I am strangely fascinated by the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California. Built in 1955 along with the park it was actually not operated by the Walt Disney Company until 1988 due to the building of the park had tapped Walt Disney for most of his financial resources. The Hotel has obviously been rebuilt, added to and updated over the decades but it still features the original space-age styled monorail from the 1960s (with updated trains). For anyone who want to know more about the construction, design and architecture of the hotel I highly recommend that you dig into the The Disneyland Hotel book which features photos, scans of brochures and lots of other swanky ephemera from yesteryear Anaheim. Has anyone of you stayed at the resort back in the 1960s and 1970s? Do tell us about it. (Via) (Via)

The classic car race between Roger Moore and Tony Curtis in the first episode of ultra cool TV-series The Persuaders. Moore in a Aston Martin and Curtis in a Ferrari, they race from the airport in Nice to the casino in Monte Carlo while the song ‘Gotta Get Away‘ by Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch sets the perfect jet set mood. This scene really defines the mood of the whole series which is undoubtedly a fine piece of classic television history. What do you daydream about?

Don’t know what to spend that extra cash on? Don’t worry, there is still time. Our stores are open at convenient times and located just around the corner here in Yester Sweden. Today we are traveling back in time to visit Stockholm and Hudiksvall (north of Stockholm) where you can slowly waltz through the many isles of exotic groceries, the latest fashion, brand new color TV models and still have some time left over for a coffee and cupcake at one of the many cafes. Typical anchor stores of the time were ICA, Domus and Tempo – sadly only the first one is still alive. For more shopping goodness, check out the other parts of this ongoing series of retro retail mania.

Not that Ultra Swank condones being sexist, it just sometimes amazes me what kind of stuff advertising agencies were able to pull off around the 1950s. Here are some fine examples of American ads of the times that takes a punch at women only being good for being secretaries, housewives and objects of beauty. Even though the ads would never pass in a magazine today, they are still cute in a old fashioned way. Thankfully, men have evolved a little over the years. (Via)

Cute, kitschy and a bit sexist in a innocent mid-century way, this 25 minute long film tributes the American woman in the American family household. Through the course of it we get to experience her wifely responsibilities, such as planning the family budget, finding time to be social and shopping for daily necessities. Pay attention to the lovely and cheerful muzak-styled songs that are played in the background. I am also very sure that this is the same narrator that was heard in a handful of other similar films in the 1950s and 1960s. Anyone know who I am referring to? [Thanks Cam]

Update: the narrator is legendary Ken Nordine. Hat tip to commenter PJ for clearing that up.

Exotica music was made popular in the early 1950s and took its name from the Martin Denny album with the same title. The inspiration for the genre came from exotic locations and instruments from places such as Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Southeast Asia, and Hawaii. The genre was mostly popular in suburban USA with legends such as Les Baxter, Artur Lyman and Martin Denny leading the scene. But apparently, not all Exotica music was American. Exotica fans Bert and Arjo from Holland have put together a brand new compilation of their favorite Dutch Exotica songs that not only showcases musical history but also the birth of lounge music. Head over to their website for track previews and information how you can obtain this gem.