Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Superman, Santa Claus, and Me!

Superman’s Christmas Adventure, 1944; published by Detective Comics (aka DC Comics), artist unknown.

This one image, the cover for the program from the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival, pretty much sums up everything I love about the aesthetic of mid-century jazz in America. Notably, this was just the 2nd edition of the now-legendary music event.

My current favorite TV show aired its last episode in 1979, but I watch it every week. I’m talking about the 1970s medical drama Emergency!, which aired weekly on NBC from 1972 to 1977 (with a half dozen TV movies in 1978 and ’79). Thanks to Cozi TV I can check out the adventures of Los Angeles County Fire Department Squad 51 and Rampart General Hospital every Saturday evening.

Here’s a publicity still of the show’s main cast: Kevin Tighe (Firefighter Paramedic Roy DeSoto, L.A. County FD Squad 51) and Randolph Mantooth (Firefighter Paramedic John Gage, L.A. County FD Squad 51) on top, then Bobby Troup (Joe Early, M.D., F.A.C.S., A.C.E.P.), Julie London (Dixie McCall, R.N.) and Robert Fuller (Kelly Brackett, M.D., F.A.C.S., A.C.E.P.) on the bottom.

You kids with your YouTube and streaming services have it so good. Back in 1947 the main way to listen to recorded music at home was rather brittle shellac 78 rpm records. One of the leading brands in that market was RCA Victor, who issued this brochure highlighting some of the most popular songs and artists at the beginning of 1947.

This brochure features songs from the likes of Desi Arnaz, Perry Como, Betty Hutton, Tex Beneke, Herbie Fields, and Spike Jones. Here’s one of those tunes, “Tia Juana” by Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra.

SAN FRANCISCO AT NIGHT

The fabulous city of San Francisco, as seen from Twin Peaks, is a never-to-be-forgotten sight. The city with its myriad lights and skyscrapers has a perfect background in the waters of the Bay. The imposing Bay Bridge is San Francisco’s link to the East Bay cities in the background.

(This card was postmarked 1960.)

If you’re a beautiful dame and find yourself underwater and face-to-face with a man-eating shark, you want a giant bowie knife at your side. I just need to know how she ended up in the water wearing those red short shorts and heels.

Guns Against Gangsters #6, July-August 1949; published by The Premium Group of Comics (aka Novelty Press); art by LB Cole.

I’d say this album cover is quite appropriate for this time of year. It’s the 1972 rock classic School’s Out (Warner Bros. Records ‎– BS 2623), and boy does this one have a lot.

The original album cover (designed by Craig Braun) was designed to look like a wooden school desk complete with etchings by members of the band. The desk opened to reveal the vinyl. Underneath, an image is provided of the other contents of the ‘desk’ including gum, marbles, and crayons. The finishing touch was the legs on the base which could be opened up to turn it into an actual desk of sorts. The vinyl record inside was wrapped in a pair of panties (not included in the European versions), though this was later discontinued as they were found to be flammable.

Track Listing:

A1 School’s Out
A2 Luney Tune
A3 Gutter Cat Vs. The Jets
A4 Street Fight
A5 Blue Turk
B1 My Stars
B2 Public Animal #9
B3 Alma Mater
B4 Grande Finale

Horror fans in the Bradenton, Florida area must’ve been thrilled when this double feature was released in 1971. Now showing at the Bradenton Village Theatre is Beast of the Yellow Night and Creature with the Blue Hand.

The main attraction was new for ’71 and was produced in the Philippines. Notably it was distributed by New World Pictures, started the year prior by Roger Corman. Creature with the Blue Hand, meanwhile, was originally released in West Germany in 1967 and was based on the 1925 novel The Blue Hand by Edgar Wallace. New World acquired the rights in 1971.

Soft lighting, feathered hair, and a giant automobile that would never fit in your garage. It must be the 1970s! 1977 to be precise, in the form of a dealer postcard for the 1977 Lincoln Continental Town Coupé.

This was one of two full-size Lincolns for the 19777 model year, the other being the fabled Town Car. This particular car was also used in one of the company’s sales brochure, so if I’m not mistaken this gorgeous paint color was called “cinnamon gold moondust.” Outstanding.