Why was "903" funny? At least for a while, in December 1946.

[Espee]

An Alan Young Show dated 12/13/46, in which he has hopes of becoming a great singer.... two references to "903" or "9:03" which get laughs.
In the first instance, he's looking for Room 906 and is reading off the room numbers he's passing. At 903, he says to his pal, "Maybe I should knock on the door and ask them what it means."
Later, he's counting some items and when he gets to 903, he mentions Red Skelton. (Sorry I can't quote it better.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

It's a reference to Raleigh 903 cigarettes -- which were being heavily and irritatingly promoted on Red Skelton's program at that time as having "less tar, less nicotine, less throat irritation!"

The number 903 had no scientific or mystical significance. It was the post office box number in Louisville where smokers sent in to redeem their Raleigh coupons.

 

[vintage.vendeuse]

It's a reference to Raleigh 903 cigarettes -- which were being heavily and irritatingly promoted on Red Skelton's program at that time as having "less tar, less nicotine, less throat irritation!"

The number 903 had no scientific or mystical significance. It was the post office box number in Louisville where smokers sent in to redeem their Raleigh coupons.

I am continually in awe of your knowledge base!

 

[LizzieMaine]

Gene Tierney doesn't look too convinced. Maybe she knew she was going to die from emphysema.

 

[DecoDame]

I am continually in awe of your knowledge base!

+1 :nod:

 

[Espee]

Ah ha... like when Chevron (circa 1969) advertised an additive in their gasoline-- "F-310." I remember my grandmother saying to my mother, "I told him to put in some of that F-Thirteen..."

 

[Espee]

Here's another Alan Young Show reference. While hoping to make a good impression on his girlfriend's father, he says, "I don't gamble... I don't drink... I don't know what '903' means..."

 

[Stanley Doble]

In those days you could depend on Hollywood glamour girls for accurate scientific and medical advice.

 

[Stanley Doble]

Somewhere around here I have a 1946 magazine with a color picture of Merle Oberon modelling jewellry made from radioactive fused glass fresh from the Almagordo atom bomb test site.

It was part of the US government's Atoms For Peace campaign. Atoms are your friends!

Today, 70 years after the tests, the Almagordo area is considered hazardous. Visitors are discouraged, and are not allowed to pick up the fused glass for souvenirs. It is too dangerous.