Revisit the ABC Afterschool Special episodes that shaped our childhood! We’ve listed every one of the vintage TV movies, along with photos and dozens of promos and full-length videos.
Culture & lifestyle
Vintage entertainment, crafts & pop culture from the past – it’s the retro life!
Explore the dynamic era of women’s fashion in the 1960s, from mod shifts to hippie chic.
Summer of Love & the Haight-Ashbury district: The intersection of peace, music & revolution In the beating heart of the mid-60s, the Summer of Love
Remember vintage Disney book/record combos you could get through a mail-order club? Each set included a vinyl record with the story so kids could read along.
Learn how to macrame with the 70s technique to create vintage-style projects – a macrame plant hanger, a belt, basket-style coasters and a macrame owl.
The hit Matthew Broderick WarGames movie showed such a realistic WW3 scenario that it led to the creation of a 1986 anti-hacking law.
Check out the legacy of ‘The Mod Squad,’ a show that broke barriers with its diverse cast, trendy fashion, and bold approach to social issues.
Rediscover the 1960s’ cultural revolution through its defining soundtrack: Explore the top 10 iconic psychedelic rock tunes that shaped a generation — and left an indelible mark on modern music.
In the ’60s, The Jimi Hendrix Experience concert was a chance to see one of the best trios in rock music, dominated by the frontman’s screaming guitar and dry, husky voice.
The Incredible Hulk TV show from the 70s, starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, proved that fans liked Dr David Banner even more when he was angry.
When Jimi Hendrix died in 1970, the world was shocked that such a young star could have blazed so brightly, but then burned out so fast. Here’s a look back.
Buckle up and have a scroll back to an era when driving with car bench seats was as cozy as a night in front of the TV.
Why do so many people love vintage Snoopy stickers? ‘You’d be astounded at the enthusiasm of Peanuts collectors,’ said cartoonist Charles Schulz.
That characteristic mid-century modern flair — with an abundance of color, clean lines and geometric patterns — translated perfectly in these examples of 1950s Christmas wall decorations
Having a retro party for the holidays? Here are lots of crazy kitschy vintage Christmas appetizers you may want to serve… at your own risk.
Legendary talent Nat King Cole’s legacy is still strong Nat King Cole, a legendary figure in American music, left a lasting impression on fans worldwide.
Back in the late sixties, a small company started selling these vintage Make-A-Plate kits, which were a huge hit with kids, parents and teachers. What better gift for mom or grandma than a one-of-a-kind melamine plate featuring a child’s artwork?
These fun vintage mechanical rides – including the ubiquitous coin-operated horse – made millions of kids smile.
Explore the history and enduring appeal of Wonder Horses, the iconic ride-on spring rocking horse toys that galloped into the hearts of children from the 1950s to the 1980s!
They weren’t all that safe (most proved to fail crash tests), but these retro baby car seats from the 1960s, 70s and 80s were among the first on the market with child passenger safety in mind.
Young Ron Howard, the red-haired moppet of “The Andy Griffith Show,” is that rare child actor without guile and a Hollywood head.
These old mail-order record clubs offered super-cheap music to the masses – on vinyl, l8-track tapes, cassettes, and, finally, CDs. But there was a catch.
Remember Barney Miller? This the ’70s police comedy keeps fans coming back. With unforgettable characters and a jazzy theme song, its legacy thrives.
Discover the groundbreaking series Cagney and Lacey that set the bar for strong female leads in cop dramas.
Dairy Queen history involves decades of transformation, innovations, and, of course, a few yummy vintage menu items that make folks nostalgic.
100 million erasable pens (82 percent of them disposables) were sold in 1982 alone. The two top movers were from Eraser Mate and Scripto – here’s a look back!
The Streets of San Francisco blended detective work with character-driven storytelling & used the city’s landmarks as a backdrop for crime-solving narratives.
Back in the 1950s and 60s, the American Dream could be had – affordably and in style – if people wanted to buy mobile homes (trailers). Here’s a look at dozens of homes and parks!
Born in the gritty era of 1970s television, Baretta featured a unique blend of police procedural and character study. Starring Robert Blake as Tony Baretta,
The distinctive style of 70s prom dresses marked a move from the structured elegance of the 1960s to a more relaxed, romantic aesthetic. Take a look!
Quincy had a massive impact on the landscape of television, and set the foundation for many detective dramas we love today. Here’s a look back!
American band The Lovin’ Spoonful – fronted by singer John Sebastian – scored four hit singles, starting with the upbeat and catchy ‘Do You Believe in Magic.’ Find out more about this group of talented musicians here!
See some old-school Jacuzzis, hot tubs and spas, including the super-trendy retro backyard whirlpool baths that ushered in a whole new way to entertain friends.
‘The Price is Right’ television game show host Bob Barker reckons he’s interviewed 50,000 persons on the air, and concludes very few Americans are smart alecks.
The invention of the Ferris Wheel was a jaw-dropping innovation of its time! Find out the history of the Ferris Wheel ride we now know so well, plus see pictures of the HUGE first one.
Take a look back at the history of Knott’s Berry Farm – the fun California amusement park known as a Disneyland alternative, but one that boasted its very themes and even a ghost town.
Land of the Lost was a gateway into a world filled with wonder, excitement & mystery. Let’s rewind & reminisce.
From 1948 to 1971, The Ed Sullivan Show was synonymous with entertainment & a central hub for talent — introducing new acts & creating unforgettable moments.
Miami Vice was a ground-breaking American television show that aired from 1984 to 1989. Its blend of fast cars, flashy fashion, and synthesized music captured
Flash back a few decades to see the Kodak Instamatic camera – which defined amateur photography for a generation & inspired the digital photography of another!
There were only 17 episodes made of H. R. Pufnstuf, but the kitschy kiddie TV show earned its cult status through reruns that aired through the ’70s and into the ’80s. Here’s a look back!
Good Times wasn’t just about humor; it tackled pressing social issues of its time — including unemployment, racism, and poverty.
Buckle up and adjust the rearview mirror — it’s time to take a ride back to the 1960s where the film American Graffiti waits for you at the starting line!
Do you recall playing with vintage clicker and Clacker toys trend of the early 60s and 70s. Inexpensive and fun hard plastic balls on strings, their popularity spread like wildfire over the course of just a few years.
Take a look back at Frank Sinatra’s legendary career through this collection of vintage photos, videos, and profiles from his heyday.
Grease hit theaters in 1978, but remains a fun, foot-tapping spectacle that’s perfect for a sentimental movie night. Let’s look back!
Before the Police Story TV show burst onto the scene, television was filled with crime dramas that lacked the realism which became a hallmark of the genre.
First appearing on TV in 1975, Welcome Back Kotter would go on to become one of America’s best-loved sitcoms. Most notably, it starred a young John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino.
See some long-forgotten photos of today’s celebrities before they were famous – young stars who paid the bills with modeling gigs until they hit the bigtime.
From the hilarious misunderstandings to the lovable characters, “Three’s Company” has an enduring appeal. Reminisce with us!
Toby Jugs came to America in the 1700s and quickly became a favorite collectible. Check out these examples of the art form!
In her short, but impactful life, Patsy Cline managed to change the landscape of country music forever. Read on for feature stories and photos about the famed singer, both before and after her death.
Released in 1985, The Goonies didn’t just entertain Generation Xers – the movie left an indelible imprint on pop culture, turning into a touchstone for many growing up in the era.
Check out this extensive interview with a young Dolly Parton (only 24 years old!) that was published back in 1970.
These vintage truck campers were all people needed back in the 1960s, 70s & 80s to get away from it all for a few days.
Take a look back at “The Odd Couple” — a classic comedy about friendship, divorce & making the most out of life’s second chances.
Millions know ‘Say, Say, Oh Playmate’ – also known as ‘Playmate’ – but few today know much about the rhyming song & hand clapping game. Find out more here!
From 1966 to 1973, televisions worldwide were tuned to the thrilling exploits of the Impossible Missions Force in the groundbreaking Mission Impossible TV show.
In 1976, Marriott’s Great America theme parks were born from a simple yet ambitious idea: give families an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience. Here, see the parks in California & Illinois in the 70s & 80s!
See how “Chico and the Man” made an early and enduring impression in the world of 70s sitcoms!
Reel-to-reel tape recorders hit the commercial market in the 1940s — and their evolution was boosted by the financial support of none other than Bing Crosby, who saw great potential in the technology.
When it comes to iconic American automobiles, the Chevy Chevette is often glossed over, but it truly holds its own special place in automotive history.
Nominated for 7 Oscars, the 1970 Love Story movie starred Ali MacGraw as Jenny, the romantic-tragic girl, and Ryan O’Neal as the rich college boy who won her heart.
The book “Little Folks of Animal Land” by Harry Whittier Frees was released in 1915, and featured mostly kittens and puppies in various human scenarios. Take a look!
Ali MacGraw was unmistakably a star at the age of 33, following the success of her first movie, Goodbye Columbus, and the overwhelming popularity of her second, Love Story.
Sesame Street started in 1969 as a daily TV show for preschoolers, featuring a street filled with puppets and humans who told stories, sang and danced. But it became so much more than just a television program!
The vintage ambulance has a history rooted in far simpler designs than we know today. Here’s a look back at how they’ve changed over time!
After using AI photography tools, these vintage clown pictures looked so much more lifelike than before (those eyes!), and details that were easily overlooked before became obvious. See some before and afters here!
Before it was just Max, it was HBO Max — before that it was just plain old HBO. And it was a huge deal.
What were really old cars like around 1900? Here, take a look back at some of the earliest automobiles that were on the market at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.
In the early 1960s, The Supremes emerged as Motown’s brightest stars. Their infectious blend of pop & soul was irresistible. Have a listen!
Find out the fascinating story behind the 1953 MGM film ‘The Long, Long Trailer,’ starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz – and see inside the real-life motorhome trailer they bought at the time!
Take a trip down memory lane, in the style of vintage RVs! Here’s a look back to the finest accommodations on the road during the 1970s and 1980s.
When you look back at these classic 50s Buicks, you can’t help but appreciate the iconic style – and size! – of these huge old cars that were found on roads all across the US.
Star Hits magazine was a riff on the hugely popular British music mag, Smash Hits… and in the ’80s, America’s teens loved it. Here’s a look at what was hot back in the day!
Take a trip down memory lane and browse this virtual newsstand of 16 Magazine covers to remember who was hot (at least in the hearts of teen girls) during the eighties!
Remember when every kid you knew couldn’t get enough of the literary phenomenon known as the Choose Your Own Adventure books? Take a look back, and see lots of old covers here!
My Sister Sam’s Pam Dawber lands the Sexiest Man Alive — Moonlighting’s Mark Harmon
A rancher near the Roswell crash site sparked the UFO conspiracy theory when he saw flying discs that disappeared and reappeared. Before long, UFO-mania took over the country.
See several 1960s sewing machines here. Turn the knob and automatically do straight stitching, fancy embroidery, mending, button-sewing and much more.
This collection of vintage Girl Scout uniforms, badges and insignia represents a century of tradition, friendship and — most of all — girl power.
The incorporation of more advanced features into portable machines marked a new era of convenience and accessibility, and these compact and user-friendly manual typewriters became more versatile and efficient than ever before.
Too many people? Too little space? Starting in the sixties, Ford Motor Company engineers had a better idea: the Ford Club Wagon. Take a look!
Step back to 1976 and revisit young Gloria Steinem’s empowering views on aging as a liberating experience for women
Check out these silent movie title cards were created as movie theater etiquette notes, reminders and announcements that preceded a film that really are snapshots in time.
Listen up: You might think our Victorian forebears did everything with grace and elegance, but have you considered that may be fake news? In reality, the dames of high society were basically just influencers.
Vintage 40s diners were descendants of the railroad dining car, and often sported shiny metal on the outside and a long counter with stools on the inside. Take a ride back in time to see 40 examples of roadside diners!
Panic followed an Orson Welles radio broadcast of the book ‘War of the Worlds’, during which armies and navies were wiped out right and left and the real radio audience was frightened as the actors pretended to be.
Who remembers when these vintage 1950s Singer sewing machines were new? One big seller was the Swing-Needle SINGER Automatic, which came in black or beige, in lovely cabinet or portable style.
Harry Reasoner, the famed TV anchorman and interviewer, discussed the news – and his place in it – in this 1970s interview.
Dive into the WWII decade of automotive history with this collection of classic 1940s Dodge cars.
Sweet Charity musical: The adventures of a girl who wanted to be loved
Felix the Cat cartoon: How the world’s first famous feline charmed the world in the 1920s and beyond
Felix the Cat was a black and white cartoon character who first appeared on movie screens way back in 1919. Created by Pat Sullivan and
Gary Coleman stars as Arnold, a street-wise youth from Harlem, who is adopted by a white millionaire and becomes confused and suspicious about his sudden change of fortune on the comedy series, Diff’rent Strokes.
Christopher Reeve’s accident was a shock to the nation, but he survived — then he got to work in pursuit of a better life for others in his situation
New York City’s luxurious old Waldorf-Astoria hotel was among America’s first big hotels. When it was built during the Victorian era, it was considered the finest hotel in the world – and soon became the most famous, too.
Safety Last! was one of the best-known movies of the silent film era, and gave us the iconic image of Harold Lloyd, dangling off a huge clock.
As long as antique buttons have adorned our clothing and shoes, people have been collecting them. Made from a multitude of materials – from metal to bone, wood to plastic – buttons are miniature pieces of everyday history.
