Thursday, April 14, 2011

172. SHIRLEY TEMPLE Crayon Book

Another nice example of Shirleyana---inspired by the child star Shirley Temple, who turned 83 this year! Unbeleivebale how time flies. One day she' "On the Good Sip Lollipop", the next, she's the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia! But before her career shift, little Shirley regaled us with such hit movies as "Bright Eyes", "Curly Top" and "Heidi". Her years as a child star spawned merchandise of such variety---from the most expensive child-size Shirley Temple dolls with their own doll buggies to more affordable paper items such as this "Shirley Temple Crayon Book"--whose only connection with Shirley is the diecut photo cover. The inside pages feature blank pages for doodling, sketching and scrawling. But maybe you need a little drink of Shirley Temple first--for a bit of creative inspiration..

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

171. PHILIPPINE MOVIE STARS FAN PHOTOS

Real photo fan photos that doubled as postcards were very popular during the early '50s and were sold in shops, news stands and photo stores all over the country. One could also write the studio or the actor himself to request for a photo complete with dedication. These examples, bought from a Philippine ebay seller, are a few examples--portraits of some of the most popular stars during the Golden Age of Philippine cinema.

From LEFT TO RIGHT: Lucita Goyena (late 30s star who was a favorite leading lady of Fernando Poe Sr.), Corazon Noble (known today as Jay Ilagan's mother) and Elsa Oria ("Singing Sweetheart of the Philippines who starred in many musicals).


From LEFT TO RIGHT: Leopoldo Salcedo ("The Great Profile", Lionel Barrymore of the Phils.), Fernando Poe Sr. (FPJ's father who died of rabies in 1953) and Rogelio de la Rosa (Philippines' most famous actor of the 50s, future ambassador and senator).

Monday, April 11, 2011

170. BEWITCHED Fun and Activity Book

This popular, award-winning comedy show that had for its premise an ad executive marrying a witch who can't resist using her magic to solve problems--was created by Sol Saks in 1964. The stellar cast headed by Elizabeth Montgomery (as the witch-wife, Samantha Stephens), Dick York (the original Darrin, the harried ad man, replaced later by Dick Sargent), Agnes Moorhead (as the catty, meddling mother-in-law Endora who does not approve of her mortal son-in-law), George Tobias and Sandra Gould 9as the suspicious neighbors, the Kravitz) and David White (as the slave driver boss, Larry Tate). Tabitha, the Stephens' daughter who also had some powers, was portrayed alternately by twins Erin & Diane Murphy.

In its successful 8 year run, "Bewitched" won 4 Golden Globes, plus a couple of acting Emmys. The series was the basis of many TV collectibles including a Samantha Stephen doll, pocketbooks, coloring and activity books such as this one. In 2005, Nicole Kidman reprised the role of Samantha Stephens in the movie version of "Bewitched", but the original 1964 series held more magic for the show's millions of spellbound fans.

Monday, April 4, 2011

169. PAT BOONE PAPER DOLLS


Pat Boone (b. June 1, 1934) was one of the most successful pop singers in the United States during the '50s and early '60s. Hesang black artists' songs but sold more copies than them--like "Long Tall Sally", "Ain't That A Shame", "Tutti-Frutti", "Two Hearts, Two Kisses" and I Almost Lost My Mind". He sold over 45 million albums, had 38 Top 40 hits and appeared in more than 12 Hollywood movies, and, according to Billboard, was the second biggest charting artist of the late 1950s, behind only Elvis Presley but ahead of Ricky Nelson and The Platters.

In a poll, Boone was nearly the "two-to-one favorite over Elvis Presley among boys and preferred almost three-to-one by girls...". Today, Pat Boone continues to perform and pursue his other interests like politics, basketball, religion and writing. This 1950s paper doll of him by Whitman is proof of his widespread popularity in the rock 'n roll era--despite his old-fashioned values!