This week we are looking at the March 1949 issue of Movie Story with a grown up Shirley Temple on the cover. This is one of several vintage film related magazines that we have available at PFTP Antiques.
Baltimore Escapade was an American drama film that was retitled and released in 1949 as Adventure in Baltimore. This movie starred Robert Young and an adult Shirly Temple in a flashback placed in 1905. The movie came at a time when Temple was trying to make the transition away from being seen as a child star. Only a year later in 1950, Shirley Temple announced her retirement from full-length films.
Chicken Every Sunday
The film Chicken every Sunday was a 1949 American comedy. It was shot on location in the Tucson Mountains and in various Nevada towns.
Bosley Crowther’s review in The New York Times stated that the film “is larded with rich and wholesome portions of nourishing Ma-Loves-Pa and it is seasoned with more than generous sprinklings of standard bucolic farce.” TVGuide.com rated the film 2½ out of four stars and calls it “light comedy . . . amusing, but poorly directed.”
The Original On demand Hot water System!
This item looks like it is essentially an early version of on demand hot water. By the 1940’s standardized plumbing codes were coming into effect which allowed for the use of hot water tanks. However, I would think that the prospect of converting existing homes to modern plumbing was likely expensive.
As a result, devices like this electric water faucet probably were an attractive solution without the cost of installing a heating tank. From a safety standpoint, I wonder if there were many reported incidents. The use early electric devices with water might have been a bit scary. Also, the heat generated may have been a concern for injury.
Alan Ladd in "Whispering Smith"
In 1949 Whispering Smith was released starring Alan Ladd and a supporting cast that included Robert Preston, Brenda Marshall and Donald Crisp. This American Western had Ladd as a railroad detective assigned to stop a gang of train robbers.
Overall, the movie was well received in North America and was one of the most watched films of the year in the UK.
Become a Nurse From home
These bras almost look like they were inspired by something out of a science fiction movie.
The ad for practical nurse training seems a little too good to be true. There was a high demand for nurses at the time. It was such an issue that the number of nursing schools was rapidly increasing in the late 1940’s. I’m thinking that this ad may have been taking advantage of the need for nurses and may not have been from a recognized training program for practical nurses. I wasn’t able to find information on this particular program, but what I did see made it seem like legitimate nursing schools required in person attendance.
"Adventures of Don Juan" with Errol Flynn
The 1948 film Adventures of Don Juan was an American swashbuckling adventure romance that starred Errol Flynn and Viveca Lindfors. There had been plans to make the movie as early as 1939, but due to a series of delays, it was postponed for nearly a decade.
By the time filming commenced, Errol Flynn’s health was a concern. He was dealing with a mild heart condition and hepatitis. Shooting was frequently halted due to Flynn’s physical condition. In addition, he reportedly drank heavily throughout the production of the movie.
Some reviews for the film were quite favorable. A New York Times reviewer said “Warner Brothers have generously contributed a production of rare magnificence. The sets and costumes are exquisite—there is no other word … If for no other reason than to take a look at the splash, we suggest you see this picture. It is something to remember old Hollywood by.” Despite the reviews, this movie struggled to succeed in the U.S. market.
Play up yopur red hair like Susan Hayward
If you liked the advertisements in this March 1949 Movie Story, please let us know. Maybe take the time and watch a couple of the movies. We would like to read your own reviews of the movies and how you think they hold up to more modern movies.
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