Walter Cronkite And The Home of The 21st Century [1967]

This 25-minute news piece from 1967 predicts home computers, the mass appeal of microwave cooking, personal robots, and green construction.  The bank of monitors in the den and teletype in the kitchen are quite the indicator that – even in the 1960s – people knew that technology would invade every corner of our homes.

There was nothing like the reporting style of Walter Cronkite, whose news copy read like a celebration of the English language:

“The search for a home nestled in nature often ends in the empty repetition and tasteless sterility of a suburban tract development. Instead of delighting in natural beauty, urban sprawl defiles it.”

Jantzen (and Marshmallow Circus Peanut) Spoken Here [1967]

Scan courtesy of RChappo2002

There’s coordination, and then there’s saturation. This golfer seems to have lost a ball, but found a fan. She likes that every bit of clothing is the color of a circus snack, and that he can hold a putter with the confidence of a king.  His hair is assurance that comb-overs exist even when they aren’t required.

Founded in 1910, Jantzen Sportswear still exists as a division of Perry Ellis.

Barracuda!

By far one of the finer offerings of the late 1960s was the Plymouth Barracuda.

Considered a small car by Sixties standards, the “Cuda was part of what came to be known as “The Pony Car Movement.”  The name was derived from its competitive relationship with the Ford Mustang, but in reality the Barracuda had been on the market before the Mustang was introduced in mid-1964.

The final model hit the street in 1974.

The Barracuda came with 6-cylinder or V8 engines.  Large motors were available in special packages, which made the car meaner and faster.  While Plymouth as a car make is no more, there is talk about the next Chrysler super car to be based on the famous `Cuda name.

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Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Photo courtesy Tom Hardin – 1983

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Photo by Randy von Liski

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The Wide-Track `67 Pontiac

I will freely admit to being a gear head.

In fact, I have a thing for big Sixties full-sized passenger vehicles; my first car was a 1960 Buick LeSabre.  Even my second car was big – a clapped-out `65 Impala.  That said, I would have absolutely no trouble in owning today’s featured vessel: The “Wide-Track” 1967 Pontiac.

Photo courtesy of Rob Hartog

Stylish and huge, the Catalina, Ventura, and Bonneville models all had “stacked headlights” and and bumpers integrated with the lines of the car.  Engine choices were “Huge” and “More Huge.”  Driving one of these was like a dream; with its quintessential American stance and smooth settings on the suspension, they excelled in straight-line driving and road trips – giving up some ability in the corners.

Photo courtesy of Walt Woodruff

Photo courtesy of RaysnCayne

Photo courtesy of Bram Visser

Art Fitzpatrick penned a large number of automotive ads during his successful art career, including many of them for Pontiac.  His jaunty upbeat take on the full-sized GM products of the 1960s is now legendary.  Some of those ads – depicting the `67 Pontiac – are shown below, and others can be seen here.

Artwork by Art Fitzpatrick / Owen Jones & Partners LTD

Artwork by Art Fitzpatrick / Owen Jones & Partners LTD

Artwork by Art Fitzpatrick / Owen Jones & Partners LTD

Artwork by Art Fitzpatrick / Owen Jones & Partners LTD

Artwork by Art Fitzpatrick / Owen Jones & Partners LTD

Artwork by Art Fitzpatrick / Owen Jones & Partners LTD

Beret in The Barrio [1967]

From the camera lens of James Jowers, this photo captures a very urban neighborhood scene in New York City.  The man in the beret is sitting on a `57 Chevrolet, while there is a `59 Chevy across the street.  Jowers shot a series of NYC photos at an important time in US history – the 1960s.  Check out a collection of his work here on Flickr.

Jowers’ pictures and copyrights from this period were donated to The Eastman House in 2007.

Mid-Century Style [1967]

Sunset Books: Ideas for Planning Your New Home

From the Intro:

The house on the cover is a provocative example of what can be done with the use of sky-lights. Glass walls open the house to the out-of-doors and the unusual sky-light system opens the roof over every room. Architect: Jacob Robbins

OCD Picnic Kit [1967]

“So perfect, in muted tones that won’t excite.  Each utensil lined up in predictable neutral-colored routine.  Perfect. Smooth. Unblemished.  The matching beverage containers bring me comfort in their balance, placed identically on each side of the spotless case. Routine. Linear.

Wait…that one spoon is a half-inch off balance from the rest, and the handle is crossing over another.  Breath deep…focus, focus.  Feng Shui, Feng Shui, Feng Shui…tell yourself that all is well.  Balance still exists, and the case is still clean. Clean…clean…You can uncross the spoon and the world won’t end.  Just one little move and all will be right.

Oh no…the handles on the cups aren’t lined up.

I’m starting to itch. Clean…clean…”

A Girl and Her Trike – 1967

The stunning Mrs. BelRedRoad is seen here in the backyard of her Aunt and Uncle’s home in Edmonds WA, with Granddad firing up the grill for some meat.  Looking closely at this Kodachrome slide, probably taken by her Grandmother, one notices the trike isn’t just red. It’s Metallic Dark Red with a good amount of Sixties metalflake in the paint.

Pretty righteous!

Mrs. BelRedRoad can also be seen in the following:

Little Red Car on Kodachrome [1968]

A Girl and Her Bike [1970]

Monkees Lunch Box [1967]

Monkees Lunch Box [1967]

The stunning Mrs. BelRedRoad got a present from her Mom in 1967, and it never went away.

When I married her, she had this at college filled with jewelry.  The Thermos went AWOL years ago, but her Monkees Lunch Box survived 40+ years holding simple contents in a gentle environment.  It’s made of plastic, with a plastic handle, and has a heavy duty metal clasp.  It has endured the years with durable character.

Just like the band itself.

With the passing of Davy Jones recently, the remaining former members of The Monkees have proven themselves to be a great bunch of guys.  As not to cause a huge stir at Jones’ private funeral, the band has chosen not to attend – working instead to remember their vocalist in a separate memorial service.  They have all become accomplished professionals in their own rights.  Mickey Dolenz is a director.  Peter Tork is a songwriter and cancer survivor.  And Peter Nesmith has been a director now for many years; he also embraced the Internet early, and was among the first in entertainment to engage fans early on over the web.

Their show – on for only two years – left a lasting mark on American culture.

So strong, in fact, that it is hard to deny the connections between their show and that of the recent Big Time Rush.  If you’re familiar with The Monkees, watch an episode of BTR and you’ll agree.

Rest In Peace, Davy.  You were a class act.