"Mad Men" on AMC (US) - (Spoilers Within)

[Senator Jack]

I don't have AMC, so I just watched the clips on the website.

Here's the classic 50s (1953) tie on Peck - probably 2.5" to 2.75" width.

Here's Jack Lemmon in The Apartment, shot in 1959/1960

(For some reason, these pics aren't coming up)

Certainly, there's going to be crossover in every era, so in 1960 older gentlemen would have their ties from a decade before, while the younger men, entering the workforce, would probably be wearing the narrow tie. My thought is that the ties aren't too wide, but they're too boring. Mostly stripes. No geometric shapes or chessmen that were popular in the era.

I have more of a problem with the speech, language, and mannerisms. Do any of those guys talk like any grown man you knew when you were a kid? They certainly don't sound like the New York executives I remember. In the late 80s, I worked at a New York agency, and all the executives were left over from the 60s. Most of them spat when they talked.

Regards,


Senator Jack

 

[BegintheBeguine]

A boyfriend I hadn't seen in a month told me last night I would love this show for the clothes. I don't have cable, though, but after reading this thread I'll look at the website, at least.

 

[Sylvester D]

Yes, 1960s style really sucked big time.

1965 is when fasion went crazy.

however, in the workplace, or at least in the corporate world, men still wore conservative suits until the early '90s.

As a lawyer, I still wear a suit everyday to worl, but i see men wearing stuff I wouldn't wear to a corner bar now

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

As recently as 2004, a very prominent bank in Chile's capital had an "unspoken" rule: every floor of its corporate headquarters had to have at least two naturally blonde young secretaries. This, in a country where nearly everyone has dark hair and eyes. Oh, and resumes must be accompanied by a photo of your face -- no matter what kind of work you're applying for. Unattractive or overweight receptionists don't tend to get hired.

.

I noticed the same thing in Argentina. It is especially noticable after spending a lot of time on Aerolineas Argentinas, and then taking a flight on an American airline. I think Aerolineas has a height/weight and a headshot requirement, and at the airport you always see a group of young, thin stewardesses smoking their cigs while waiting for their car.

 

[Nick Charles]

I'm really liking the show. I'm mainly mid 40-50's but this is the best new show on TV next to Burn Notice. These guys are really screwed up and I like it. The last episode when the kid came in with the drycleaning bag on her head and the mom said the clothes better not be on the floor, that was classic. Forget about the bag on her head. Great stuff

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I noticed the same thing in Argentina. ... I think Aerolineas has a height/weight and a headshot requirement, and at the airport you always see a group of young, thin stewardesses smoking their cigs while waiting for their car.

Chile's national airline, LAN, has very specific (and exacting) height, weight, age and 'attractiveness' requirements for its female flight attendants. The company is very open about this policy.


And have you ever seen the stewardesses of Singapore Airlines? Oh, my!

.

 

[RedHotRidinHood]

I'm really liking the show. I'm mainly mid 40-50's but this is the best new show on TV next to Burn Notice. These guys are really screwed up and I like it. The last episode when the kid came in with the drycleaning bag on her head and the mom said the clothes better not be on the floor, that was classic. Forget about the bag on her head. Great stuff

Louis and I laughed so hard at that. And then the neighbor lady stands up with her cigarette...and she's prego....I am loving this show because it doesn't seem to be pulling any punches yet. We'll see if they can keep it up. I feel for Betty, though....you know they are just going to put her on Valium and she'll be doped up and think she's happy. Don is a weird combo of jerk and sweetheart. I love Joan!!

 

[Fletch]

I have more of a problem with the speech, language, and mannerisms. Do any of those guys talk like any grown man you knew when you were a kid?

Hell, no! You nailed it - not just the callow, lackluster delivery of the men (who come off like dull boys), but the dead, stale feeling in every scene.

The characters are flat and two dimensional, and the actors play them that way, with long stifling silences between lines - as if all anyone did in 1960 was repress their feelings like a lot of drawing room Edwardians.

 

[gobler]

Mad Men

There is a new series called Mad Men. While not strictly golden era it is set in 1960. The look of the show is pretty accurate and the social demeanor is spot on. What's interesting is that it's right before the Nixon/Kennedy election so the men still wear hats; not indoor of course.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[Rooster]

as if all anyone did in 1960 was repress their feelings like a lot of drawing room Edwardians.

Hey, they're guys, guys don't have feelings.lol

 

[BegintheBeguine]

Then I'm definitely going to have to see this show somehow. Feelings are overrated. My 29-year-old husband stationed in Iraq constantly wants to talk about feelings. We get along much better when we don't discuss such silly things.

 

[Fletch]

Geez, if you can't count on the military to reinforce traditional masculine character traits, who can you count on?

 

[gobler]

Well I "thought" I did a search for this...sorry for the double topic MK. Some may think this is a tad "thick" in portals but keep in mind, it is set in Manhattan at one of the best add agencies during 1960. Yes sexism was that blatant and male/female roles were that divided. This was also the beginning of the end for great America. Attitudes changed in just a few years due to the Cuban Missal Crises and the Kennedy assassination. By 1965 the boomers started growing up and "fighting the establishment", sorry a little fftopic: ..Back to our regularly scheduled broadcast.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[panamag8or]

I just caught it last night, so I need to catch up on the first two episodes. I like it so far, but then again, my favorite era is the post-war through Kennedy years.

 

[Mid-fogey]

Mad Men on AMC

Anybody watching it? Your thoughts? Like it? Hate it? Any thing in particular strike you as interesting?

 

[Mid-fogey]

Sorry...

...should have posted in moving pictures...and there is one already.

Duh.

 

[Rooster]

I can never figure out when it's on.

 

[Starius]

I actually made the very first post on Mad Men but everyone started posting in a newer thread instead.

But, I'm not bitter or 'nuthin.

*shuffles away, grumbling & kicking a stone as he leaves*

 

[panamag8or]

Gaah! I missed it! I do like the show... it captures all aspects of the era quite well, I think.

 

[Vintage lover]

The styles really catch my eye. I like how they attempt to get the show accurate to the era, right down to the hair oil.