... and lined up to see the next Elvis masterpiece in Panavision DeLuxe Color:
Posted on 01/09/2007 9:18:52 AM PST by HungarianGypsy
I am wanting to write a story based on a young adult in the 1960s. Since I was born in 1973 all I really know is what I studied in books. But, I want to get beyond love beads and LSD. I want to be able to write this as it really was. I know it's said if you remember the '60s you weren't really there. But, if anyone does remember I would appreciate reading your stories and facts. Thank you.
"One of my friends in Washington was a folk entertainer named Donal Leace," Roberta continued, "and one day he turned me on to a record by the team of Joe and Eddie. It was 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.' A British folk singer, Ewan McColl, wrote it in 1963 for his wife, Peggy Seeger, who was also a folk singer and the sister of Pete Seeger. I thought it was just beautiful and had to add it to my first album. more... Your post #24.
Great observation about the early and late 60's as depicted in movies. (American Graffitti and Full Metal Jacket).
Do you remember Lamb Chop, the puppet? What was the name of the blond woman who was his side kick? Sherri Lewis?
Ed Norton was Jackie Gleason's co-star on the Jackie Gleason Show.
Here is the great ur-myth of Sixties movies: a nerdish, repressed, up-tight man meets a wild, crazy, uninhibited, free spirit young woman who teaches him how to live and love and free himself from convention.
You see this plot throughout the Sixites, in movie after movie. At the beginning of the decade, in the Kennedy years, it's very timid and benign. As time goes on the sex and drugs, hippiedom and radicalism of the late '60s become more and more a part of the mythos.
The reason why this plot became so significant is that the writers and filmmakers were that geeky, buttoned-down guy and they were all looking for that kooky, free spirited "girl." And those who were around at the time say that there were plenty of young women like that around.
Anyway, now that you know what so much of '60s film (and fiction) were about, you can avoid the cliche in your own story.
I graduated in 1955 from the 3rd largest 3 year high school in the country. No one I knew even knew of drugs.
Eventhough I was only 11 years old in 1967, it seemed to me that the country was falling apart.
Maybe it was just the Bronx. It was tough then and tougher now.
You forgot watching Ray Raynor on WGN and Garfield Goose with Fraiser Thomas and then Bozo's Circus was on the air, with the grand prize game and the grand march to end it. We'd turn the sound way down so we wouldn't have to take a nap. But mom always knew we were up to something when we got quiet.
Then there were the John Wayne and Elvis movies at the drive in theater.
Sunday night on cbs was the Ed Sullivan show. I remember the Beatles 1st time, mom liked the music but dad said they needed haircuts. And I had to go to bed after Topo Gigo the mouse came on.
Riding in my dad's 64 yellow impala 2 door and learning fractions fetching him wrenches, and learning to cuss watching him work with said wrenches. Getting spanked by mom when I told her the GD carb was f'ed up on my pedal car.
Just a few pre 65 memories
Same with me. We worked and went to school. Our money went for clothes and shoes, not drugs. And we didn't have sex early because our parents would have killed us.
... and lined up to see the next Elvis masterpiece in Panavision DeLuxe Color:
Wolfman Jack, Cousin Brucie.
Porky Chedwik
I was in the 8th grade when President Kennedy was shot. The principal made an announcement over the PA system that he had been killed. The boy behind me said Yippee and my teacher laid her head on her desk and cried. They let us out of school early. On the bus ride home, some of the kids were saying that we were now going to be taken over by the Russians b/c our President was dead. The nation was in mourning and there was no school for days. The Russians didn't come, but things were never the same. Maybe it was just my age. Who knows.
Since we usually talk about food, here are some 60's favorites: Ovaltine, Campbell's Bean with Bacon soup, Dr. Pepper Icees at Dairy Queen, Cream of Wheat, Ashburns's Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (those from Dallas will remember Ashburn's in Casa Linda), Tuna Noodle Casserole (in fact casseroles of all kinds), Fritos, BB Bats (candy), Sugar Babies, Corny Dogs, whole milk and Sealtest Iced Milk (cheaper than ice cream)
"Premium leaded gasoline sold for $.21/gallon. Regular leaded gas was $.19"
And, you got a free drinking glass with every fillup. I still have one with a New York Football Giants logo on it. I had a '64 Buick Riviera Coupe with a 455, and a huge 4 barrel carb. Sucker got about 10 mpg and must have weighed at least 5000 lbs. I ran into a shopping cart once at fairly high speed (no details will be divulged here), and it barely scratched the huge chrome bumper on the front. The cart was finished, though.
I'll bet you really love the image of surfers from Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) from "Fast Times At Rigemont High".
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