Bette Davis gave tough love in a 1940s advice column for Photoplay-Movie Mirror magazine. Here’s what she told readers about wartime marriage and more.
Culture & lifestyle
Vintage entertainment, crafts & pop culture from the past – it’s the retro life!
Remember why Walt Disney’s 1950s movie ‘Old Yeller’ was one of those classic ‘boy and his dog’ movies – family entertainment made with kids in mind, but that could bring a tear to anyone’s eye.
A whole new era of vintage pinball machines was ushered in by the Humpty Dumpty pinball machine released in 1947 – and then dozens more of the games hit the market. Take a look back!
See how vintage library checkout cards and due date cards kept libraries organized for decades — a simple system that made borrowing books easy and fun.
Explore Escape to Witch Mountain (1975), Disney’s wild sci-fi adventure about psychic kids, greedy tycoons, and one unforgettable flying camper.
Discover the history of San Francisco’s Sutro Baths, the stunning Victorian swimming complex that mixed ocean pools, museums, and seaside adventure.
How did the Kentucky Derby get started? Now, the famous Louisville horse race is the first part of the American Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, but when it started, people didn’t know how important and iconic the Derby would eventually become. Here’s a look back at its history.
The original Gilligan’s Island pilot had three actors who were cut before the series began, a slightly different name, and a completely different theme song. Get the scoop here!
Years ago, kids loved weekends because they could catch up on their favorite Saturday morning cartoons & TV shows. Here’s a look back!
From pretty in pink to bold in black, teen girls put a lot of time and money into finding just the perfect now-vintage 80s prom dresses. Here’s a look at more than a hundred of the styles available back then!
Remember these classic 70s things? See the furniture, decor and everyday items that made 1970s homes unique, colorful, and totally unforgettable.
Find some elegantly vintage Easter egg crafts and artsy inspiration right here! The ideas may be old, but they’ll probably seem new to you.
Here’s a sweet and pretty way to celebrate spring – with this vintage-style Easter egg tree craft! Here’s how you can make your own.
Bake an overnight bag for the Easter bunny, and something to put in it: An adorable retro-style salt dough Easter bread basket!
Occasionally, top TV show theme songs aren’t just popular – they join the soundtrack of a generation. These 16 hits won acclaim for being more than being the tune played over opening credits. Have a listen!
Find out how to make some sweet vintage Easter egg crafts for spring – everything from bunny-decorated eggs to lacquered lace eggshells.
See the 1977 Ford cars: New action-stripe Pintos, sassy sweet-handling Mustang IIs, tricked up trucks and fancy vans. Thunderbirds and LTD IIs in new spring colors. Even a sportier Granada.
The basic concept hasn’t changed much in 100 years, but vintage Erector Sets like these are still popular, still inspiring creativity, and still being used to build everything from mini roller coasters to motorized robots.
George Burns & Gracie Allen brought laughs from vaudeville to TV. See how their real-life love story made them one of comedy’s most unique duos.
The history of Levi’s jeans shows that the power of a really good idea – like super-durable clothing that people like to wear – can make for a business that stays strong for more than 160 years.
Bruce Springsteen lit up the ‘70s with powerful lyrics and unforgettable performances. See how he became The Boss and reshaped rock history.
From “What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” to “Make it so,” these 80s TV catchphrases took over pop culture — and some are still around today.
In the start, she was known just as a dancing girl – but then her acting career blossomed. Here is a look back at young Joan Crawford’s career – and her fashionable clothes, too.
Misheard lyrics have fooled music fans for years — turns out, “Hold me closer, Tony Danza” was never right. See the funniest lyric mistakes from classic hits!
Green Day started as a Bay Area punk band before skyrocketing to fame. Here’s how they went from underground rebels to rock icons.
The 50s and 60s were the glory days for old drive-in movie theaters, when there were about 4000 such venues spread across the country. Take a look back!
The Outsiders starred several young actors on their way to fame: Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, C Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze and Tom Cruise.
Now best known for their iconic appearance in the Back to the Future movies, DeLorean cars had an unusual origin story – and ended in a spectacular flameout.
The ’70s TV classic ‘Match Game’ redefined the modern game show. It went against convention, appealed to a younger, hipper audience and ushered in a new era of television.
Take a look back at these talented and glamorous actresses of the 1920s, who were some of the first nationally-known celebrities because of their presence on the big screen.
From rock and roll to soulful ballads, these top songs of 1960 dominated the charts and shaped the sound of the decade.
‘Family Ties’ has the most enviable time slot in network TV, following ‘The Cosby Show.’ But the four-year-old sitcom has managed to create its own following, and now clocks in at #2.
Try your hand at these traditional patterns for Americana quilts – the pride of America’s past, and adaptable for many uses today.
The vintage Spirograph toys let you create millions of colorful, startlingly beautiful extraordinarily intricate designs in infinite variety – all you needed were pens, paper and the kit’s plastic gears and wheels. Take a look!
The Love Boat set sail in 1977 and became a TV favorite. Here’s how it mixed romance, comedy and guest stars to create a lasting pop culture hit.
What’s the history of Groundhog Day — February 2 each year — and what is the connection to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania? Find out here!
Presenting the first family of the future, The Jetsons – in ultra-dynamic spectoramic, everlovin’, living color.
Relive Shaun Cassidy’s rise to fame in the ’70s as a teen idol and TV star — before he built a lasting career beyond the spotlight.
Rose Wilder Lane’s 1962 essay on weaving was really a love letter to American independence, stitched together with stories from history and home.
The Courtship of Eddie’s Father was a TV sitcom about a widower and his son, Eddie that debuted in 1969. The memorable theme song was by Harry Nilsson.
No man embodies the spirit of country music quite like Willie Nelson. Born during the Great Depression in 1933 in a small Texas town, Nelson’s
Find out all about the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz, in this collection of vintage articles – including interviews with the cast, peeks behind the scenes, costume info, photos, videos and more!
What were vintage 1970s supermarkets like – and how do they compare to today’s grocery store options? Take a look back several decades to see!
Monty Hall brought charm and suspense to Let’s Make a Deal, the game show that had America guessing. Explore its quirky history and lasting appeal!
What did the future look like from the ’60s? See some modernist-style retro futuristic home concepts that captured the midcentury era’s sleek style and space-age optimism.
The Bob Newhart Show turned the world of comedy upside down with its straight-faced humor and wry wit – let’s take a look back!
Dick Van Dyke interviews and personal appearances can be hard to come by, but we found a few times the talented actor and comedian talked about his life and career.
People of all ages will love these cute vintage Christmas cookie houses, which can be made easily and inexpensively. See examples and get directions here!
While television hardly needed another cop series, ‘Starsky and Hutch’ was one of the better reasons to turn on a TV back in the ’70s. Here’s why.
Screen legends Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire sang and danced their way into America’s hearts in one of the most timeless holiday classics of all time, the Holiday Inn movie, which introduced the classic hit song, White Christmas.
To get in the proper holiday spirit, Americana-style, let’s revisit some of the most iconic moments from the timeless TV classic, “A Christmas Story” – plus find out where to watch the sequel!
Not only would these vintage sexist ads not sell well today, but they’d also cause a huge social media backlash. See 50 of the most obnoxious examples here.
Here’s a look back at the history of the multi-talented entertainer Gene Kelly, the award-winning star of the ’40s, ’50s & ’60s.
See what was needed to put you in the running for a coveted stewardess job back in the ’50s and ’60s! Some requirements were grounded in reason, but many were just plain sexism in action.
These 44 kid-friendly Christmas cookie decorating ideas evoke the cozy charm of vintage traditions. Baking fun for the entire family!
Here, take a look back at the Xanadu movie – an ’80s musical that has become best known as a campy cult classic.
What did many of our grandparents and great-grandparents look most forward to getting for Christmas? In many cases, trains – like these vintage American Flyer train sets!
Adapted from an article that ran in Better Homes & Gardens print magazine back in December 1970, this cute craft how-to for “colossal Christmas balls”
The melted plastic Halloween decorations popular in the ’70s were ‘delightfully different’ and ‘captured the happy Halloween spirit.’
Old Halloween songs never die – they just reappear on the chart every decade or so! Such is the case with Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett’s million-seller, ‘Monster Mash.’ Here’s the story – and meet the singer!
See portraits of vintage Halloween pin-up girls from the 1930s and 1940s – themed photos featuring famous actresses and beautiful models.
Here’s how to craft creative salt dough ornaments for Christmas! It’s easy to stir up a batch, and makes getting into the holiday spirit extra fun.
Back when cheap Halloween party decor was a distant dream, people had to make their Halloween decorations the old-fashioned way: by getting creative. Ghoul School 1919 is now in session!
These retro Christmas ornament craft ideas may be more than 50 years old, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less festive than you’d expect to see today! Take a look at how easy they are to do.
Discover why the Taxi TV show remains a classic, with its unforgettable cast, sharp comedy, and heartwarming moments that still resonate today.
Here, look back at the rediscovered art of stenciling, plus see dozens of examples of traditional stencil patterns from throughout history!
Who remembers these popular vintage Fisher Price baby toys from the 70s and 80s — iconic, durable and full of fun. Check out our nostalgic collection!
Gunsmoke, one of the longest-running TV shows in history, gave viewers a look at the old west – saloons and sheriffs, cowboys and horses.
Here are a few authentic old-fashioned ways to make homemade soap, with directions from the olden days in Nebraska back in 1908!
Between Saturday morning cartoon shows, animated Schoolhouse Rock was on TV from 1973-1985. Here’s a Grammar Rock classic, Schoolhouse Rock: A Noun Is a Person, Place or Thing!
Mrs Annie Edson Taylor, 63 years old, went over Niagara Falls on the Canadian side and survived, a feat never before accomplished when it happened back in 1903. Here’s how it went.
Relive the magic of Quantum Leap, the iconic time-travel series that took viewers on unforgettable adventures and made history in ’90s sci-fi television.
Check out how classic 60s Ford Thunderbird cars looked when they were brand new — plus find out the then-unique features they offered that were much in demand back then!
After launching their career in the ’60s, in the early ’70s, Sonny and Cher turned to television, and to everyone’s surprise, they were a huge hit – leading to adventures both good and bad.
College costs in the ’50s and ’60s were significantly lower than today’s — see how tuition, room and board compared after adjusting for inflation.
Revisit the iconic Cheers TV show, where unforgettable characters and timeless stories made a Boston bar feel like home.
Celebrate The Dick Van Dyke Show with a look back at the sitcom’s timeless comedy, iconic moments and cultural impact.
Vintage View-Master reels offered a trip into another dimension – ‘with stereo color pictures so real, you’ll feel you are actually part of the scene!’ Take a look!
The movie ‘Stand By Me’ evokes childhood memories, condensing them into a remarkably realistic weekend excursion by four boys on the verge of their teens.
Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is filled with 999 retired spooks and spirits who have taken up permanent residence at this California theme park. Sneak a peek!
For those who have not seen it, ‘The A-Team’ is a straightforward pile-driver of a show, a blue-collar ‘Mission Impossible’ without the finesse. Here’s a TV show review from 1983!
Actor John Wayne reflected on his life and his long movie career in this interview upon the release of The Shootist, the Duke’s last feature film.
See how Andy Griffith’s iconic TV career started from humble beginnings. Explore his early career and photos from the past.
Look back at what antique school supplies looked like back in the 1800s, along with popular teaching materials from the Victorian era!
Love 1950s comics? Here you’ll find more than 50 old names from the funny pages, like Hopalong Cassidy, Flash Gordon, Curly Kayo, Brick Bradford, Etta Kett, Grandma, The Lone Ranger, Moon Mullins, Myrtle and more.
A Trapper Keeper was a binder/portfolio that came in a wide range of colors and designs, and kits in the ’80s & ’90s loved them. See which ones you remember!
In the Brady Bunch family’s home-screen-home, the comedic power of the classic TV show came from combining a zany maid, two grown-ups, six kids, a dog and a cat.
The judgments are harsh, and nobody is worried about subtlety in these mean and bad ads that ran in popular magazines many decades ago.
On the original ’60s version of the ‘Lost in Space’ TV show, somewhere the universe, a family is marooned while on a voyage to colonize a new world.
Explore the magic of Disney’s Cinderella with vintage videos and promos that bring the timeless 1950 classic to life.
What do you get when you mix equal parts Mel Brooks and James Bond? Get Smart – one of the most hilarious spoofs on spies and private eyes ever. (Also see the memorable opening credits!)
If you’ve ever been curious as to why neckties and aftershave are considered the quintessential Father’s Day gifts, wonder no more. We also found some great modern-day gift equivalents just for dad.
The old-fashioned Dymo label maker was easy to use and affordable – which meant that these colorful plastic sticky labels used to be seen almost everywhere and on everything.
In one of the stranger television concepts in history, Sally Field played the title role of The Flying Nun – the 90-pound Sister Bertrille, who could use her starched cornette to take to the skies if the wind was just right.
100 years ago, public swimming pools were vital for summer survival The charm of vintage public swimming pools from the early 1900s transports us back
E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial, with his oversized, glowing heart, has been capturing the fancy of moviegoers since he touched down in earthbound theaters to the tune of about $3 million a day.
Laugh In got people talking about television again. Its rapid-fire gags, many of them dreadful, were repeated by millions every Tuesday morning.
Explore the rich history of famous catchphrases that shaped generations and discover their timeless charm in our culture today!
