The King of the Cowboys: 30 Portraits of a Young Roy Rogers in the 1930s and 1940s

Roy Rogers (born Leonard Franklin Slye; November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998) was an American singer, actor, television host, and rodeo performer. In the early 1930s, he helped form The Sons of the Pioneers, a Western singing group that became famous for songs like “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” (1934) and “Cool Water”. His warm voice and easy charm caught Hollywood’s attention, and he signed with Republic Pictures in 1937. Rogers’ first starring role came in Under Western Stars (1938), where his clean-cut, heroic cowboy persona debuted — a sharp contrast to the grittier cowboys of earlier Westerns.

By the early 1940s, Roy Rogers was billed as the “King of the Cowboys.” He starred in dozens of popular Westerns each year, including The Carson City Kid (1940), Young Bill Hickok (1940), Sunset on the Desert (1942), and The Bells of San Angelo (1947). His movies combined music, action, and moral lessons, often showing Rogers as a singing cowboy who stood for justice and kindness. He became known for his signature look — a white Stetson hat, fancy embroidered shirts, and a silver-handled revolver. His horse Trigger became almost as famous as he was, often billed as “the smartest horse in the movies.”

Rogers’ wholesome image made him a role model for American families during and after World War II. He met Dale Evans in 1944 while filming The Cowboy and the Senorita, she became his on-screen partner and later his wife. Together they became the ultimate Western couple. His success in the 1940s set the stage for a massive career in radio, television, and merchandising in the 1950s.

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The 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair: A Vision of Tomorrow

Held in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens, the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair was a dazzling showcase of innovation, optimism, and modern design. It welcomed more than 50 million visitors from around the world to explore a vision of the “World of Tomorrow.”

The fair embodied the excitement of an era looking toward the Space Age — where technology, culture, and imagination merged to shape a bright new vision of the future. From the Unisphere to the pavilions of major corporations and nations, every corner celebrated the promise of progress.

These vintage Kodachrome slides, taken by John Joseph Dallinger (Albury, NSW, Australia), capture the spirit of that time — a world on the brink of transformation, filled with wonder, color, and hope for the future.

Coca Cola, 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair

Belgian Village, 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair

Africa Pavilion - Tom John, 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair

Astral Fountain, 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair

Astral Fountain, 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair

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Rare Photos of a Very Young Vivien Leigh in the 1920s and Early 1930s

Vivien Leigh was born Vivian Mary Hartley on November 5, 1913, in Darjeeling, British India. Her father was a British stockbroker and officer, and her mother instilled in her an early appreciation for literature and the arts.

Vivien spent her early childhood in India, surrounded by luxury and servants, an upbringing typical of British colonial families. At age six, she was sent to a convent school in England (the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Roehampton), the same school later attended by Maureen O’Sullivan. This move to England began her lifelong fascination with European culture and classical theatre.

As a teenager, Vivien was well-read, fluent in French and Italian, and took part in school plays. Her refined beauty and intelligence were already noticeable; she was known for her green eyes and delicate features even at a young age. Her first notable acting experience came when she appeared in a school play, and she reportedly told a friend, “Someday I’ll be famous.”

After finishing school, Vivien studied at several European institutions, including time in Italy, Germany, and France, perfecting her languages and cultural knowledge. In 1931, she returned to London and briefly attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). She also met Herbert Leigh Holman, a barrister 13 years her senior, and married him in December 1932, at the age of 19. She shortened her RADA studies, and used his middle name, Leigh, as part of her professional stage name, Vivien Leigh.

Despite her husband’s initial disapproval of “theatrical people,” Vivien was determined to act. She secured a film debut in the minor role of “The Girl Who Sticks Her Tongue Out” in the film Things Are Looking Up (1934), followed by other uncredited or bit parts in short-lived British “quota quickies.”

By the end of 1934, she was a married mother with a burning ambition and a few minor film appearances, poised for the “Fame in a Night” success she would achieve on the London stage in 1935 with the play The Mask of Virtue, which truly launched her career.

Charming Portraits of 1960s Beauties by Philippe Le Tellier

Philippe Le Tellier (1930–2011) was a prominent French photojournalist known for his extensive work with major press agencies and the influential magazine, Paris Match.

Specializing in celebrity portraits and icons in black and white, Le Tellier captured many of the biggest names in cinema, music, and royalty from the 1950s through the 1970s. His notable subjects include figures like The Beatles, Romy Schneider (especially on the set of La Piscine), Catherine Deneuve, and director François Truffaut.

His images offer a classic, intimate, and often compelling look at the cultural and cinematic landscape of his era. These captivating portraits reflect the elegance, allure, and timeless charm of the women who defined the spirit of the 1960s — all beautifully captured through Philippe Le Tellier’s discerning lens.

Juliette Gréco at Deauville, photo by Philippe Le Tellier, 1963

Jane Fonda at home in Fontaine-Richard, France, photo by Philippe Le Tellier, October 1964

Chantal Goya  on the set 'Masculin Feminin' by Jean-Luc Godard, photo by Philippe Le Tellier (Paris Match), November, 23, 1965

Chantal Goya photographed by Philippe Le Tellier (Paris Match), Paris, France, November 1965.

Chantal Goya photographed by Philippe Le Tellier (Paris Match), Paris, France, November 1965

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Former Soldiers Study Cake Decorating at a Vocational School in Puerto Rico, April 1951

When these Puerto Rican soldiers left the U.S. military, they were encouraged to enter technical schools to learn new skills. In this photograph in 1951, a group of men gather around a pastry chef to learn how to decorate a cake.

(Photograph by Justin Locke, National Geographic)

For centuries, Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony. However, after the Spanish-American War in 1898, Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain to the United States and became a U.S. territory. In March 1917, all Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship. Despite this, Puerto Ricans were not given the right to vote in U.S. elections.

Since Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory, Puerto Ricans have served in the U.S. Army.

During World War I, about 20,000 Puerto Ricans served. In World War II, approximately 60,000 Puerto Ricans fought in Asia and Europe. During the Korean War, about 61,000 Puerto Ricans served in the U.S. Army.

Lisa Gaye: The Graceful Starlet of 1950s Hollywood

Lisa Gaye (1935–2016) was an American actress, dancer, and singer whose radiant charm and versatility made her a familiar face in 1950s and 1960s film and television. Born Leslie Gaye Griffin in Denver, Colorado, she began performing at a young age and soon became known for her graceful presence, expressive eyes, and effortless glamour.

Gaye appeared in a wide range of productions, from Technicolor musicals to television dramas and westerns. She starred in films such as Rock Around the Clock (1956), Shake, Rattle & Rock! (1956), and Drums Across the River (1954), often embodying the vivacious energy and optimism of postwar Hollywood. On television, she was a frequent guest star on popular series including Perry Mason, 77 Sunset Strip, and Have Gun – Will Travel.

Though never a headline star, Gaye’s blend of beauty, poise, and charisma made her a beloved presence on screen. Her career reflects the golden glow of mid-century Hollywood — a time when talent and charm came together to define an era of timeless entertainment. These vintage portraits capture the charm, elegance, and radiant spirit of Lisa Gaye — a true embodiment of 1950s Hollywood glamour.

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16 Rare Polaroids Taken During the Filming of “Top Gun” (1986)

Top Gun is a 1986 American action drama film directed by Tony Scott and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, with distribution by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay was written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr., and was inspired by an article titled “Top Guns,” written by Ehud Yonay and published in California magazine three years earlier. It stars Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a young naval aviator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. He and his radar intercept officer, Lieutenant (junior grade) Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), are given the chance to train at the United States Navy’s Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer and Tom Skerritt also appear in supporting roles.

Scott insisted on using real F-14 Tomcat fighter jets and filming on location, primarily on the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier and at the Naval Air Station Miramar (the real TOPGUN school). The production paid the Navy a substantial amount—reports suggest up to $7,600 to $10,000 per hour—for the use of the planes, ships, and personnel.

In one famous anecdote, Scott was filming a spectacular take-off/landing sequence on the carrier when the ship changed course, ruining the lighting. When he asked the captain to return, he was told it would cost $25,000 to change course and continue filming for five minutes. Scott reportedly wrote a personal check on the spot to get the shot.

Tom Cruise and other actors were flown in real F-14s to capture their reactions, though much of the initial footage was unusable due to the actors getting sick from the intense G-forces. Anthony Edwards (Goose) was rumored to be the only actor who didn’t throw up. The real Navy pilot who flew the jet for the famous scene where Maverick flips off the enemy pilot was future NASA astronaut Scott Altman.

Cruise initially turned down the role of Maverick. Jerry Bruckheimer and Simpson arranged for him to take a ride with the Blue Angels (the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron), and the experience convinced him to join the film. Val Kilmer, who played Iceman, was reportedly forced into the role due to a contractual obligation with the studio and was not initially enthusiastic about the project. Kilmer and Cruise’s on-screen rivalry was partially fueled by Kilmer’s use of method acting. He purposefully kept his distance from Cruise to make their animosity feel more authentic.

The U.S. Navy heavily influenced the script. They insisted on changes like moving the opening dogfight from Cuba to international waters, toning down the pilots’ language, and changing the cause of Goose’s death from a mid-air collision (which the Navy didn’t approve) to a more realistic (though still tragic) accident from ejecting.

The film is dedicated to stunt pilot Art Scholl. During filming of a flat spin maneuver for the film, he lost control of his Pitts S-2 camera plane and crashed into the Pacific Ocean. His body and the plane were never recovered.

When Top Gun was released on May 16, 1986, although its visual effects and soundtrack were universally acclaimed, the film initially received mixed reviews from film critics. Despite this, four weeks after its release, the number of theaters showing it increased by 45 percent, and it overcame initial critical resistance to become a huge commercial hit, grossing $357.4 million dollars globally against a production budget of $15 million. Top Gun was the highest-grossing domestic film of 1986, as well as the highest-grossing film of 1986 worldwide.

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