Category: retro

Sharkleberry Fin

March 5th, 2014

It takes so little to entertain me. Case in point, I really LOVE that a flavor called “Sharkleberry Fin” exists (or did, anyway). A major drink manufacturer crafted a ludicrous literary pun that invokes strange musings of a mythical sea beast flavored berry. Nice.

I missed this one in the 80’s, as I wasn’t big on Kool Aid. What does a SHARKLEBERRY taste like? Can anyone enlighten me? Don’t say orange-strawberry-banana (the technical flavor aim of the product)…I encourage made up adjectives to describe it.

Apparently, other flavors in the Kool Aid wildlife collection include Rock-A-Dile Red, Purlesaurus Rex, Great Bluedini, Pink Swimmingo and Incrediberry. This is exactly the kind of absurd thing I’d want to try despite the fact that I am a grown woman.

Tell me your stories with crazy flavors!

Source
Hobo Nickels

January 15th, 2014

Hobo Nickels have seen a renewed interest in recent years. In the Great Depression, many hobos worked over nickels, creating folk art. The history goes back earlier, and you can read more here. Today SWS shares the talent of Mr. The Hobo Nickels. What is especially appealing to collectors on a shoestring budget is his affordable plastic replicas, like the three at the bottom.

Source.
Window to the past ~ Budapest Kerényi Zoltán

November 8th, 2013

Posted by proxy on a rough day, while health matters persist. Dana can still see your comments, but cannot reply. Thanks for your continuing presence here!

These images of Budapest are simply wonderful juxtapositions of old and new, (nearly) seamlessly brought to life by Kerényi Zoltán. Marvel at the effort it took to find the same place of the original photos in order to inset the old photos.

Thanks, Everyone, for your continuous support of Dana and her blog!
Halloween Countdown: Desktop Goodies Treat Bag #3

October 31st, 2013

Damn, right in the eye…

Sarcastic ghost is like “Boo…or whatever.”

Watched Poltergeist II the other day (great movie, but the first was awesome), and happened to pause for a break on this comical frame:

Oh, hell yes, haunted kitsch sweater!

Amazing pancakes (check out the one on the lower left…wow!):

The inclusion of something that has eyes does NOT an eyeball make:

Oh, you think your pumpkin is scary? THIS is how they did it in early 20th Century Ireland.

Ah, the 80’s…when movies had their own cheese-tastic rap theme songs. Take Monster Squad for example. What’s your favorite 80’s horror movie?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.
Halloween Countdown: Tales From the Crypt Pinball Machine

October 21st, 2013

I watched (and read) Tales from the Crypt all the time as a kid. But I never saw the pinball machine.

How cool is this?

More pictures and details here.

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.
Halloween Countdown: 80’s Sitcom Treat Bag

October 3rd, 2013

My October tradition involves digging up all manner of nostalgic and/or spooky cartoons, TV shows, movies, etc. (from silent era to present) and watching these goodies every day of the month.

Today I give you a random treat bag of 80’s Halloween sitcom full episodes (Note: I have not watched them all yet, so I cannot say with conviction whether they are “totally tubular” or “grody to the max.”)

You Can’t Do That on Television
The Facts of Life
Mr. Belvedere
Charles in Charge
Newhart
The Cosby Show

Pee Wee Herman on Letterman, 1983
Pee Wee Herman on Letterman, 1984

And here’s a playlist of Roseanne Halloween episodes!

Anyone have links to others?

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.
Halloween Countdown: The Return of Monster Cereals

October 2nd, 2013

I’m sure most have you have heard all five monster cereals are back on shelves this year. This means the return of long-discontinued Frute Brute and Yummy Mummy.

The current boxes:

And the FAR superior retro versions, which have resurfaced as a Target exclusive.

These comparative photos substantiate the point I often make about how digital artistry (though often incredible, and I freely give credit where it is due) can positively suck the soul out of media.

Tell me your cereal experiences! Which boxes did you buy? Taste verdicts?

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.
Seance: The Board Game

July 1st, 2013

Today I give you a rare Milton Bradley treat, manufactured in 1972:

Players bid on dead Uncle Everett’s possessions and the high bidder listens to instructions from their dead Uncle via a record (played on the record player hidden in the deck.) When all the items have been bid on and acquired, the record in the desk in turned over and Uncle Everett tells the players what each of the items is worth or how is due in taxes for the item. The player with the most cash at the end of the game is the winner.

While this game is undeniably awesome, I have trouble conceiving a way for the same person or group of people to play it more than once. After finding out what the items are worth…well…it becomes a dead giveaway (pun intended). Perhaps there is some chance to how the items are acquired or how one gets to bid?

More images here.
Watch Out! Here comes the Boogieman!

June 25th, 2013

Hi everyone. It’s good to pop in and make a post for Dana, but I would much rather see her able to continue without interruption. It is two months since my last assist. Lets hope you don’t have me here long before Dana takes the wheel again.

Posted by proxy from Dana’s “stuff to blog” queue while she is on medical hiatus. She reads and appreciates all comments…and apologizes for not being able to respond at the moment.

Gosh, did I get a swell batch to post on my return! These wonderful “Boogeyman” images from the 1920’s are actually stereoview cards.

From the auction listing, with edits:

1920s BOOGIE MAN child & goblins bedtime DROP CARD series of 15 stereoviews lot. This particular series…would be very unique as halloween costumes & monster movies were just coming to life (at this time). This is pretty bizarre & scary series.

On back of one of the views it is written J-13 “The Goblins will get you if you don’t watch out.” The views also have ink stamps on back from 1923 from a Dept of Public Safety approved for Sunday. Since they came out of an early coin op machine there are machine… wear marks etc. They are almost 7″ x 3 1/2″ in size

These did not sell for the asking $495.00. The source listing won’t be online for long, but you can see more here.
Retro Horror Art: Wandering Women in Nightgowns

June 15th, 2013

If one browses a great deal of retro horror art (as I do), one is bound to stumble upon this common theme: wandering women in nightgowns.

Apparently, many stories exist in which women find compelling reasons to roam the landscape wearing only their lustrous, flowing bedclothes.

So forlorn, uncertain…

And there is ALWAYS a perfect wind.

Feel free to caption any of these, folks.

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.