The Fabulous Fifties

This home movie below is of a neighborhood 4th of July celebration in Rockaway Beach, MD that could have been taken anywhere in the U.S. in the 1950s. Decorated bikes and trikes, lots of balloons and flags, parents goofing off (remember the Conga line?), kids playing baseball... Movie cameras were new technology in most homes and there was no better time to show off for the camera than the 4th of July. If you're a Boomer, enjoy this video of your childhood. If you're not, you'll see your parents, grandparents, and great grandparents having fun. (Without sound - there was no sound with old movie cameras. The music has been added recently to this video.)

Do you remember watching these films - or sometimes filmstrips - about dating, family life, courtesy, or citizenship on rainy days in school? If you're old enough you might have saw movies like this in home economics or social studies. They were always welcome because at least you had a break from listening to the teacher - but even at the time, they seemed a little corny. This 1950 Coronet film, "What Makes A Good Party", is typical of those types of films and as usual, provides a smile while some interesting observations into life in the 1950's.

In 1953, the year 2000 seemed so far away - almost half a century in the future - and unimaginable. We thought that technology at the turn of the century would bring cars that drove themselves, computers that you could hold, men would live on the moon, and we would be watching color televisions. We dreamed of these great technologies while fearing that nuclear war would break out, that aliens would invade, or that machines would take over the world. After all, it was only 8 years after the end of World War 2, and while we dreamed about big accomplishments we were also fearing our demise.

Kaye Ballard, born Catherine Gloria Balotta on November 20, 1925 in Cleveland Ohio, was an actress, singer, and comedian. Appearing on stage, in films, and on television (most memorably with Eve Arden in the 1960's show "The Mothers-in-Law"), she entertained generations of audiences. This clip is from the 1957 tv special "Cinderella" where Ms. Ballard played one of the "wicked step-sisters" and Alice Ghostley played the other.

If you grew up anytime during the Cold War, "duck and cover" was a part of your childhood. Do you remember it? The film has actually been declared "historically significant". If you can't get inside a building (or an old bomb shelter!), it may seem a bit silly but "duck and cover" actually has some scientific validity. Ducking will shield you from the heat and light of the bomb and covering will keep off any radiation that is carried downwind. Who knew?

Many of our fathers and grandfathers fought in Korea - the war with no beginning or end. Although called the Korean War by many, Congress never declared an act of war so it is still technically the "Korean Conflict". And since no peace treaty was signed, it has never really ended. American troops are still stationed in Korea. These are some of the men who fought, played, and were killed, in the conflict that began in 1950.

"All Shook Up" wasn't just an Elvis hit in 1957, it was the state of the nation's female population when Elvis Presley was drafted into the U.S. Army in March, 1958. Tens of thousands of fans wrote letters to the Army, asking that Elvis be "spared" from the draft. Many thought that it was the end of the King of Rock and Roll, and that his career couldn't survive a two year hiatus. Of course, Elvis returned from the Army and became an even bigger sensation - even inspiring the Broadway hit Bye Bye Birdie and the subsequent movie of the same name. Until his premature death in 1977 at age 42, he was an icon - and remains one to this day. Here's a look at the arguably most influential entertainer of the 20th century from his childhood through his Army career.