26 Funny Portraits of Groucho Marx in the 1930s

Julius Henry “Groucho” Marx (/October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) was an American comedian, actor, writer, and singer who performed in films and vaudeville on television, radio, and the stage. He is considered one of America’s greatest comedians.

Groucho started his career in vaudeville in 1905 when he joined up with an act called The Leroy Trio. He answered a newspaper want ad by a man named Robin Leroy who was looking for a boy to join his group as a singer. Marx was hired along with fellow vaudeville actor Johnny Morris. Through this act, Marx got his first taste of life as a vaudeville performer.

In 1909, Groucho and his brothers had become a group act, at first called The Three Nightingales and later The Four Nightingales. The brothers’ mother, Minnie Marx, was the group’s manager, putting them together and booking their shows. The group had a rocky start, performing in less than adequate venues and rarely, if ever, being paid for their performances. Eventually brother Milton (Gummo) left the act to serve in World War I and was replaced by Herbert (Zeppo), and the group became known as the Marx Brothers. Their first successful show was Fun In Hi Skule (1910).

The early 1930s were chaotic for Hollywood due to the Great Depression and the arrival of sound films, but Groucho’s rapid-fire delivery and wit worked perfectly for talking pictures. The move to MGM stabilized the Marx Brothers’ careers, giving them longer-lasting hits.

The Marx Brothers made a major transition from Broadway and early Paramount films into some of their most beloved Hollywood classics. At Paramount, they released Animal Crackers (1930), Monkey Business (1931), and Horse Feathers (1932)—all anarchic, fast-talking comedies with Groucho at the center, delivering razor-sharp one-liners.

In 1933, they made Duck Soup, today considered one of the greatest comedies ever. Groucho played Rufus T. Firefly, the blustering dictator of Freedonia. Though not a box office hit at first, it later became a satire classic.

After Paramount, they signed with MGM, where the films were bigger, glossier, and more story-driven. Groucho starred in A Night at the Opera (1935) and A Day at the Races (1937), which brought the Marx Brothers’ humor to even wider audiences.

By the 1930s, Groucho’s stage and screen image was fully formed: greasepaint mustache, glasses, arched eyebrows, cigar, and nonstop wisecracks. His character was the fast-talking con man, professor, or leader, skewering authority and puncturing pomposity with sharp satire.

Groucho was also navigating his personal life in this period. He was married to Ruth Johnson, with whom he had children, but their marriage grew strained. He was known to be serious and somewhat anxious off-camera, very different from his breezy comic persona.

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The Last Known Photo of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Taken Ten Days Before His Death in 1859

A rare stereoscopic photograph of the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, taken onboard the steamship Great Eastern, on September 5, 1859, the day of the Great Eastern’s maiden voyage. Seconds after the photo was taken Brunel suffered a massive stroke, collapsing on deck. He never regained consciousness, and died ten days later. The photo shows a man almost unrecognizable from his iconic, ruthless image.

Brunel is poised on the SS Great Eastern, leaning heavily on his walking stick for support.

There is a slight puffiness to his face and fingers, and he already looks like a sick man. Indeed, towards midday, he suffered a fit of paralysis and was taken back to his home in Duke Street. This was to be the last photograph of the great engineer.

Voted the second Greatest Briton of all time, after Winston Churchill, Isambard Kingdom Brunel was one of the 19th century engineering giants. His achievements, many of which are still part of our everyday lives and landscape, are a lasting testament to his far-sighted genius.

30 Portraits of Gordon Sumner aka Sting in the 1980s

Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner (born October 2, 1951), known as Sting, is an English singer, songwriter, musician, activist, and actor. He was at the height of fame with The Police, one of the world’s biggest bands. The Police released Zenyatta Mondatta (1980) and Ghost in the Machine (1981), blending reggae, new wave, and pop. By 1983, they hit their peak with Synchronicity, which included “Every Breath You Take,” a global No. 1 hit. Despite their success, tensions grew within the band, and they disbanded in 1984 at the peak of their fame.

After The Police, Sting embarked on a solo career that allowed him to explore diverse musical styles beyond new wave/reggae rock, particularly jazz. He launched his solo career with The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985). He brought in jazz musicians like Branford Marsalis and Kenny Kirkland, creating a more experimental, jazz-infused sound. The album produced hits such as “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” and “Fortress Around Your Heart.” Sting released a live album, Bring on the Night (1986), further highlighting his jazz influences.

His second solo studio album, ...Nothing Like the Sun (1987), solidified his solo star status. Hits included “We’ll Be Together,” “Fragile,” and his English/Spanish/Portuguese versions of “They Dance Alone,” a protest song against political oppression in Chile.

Throughout the decade, Sting also took on several acting roles in films like Brimstone and Treacle (1982), the sci-fi epic Dune (1984), and Plenty (1985).

In the late 1980s, Sting became deeply involved in humanitarian and political causes. He advocated for Amnesty International. He was also co-founded the Rainforest Foundation in 1989 after visiting the Amazon with his wife Trudie Styler.

By the end of the 1980s, Sting had successfully reinvented himself from “rock band frontman” to sophisticated solo artist and global activist, setting the stage for his long career into the 1990s and beyond.

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Glamour & Grace: Wilhela Cushman’s Photos of 1950s Fashion

Wilhela Cushman was a prominent fashion editor and photographer who was best known for her work at Ladies’ Home Journal.

She served as the magazine’s fashion editor for 25 years, starting around the late 1940s and continuing through the early 1950s. Her name often appears alongside well-known fashion designers and photographers of that era, and she even shot many of the fashion features and covers herself, making her quite influential in mid-century American fashion journalism.

Cushman is credited with the famous quote: “Just around the corner in every woman’s mind - is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her.” These photos capture the elegance and refinement of 1950s style, reflecting Wilhela Cushman’s lasting influence on the world of fashion photography.

Model in pretty, floral print, polished cotton dress, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies' Home Journal, May 1954

Ivy Nicholson in lovely stole-dress in flower printed silk surah with wide-brimmed straw hat by Christian Dior-New York, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies' Home Journal, March 1953

Ivy Nicholson in multi-color dragon print silk dress with same print-trimmed cashmere sweater by Clare Potter, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies' Home Journal, January 1953

Ivy Nicholson in straight box-jacket suit in beige striped flannel with straw-cloth cuffs by Alvin Handmacher, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies' Home Journal, January 1953

Model in English tweed suit in taupe beige with a hairline plaid, straight jacket with velvet collar over silk blouse by Digby Morton, hat by Lilly Daché, bag by John Frederics, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies' Home Journal, March 1953

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Colorful Photos That Show Teenage Girls’ Fashion in the 1960s

Teenage girls’ fashion in the 1960s reflected the era’s spirit of change, freedom, and youthful rebellion. The decade broke away from the conservative styles of the 1950s, giving rise to bold trends that highlighted individuality and fun.

In the early 1960s, teenage girls often wore knee-length skirts, cardigan sweaters, and simple dresses inspired by a neat, youthful look. As the decade progressed, fashion became more daring: miniskirts, shift dresses, and bold geometric prints defined the “Mod” style, heavily influenced by London’s fashion scene and icons like Twiggy. Bright colors, vinyl boots, and oversized sunglasses added a playful edge.

Casual wear also grew in popularity, with jeans, turtlenecks, and graphic tops becoming staples of teenage wardrobes. Hairstyles ranged from sleek bobs to voluminous backcombed looks, expressing the diversity of style that the 1960s embraced. These vintage photos capture the playful, stylish, and ever-changing looks that defined a generation of teenage girls in the 1960s.

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Stunning Photos of 19-Year-Old Julie Andrews on Her First Role on Broadway in “The Boy Friend” (1954)

The Boy Friend is a musical by Sandy Wilson. Its original 1953 London production ran for 2,078 performances, briefly making it the third-longest running musical in West End or Broadway history until they were all surpassed by Salad Days. The Boy Friend marked Julie Andrews’ American stage debut.

In 1954, Andrews was only 19 years old and had already been performing in England on stage, radio, and variety shows. She had a remarkable soprano voice, trained for opera, and had been touring with her parents since childhood. When The Boy Friend—a lighthearted spoof of 1920s musicals—was preparing its Broadway run, producer Cy Feuer brought Andrews over from London after being impressed with her performances in the West End.

She was cast as Polly Browne, the sweet ingénue. Though the part was not large, it showcased her natural charm, precise comic timing, and crystalline singing voice. Critics immediately took notice—many reviews singled her out as a newcomer with extraordinary talent.

Andrews later recalled that she had very little experience auditioning, but she was asked to perform in New York to prove herself. She sang an operatic aria and a few light songs, which impressed the team because she could both sing classically and handle the lighter, comedic musical material.

Her Broadway debut in The Boy Friend was so successful that it directly led to her being cast, just a year later, as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (1956), the role that made her an international star.

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Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta and the Bee Gees During the Filming of “Staying Alive,” 1983

In 1983, the film Staying Alive, directed by Sylvester Stallone, became a key part of the continued cultural influence of Saturday Night Fever (1977) and the disco era. The movie, which starred John Travolta as Tony Manero, followed the character’s pursuit of a career in dance, building on the massive success of Saturday Night Fever. The Bee Gees, who were integral to the first film’s soundtrack with hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” returned to provide music for the sequel, cementing their status as one of the most iconic disco groups of all time. The synergy between Travolta and the Bee Gees was a cultural moment that spoke to the height of disco’s dominance in popular music and film.

Staying Alive was released during a time when disco was experiencing a decline in mainstream popularity, but the film and its music helped to keep the spirit of the era alive. The Bee Gees, known for their signature harmonies and disco-infused pop sound, brought their trademark energy to the soundtrack, which was an instant hit. The movie’s production process saw collaborations between some of the biggest names in Hollywood, with Stallone at the helm as director. His involvement was particularly significant, as it marked his transition from acting to directing, a shift that would lead to further success with films like Rocky IV and Rambo: First Blood Part II.

By the early 1980s, John Travolta was already a household name thanks to Saturday Night Fever and Grease. The photo from the Staying Alive set, capturing Travolta with the Bee Gees, reflects a rare and historic moment when two massive cultural forces converged. The Bee Gees’ involvement not only ensured the soundtrack’s success but also symbolized the enduring impact of disco on popular culture. Together, the stars of Staying Alive created a lasting imprint on 1980s cinema, keeping the energy and fashion of the disco era alive for a new generation of audiences.