The 1950s Appreciation Thread - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Sharop · 02-28-2009, 04:55 PM

Since it seems to me like the interesting decade of the 1950s has been getting some criticism, I thought I would start a thread in which people can talk about the good things that came out of that decade.

There was negativity in the 1950s, of course there was, but this is a thread for the positive.

What are some of the things you like about 1950s culture?

I personally like 1950s rock 'n' roll...Elvis, Buddy Holly, etc. I think one of the directors of Back to the Future commented that the 1950s was the decade when the concept of the "teenager" really developed.

You had some great music at that time.

Fleet · 02-28-2009, 05:41 PM

Count me in! I am a big fan of the 1950s.

Everytime I ask a friend or relative who lived through the 1950s if they thought life in general was better then compared to now, they always say "yes."

Check out this website:

http://www.doo-wop.org/

I like some of the comments on the above site:

"Nearly everyone's mom was home when kids got home from school."

"A quarter was a decent allowance."

What I like about the '50s:

The music, of course. Years before disco or rap. There was no Madonna or Michael Jackson on the radio. There was true Rock 'n' Roll, group harmony sounds (like the Platters and Flamingos), old-style ballads by those like Perry Como and Nat King Cole and even a hint of the '40s Big Band sound ("So Rare" by Jimmy Dorsey was a big hit from 1957). And Elvis was at his best.

The cars. For one thing, they were styled by auto stylists, not the government. There was a horsepower race in the '50s. Cars had real metal and no silly plastic bumpers. The interiors were not 90% plastic like they are now. Not all cars looked alive. It was easy to tell a Cadillac from a Chevy.

Television. I like '60s and '70s TV, too, but the '50s also had some great TV. Lots of Westerns for those like me who like Westerns. And drama, police shows, comedy ("I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners" are two examples) and entertainment shows.

The general high morals and values of society. Unwed mothers was frowned upon, not accepted. Same thing with drug use.

The hairstyles. Pompadours and ducktails!

Women wore dresses. And watch an episode of American Bandstand... many of the boys were wearing ties!

Education was actually good.

And as you said, Sharop, the '50s was probably the first decade in which teenagers had a big part of. After all, Rock 'n' Roll was "their" music. It was also when drag racing/street racing became common.

I could go on and on!

Big C · 02-28-2009, 05:50 PM

Hockey had only six teams back then

The Yankees were in eight of ten World Series

Soda fountain shops were all the rage

That is what I remember about the 1950s.

JamesG · 02-28-2009, 05:53 PM

PLAYBOY was launched.

JamesG · 02-28-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleet

The general high morals and values of society. Unwed mothers was frowned upon, not accepted.

In my opinion this was nothing to be proud of for during the 1950s. Thankfully society, for the most part, have moved past this viewpoint today.

Yooch · 02-28-2009, 06:18 PM

As one who grew up in the 50's, it was as great as many people say it was. It was a "golden age" of sorts in this country. There were many imperfections and problems in society, just like today, but it was a prosperous, happy time--I'm not just saying that because I was looking from the perspective of a kid. I could sense it from the adults around me. The country was optimistic, and the people were happy, period. In the entertainment field, the music field, sports, automotive innovations, TV., there was excitement among people. Some of the greatest movies, broadway musicals etc., were produced then. And as far as national security, even though the Soviet Union was at its height, people felt secure in the sense that they felt that no one could beat us at anything, and that we were safe (notwithstanding the bomb shelters some people built.) There was no Al Quaida, fewer crazy people domestically. Eight year old kids could ride public transportation in big cities without being kidnapped or molested. And, although I have no statistics to prove it, I think people were healthier, in spite of the massive cigarette smoking, nightly martinis by our parents, or poor diets (by todays' standards).

I don't want to go back to the past. It's folly, imo, to think we can, but I would like to see the kind of optimistic spirit we saw in the 50's. Today we have more "things", more comforts, infinitely better technology--yet I feel in the 21st century that we are angrier, sadder, more alienated, less healthy and more mentally and psychologically screwed up than at any time in world history. And less safe too. We no longer have the spectre of mutual nuclear annihilation from the Soviets, but we now have a very unstable world, with terrorism rampant and unpredictable and wacky rogue countries that are volatile. Maybe we can't go back to the 50's, but we could learn a lesson from that great time.

PunkyP0WER · 02-28-2009, 06:19 PM

John Payne & Maureen O'Hara started the decade with the last of their 4 movies together (Tripoli - 1950)

And my mom was born in 1950 - the best 2 things that came out of the 50's for me.

sunshinefizzy · 02-28-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yooch

As one who grew up in the 50's, it was as great as many people say it was. It was a "golden age" of sorts in this country. There were many imperfections and problems in society, just like today, but it was a prosperous, happy time--I'm not just saying that because I was looking from the perspective of a kid. I could sense it from the adults around me. The country was optimistic, and the people were happy, period. In the entertainment field, the music field, sports, automotive innovations, TV., there was excitement among people. Some of the greatest movies, broadway musicals etc., were produced then. And as far as national security, even though the Soviet Union was at its height, people felt secure in the sense that they felt that no one could beat us at anything, and that we were safe (notwithstanding the bomb shelters some people built.) There was no Al Quaida, fewer crazy people domestically. Eight year old kids could ride public transportation in big cities without being kidnapped or molested. And, although I have no statistics to prove it, I think people were healthier, in spite of the massive cigarette smoking, nightly martinis by our parents, or poor diets (by todays' standards).

I don't want to go back to the past. It's folly, imo, to think we can, but I would like to see the kind of optimistic spirit we saw in the 50's. Today we have more "things", more comforts, infinitely better technology--yet I feel in the 21st century that we are angrier, sadder, more alienated, less healthy and more mentally and psychologically screwed up than at any time in world history. And less safe too. We no longer have the spectre of mutual nuclear annihilation from the Soviets, but we now have a very unstable world, with terrorism rampant and unpredictable and wacky rogue countries that are volatile. Maybe we can't go back to the 50's, but we could learn a lesson from that great time.

I find it fantastic that you have such fond memories of your childhood like that. I think we will see times like that again. We are just in a rough patch.

Yooch · 02-28-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshinefizzy

I find it fantastic that you have such fond memories of your childhood like that. I think we will see times like that again. We are just in a rough patch.

Your words are encouraging; I think you are right.

lilhave · 02-28-2009, 08:05 PM

The 50's had no internet, and had no cell phones, so the only way to interact was by being with the other person or persons. There was no sitting all day and night punching a keyboard, so the home base was the street with your friends.

Good weather found you leaving your house or apartment and heading for the streets. All guys had a "spaldeen", which was a 15 cent rubber ball. There was no cars in the street so it was ours for playing stoop ball, punch ball, stickball on a bounce, errors, boxball, 3 box baseball, slapball, handball, Chinese handball, errors. If you only had a dime you bought a "pensy pinky" for that amount but nothing equaled a "spaldeen. Of course you also played hit the penny or just had a catch. The girls played "potsy" or skipped rope or bounced a ball while singing a tune.

Night found us playing stickball till it got dark, then hide and seek,johnny on the pony or ring a levio

Bad weather found us on some floor of the apartment house playing Chinese marbles, monoply, Ethan Allen baseball, or the great American pastime of either flipping cards, gliding them off the wall or shooting closest to the wall.

We played marbles, chestnuts and of course the great card games. War, slapjack, fish, old maid, crazy eights and the all time favorite "knucks"

Can count on one hand the number of days spent at home

Wonderful era.

Harvey

Mr. Television · 02-28-2009, 08:10 PM

I love the music and I love the TV Shows of the '50's. I remember in the 70's buying records and listening to tapes from that era. I always thought I should have grown up in the 50's. lol

Fleet · 02-28-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

In my opinion this was nothing to be proud of for during the 1950s. Thankfully society, for the most part, have moved past this viewpoint today.

Nothing to be proud of? Nothing at all? You are obviously biased against the '50s for some reason.
But did you read the title of this thread? This is a thread for the positive aspects of the '50s.

MonarC · 02-28-2009, 10:21 PM

My mom was born in the 50's.

Doodyville10019 · 02-28-2009, 10:55 PM

This is what the 1950s mean to me:

Both my sister AND my brother were born in the '50s. I was born in 1960.

and, my 2 ALL TIME favorite shows were on TV then:

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 02-28-2009, 11:02 PM

I love Lucy. <3

Both of my parents were born in the late 50's.

02-28-2009, 04:55 PM	#1
Sharop Andy Gibb aged 12 Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 03, 2004 Location: Courthouse Square, Hill Valley, beside the clocktower, 10:04 p.m., November 12th 1955 Posts: 3,912	The 1950s Appreciation Thread Since it seems to me like the interesting decade of the 1950s has been getting some criticism, I thought I would start a thread in which people can talk about the good things that came out of that decade. There was negativity in the 1950s, of course there was, but this is a thread for the positive. What are some of the things you like about 1950s culture? I personally like 1950s rock 'n' roll...Elvis, Buddy Holly, etc. I think one of the directors of Back to the Future commented that the 1950s was the decade when the concept of the "teenager" really developed. You had some great music at that time.
	__________________ http://rainbowlight.proboards102.com My new astral projection forums Doc: Don't worry! As long as you hit that wire with the connecting hook at precisely 88 miles per hour, the instant the lightning strikes the tower, everything will be fine!

02-28-2009, 05:41 PM	#2
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	Count me in! I am a big fan of the 1950s. Everytime I ask a friend or relative who lived through the 1950s if they thought life in general was better then compared to now, they always say "yes." Check out this website: http://www.doo-wop.org/ I like some of the comments on the above site: "Nearly everyone's mom was home when kids got home from school." "A quarter was a decent allowance." What I like about the '50s: The music, of course. Years before disco or rap. There was no Madonna or Michael Jackson on the radio. There was true Rock 'n' Roll, group harmony sounds (like the Platters and Flamingos), old-style ballads by those like Perry Como and Nat King Cole and even a hint of the '40s Big Band sound ("So Rare" by Jimmy Dorsey was a big hit from 1957). And Elvis was at his best. The cars. For one thing, they were styled by auto stylists, not the government. There was a horsepower race in the '50s. Cars had real metal and no silly plastic bumpers. The interiors were not 90% plastic like they are now. Not all cars looked alive. It was easy to tell a Cadillac from a Chevy. Television. I like '60s and '70s TV, too, but the '50s also had some great TV. Lots of Westerns for those like me who like Westerns. And drama, police shows, comedy ("I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners" are two examples) and entertainment shows. The general high morals and values of society. Unwed mothers was frowned upon, not accepted. Same thing with drug use. The hairstyles. Pompadours and ducktails! Women wore dresses. And watch an episode of American Bandstand... many of the boys were wearing ties! Education was actually good. And as you said, Sharop, the '50s was probably the first decade in which teenagers had a big part of. After all, Rock 'n' Roll was "their" music. It was also when drag racing/street racing became common. I could go on and on!
	__________________ 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine.

02-28-2009, 06:18 PM	#6
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	As one who grew up in the 50's, it was as great as many people say it was. It was a "golden age" of sorts in this country. There were many imperfections and problems in society, just like today, but it was a prosperous, happy time--I'm not just saying that because I was looking from the perspective of a kid. I could sense it from the adults around me. The country was optimistic, and the people were happy, period. In the entertainment field, the music field, sports, automotive innovations, TV., there was excitement among people. Some of the greatest movies, broadway musicals etc., were produced then. And as far as national security, even though the Soviet Union was at its height, people felt secure in the sense that they felt that no one could beat us at anything, and that we were safe (notwithstanding the bomb shelters some people built.) There was no Al Quaida, fewer crazy people domestically. Eight year old kids could ride public transportation in big cities without being kidnapped or molested. And, although I have no statistics to prove it, I think people were healthier, in spite of the massive cigarette smoking, nightly martinis by our parents, or poor diets (by todays' standards). I don't want to go back to the past. It's folly, imo, to think we can, but I would like to see the kind of optimistic spirit we saw in the 50's. Today we have more "things", more comforts, infinitely better technology--yet I feel in the 21st century that we are angrier, sadder, more alienated, less healthy and more mentally and psychologically screwed up than at any time in world history. And less safe too. We no longer have the spectre of mutual nuclear annihilation from the Soviets, but we now have a very unstable world, with terrorism rampant and unpredictable and wacky rogue countries that are volatile. Maybe we can't go back to the 50's, but we could learn a lesson from that great time.
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971

02-28-2009, 06:19 PM	#7
PunkyP0WER Member Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2008 Location: MACY*S on 34th St. Posts: 1,908	John Payne & Maureen O'Hara started the decade with the last of their 4 movies together (Tripoli - 1950) And my mom was born in 1950 - the best 2 things that came out of the 50's for me. Attached Images
	__________________ Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to. - Fred Gailey & Doris Walker It was the movie that no one thought would be a hit It was the sleeper a studio had no idea how to sell And its success was even more miraculous because this Christmas present was opened in June! Fred & Doris Gailey FOREVER! That's the magic of *macys**

02-28-2009, 08:05 PM	#10
lilhave Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 03, 2004 Location: N.Y.C. Posts: 2,294	The 50's had no internet, and had no cell phones, so the only way to interact was by being with the other person or persons. There was no sitting all day and night punching a keyboard, so the home base was the street with your friends. Good weather found you leaving your house or apartment and heading for the streets. All guys had a "spaldeen", which was a 15 cent rubber ball. There was no cars in the street so it was ours for playing stoop ball, punch ball, stickball on a bounce, errors, boxball, 3 box baseball, slapball, handball, Chinese handball, errors. If you only had a dime you bought a "pensy pinky" for that amount but nothing equaled a "spaldeen. Of course you also played hit the penny or just had a catch. The girls played "potsy" or skipped rope or bounced a ball while singing a tune. Night found us playing stickball till it got dark, then hide and seek,johnny on the pony or ring a levio Bad weather found us on some floor of the apartment house playing Chinese marbles, monoply, Ethan Allen baseball, or the great American pastime of either flipping cards, gliding them off the wall or shooting closest to the wall. We played marbles, chestnuts and of course the great card games. War, slapjack, fish, old maid, crazy eights and the all time favorite "knucks" Can count on one hand the number of days spent at home Wonderful era. Harvey
	__________________ My List http://www.freewebs.com/lilhave/index.htm

02-28-2009, 05:50 PM	#3
Big C I Heart Angie Watson Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2006 Posts: 3,531	Hockey had only six teams back then The Yankees were in eight of ten World Series Soda fountain shops were all the rage That is what I remember about the 1950s.

02-28-2009, 05:53 PM	#4
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,049	PLAYBOY was launched.

02-28-2009, 08:10 PM	#11
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,129	I love the music and I love the TV Shows of the '50's. I remember in the 70's buying records and listening to tapes from that era. I always thought I should have grown up in the 50's. lol
	__________________ Sonny

02-28-2009, 10:21 PM	#13
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	My mom was born in the 50's.

02-28-2009, 10:55 PM	#14
Doodyville10019 Meet my new friend Sparkie! Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 08, 2008 Location: Competition Square, located in Doodyville Park Posts: 877	This is what the 1950s mean to me: Both my sister AND my brother were born in the '50s. I was born in 1960. and, my 2 ALL TIME favorite shows were on TV then: Attached Images
	__________________ Hi! Hey! Hello again, here we go again! Last edited by Doodyville10019; 03-01-2009 at 12:24 AM.

02-28-2009, 11:02 PM	#15
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	I love Lucy. <3 Both of my parents were born in the late 50's.
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.