Vitameatavegamin

One of the most famous episodes of the 1950s show "I Love Lucy" , perhaps one of the most famous TV episodes, is the one where Lucy does a commercial. In the episode, Ricky is given the opportunity to host the television show. He gets a phone call one day saying that he needs to find a girl to do commercial spot for one of the show sponsors. Lucy, being herself and wanting to share the spotlight with Ricky begs him to allow her to do the commercial. Ricky of course, refuses. After a failed attempt to make him reconsider, Lucy plots to get into the commercial anyway with the help of Fred. She goes to the television studio the directors explains their sales pitch regarding the health tonic called "Vitameatavegamin" to Lucy. Unknown to Lucy and the director, this tonic contained 23% alcohol making it an effect of 14 six prove liquor is not meant to be taken more than once a day. Lucy begins her first taken grimaces I she tasted tonic. The director asked Lucy to tdo more takes. After couple more takes Lucy has acquired a taste for the time as well as the alcohol content.

Cinema in the 1960's

                                  Trailer from Alfred Hitchcock's  1960 film
                                                       "Psycho"


The 1960's is often known for being very prominent spy films, historical dramas, sword and sandal also known as biblical films, comedy, spaghetti Westerns and historical dramas. It is also known as a decade of monumental changes cultural events tragedies assassinations deaths and advancements. The cinema reflected the decade of fun, fashion, rock and roll as well as cultural value changes and social changes. Along with that, the 1960s would be the decade almost most socially conscious and stylistically innovative Hollywood history.

When the 1960's began, romantic comedies such as That Touch of Mink, starring Doris Day, The Longest Day, Dr. No, Lawrence of Arabia's and Cleopatra were among the most popular films. While the decade progressed, increasing number of anti-establishment films were made that were laced with social commentary in order to fit the youth market. While the major studios ignored such a large demographic, smaller studios targeted the audience and made films such as cheaply made and campy horror movies, beach movies such as Bikini Beach and Beach Blanket Bingo as well as motorcycle gang pictures such as the 1966 film the Wild Angels.

In 1967 two films came out that made Hollywood aware of the size and influence of the younger audience. Among those films are The Graduate and Bonnie and Clyde. The Graduate is of film about a young college graduate student injecting a hypocritical society and its traditional values that his parents held. Bonnie and Clyde told the story of two bank robbers during the depression and was based on a true story.

In 1969, the first of only X-rated film the got nominated for an Oscar was Midnight Cowboy. Highly controversial film at the time, the touched on topics such as  illiteracy, rape, sexual abuse, prostitution and poverty. It told a story of a young man from Texas that left for New York to become a hustler and a male prostitute. While living out on the streets in New York, He befriends a very sickly third rate con man by the name of Ratso Rizzo.

Suburban Life In The United States: 1950s Culture

The 1950s in the United States was often seen as a time of prosperity and optimism. The end of World War II brought many servicemen home to pick up their lives again, marry their sweethearts they have left behind and to start new families. Industry and population in America boomed and Americans were able to buy goods that were not available during wartime while starting their families. Jobs became plentiful as those needs increased. It was also during this decade that many families moved out of the cities moved into certain neighborhoods called suburbs. Houses in the suburbs of identical and formed a long rows. Suburban neighborhoods were part of the American dream thanks to the federal assistance G.I. Bill which were loans to veterans for education as well as housing. The average American home in 1950 suburbia had a cost of $7990 for $60 a month with no down payment. They were one story and consisted of a 12 x 19 foot living room, a kitchen, a tiled bathroom and two bedrooms. They also Included a small backyard, a front lawn and a garage. One third of the US population lived in the suburbs by 1960.

Popular television shows in the 1950s that  depicted a family living in the suburbs were Leave It To Beaver, 1957 – 1963, The Donna Reed Show, 1958 – 1966, Father Knows Best, 1954 – 1958 and The Ozzie and Harriet show, 1952 – 1966.

Happy 2013 Everyone!!

Well, here we are at the beginning of another year. 2012 brought many challenges to me and my family in so many different ways. Even though there were so many challenges, though some good things that happened too. Not only did we moved out to the Spokane Valley, where I grew up last fall, I also had the wonderful opportunity of returning back to my birthplace; the San Francisco Bay Area California. I looking forward to what 2013 will bring. I have many goals in mind and I'm anticipating many good things.

I hope that 2013 will bring you lots of good things; love, joy, peace and prosperity. Happy new year everybody!! :-)