For the Love of Film (Noir)

(Cross-posted on the Preserving a Family Collection blog…)

During the next week, February 14 through 21, both “June and Art” and “Preserving a Family Collection” will be participating in “For the Love of Film (Noir): The Film Preservation Blogathon.”  It will be a bit of a stretch for both blogs, but I love the cause and the time is right – and by that I mean the 1949-1951 period covered by “June and Art” is right smack at the dark heart of film noir’s classic period.  Therefore, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for looking at film noir.  We're talking New York City at night, lonely subway rides, and shootouts viewed from a bus (all of which have been covered in past letters!).

What’s film noir?  Check out this beautiful introduction by Greg Ferrara of Cinema Styles to the blogathon and I expect you’ll recognize film noir when you see it:

The blogathon fun starts tomorrow!

© 2011 Lee Price

The 1950 Holiday Schedule

“Now Shirl and I are sitting here discussing the coming weekend.  Unexpected complications have arisen.  It seems we have Monday off because of Lincoln’s Birthday.”

                                                                        June Anderson

                                                                        Letter to Art Price, Feb. 6, 1950

While Lincoln’s Birthday was never a federal holiday, many states used to formally celebrate it as a holiday on Lincoln’s actual birth date, February 12.  In 1950, Lincoln’s Birthday actually fell on Sunday but June’s school, Traphagen School of Fashion, chose to observe it by closing on Monday, February 13.

Coming right after Lincoln’s Birthday, Valentine’s Day arrived on Tuesday, February 14, 1950.  Valentine’s Day has never been an official holiday either.  It has ancient European roots and seems to be traditionally associated with the February 14 date, with possible references to valentines extending back to before the middle ages.  Hallmark issued the first manufactured Valentine’s Day cards in 1915 and they were a huge hit.  By 1950, there were many greeting card companies publishing Valentine’s Day cards.  June’s card to Art was a Gibson, not a Hallmark.

Screen capture from
Holiday Inn (1942).

Washington’s Birthday is the only federal holiday of the three February dates.  In 1950, it was celebrated on Washington’s actual birth date, February 22 (a Wednesday that year).  The Uniform Monday Holiday Act, passed in 1968, moved the official celebration of Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday in February (where it always falls between Lincoln’s and Washington’s actual birthdays).  While Washington’s Birthday remains the official federal designation, it became more commonly known as Presidents Day over the years, particularly following a heavy advertising push in the mid-1980s.

Getting back to 1950:  For June and Art, the holidays came fast and furious in February.  First, Lincoln’s Birthday on Sunday, February 12, then Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, February 14, and finally Washington’s Birthday on Wednesday, February 22.

(Tomorrow – announcing a week in support of film preservation!)

© 2011 Lee Price

Could It Possibly Be a Date?

Thursday, February 9, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Yes, it’s awfully lonely taking the subways by myself.

Shirl slept most of the day, and didn’t even show up at school until 3:30.  Darn her!  She sleeps all the time when she’s home, then comes here and keeps me up late talking.  The late nights are beginning to tell on me.

We saw two movies (double feature) tonight – Sinbad the Sailor and The Spanish Main.  Both were revivals.  You can tell from the names what they were like – but I enjoyed them anyway.

How’s everything and everybody in Southampton?  Don’t forget – your letters are my local newspaper.  Of

course, I don’t want them to be all news and nothing else.  I’m sure you know what I mean, because I feel that way about you, too.

I just told Shirl she should unmake the bed while I finish your letter. She said to write you that.  I don’t know why.

Art, dear, the clock’s just turning midnight and now I’m terribly tired.  I will be seeing you this weekend, won’t I?  Could it possibly be a date?  Until then,

All my love,

June

(On Saturday, Lincoln's Birthday and Valentine's Day.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Art School Assignments in Southampton

Wednesday, February 8, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

This will be a short letter.  I didn’t do anything today but work and didn’t go anywhere tonight.  I did manage to do some art school homework for Partida.  I plan to go to her class tomorrow.  Tomorrow morning I have off so I should stay up tonight and do some more Partida work – but I think I’ll go to bed instead when I finish this letter.

Partida homework assignments
by Art Price.

I’m thinking of you, darling.  I won’t give up hope for the weekend yet.  If I don’t see you, I’ll call you Sunday around 12:30.

I’m expecting a letter tomorrow.  I’ll be waiting at the door for it tomorrow morning.  I love you sweetheart.  Be good.  Good night for now,

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – lonely subway trips.)

© 2011 Lee Price

A Convention of "The Boys"

Pencil sketch of a bird
by Art Price.

Tuesday, February 7, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

Well we had a busy day at Roulston’s today.  I didn’t get there till 9 A.M.  My boss Rod went to lunch from 1 to 2 and then from 3:30 to 5:30 he went with Bruno to the clinic to get the stitches taken out.  They had to wait for the doctor, I guess.  The store looked like a convention from 5:30 to 6.  Bruno, Joe, “Singer,” Farmer (minus appendix), Jack Raynor and I were beside the box, and Rod stood around and talked, mostly kidding Bruno.  Do you remember Jack Raynor?  You met him late one night but you might not remember him.  He was formerly one of the boys (married now).

I didn’t do much of anything this evening.  I read a little, but am having trouble keeping my eyes open.  I guess I’ll go to bed early.  I hope you won’t be lonesome riding the subways alone.  I know you won’t go out at night alone though.

Is Shirl feeling better?  Remember me to her.  If she decides to go home next weekend, don’t be “embarrassed” to tell me.

Don’t forget to write me now.  I miss you very much.  I love you, darling.  Be good and take care of yourself.

Love

Art

(Tomorrow – more homework for Partida.)

© 2011 Lee Price

The Pretzel Spill

Monday, February 6, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

I’m so tired.  In fact after supper, I lay down on the bed.  Shirl told me not to go to sleep and I laughed at her for being silly.  Next thing I knew it was 8:00 – an unexpected nap!

Ink blots on a letter.

Shirl and I are eating pretzels as we work now.  I just filled this pen and, as usual, got ink all over it.  Not having a blotter, Shirl told me to wipe the pen on the couch.  Of course, I refused, saying, “No, I’m going to be neat about this.”  With that, I grabbed the nearest paper bag and wiped the pen on that.  It would have been fine but that was the bag the pretzels were in and they all fell out on the floor.  I guess Shirl had the last laugh this time.

Now Shirl and I are sitting here discussing the coming weekend.  Unexpected complications have arisen.  It seems we have Monday off because of Lincoln’s Birthday.  We can’t decide what to do with our three-day weekend.  I’ll try to give you more information tomorrow.  Don’t get up any hopes though.  It looks as if we may remain here.  Do you have Monday off?

Shirl just picked up the pretzels.

We’ve changed our minds again.  I think.  Now we’re going home again.

Yes, my dear, Shirl has definitely made up her mind, so I’ll be seeing you.  You’ll probably think I’m non-dependable, rattle-brained, and never believe me again.  But I’m coming home – love me any way?  I do you.

I just reread this letter and have come to the conclusion I should have gone to bed after “Dear Art.”  I hope they’re not all as bad as this.

Be good now and good night.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – a convention of "the boys.")

© 2011 Lee Price

The Weekend Agreement

June Anderson, circa 1950.

While the June and Art letters only obliquely refer to the situation, it gradually emerges that June and her roommate Shirley Stahl have an agreement regarding weekends.  Neither wants to be alone in the city apartment during a weekend.  If June decides to go home to see Art (or for any other reason), Shirl must go home, too.  And if Shirl stays in the city, June must stay.

It’s unclear if their main concern is safety or loneliness.  The letters raise both issues.  Also, various letters suggest that there is pressure from June’s parents, Shirl’s parents, and Art to keep to the agreement and not spend time alone in the city apartment.

The weekend negotiations often simmer in the background of the letters.  During this weekend, 61 years ago, Shirl announced that she had to go home for a weekend doctor’s appointment and this decision forced June to change her plans.  As June wrote on February 1, “I really don’t have much choice but to come home.”

While June obviously likes the idea of seeing Art as often as possible, there is frustration for her as well as she struggles to get back into the rhythm of work at her last semester at Traphagen School of Fashion.

(On Monday, leaky pens and pretzel spills.)

© 2011 Lee Price