The Forties
The Forties were a time of war. World War II was in full swing,
and the people had to change to fit the times. The women went to
work in the factories, the men were all at war, and times were tough
for everyone. Food and other items had to be rationed for the war
effort. Movie stars went out selling war bonds to try to raise money
to support the war effort. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the
President throughout most of the war. When he died, Vice President
Harry S. Truman took over.
The music reflected the attitude of the times. Songs such as
"The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by the Andrew Sisters, and "Over
There", showed support for the troops over seas. Frank Sinatra and
Bing Crosby were also very popular. Nat King Cole also made his
debut with the infamous "Mona Lisa."
The movies of the time also reflected the war. "Casablanca", for
example, dealt with the war. That was probably Humphrey Bogart’s
most remembered role. "Bambi" and "Fantasia" were also released
by the Disney company at this time. Judy Garland continued her
acting career, while Carmen Miranda sang and danced with her
basket of fruit on her head. Jimmy Stewart, America’s favorite nice
guy, was also up on the big screen, and up in the air!! He joined the
Air Force and made it up to Colonel by leading many air strikes on
Germany.
Theater made a big wave in entertainment. Musicals, such as
Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, and the plays of Tennessee
Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire and The Glass Menagerie, also
made it big.
The Curious George books also were written by immigrants who
were fleeing persecution by the Nazis. Norman Rockwell was
decorating the covers of The Saturday Evening Post, while the late Dr. Spock
was telling us how to take care of all of the babies being born to the
men going to and later in the Forties, coming home, from war.
Joe DiMaggio was making it big in the baseball department,
while Jackie Robinson was breaking color barriers in the same "field."
While all the men were at war, however, the women took the field in
the newly formed All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Jitterbugging and bebop was all the rage, and while you were
waiting for a dance partner to become available, you and your friends
could have a bubble blowing contest! The guys were all decked out in
their zoot suits trying to pick up all the bobby soxers that were
fascinated with Frank.
M & M’s were introduced to the chocolate-loving public, even
though they had to be rationed to save some for the soldiers!! Rosie
the Riveter was there to call all the girls to go to work while their G.I.
Joe’s were fighting their way through Europe (or the comic book
stands). The Manhattan Project was in full force, ending in one big
"Kilroy Was Here" on Japan.
Here Are Some Links
here is one on the Andrews sisters...
here is one on Harry Truman...
here is a good one on the 40's...
here is another one 'bout the 40s....
