up a lot more then than they do now. My mother, for example, was in college about that time, and at her college, students were expected to dress up a lot more than now. Young men, for example, were expected to wear a tie. I believe that the dining services even had that a requirement--no tie, no service.
But from what I've heard, people did dress up a lot more then than they do now. My mother, for example, was in college about that time, and at her college, students were expected to dress up a lot more than now. Young men, for example, were expected to wear a tie. I believe that the dining services even had that a requirement--no tie, no service.
Wasn't
In the 1950's,but do remember until rather recently, yes people did dress much differently (nicer) than most do today.
Going to work in an office meant suit and tie (men), dresses or suits with skirts (later pantsuits) for women. Traveling either by train, plane or even bus also required getting "dressed. Heck we were even "dressed" to go to the doctor's office as children.
In short one didn't go very far in trainers and jeans, aside from working in the yard or if children, playing. Church, going into town, the village or to the city, visiting or anything else outside of one's home required getting dressed into decent clothes and shoes.
Am always rather shocked to see people wearing jeans to church, but guess most are happy to have people showing up, especially the younger set, that dress isn't pushed as an issue. Am really shocked to see what people wear to funerals and weddings today.
Hats were required dress for both men and women until rather the late 1960's or early 1970's in the United States. In the UK and parts of Europe women still wear hats and gloves when getting dressed up ,or even just going into town (a la Hyacinth Bucket).
In the 1950's,but do remember until rather recently, yes people did dress much differently (nicer) than most do today.
Going to work in an office meant suit and tie (men), dresses or suits with skirts (later pantsuits) for women. Traveling either by train, plane or even bus also required getting "dressed. Heck we were even "dressed" to go to the doctor's office as children.
In short one didn't go very far in trainers and jeans, aside from working in the yard or if children, playing. Church, going into town, the village or to the city, visiting or anything else outside of one's home required getting dressed into decent clothes and shoes.
Am always rather shocked to see people wearing jeans to church, but guess most are happy to have people showing up, especially the younger set, that dress isn't pushed as an issue. Am really shocked to see what people wear to funerals and weddings today.
Hats were required dress for both men and women until rather the late 1960's or early 1970's in the United States. In the UK and parts of Europe women still wear hats and gloves when getting dressed up ,or even just going into town (a la Hyacinth Bucket).
Does Anyone Still Wear..... A Hat?
Think the point Hyacinth was making about the tie, is the expectation that certian men rarely went out without one, or at least some sort of neck covering.
Took a course in college about the psychology of dress, and apparently closed necked shirts (with ties one presumes), reflect authority. This is why airline pilots uniforms though military based as an airline hostess, the former's uniform features a shirt with tie, while the later is usually open at the throat(like most female uniforms).
Believe it or not, there was a time when a "gentleman" always wore a shirt and tie, it was just how men dressed. Well those that didn't have jobs with their names on the front of their shirts/overalls.
If you notice, even the next door neighboor "Emmet" wears a shirt and tie, even when he is just hanging about at home. So does the "Major". Indeed most all males in "KUA" wear shirts and ties all the time, except Onslow! *LOL*
Think the point Hyacinth was making about the tie, is the expectation that certian men rarely went out without one, or at least some sort of neck covering.
Took a course in college about the psychology of dress, and apparently closed necked shirts (with ties one presumes), reflect authority. This is why airline pilots uniforms though military based as an airline hostess, the former's uniform features a shirt with tie, while the later is usually open at the throat(like most female uniforms).
Believe it or not, there was a time when a "gentleman" always wore a shirt and tie, it was just how men dressed. Well those that didn't have jobs with their names on the front of their shirts/overalls.
If you notice, even the next door neighboor "Emmet" wears a shirt and tie, even when he is just hanging about at home. So does the "Major". Indeed most all males in "KUA" wear shirts and ties all the time, except Onslow! *LOL*
I recall
my grandmothers always wore gloves and hats, my grandfathers always had a hat and tie on and the maid wouldn't let me go play with friends 'looking like that'. She, herself, came in the morning wearing gloves, hat and dress shoes. Once in the house she changed into cleaning clothes.
Only then was I allowed to give her a good morning, sticky fingered and worse hug and kiss.
That was the very early sixties.
It was only a few years later, in 1968, that all the boys in my class, even the football players, wore skirts to school to protest the girls being forbidden to wear pants. After the first 20 or so of us (first bus load) had been sent home with the direst of punishments, that the school authorities realized they'd been outflanked...the coach, latin teacher/wrestling coach and history/basketball coach were in cheerleader's mini-skirts and, um, tops.
By the end of the day, an emergency meeting of the school board had liberated the girls...
And that was in the second most conservative Republican congressional district in the US.
By the time I got to high school in 1972, we were expected to wear clean, well-patched clothes.
By 1976, when I started college, we were expected to wear clothes to class.
I try hard to dress well because it pleaseth my partner. Personally, I don't miss the formality. I do miss the etiquette and social graces. Restrooms which were clean, policemen who smiled...even if they were directing traffic at the intersection.
my grandmothers always wore gloves and hats, my grandfathers always had a hat and tie on and the maid wouldn't let me go play with friends 'looking like that'. She, herself, came in the morning wearing gloves, hat and dress shoes. Once in the house she changed into cleaning clothes.
Only then was I allowed to give her a good morning, sticky fingered and worse hug and kiss.
That was the very early sixties.
It was only a few years later, in 1968, that all the boys in my class, even the football players, wore skirts to school to protest the girls being forbidden to wear pants. After the first 20 or so of us (first bus load) had been sent home with the direst of punishments, that the school authorities realized they'd been outflanked...the coach, latin teacher/wrestling coach and history/basketball coach were in cheerleader's mini-skirts and, um, tops.
By the end of the day, an emergency meeting of the school board had liberated the girls...
And that was in the second most conservative Republican congressional district in the US.
By the time I got to high school in 1972, we were expected to wear clean, well-patched clothes.
By 1976, when I started college, we were expected to wear clothes to class.
I try hard to dress well because it pleaseth my partner. Personally, I don't miss the formality. I do miss the etiquette and social graces. Restrooms which were clean, policemen who smiled...even if they were directing traffic at the intersection.
In the 1960's, the student body of St. Luke's grade school in Greenwich Village successfully petitioned the school to eliminate the requirement to wear a uniform and gave themselves the right to "dress down". When we did this, it was more of a political response to the war by refusing to don a "uniform" or any other article of dress that was consistent with the military than an expression of slovenlyness. I'm proud that we did that and even more proud that the administration of the school responded with such consideration and open-mindedness.
A trend that we helped to establish has been perverted into expressions of juvenile sexuality, contempt for fellow students and out of control narcisism. I think the school uniform should be reinstated if, for nothing else, to eliminate the use of clothing as expressions of wealth, social status and irresponsible sexual availability.
Boy do I sound like an up-tight old lady.
A trend that we helped to establish has been perverted into expressions of juvenile sexuality, contempt for fellow students and out of control narcisism. I think the school uniform should be reinstated if, for nothing else, to eliminate the use of clothing as expressions of wealth, social status and irresponsible sexual availability.
Boy do I sound like an up-tight old lady.
More WWII than 1950's, but it was our war cry against Bu
"Use it up
Wear it out.
Make it do,
Or do without."
"Use it up
Wear it out.
Make it do,
Or do without."
sdlee
Well-known member
my two cents.....
.well this little video seems to be very one classed to me. Seems like they wanted to use the upper middle class for representation of us all. Personally it made me gag and if Id seen it in school I likely would have been disturbed by it as I would have thought..whats wrong with my life?Nobody I know lives like this....but as Ive learned in this journey of life schools rarely have the abiltiy to portray reality.Well enough of that subject.
On the subject of clothes.I think and have always thought people should wear what is comfortable to them.I do think there are events wear a more formal dress is apropriate such as a formal wedding,graduation and a funeral. Church?.hmmmm I doubt seriously if God cares, if he exists I might remind you he use science and nudity for our arrival and he would probably be proud as all hell if we showed up nude, He could then admire his work. (before anyone freaks that I said proud as all hell in refernceing the good Lord I threw away proud as the dickens to replace it)I know some of you will read far more into that then either phrase just being a phrase.
Lately the few things I see that disturb are girls in suits and ties or waitresses in stark white shirts with a tie. I think its just plain tacky.Its like a political statement in the wrong place. Ok we get it, your boss might be a lesbian,you yourself have gender issues,you are sorry you missed the womens movement of the 70s...............good do I really have to have that crammed down my throat with my meal? Ofcorse yes I am making too much of it but really does make me want to walk out.
Same with the new attire of Khaki Pants and Blue Polo at Walmart...ok ok We know they are wage slaves.They dont look eager to help me, they look like cell mates.
And last but not least the piercings....esp in a resatuarant. Our waitress fiddled with her diamond nose stud the whole time she took our order, what the hell was she doing with it in the back before durring and being in contact with our food? I worked at McDonalds when I was a kid in the 90s...NO JEWLERY.PERIOD.Married women even had to remove thier rings once on the serving floor, this was because we were told skin, hair and other accumlations could form there and fall into the food.A message from the state health department. God where are they now that Im on the otherside of the counter?
.well this little video seems to be very one classed to me. Seems like they wanted to use the upper middle class for representation of us all. Personally it made me gag and if Id seen it in school I likely would have been disturbed by it as I would have thought..whats wrong with my life?Nobody I know lives like this....but as Ive learned in this journey of life schools rarely have the abiltiy to portray reality.Well enough of that subject.
On the subject of clothes.I think and have always thought people should wear what is comfortable to them.I do think there are events wear a more formal dress is apropriate such as a formal wedding,graduation and a funeral. Church?.hmmmm I doubt seriously if God cares, if he exists I might remind you he use science and nudity for our arrival and he would probably be proud as all hell if we showed up nude, He could then admire his work. (before anyone freaks that I said proud as all hell in refernceing the good Lord I threw away proud as the dickens to replace it)I know some of you will read far more into that then either phrase just being a phrase.
Lately the few things I see that disturb are girls in suits and ties or waitresses in stark white shirts with a tie. I think its just plain tacky.Its like a political statement in the wrong place. Ok we get it, your boss might be a lesbian,you yourself have gender issues,you are sorry you missed the womens movement of the 70s...............good do I really have to have that crammed down my throat with my meal? Ofcorse yes I am making too much of it but really does make me want to walk out.
Same with the new attire of Khaki Pants and Blue Polo at Walmart...ok ok We know they are wage slaves.They dont look eager to help me, they look like cell mates.
And last but not least the piercings....esp in a resatuarant. Our waitress fiddled with her diamond nose stud the whole time she took our order, what the hell was she doing with it in the back before durring and being in contact with our food? I worked at McDonalds when I was a kid in the 90s...NO JEWLERY.PERIOD.Married women even had to remove thier rings once on the serving floor, this was because we were told skin, hair and other accumlations could form there and fall into the food.A message from the state health department. God where are they now that Im on the otherside of the counter?
neptunebob
Well-known member
Just watch any Alfred Hitchcock movies. I don't know how much say Alfred had over the costumes but in all of his movies everybody is a sharp dresser, even the blue collar workers and the bad guys. They seem to be good with interior decorating and architecture too, for the time.
toggleswitch2
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 23, 2008
- Messages
- 5,000
~"Use it up
Wear it out."
Wear it out."
The collar & tie today sends a different message, not one of authority, but one of subservience. Yes, that's right. Because of the dress codes by many businesses, what the man was wearing in this film is now called " businesswear" because it's the only place it is worn nowadays. The appearance of this attire (or other uniform for that matter) typically means a person has a job, but that the person is hired by another person (versus being self-employed), and is required to appear and act in a certain way that is directed by their employer.
To me, today, it also shows a bit of dishonesty too. Many find this odd, but I find that when someone is overdressed, it typically means that the person is attempting to make an impression by their appearance to coerce me into doing something (like purchasing a product or service) that may not be all that it's cracked up to be. For example, I would rather buy an automobile from a mechanic in dirty overalls, versus a salesman in a suit. To me, the mechanic is a more trustworthy person, because his appearance says he knows the car inside and out, versus the well-dressed salesman, who is attempting (but not succeeding) to gain my trust by looking nice.
...now, on to the movie...pretty neat! I noticed some obvious things about this movie that you'd never see today:
The mother was sewing...While this is a hobby gaining in popularity after pretty much dying out for a while, many women did it back then to be thrifty, and making clothing was just another chore, like washing dishes, or doing laundry.
The family was sitting together in the living room, BUT unlike today, NO TELEVISION! Yes, television had been invented, but the family was not watching TV nor listening to a radio either.
Nothing was spoken when the vacation flyer was given to her. In a real family, this scenario would have been met with all sorts of begging, whining and "bad manners" from the kids when she said that they can't afford it (think like the red haired boys later on were acting)
They boys were playing a trumpet. Today, kids only play guitars or drums
I'd love to see kids wear "hand me down" clothes these days. They gotta wear the latest from the most expensive mall shops
Even the fork-lifts and the coolers at the grocery store were GM products!!! (I saw a GM logo on one of the coolers) They are OPEN coolers at that. Most supermarkets around here have gone to the enclosed door style coolers.
"Appearances for lasting satisfaction" Gimme a break! Most women desire (and the more wealthy ones actually do!) to change their wardrobe every season with the latest fashion!
Food prices have not increased substantially since then in comparison to other products on the market, and especially against the value of the dollar!
American Industry? UUUH, well it doesn't exist anymore! so much for standing out in the competitive market...our government has made sure industry is regulated so that's not at all possible!
Anybody catch the cool Hoover Constellation in there?
Just after the vacuum scene, when they were showing the kitchen sink...that Delta single-handle faucet is still being made to this day! Mom just recently bought one for her kitchen about a year ago just like that!
That Chevy II station wagon is nowadays a rare collectible, and so is that Impala SS convertible!
The "Career Woman" was driving the fancy Impala coupe, while her husband was driving the plain Biscayne sedan (indicated byt the tail lights in the back, Impalas had 3 per side, bel-airs & biscaynes had only 2, biscaynes had no chrome filler either) I wonder who was making more money?!?!?!
That was an auto-setback thermostat! They are not just a modern invention!
How many african-american families were actually living in nice suburban homes back then (like that mother and daughter) with the prejudice and segregation in the housing industry back then...also notice there were no other races at the school? This despite the line he says "all the races and nationalities in this country" later in the film.
The water skiiers didn't have on life jackets...and the people riding and driving in cars weren't wearing seatbelts either!
The penny actually costs more today than it is actually worth, and it's only copper plated today, because solid-copper pennies became worth more in their weight in copper than their face value!
It's too bad that the free enterprise system and the freedom of choice portrayed in this movie has significantly dwindled away, and continues to shrivel up as our government regulates it out of existence, and just recently bought it out!
To me, today, it also shows a bit of dishonesty too. Many find this odd, but I find that when someone is overdressed, it typically means that the person is attempting to make an impression by their appearance to coerce me into doing something (like purchasing a product or service) that may not be all that it's cracked up to be. For example, I would rather buy an automobile from a mechanic in dirty overalls, versus a salesman in a suit. To me, the mechanic is a more trustworthy person, because his appearance says he knows the car inside and out, versus the well-dressed salesman, who is attempting (but not succeeding) to gain my trust by looking nice.
...now, on to the movie...pretty neat! I noticed some obvious things about this movie that you'd never see today:
The mother was sewing...While this is a hobby gaining in popularity after pretty much dying out for a while, many women did it back then to be thrifty, and making clothing was just another chore, like washing dishes, or doing laundry.
The family was sitting together in the living room, BUT unlike today, NO TELEVISION! Yes, television had been invented, but the family was not watching TV nor listening to a radio either.
Nothing was spoken when the vacation flyer was given to her. In a real family, this scenario would have been met with all sorts of begging, whining and "bad manners" from the kids when she said that they can't afford it (think like the red haired boys later on were acting)
They boys were playing a trumpet. Today, kids only play guitars or drums
I'd love to see kids wear "hand me down" clothes these days. They gotta wear the latest from the most expensive mall shops
Even the fork-lifts and the coolers at the grocery store were GM products!!! (I saw a GM logo on one of the coolers) They are OPEN coolers at that. Most supermarkets around here have gone to the enclosed door style coolers.
"Appearances for lasting satisfaction" Gimme a break! Most women desire (and the more wealthy ones actually do!) to change their wardrobe every season with the latest fashion!
Food prices have not increased substantially since then in comparison to other products on the market, and especially against the value of the dollar!
American Industry? UUUH, well it doesn't exist anymore! so much for standing out in the competitive market...our government has made sure industry is regulated so that's not at all possible!
Anybody catch the cool Hoover Constellation in there?
Just after the vacuum scene, when they were showing the kitchen sink...that Delta single-handle faucet is still being made to this day! Mom just recently bought one for her kitchen about a year ago just like that!
That Chevy II station wagon is nowadays a rare collectible, and so is that Impala SS convertible!
The "Career Woman" was driving the fancy Impala coupe, while her husband was driving the plain Biscayne sedan (indicated byt the tail lights in the back, Impalas had 3 per side, bel-airs & biscaynes had only 2, biscaynes had no chrome filler either) I wonder who was making more money?!?!?!
That was an auto-setback thermostat! They are not just a modern invention!
How many african-american families were actually living in nice suburban homes back then (like that mother and daughter) with the prejudice and segregation in the housing industry back then...also notice there were no other races at the school? This despite the line he says "all the races and nationalities in this country" later in the film.
The water skiiers didn't have on life jackets...and the people riding and driving in cars weren't wearing seatbelts either!
The penny actually costs more today than it is actually worth, and it's only copper plated today, because solid-copper pennies became worth more in their weight in copper than their face value!
It's too bad that the free enterprise system and the freedom of choice portrayed in this movie has significantly dwindled away, and continues to shrivel up as our government regulates it out of existence, and just recently bought it out!
toggleswitch2
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 23, 2008
- Messages
- 5,000
I absolutely can't stand seeing people go out in sweatpants and sweatshirts. Even more disguisitng is when men go "commando" in those.
Don't know why but in central Connecticut I tend to notice more of that than I see in and an around New York City.
Could not believe I went to church (in a denomination other than my own) and saw shorts, tube-tops, make-up galore and unshaved/groomed individuals. Believe it or not, men wear a suit and tie and women are not in trousers and may not receive communion with listick on in my brand of voo-doo.
I still prefer to shower and dress and make my bed before sitting at the breakfast table, even when alone.
Living well is the best revenge..............
Don't know why but in central Connecticut I tend to notice more of that than I see in and an around New York City.
Could not believe I went to church (in a denomination other than my own) and saw shorts, tube-tops, make-up galore and unshaved/groomed individuals. Believe it or not, men wear a suit and tie and women are not in trousers and may not receive communion with listick on in my brand of voo-doo.
I still prefer to shower and dress and make my bed before sitting at the breakfast table, even when alone.
Living well is the best revenge..............
Sewing One's Own Clothing
Back in the days, wasn't just thrift, but almost a requirment if one wasn't a "standard" size. Even when most clothing was store bought, it most always required "alterations", to fit correctly. Can remember growing up both men's and women's clothing departments and stores had alteration departments. Failing this, one had to do the alterations at home.
Also consider that hand-me-downs were pretty common then, and they also often needed to be altered. Smart (ok, thrifty) women also remade garments that either went out of fashion or didn't fit any longer. Good clothing cost money back then, and there wasn't any of this throwing things away just because you didn't "like" it anymore, especially if it still could give good service.
L.
Back in the days, wasn't just thrift, but almost a requirment if one wasn't a "standard" size. Even when most clothing was store bought, it most always required "alterations", to fit correctly. Can remember growing up both men's and women's clothing departments and stores had alteration departments. Failing this, one had to do the alterations at home.
Also consider that hand-me-downs were pretty common then, and they also often needed to be altered. Smart (ok, thrifty) women also remade garments that either went out of fashion or didn't fit any longer. Good clothing cost money back then, and there wasn't any of this throwing things away just because you didn't "like" it anymore, especially if it still could give good service.
L.
And Now, The Standard Query Issued From Mothers In the 50
Can still hear it clearly now as if it were only yesterday.
No matter where one was going, could be church, a doctor's appointment, or even a party.........
"Do you have clean underwear on"?
*LOL*
This query and or warning would often follow with a story about being run over by a car or some other sort of horrible accident (charming, yes? Why is is parents always try to scare their children into doing things?), and being taken to the hosptial, only to be given bad stares and have rude comments made about one by the doctors and nurses because upon undressing you, it was discovered you had on dirty undergarments.
Now, being a rather bright youngster (ok, "fresh" would have been the word my mother would use), once stated that if I were ever injured thus and the only thing anyone at the hospital cared about was the state of my undergarments, then I would be in serious trouble.
Was grounded for a week! *LOL*
L.
Can still hear it clearly now as if it were only yesterday.
No matter where one was going, could be church, a doctor's appointment, or even a party.........
"Do you have clean underwear on"?
*LOL*
This query and or warning would often follow with a story about being run over by a car or some other sort of horrible accident (charming, yes? Why is is parents always try to scare their children into doing things?), and being taken to the hosptial, only to be given bad stares and have rude comments made about one by the doctors and nurses because upon undressing you, it was discovered you had on dirty undergarments.
Now, being a rather bright youngster (ok, "fresh" would have been the word my mother would use), once stated that if I were ever injured thus and the only thing anyone at the hospital cared about was the state of my undergarments, then I would be in serious trouble.
Was grounded for a week! *LOL*
L.
toggleswitch2
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 23, 2008
- Messages
- 5,000
...and one would say
" The first thing that will happen should there be an accident is that I will, out of reflex, soil or wet said undergarments. So let's try another approach".
The parental units would be furious. How dow does one argue that perfectly logical statement?
" The first thing that will happen should there be an accident is that I will, out of reflex, soil or wet said undergarments. So let's try another approach".
The parental units would be furious. How dow does one argue that perfectly logical statement?
