The Era -- Day By Day

[LizzieMaine]

And the Daily News remembers the 1930s in a rather spectacular layout.

Whoa. Didn't see that coming.

Is it terrible that I actually laughed out loud at this?

The Sunday "Harold Teen" page doesn't follow the continuity of the dailies at all, but this kind of works if you imagine Harold, huddled cold and alone in the meat locker at Mengel's Market, bitterly remembering happier times when nobody'd heard of Truck McClusky and life was much, much simpler. "Heppy 1940" indeed.

 

[Fading Fast]

...A new radio network formed by Elliot Roosevelt, son of the President, will not debut on New Year's Day as planned. The Transcontinental Broadcasting System's premiere broadcast has been pushed ahead to February 1st, following what Mr. Roosevelt describes as "the failure of an advertising agency to meet its commitments." A TBS official states that the Blackett-Sample-Hummert agency had agreed to contract for fifteen hours of evening time on behalf of Sterling Drug Company and the American Home Products Company, but has breached that agreement. That statement also declares that rumors the new network is encountering financial difficulties are untrue.....

Once in a rare while, when a company pro-actively states that it's not having financial difficulties, it is true, but the majority of the time, it is one of the biggest red flags of financial troubles one could wave. I'd be concerned if I was an investor in TBS.

...
The essence of 1939.....

Methinks this became the picture of the year not because of the dance itself.

...The worst possible husband? A bandleader, according to sociologists at San Francisco State College. A survey conducted by the school determined that leaders of dance orchestras average 10 changes of residence per year, and offer no chance of financial security. "Their working conditions preclude, quite largely, the achievement of family, home, or friends outside the occupation as roots for a stable existence." (Artie Shaw, please copy.)....

Of course, they didn't know what we knew having not seen 1954's "The Glen Miller Story"

...
While Dan fiddles around in his lab, he little realizes the trail will lead him to a sinister alien shapeshifter posing as a cheap crook named "Snooker." For your sake, Detective, I hope this fearful horror is susceptible to ultraviolet radiation....

To repeat, this is the least cost-efficient policing effort ever if Dan is doing this all to find one car and not to break the entire ring.

 

[Fading Fast]

...

Whoa. Didn't see that coming.....

Seriously - not expected.

... Is it terrible that I actually laughed out loud at this?...

Not at all, that joke was really set up well.

Again, why has someone (like her father) not shot Cheery yet?

I'm liking Terry and the Pirates more and more each day.

 

[David Conwill]

John P. Pfalzgraf remembers the old days in the 10th Ward when people actually came calling on holidays instead of just sending greeting cards.

Boy would he be horrified by mass "Merry Christmas" text messages!

 

[LizzieMaine]

The Eagle doesn't publish on New Year's Day -- no doubt Mr. Schroth is sleeping in after tying on a good one last night at the Bossert -- but we do have the Brooklyn edition of the Daily News. So -- Happy 1940!

A million merrymakers, and one must asssume, at least 25,000 pickpockets.

Good to see H&H advertising its FAMOUS TURKEY DINNER above the Automat there -- I imagine a lot of nickels got spent overnight. And the Mayflower Donut Shop is perhaps my favorite Times Square attraction in 1940 -- you stand at the front window there, and you can see the donuts actually being fried right in front of you, in kind of a little moving stream of hot fat with the little round delicacies bobbing up and down in it. Now that's entertainment.

Note that the Trylon and Perisphere seem to have made the trip in from Flushing to partake of the festivities. No, actually, that's just the Times Square information kiosk, which has received a full Grover Whalen Makeover over the run of the Fair.

We saw the story about the Finns "blotting out" a Red division in the Eagle yesterday, and the News hasn't much to add to it.

I don't think I could cut it as a reporter for the News, but oh how I'd like a shot at writing their headlines. I didn't know that Eve Arden was mixed up with the egregious Tommy Manville before she hooked up with Danny Kaye. That seems like quite a leap.

I wonder if Mrs. Ray Bolger cackled "HOW BOUT A LITTLE FIRE, SCARECROW?" before she leaped into action?

An 8260-ton German merchant ship is moored off the coast of Uruguay, near the blackened hulk of the Graf Spee, and international eyes are watching to see if there will be a repetition of the "suicide spectacle" that sent that German warship to the bottom.

Eleven City College students, six boys and five girls, were tracked down by a pack of bloodhounds after they wandered off into the woods of Palisade Interstate and got lost in the snow. The group had been trying to hike from Darnersville to Haverstraw near Bear Mountain when they lost the trail and became disoriented in the cold.

One American out of every six is infected with trichinosis. Never eat pink pork.

A 32 year old labor organizer was stabbed in the chest just minutes after attending a testimonial dinner for AFL state leader George Meany. John Wallace and his wife were leaving the event at the Hotel Commodore when they were set upon by five well-dressed thugs who invaded the hotel's mezzanine lobby and fled quickly into the crowded streets.

In Hartford, Connecticut, the Grouch Club of America has named Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes as the Grouch of the Year for 1939. Movie sourpuss Ned Sparks came in second in the voting, with Donald Duck ranking third, and George Bernard Shaw in fourth place.

HEARNS JANUARY WHITE SALE! YOUR CHANCE FOR BIG SAVINGS ON SHEETS, LINENS, TOWELS, MATTRESS AND COMFORT COVERS, BLANKETS and COMFORTERS! ALL SPECTACULARLY LOW PRICED!

"Mr. Benny?" Mary Livingstone will have something to say about that, I'm sure.

ONE DAY ONLY FUR SALE AT I. J. FOX! (Thanks, now I've got that stupid "Cal-e-do-ni-a Five - Four-Five Hundred!" jingle stuck in my head.)

A Queens man is accused of setting fire to his own house in an effort to keep his relatives from moving in. 26-year-old Thomas J. Lenehan is being held on $1500 bail on arson charges after an explosion at his house in Woodside. Police say Lenehan opened a gas jet and detonated the fumes after his brother and sister-in-law announced their plans to move in with him.

ABRAHAM & STRAUS BASEMENT -- GOOD GOOD THINGS AT LOW LOW LOW PRICES! (And unlike other basements we can mention, our staff will positively not be overcome by gas leaks while they serve you. No, it doesn't really say that.)

We'll see.

Now playing at the Patio, Maureen O'Hara and Charles Laughton in "Jamacia Inn." Also on the bill, Jackie Cooper as Henry Aldrich in "What a Life." (If you think Harold Teen is a feckless goof, you haven't met Henry Aldrich.)

The new craze at Coney Island -- bicycling! Hundreds of cyclists are braving the weather to ride along the boardwalk these days, and a new display at the American Museum, Fifth Street and Surf Avenue, traces the development of the wheeled sport from the boneshakers and high-wheelers of the Nineteenth Century to the streamlined cycles of today.

SEMI ANNUAL SALE ON ENNA JETTICK SHOES -- ALL STYLES ALL SIZES $3.95 -- in LOESER'S BASEMENT. (Also Gas-Free.)

Hipless Women To Lead Fashion Parade In Spring! (But won't they have trouble marching?)

Wanna bet?

Oh, Pat, if only it were that simple.

Now showing at Radio City Music Hall, Showplace Of A Nation, it's Charles Laughton in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

Mayor LaGuardia will broadcast his New Year's message to the city over WNYC at 12 noon.

The Rangers beat the Americans 5-2 at the Garden last night, in a game marked by wild brawls between individual players. "Sockey Hockey," as News reporter Hy Turkin describes the evening.

Rain is in the forecast today in Pasadena, but the Rose Bowl will go on rain or shine as USC faces Tennessee.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson is hospitalized in Minneapolis with pneumonia. Johnson was stricken while appearing in a sideshow in that city.

What indeed.

 

[Fading Fast]

...I wonder if Mrs. Ray Bolger cackled "HOW BOUT A LITTLE FIRE, SCARECROW?" before she leaped into action?....

...A Queens man is accused of setting fire to his own house in an effort to keep his relatives from moving in. 26-year-old Thomas J. Lenehan is being held on $1500 bail on arson charges after an explosion at his house in Woodside. Police say Lenehan opened a gas jet and detonated the fumes after his brother and sister-in-law announced their plans to move in with him....

Hmm, I wonder if he first trying just saying "no."

...Hipless Women To Lead Fashion Parade In Spring! (But won't they have trouble marching?)....

You're fired up today - aren't you.

...Now showing at Radio City Music Hall, Showplace Of A Nation, it's Charles Laughton in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."...

1939 really deserves its title as the greatest year for movies ever.

 

[David Conwill]

If I were debutante Miss Helen Stedman, I don't know how I'd feel about my photo running below that headline!

 

[LizzieMaine]

A dispatch in a Copenhagen newspaper states that sixteen thousand Russian troops have been cut off by the Finns on the Salla front near the Arctic Circle. The reports, which are not confirmed, assert that Finns advanced on the Russian forces from the front and sides, surrounding them and cutting off their communications to the rear. Troops attempting to break for the frontier, the reports claim, are being shot.

Congressional leaders and President Roosevelt are meeting today to lay the groundwork for what is hoped to be a short and productive session of Congress. The President will deliver the opening message as the session convenes tomorrow, with the expectation that proceedings will conclude for the year in advance of the summer political conventions. The meeting today included the first meeting of the President and Vice President Garner since the latter declared his candidacy for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, whether or not the President chooses to run for a third term.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Cordell Hull dismisses rumors that he is also planning a Presidential run, stating that he has heard nothing to support claims that the President has personally selected him as his successor.

The Supreme Court today affirmed the broad powers of the National Labor Relations Board, holding that Federal courts have no legal authority to review a Board election order or a Board certification of a union as a duly-chosen collective bargaining unit. The Court in its ruling held that Congress has delegated such authority to the NRLB, and that Board alone.

A 17-year-old Newport Street girl is hospitalized in serious condition with bullet wounds after she was shot by a youth whom she had turned down for a date. Police are seeking 22-year-old Walter Borzowsky of 252 Riverdale Avenue in connection with the shooting of Miss Lillian Samowitz, who was found lying in a hallway at 86 Newport Street by a house painter. Police say that Miss Samowitz has known Borzowsky for over a year, and recently stopped going out with him. Miss Samowitz told police Borzowsky followed her to her aunt's home last night, and when she turned him down again, he produced a pistol and shot her three times.

Two persons froze to death in Brooklyn last night as the cold spell shows no sign of relenting. Last night's low temperature dropped to 16 degrees with a high today of 29. One victim of the cold was 50-year-old John Glassie, found dead in an alleyway early today at 143 Mersole Street. The other victim is an unidentified poorly-clad man of about 45, whose frozen body was found seated on a crate in front of a poultry market at 237 Bay 37th Street.

Louis "Lepke" Buchalter" drew a 14 year prison sentence today following his conviction on Federal narcotics charges. Buchalter was also fined $2500, and will serve 10 years probation following his release.

"Big Joe" lost his head today at the World's Fair grounds, as the colossal stainless steel figure that topped the USSR Pavilion last summer was prepared for shipment back to Russia. The statue's head was the first piece removed as crews dismantled the figure for the return voyage. Joe's pylon will be the final portion of the pavilion structure to be taken down.

Brooklyn's new District Attorney spent his first day on the job inspecting the courts. William O'Dwyer also took time to speak with members of his newly-appointed staff as they too began their duties.

The new LaGuardia Field could be obsolete in ten years if it isn't expanded. So states Major Albert Edison, superintendant of the Boston airport, in town to inspect the new facility at North Beach and make plans for a regional meeting of airport officials later this year. Officials of the airport, which was turned over to the administration of the Department of Docks with the start of the new year, are said to be already planning a first wave of expansions and improvements.

A 33 year old Avenue U man, finding his anniversary dinner not to his satisfaction threw a violent tantrum that landed him in the Raymond Street Jail on disorderly conduct charges. James Violante, displeased by the meal prepared by his wife Gussie to mark their thirteenth wedding anniversary, flew into a rage, called his wife vile names and threatened to kill her, and jerked the cloth off the dinner table, sending the dishes crashing to the floor. Examination of police records found that Violante has twice faced similar charges brought by his wife.

FAMOUS MAKES AND FAMOUS VALUES AT OPPENHEIM-COLLINS' JANUARY CORSET SALE!

A new wave of inspections by the Department of Markets has local shopkeepers checking their scales, as the city's promised crackdown on short measure moves forward today. Merchandise handled by local food and drug stores will also be inspected to ensure that all labels are in compliance with current Federal laws, and that none of the dangerous drugs and cosmetics banned by the law of June 25, 1938 are being sold.

Herbert Cohn went to see Charles Laughton as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at Radio City Music Hall, and found the picture revolting and stomach-turning, having more to do with the art of horror makeup than Victor Hugo, while completely missing the political point of Hugo's original novel.

The Eagle editorialist does not lament the passing of "The Terrible Thirties," observing that whether, as apologists claim, the past decade was the aftermath of the 1914-18 war, or, as reformers contend, the consequence of depravity, remains to be determined by time.

SEMI ANNUAL SALE! MEN'S IRREGULAR HANDKERCHIEFS! 11 cents each! With monogram 13 cents each! Street Floor at ABRAHAM & STRAUS!

An eleven year effort is complete for Rabbi Isaac Landmann of the Eighth Street Temple, who has finished his "Universal Jewish Encyclopedia." The first volume will be released on Friday, with subsequent volumes released over the next 12 to 15 months. WPA workers including scholars, clergymen of all faiths, and professors assisted Rabbi Landmann with his research on the project. A total of 613 contributors wrote articles for the new encyclopedia, which is the first such publication since 1901.

The New York Rangers defend their fourteen-game winning streak, taking on the Boston Bruins. The Americans defeated the Bruins last night in Boston 1-0.

The New Year marks the mid-point of baseball's off season, with anticipation of Spring Training building rapdily -- and Dodger fans have a lot to look forward to, says Tommy Holmes. Sparkling rookie shortstop Harold "Pee Wee" Reese is expected to make a big impression when the Dodgers report to Clearwater next month, as is slugging outfielder Charlie Gilbert.

Burgess Meredith stars as Amerigo Vespucci in tonight's "Cavalcade of America" drama, 9pm over WJZ.

Jo has such kind, understanding friends.

"Dear Mrs. Worth, You can have her, and good luck to you. Don't try to find us. Love and kisses, The Stockpools. PS -- Rent is paid thru December. After that you're on your own. X and O, Mr and Mrs S."

"Darn it! They moved, and left no forwarding address. BACK TO THE CRIME LAB, IRWIN!"

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News, with bulldog tenacity, they just won't let go of the top story of the week --

In Bensonhurst, Joe leans back and whistles. "Boy, they never do nuttin' like that over to Behan's Bar & Grill." And Sally replies, "Them people. That Rainbow Room. I wonder what it takes to get thrown outta there?"

Elevator shoes, Stooge? Really?

Somehow I don't think Mr. Singh-Singh is the type who goes for the brainy sort anyway.

"The Old Ice." That's a laugh-out-louder for me.

Tsk. Never trust a man who wears spats.

 

[Fading Fast]

...The new LaGuardia Field could be obsolete in ten years if it isn't expanded. So states Major Albert Edison, superintendant of the Boston airport, in town to inspect the new facility at North Beach and make plans for a regional meeting of airport officials later this year. Officials of the airport, which was turned over to the administration of the Department of Docks with the start of the new year, are said to be already planning a first wave of expansions and improvements....

Well, here we are, ~80 years later and LaGuardia has been reconfigured (many times) and the runways reduced from 4 to 2 to allow for them to be expanded to handle jets, but effectively, the airport is not much larger than it was in '39, but still open and busy as heck (and in the middle of a major renovation). I'd settle for a direct train or subway from Manhattan as it's all but impossible to see how they could expand it.

...Herbert Cohn went to see Charles Laughton as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at Radio City Music Hall, and found the picture revolting and stomach-turning, having more to do with the art of horror makeup than Victor Hugo, while completely missing the political point of Hugo's original novel....

It's been many years since I've seen the '39 version, but I remember being very impressed. Now I want to see it again.

...Burgess Meredith stars as Amerigo Vespucci in tonight's "Cavalcade of America" drama, 9pm over WJZ....

In a business not known for its long careers, Meredith was a successful movie actor in '30s and continued to be active in movies and TV right up to his death in the early '90s. His role as the manager in the "Rocky" movies gave his career a nice late-in-life boost. Sixty years in Hollywood is a heck of a run.

...
Jo has such kind, understanding friends.


"Dear Mrs. Worth, You can have her, and good luck to you. Don't try to find us. Love and kisses, The Stockpools. PS -- Rent is paid thru December. After that you're on your own. X and O, Mr and Mrs S."


"Darn it! They moved, and left no forwarding address. BACK TO THE CRIME LAB, IRWIN!"

Bugle Family: Get the toxic people out of your life, when I finally realized, in my 40s, I could do that (with a few exceptions), life got much better. Heck, I've done it on-line and my on-line life has gotten better.

Mary Worth: As we've noted before, her parents would probably rather take their chances and stay in Europe with Hitler on the march than come back to Leona (and it might be the right choice).

Dan Dunn: Again, all this for one car?

And in the Daily News, with bulldog tenacity, they just won't let go of the top story of the week --


In Bensonhurst, Joe leans back and whistles. "Boy, they never do nuttin' like that over to Behan's Bar & Grill." And Sally replies, "Them people. That Rainbow Room. I wonder what it takes to get thrown outta there?"

View attachment 203300 Elevator shoes, Stooge? Really?....

Wouldn't the Bourgeoisie be the in the Rainbow room and the "masses" the ones down below "horn-tooting" in the streets?

Also, I'm confused, did she have underwear on or was she truly naked underneath the dress/skirt (some inconsistency in the two days of stories we've read on that fact too)?

... Somehow I don't think Mr. Singh-Singh is the type who goes for the brainy sort anyway.

"The Old Ice." That's a laugh-out-louder for me....

The illustration work in Terry and the Pirates is amazing.

And yes, kudos to the illustrator in Moon..., the block of ice held by the tongs is fantastic.

 

[LizzieMaine]

No cartoonist ever had a better grasp of brushwork than Milton Caniff -- when people used to talk in the Era about comics as "movies on paper," it was his work they were talking about. Supposedly Orson Welles was among his fans.

What really gets me in today's "Moon Mullins" is that expression on Lord P's face as Gee Gee is giving him the ice. It's hard to draw a man to look like a sad walrus in a top hat, but Frank Willard (and his unsung assistant Ferd Johnson) have done the job here.

In general, the standard of cartooning in 1940 is nothing short of remarkable -- every artist we follow in these posts has a very distinctive, unmistakable style, and every one has an excellent grasp on how to do effective shot composition to match their own particular style and to complement the general atmosphere of the strip. People talk about the 1930s and 40s as the "Golden Age of Comic Books," but most comic book artists were sidewalk scribblers compared to the level of quality in syndicated newspaper strips of the time. It's a privilege to be able to enjoy their work today.

I don't think the News reporters have a very good grasp of class theory, which is surprising for a paper that claims to be proletarian in alignment. Work on that, boys. The Workers' Bookstore down on 13th Street has some stuff that may help.

As for Mademoiselle X, the Picture on Page 23 is inconclusive about whether or not she has on any underwear, but I'm sure the boys down in the film lab are examining the negatives with great rigor. We'll no doubt hear more about this story in the days to come.

 

[3fingers]

Also, I'm confused, did she have underwear on or was she truly naked underneath the dress/skirt

Well if we go with the stories told by the at least 20,000 people who saw the whole thing but couldn't possibly have been there, I would have to go with there were absolutely no foundation garments in evidence.
Either way, it would have made the rest of the social season rather awkward.

 

[LizzieMaine]

In all the histories of RCA, the RCA Building, and the Rainbow Room that I've ever read, nobody has mentioned this poor woman's name. Which is probably a great relief to her grandchildren.

 

[Fading Fast]

In all the histories of RCA, the RCA Building, and the Rainbow Room that I've ever read, nobody has mentioned this poor woman's name. Which is probably a great relief to her grandchildren.

At this point and with our current view on these things, the grandkids are missing out on a good story to tell about their "crazy, fun-loving" grandmother.

 

[3fingers]

In all the histories of RCA, the RCA Building, and the Rainbow Room that I've ever read, nobody has mentioned this poor woman's name. Which is probably a great relief to her grandchildren.

I'm only a little bit surprised by that.
When these things happen today, whether by alcohol, accident or design, the video would be posted somewhere before her date got her dress pulled back down. We've come so far.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Usually whenever the Rainbow Room is mentioned by starry-eyed nostalgia writers, it's to swoon over the "class, elegance and refined manners" of the place. Clearly such writers weren't there on New Year's Eve 1939. "Come on, baby, go to town!"

 

[LizzieMaine]

President Roosevelt is calling on the new session of Congress to implement emergency spending measures, to be funded by taxation, to fund an increased national defense program. Speaking before the opening of the new session, the President complemented the call for more money for defense purposes with a call for reduced spending on "practically all other important items" in the Federal budget. The President also stressed the importance of reciprocal international trade agreements as the foundation of any stable peace, and declared that the US must work to develop a spirit of national unity -- with Congress taking the lead. The President further declared that the roots of war are found in the mismanagement of social and economic forces -- and that steps must especially be taken to solve the problem of youth unemployment, stressing that young Americans are entitled to action and not merely admonitions to optimisim and lectures on economic law.

Governor Herbert H. Lehman today called on the State Legislature to take steps toward amending the state constitution to end legislative responsibility for the removal of corrupt judges. The Governor, in his message before the opening of the new legislative session, declared that such responsibility should belong to the Court of Appeals -- and he further asked lawmakers to delegate to him the personal authority to appoint special prosecutors for investigations into cases of judicial corruption, removing that authority from the state Attorney General.

Kings County District Attorney William O'Dwyer is taking a close look at the Rackets Bureau established by his predecessor, and could discontinue the controversial department depending on the results of a survey now being conducted by his office of the Bureau's recent operations. Acting Captain Bernard Dowd, now attached to the office of Manhattan DA Thomas E. Dewey, has been appointed to head the investigation into the "usefulness of the office." A $50,000 appropriation was made to fund the Bureau by then-District Attorney William Gehogan in 1937, but questions have arisen as to exactly where that money went.

A new study of education in Brooklyn has determined that "arbitrary and stupid economy" has left more than 13,200 students in the borough without seats in public classrooms. At least that number of students are forced each day to share seats with other students, to sit on the floor, or to stand along the walls of the classroom. Principal Abraham Lefkowitz of Samuel J. Tilden High School says that some of his students are forced to stand for as many as four classes in a row, and calls current conditions a risk both to education and to students' health.

The nation's two providers of interstate telegraph service could merge under a recommendation by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC report calls for the consolidation of the Western Union Company and Postal Telegraph and Cable Company as "an obvious remedy for the many ills facing the industry." Western Union operates nearly 20,000 offices nationwide, while Postal Telegraph operates nearly 4400, and the financial situation of Postal Telegraph is said to be "precarious." The report also warns that "a substantial reduction in telegraph rates is probably necessary" to stimulate the industry, even if the two companies merge.

The Dionne Quintuplets have learned about the war, despite efforts to shield them from news of the European conflict. Dr. Allen Roy Dafoe, the quints' personal physician, tells the Associated Press that they are very concerned about the war, having been taught that "fighting is naughty," and want to know why nobody has told Hitler the story of Ferdinand the Bull.

Police have set a 24-hour guard around Miss Lillian Samowitz, the 17-year-old Newport Street girl who remains at Beth El Hospital after she was shot three times by a former boyfriend. Police have yet to locate her assailant, 23-year-old Walter Borzowsky of Riverdale Avenue. It has been revealed that Borzowsky was free on $2000 bail on a criminal assault charge brought against him by Miss Samowitz, and police fear he may try to gain access to her at the hospital.

Thirty to forty percent of all milk is now delivered to Brooklyn homes in paper cartons according to a survey conducted by the Milk Research Council, with the new containers gaining wide acceptance since they were first authorized in mid-November. In some sections of the borough, the percentage of milk delivered in paper containers has reached ninety percent.

Personally, when I'm flying, I'd rather the pilot keep both hands on the controls. Put down the bottle there, Smilin' Jack. There's time for a Coke when we land.

If they don't sell these at the LaGuardia Field gift shop, they're missing a trick.

Speaking of The World's Greatest Airport, a new free parking lot will soon be opened for persons wishing to just come and watch the "daily air show" as planes take off and land. The space will be set aside at the west end of the field, and will be fenced off for safety.

A program of sex education in all city schools is essential, according to Dr. Sidney E. Goldstein, associate rabbi of the Free Synagogue of Manhattan, who spoke in the first of a series of lectures on family problems at the Jewish Community House in Bensonhurst. Dr. Goldstein says that changes occurring in the framework of families make such education essential, and that the Board of Education must ensure that adequately-trained teachers are available to teach such classes.

A 30-year-old Pine Street man ran naked down his block early this morning before plunging thru a plate glass door. Arthur Davis, a printer, is being treated for multiple lacerations at Kings County Hospital. Davis's 72-year-old mother, Mrs. Minnie Davis, with whom he lives, could give no explanation for his actions.

Hula-Hula Helps The Figure! Women desiring to streamline the tummy would do well to learn the Hawaiian dance. Don't rely on girdles to do all the work!

William Powell and Myrna Loy open tomorrow at Loew's Metropolitan in "Another Thin Man."

Tony Martin heads the vaudeville bill at the Flatbush Theatre starting tomorrow, with Happy Felton and his Orchestra.

New York's first policewoman has died at the age of 75. Mrs. Eda Regina Bearry began her police career in 1899 as a matron, and was issued Policewoman Badge No. 1 when that position was created. She retired from the force in 1934.

The Dodgers had their most aggressive base-running attack in years during 1939, and Leo Durocher expects no letup in 1940. Brooklyn swiped 59 bases during the past season, second only in the National League to the Cubs' 61. Harry Lavagetto was the top Dodger base-stealer, with 14.

Connie Mack predicts the Yankees will not repeat in 1940, declaring that Boston, Cleveland, and Detroit will combine to deny New York another pennant. He also suggests his Athletics have improved to where they might also be a factor in the race. But, says the 77-year-old Grand Old Man of the Game, "you can never tell in baseball."

The Rangers continued their winning ways in Boston last night, topping the Bruins 6-4. The Rangers are now in a three way tie with Boston and Toronto for first place in the National Hockey League.

Lou Gehrig began his new duties yesterday as State Parole Commissioner. The former Yankee star, his career ended by a form of infantile paralysis, is happy in his new role.

Fred Allen begins his seventh year for his current sponsor tonight over WEAF at 9pm. NBC honored the occasion by presenting the comedian with a cake -- leading Mr Allen to remark, "I now know what NBC vice presidents do. They bake cakes."

Ah! A spy story! If this doesn't end with George being hauled before the Dies Committee I shall be sorely disappointed.

"We regret to inform you that Mr. and Mrs. Stockpool have been interned by a European Power. We are sending in our top operative to rescue them. His name is Oakdale. Please advise Miss Leona Stockpool that Agent Oakdale is single."

Jeez, Dan -- you should have gone before we left.

 

[Fading Fast]

Usually whenever the Rainbow Room is mentioned by starry-eyed nostalgia writers, it's to swoon over the "class, elegance and refined manners" of the place. Clearly such writers weren't there on New Year's Eve 1939. "Come on, baby, go to town!"

I moved to the city in the '80s and, even back then, the Rainbow Room was a touristy place. That's not necessarily bad - it's iconic and has a neat view of the city - but most New Yorkers never went there or, if they did, it was because an out-of-town guest wanted to go. I haven't been in decades, but my memory is it was a bit dated and touristy (as noted) then, but still had some of the old glamor that made you feel like you were stepping onto the set of a Fred and Ginger movie.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Alas, the Daily News seems to have given up its investigation of Mademoiselle X in favor of other, hotter stories. For example:

It's nice to see that Prince Frederic, Handsomest Man in All Europe, isn't wanting for work.

One man really *can* make a difference.

"Do not attempt to match this superior one at her own game, Mister Ryan, for you shall surely writhe at my feet before another sun sets."

Stooge held the record for the one-handed breaststroke on the swimming team at the State Pen.

Future US Senator Wilmer Bobble, ladies and gentlemen.

Prediction: Mr. McClusky spends his wedding day in jail. Lillums' mother pitches a fit. Lillums sighs with relief.

 

[Fading Fast]

...Kings County District Attorney William O'Dwyer is taking a close look at the Rackets Bureau established by his predecessor, and could discontinue the controversial department depending on the results of a survey now being conducted by his office of the Bureau's recent operations. Acting Captain Bernard Dowd, now attached to the office of Manhattan DA Thomas E. Dewey, has been appointed to head the investigation into the "usefulness of the office." A $50,000 appropriation was made to fund the Bureau by then-District Attorney William Gehogan in 1937, but questions have arisen as to exactly where that money went.....

It's 80 years later and stories just like this one still occur in NYC almost regularly where some gov't agency/program/initiative/department - started with a wonderful sounding purpose and with smart people running it - runs on for years and, finally, someone takes a look and the money is unaccounted for and the results all but nonexistent. It's a repeating pattern: good intentions/wonderful sounding program→time passes→nothing really happens→someone takes a look-see→scandal→repeat.

...A new study of education in Brooklyn has determined that "arbitrary and stupid economy" has left more than 13,200 students in the borough without seats in public classrooms. At least that number of students are forced each day to share seats with other students, to sit on the floor, or to stand along the walls of the classroom. Principal Abraham Lefkowitz of Samuel J. Tilden High School says that some of his students are forced to stand for as many as four classes in a row, and calls current conditions a risk both to education and to students' health.....

Here's the crazy thing, from what I've read over the years, Brooklyn schools (pretty much all NYC public schools) back in the '30s and '40s, overall, generated much better results in educating kids in basic math and English skills than the inflation-adjusted much-higher per-student spending does today.

...Speaking of The World's Greatest Airport, a new free parking lot will soon be opened for persons wishing to just come and watch the "daily air show" as planes take off and land. The space will be set aside at the west end of the field, and will be fenced off for safety.....

And while there, you can also check out the incredible Art Deco terminal:

...A 30-year-old Pine Street man ran naked down his block early this morning before plunging thru a plate glass door. Arthur Davis, a printer, is being treated for multiple lacerations at Kings County Hospital. Davis's 72-year-old mother, Mrs. Minnie Davis, with whom he lives, could give no explanation for his actions....

Maybe he was racing to the Rainbow Room to meet up with his like-minded soulmate.

...William Powell and Myrna Loy open tomorrow at Loew's Metropolitan in "Another Thin Man."....

Just watched this one on TCM New Year's Eve Day (as part of a Thin Man marathon, some sad losers probably watched most of all of them ) and it has held up very well.

... Ah! A spy story! If this doesn't end with George being hauled before the Dies Committee I shall be sorely disappointed.

"We regret to inform you that Mr. and Mrs. Stockpool have been interned by a European Power. We are sending in our top operative to rescue them. His name is Oakdale. Please advise Miss Leona Stockpool that Agent Oakdale is single."

Jeez, Dan -- you should have gone before we left.

Tuthill's doing a good job of building suspense bringing back Oakdale.

That's quite the va-va-voom outfit our young Leona is sporting. I'm betting Mr. and Mrs. Stockpool volunteered for a dangerous mission hoping they'd get captured and be interned for the war - "Leona's all yours Mary."

Again, very underwhelmed with Dan Dunn's detective skills.