1939 Guide to Being a Lady in Manhattan

[Miss Moonlight]

I wasn't sure if I should post this here in the Powder Room or the Observation Bar... it has some lovely pictures. Perhaps a Bartender can move it if it should be over there.


You may be pretty in your home town, but this is New York': Hilarious 1939 guide to being a young lady in Manhattan

 

[HepKitty]

the photos are gorgeous. I think it could go in the Observation Bar as well, I'm sure the gentlemen would appreciate it

 

[lolly_loisides]

Thanks for sharing!

Is it just me or does Patricia Prochnik look a little like Drew Barrymore?

 

[Marla]

"If you can make it in Manhattan, you can make it anywhere."

If you've made it in Manhattan, where else is there to make it?

 

[Deco-Doll-1928]

"PROPER BEHAVIOUR

According to the 1939 book New York: Behind the Scenes, a young lady should:

Not talk to strangers

Not enter parks at night

Avoid confrontation on subways

Forget becoming an actor or model

Return home as soon as possible"

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Sounds like good advice to me.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Every time I've been to NY I've strictly followed that advice.

 

[C-dot]

That's good advice for Toronto too. lol

Reminds me of Kitty Foyle! I love things like this.

 

[I Adore Film Noir]

"Unless you have a pan that would stop a clock you'll certainly get an invitation to have a drink', he wrote."
Hilarious!

 

[LizzieMaine]

One thing I'm surprised not to see mentioned is that there were several fine, affordable hotels in New York for women only -- intended specifically for single gals in the city on business, or those who had just arrived and were looking for a safe place to live while they got settled. The Martha Washington, on East 30th Street, was the most famous of these -- in 1939 the rooms were around $3.50 a night, which would have been very helpful for the young lady on a budget. And no worries about sleazy operators trying to put the moves on over dinner.

 

[C-dot]

The Martha Washington, on East 30th Street, was the most famous of these -- in 1939 the rooms were around $3.50 a night, which would have been very helpful for the young lady on a budget. And no worries about sleazy operators trying to put the moves on over dinner.

And no gentleman allowed upstairs after 6.00pm!

 

[Puzzicato]

One thing I'm surprised not to see mentioned is that there were several fine, affordable hotels in New York for women only -- intended specifically for single gals in the city on business, or those who had just arrived and were looking for a safe place to live while they got settled. The Martha Washington, on East 30th Street, was the most famous of these -- in 1939 the rooms were around $3.50 a night, which would have been very helpful for the young lady on a budget. And no worries about sleazy operators trying to put the moves on over dinner.

And the Barbizon, on East 63rd (although from the sounds of it, the Barbizon was a lot more expensive!)

 

[dhermann1]

Please, ladies, share this with the rest of the folks, maybe at the Golden Era thread. It's too good to keep to yourselves.