The King's Speech: A Review

The King's Speech, a BBC production, is a film so splendidly done that I watched it three times in three days. I shan't give away details in the event you haven't seen it, but it can be rented from Netflix; you may sign up for a free month's trial, order the movie, and watch it at your leisure.

Set in the late 1930s and into the early 1940s, the wardrobe of each actor/actress was created for the time period. (And I simply adored Her Highness' blue hat in one scene!) Pacing was methodical, but perfect for the theme and storyline. Scenes flowed and offered their punches at the right moments.

Each actor and actress played their part(s) beautifully. It 'tis a film that will inspire, enlighten, and satisfy. Bravo! I should say the Queen of England would be proud of this film.

That's all I shall say. :)    .......... ooh, and Lizzie and Darcy meet in the most delightful way!

WW2 American Home Front

Retro 40s girl metal sign --  This is meant to be a joke -- on me!! I am working at it, though!!

It has been such fun to be able to find vintage WW2 items at auctions, ebay, thrift stores (although that is very rare), and other odd places. Here is a meager collection I wanted to show you. Please enjoy!

 A 1940s WW2 ladies hankie. Very Navy.
Perhaps her man gave it to her as a souvenir.
I tried to capture the details.

(It's not in the right photo frame - because it is made of silk, I needed to get in behind glass pretty quickly after being stored for so long. Still looking for the right frame!)

Vintage bits of 40s - 50s fabrics. Very darling, and may have been what ladies sewed with on the meager make-do-with-what-you-have home front.

A vintage thermometer for when the kiddies became sick and the town doctor had to be summoned. 

WW2 desk accessories: stapler, paper clip, V-Mail Reader magnifying glass, and desk organizer for holding letter-writing supplies - fascinating! (There are still some 40s supplies in the little compartments.)

 1940s WW2 letters and V-Mail from a soldier to his parents.

Those V-Mails are so tiny - no wonder families needed a magnifying glass!

1940s radio. Evening times were spent listening to the radio. Fibber McGee & Molly, The Shadow, Amos n Andy, among many others. (I apologize for the dust on this one! The corners are hard to maintain!)

Household Operations in WW2

During WW2, households functioned much differently than they do today. Rationing altered many lives but the women knew how to save and make do with what they had. There were many posters encouraging - "Use it Up, Wear it Out, Waste Not" - everyone to save and reuse everything. It's a wonder we can find our loved vintage items today!

What most people do not know about this business of rationing is that when Pearl Harbor was bombed, our military was not ready to go into a war zone; they did not have enough necessary equipment because their ships had been bombed and becuase their air force operations were fairly new, war considering. It was then that Americans banded together and war plants erected almost over night in major cities -- making airplanes, grenades, clothing for our soldiers, parachutes, etc. Now whether this is true or not, to me it makes sense. Why else would the government ration goods and foodstuffs? This was good, though, for the American people because never in history has there been such unity, such loyalty to one's country, such awe and respect for servicemen. (Thank you to all of our servicemen and women - and family members - who sacrificed and are sacrificing to keep our American freedom.)

Good Housekeeping and Betty Crocker (among others) kept women informed on the best ways to stretch food items, and to make every morsel account for something. These recipe books are designed nicely, and help the 1940s lady to prepare well-rounded meals for their family, school lunches for the kids, and even light snacks at night. I have yet to try a recipe, but I will soon!

Do any of you have a special (or hated :0 ) memory from family members or even a personal story of the growing up times during WW2? Being an avid researcher particularly of WW2 America on the home front, I would relish your story! All and any information will greatly help and enhance my WW2 mid-western home front trilogy that I have been writing for the past 12  years. Thanks for stopping by!!

WW2 in Pictures

From my Wall Collection (I told you I had a wall dedicated to vintage photos!) -- an unknown soldier; a July 1943 field training manual that is in pretty good condition considering where it had traveled; a Jumbo postcard from the VA in Michigan, to Mr. and Mrs. McFarland from son. Son was convalescing and writes that he "still has to keep his leg in an oven." 

 From the 1950s - a navy fleet - the name is on the back of the photo, but I can't recall it now.

 My best collection of WW2 related items: two postage stamps, a 1910s ring; a 1920s pin pack awarded for excellent penmanship; a tiny Red Cross pin; a Service pin (not sure if this was worn by family members who had men serving); several Junior Red Cross collar clips; an unusual "I Gave War Chest 1944" clip; two V for Victory metal buttons; fascinating Aviator's wings; a perfect 1941 American flag brooch (my latest treasure!); and there is a 1930s wrestling ticket.

WW2 Red Cross bandages and a large cloth with a cloth Red Cross emblem. I don't know what the large cloth is for. It's hemmed on all sides. The most unusual piece I have found yet!

What do you treasure? I'd be interested to know!

1940s Photo Collection

 A theme of mine: vintage photos in wood and/or gold frames. One part of my wall is dedicated to vintage photographs, letters, and postcards. This sweet photo of three sisters or friends found its way to my collection through a large lot of photos I bought at a garage sale a few summers ago. I couldn't let this photo go anywhere else but my wall! The nostalgic era-bygone, this is so 1940s!! Look at the poufy hairstyles and the lovely outfits. They look as if they're having a grand time.

The second photo is a collection from my grandfather and his family and some friends. My grandfather served in the U.S. Navy in Japan and California during 1948-1950s. He is seen on the left driving a fancy car through California streets (oval frame); among others: my great-great grandmother in the black hat (small frame); a bomb testing site (far right); and the others are random photos of family and friends.

Do you have any old photos you decorate with? I'd love to hear about them!