What pre-1985 science fiction are you reading or planning to read next month? Here’s the July installment of this column. One of my favorite forms of SF scholarship is careful identification of a intellectual genealogy–tracing what an author read and engaged in dialogue with. Authors are readers. They also can’t escape references and textual traces of what … Continue reading What pre-1985 science fiction are you reading? + Update No. XXV| Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations
Although Rochdale had built on a large scale in the interwar period, as we saw in last week’s post, and …Continue reading →| Municipal Dreams
In 1959, the South London Observer declared that ‘Camberwell must rank No. 1 in London housing progress at the moment’. …Continue reading →| Municipal Dreams
Last week’s post looked at interwar Wigan, an era when the borough embarked on a programme of large-scale housing construction …Continue reading →| Municipal Dreams
Hello friends! It's been a red-hot summer, hasn't it? Well, to cap off the last few weeks of heat, we're thrilled to announce a collection that is sure to set your hearts ablaze. Introducing the Hearts Afire Collection: two new vintage reproduction styles that are| American Duchess Blog
One of the loveliest parts of being Series Consultant for the British Library Women Writers series is getting to speak to the relatives of authors we’re republishing. When the extraordinarily good The Spring Begins by Katherine Dunning was brought back| Stuck in a Book
The Happy Ending (1957) is the third book in Leo Walmsley’s trilogy of autobiographical novels – starting with Love in the Sun and followed (rather later) by The Golden Waterwheel. Clicking on those links will take you to my enthusiastic reviews, and I’ve| Stuck in a Book
My post about Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison is going to be short – because what on earth was I thinking, back in 2012, when I bought this Virago Modern Classic? Well, maybe I’ve answered my own question there. It’s a VMC,| Stuck in a Book
There was a time when I would indiscriminately buy almost any book connected to the Bloomsbury Group. To a certain extent, that’s a book-buying era I’m still living – but I don’t seem to read them as voraciously as I| Stuck in a Book
I’m always willing to take a punt on a cheaply priced mid-century novel by a British woman, and that’s how Fever of Love by Rosamond Harcourt-Smith ended up in my hands on a trip to Hay-on-Wye a while ago. That was| Stuck in a Book
Almost any club year will have a host of vintage murder mysteries (and Neeru always comes up with some good candidates) – 1952 is no exception. I’m not sure when the Golden Age technically ended, so this is probably after| Stuck in a Book
Paul Gallico is one of the most varied writers I’ve encountered. Not just in terms of quality – though that’s probably true – but in terms of the types of books he writes. He’s perhaps best known in the blogging| Stuck in a Book
It is a truth universally acknowledged that every club year will have appearances by Georges Simenon and Georgette Heyer – but there’s another prolific mid-century writer who usually turns up too. While P.G. Wodehouse didn’t write a novel every year,| Stuck in a Book
I bought The Equations of Love by Ethel Wilson in Canada back in 2017, based on her being a Persephone author. Since then, I’ve read another couple of novels by her – but I think this overlooked gem might be her| Stuck in a Book
The Spring Begins by Katherine Dunning was my favourite read of last year, and has been reprinted in the British Library Women Writers series (hurrah!) so naturally that set me off to see what else Dunning had written. At the| Stuck in a Book
One of the things I love about our clubs are when it leads me to read books that have languished on my shelves for years – and they end up exceeding my expectations. In some cases, by a long way.| Stuck in a Book
The first post-it that came out of my 1952 Club bowl was Treasure Hunt by M.J. Farrell – the pseudonym of Molly Keane, and my Virago Modern Classic uses both names on the cover, though the newer edition pictured above doesn’t| Stuck in a Book
The Giant Gila Monster is a 1959 American sci-fi horror film about a giant lizard that terrorises a rural Texas community... free online| MOVIES & MANIA
What pre-1985 science fiction are you reading or planning to read next month? Here’s the June installment of this column. I adore teaching American History for college credit. Every summer I ponder what to change and improve. And this year, I want to integrate a few science fiction stories! My 1950s unit in the spring semester could be … Continue reading What pre-1985 science fiction are you reading? + Update No. XXIV| Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations
‘A horror film that will stiffen you with laughter!’ Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla is a 1952 comedy horror sci-fi film directed by William Beaudine from a screenplay by …| MOVIES & MANIA
I reviewed another book on here recently and received a comment from a reader that the book had not been good, but that most reviewers were not willing to admit it. I understand that reluctance to criticise, given how hard it is to write anything and particularly when a writer has been known to do […]| Volatile Rune
This is the 21st post in my series of vintage generation ship short fiction reviews. While not technically a short story, George Hay’s novel clocks in at a mere 112 pages. I’ve decided …| Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations
“Thinke upon me as long as it is pleasant and convenient to you to doe so, and afterwards forget me…” Lawyer William Hunt is enjoying his evening when he gets a call from Celia St…| a hot cup of pleasure
During my research, I come across a lot of interesting recipes. One of the categories I have accumulated a bit on is prize-winning recipes. I decided that I would start testing them and share the ones that are truly worthy of their award. So these recipes can fall into two types. First are recipes that … Continue reading Prize Winning Recipes: 1950 Apple Coffee Cake| Quaint Cooking
I did grow up with Chex Party Mix. I remember it being part of early holiday celebrations. I can’t say who brought/made it but I do know it was there. I don’t know how it fell out of favor in my family holidays. I am assuming it was after we moved and my mother started … Continue reading The History of (Chex) Party Mixes| Quaint Cooking
In Your Dreams Next to Rock Hudson, Liberace was Sue Ellen Wolinski’s absolute dream date. Liberace was just so fabulously different from any other fellows she had ever met. A wonderful pianist, ye…| Envisioning The American Dream
Which books/covers/authors intrigue you? Which have you read? Disliked? Enjoyed? It’s the summer Joachim Boaz. Where are the reviews? I’m currently on a much needed vacation (Iceland). …| Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations
Step inside the untouched interior of this stunning South Carolina house, filled with mid-century modern details and lovingly restored by Sarah Nielsen. Prepare to fall in love with 1950s design and decor...| My Thrifty Life by Cassie Fairy
Attack of the Giant Leeches is a 1959 sci-fi horror film about a game warden and a doctor who suspect giant leeches... free online| MOVIES & MANIA
‘Terror amok! Hungry for the flesh of the world!’ Caltiki, The Immortal Monster is a 1959 Italian sci-fi horror film directed by Riccardo Freda and [uncredited] Mario Bava from a screenplay by Filippo …| MOVIES & MANIA
Note: My read but “waiting to be reviewed pile” is growing. Short rumination/tangents/impressions are a way to get through the stack before my memory and will fades. My website partially serve…| Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations
Surprise! We’ve been working on something special for you. Our Boot Bliss pre-order is now open! These gorgeous boots are all 15% off each pair through June 15. Boot Bliss features three beloved, ever-popular American Duchess boot styles in refreshing and stylish new colors. Without further delay, let’s check them out! Bessie Aviator Boots In 2021, these handsome knee-high boots made their debut, and since then, they’ve been one of our most in-demand styles. Now, Bessie is back in a gor...| American Duchess Blog
Thursday, May 1, 2025 Welcome, all. Like many others in the WordPress community, I’ve been looking forward to Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors Writing Challenge. This is my first offering …| Teagan's Books
1954 Photo of the Arcadia Dairy Farm at the intersection of Brevard Road and Long Shoals Road, Avery’s Creek Community, South Buncombe County.The Asheville Citizen Times newspaper.Sunday, October 31, 1954.Page 42. The post-war decade of the 1950s marked a new beginning for our country. Having survived the Great Depression of the 1930s and the end of ...| buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu
The following reviews are the 33rd, 34th, and 35th installments of my series searching for “SF short stories that are critical in some capacity of space agencies, astronauts, and the culture which …| Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations
Zombies of Mora Tau is a 1957 horror film directed by Edward L. Cahn (The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake; Invisible Invaders; Voodoo Woman...| MOVIES & MANIA
Robot Monster is a 1953 American science fiction film made in 3-D. It was produced by Al Zimbalist and directed by Phil Tucker. Review| MOVIES & MANIA
‘Teenage hoodlums from another world on a horrendous ray-gun rampage!’ Teenagers from Outer Space is a 1959 science fiction film written, directed and produced by Tom Graeff, who was also …| MOVIES & MANIA
It Came from Outer Space is a 1953 American science fiction film, the first in the 3-D process from Universal-International.| MOVIES & MANIA
‘The weird jungle of cobra plants that feed on women – and rip women apart!’ Voodoo Island is a 1957 American horror film directed by Reginald Le Borg (Diary of …| MOVIES & MANIA
Museum Artifact: Green River Soda Pop Carton with 6 Bottles, c. 1950s Made By: Green River Corporation / Sethness-Greenleaf, Inc., 4554 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL [Uptown] “Have a drink, have a drink, have a drink, have a GREEN RIVER / Delicious, different, goodness knows! / Green River, where refreshment flows / Have a drink, have a drink, have a drink, have a GREEN RIVER!” —advertising jingle, The post Green River Corporation, est. 1919 appeared first on Made-in-Chicago Museum.| Made-in-Chicago Museum
Based on a portion of a post published on Torontoist on October 9, 2007. North Toronto Herald, May 27, 1955. The June 9, 1955 provincial election was a landslide for Premier Leslie Frost’s Pr…| Jamie Bradburn's Tales of Toronto
Surplus military clothing has always been a go-to option for many people within the last century; whether for rugged outdoor activities or ironic anti-war protesting, military clothing was there. That's because surplus is abundant, it tends to be fairly well-made, and it's cheap.| The Houndstooth Kid
...at the Houndstooth Haberdashery. My closet is bursting at the seams so I'm clearing some fine items out to make room for more pieces that will get more wear. | The Houndstooth Kid
With the way I go on about the quality of vintage all of the time you probably think everything was amazing back during the Golden Era. And that's not true, there were plenty of bad quality pieces, just like there are today.| The Houndstooth Kid
Cassie and I bought a house back in June.| The Houndstooth Kid
These are a blast from the 1960s. I'm not usually a big fan of patent leather; it usually looks like plastic (modern equivalents usually are), creases very easily, and doesn't look right with everything but formal kits.| The Houndstooth Kid
This is a topic I've been meaning to discuss for some time now. It's fitting that I post this piece on the day the Midwest is receiving not just a winter storm but a blizzard.| The Houndstooth Kid
A history of the Zenith Radio Corp, part of our exclusive archive of research focused on 20th century Chicago manufacturers and their products.| Made-in-Chicago Museum
Museum Artifact: General Motors “Erie Limited” Locomotive Data Card (Electro-Motive Div.), 1950s Made By: Toby Rubovits, Inc., 127 S. Aberdeen St., Chicago, IL [West Loop] On New Year’s Day, 1912, Toby Rubovits took out a large advertisement in the Chicago Tribune, promoting his services as “Printing without frills.” He was, unlike many of his competitors, offering three professional skills in one office. The post Toby Rubovits, Inc., est. 1893 appeared first on Made-in-Chicago Museum.| Made-in-Chicago Museum
Instant news flashed to downtown crowds by 3,136 electric light bulbs.| Flashback : Dallas
Museum Artifact: Super-Sensitive Stainless Strings – Viola A and D Strings, c. 1950s Made By: Super Sensitive Musical String Company, 4814 W. Division St., Chicago, IL [North Austin] The Super-Sensitive Musical String Company has the longest name of any business featured in the Made In Chicago Museum, but its time in Chicago was comparatively brief; and its clientele notably niche. Before and after moving its operation to Florida in the early 1970s, The post Super Sensitive Musical String C...| Made-in-Chicago Museum
Museum Artifact: Glass Carafe and Warmer, 1950s Made By: Inland Glass Works (aka Inland Glass Co.), div. of Club Aluminum Products Co. 6101 W. 65th Street, Chicago, IL [Clearing] “Center of attention . . . your fashionable INLAND Carafe! Family and guests will love the scintillating beauty of this hand-blown glass server, smartly trimmed in either gleaming copper or platinum. Matching tripod candle warmer adds charm, The post Inland Glass Works, est. 1922 appeared first on Made-in-Chicago M...| Made-in-Chicago Museum
Andy Warhol, the son of Polish immigrants, left his hometown of Pittsburgh and arrived in New York City by train … More| Thrift Store Preppy
Paul Smith, Hartcliffe Betrayed: the Fading of a Post-War Dream (Bristol Radical History Group, 2024) I’ve complained in the past about the lack of historical coverage given to council housing – th…| Municipal Dreams
Cyclists were 1st to push for good roads & were pioneers of motoring| Roads Were Not Built For Cars