Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) begins with a hastily prepared animation sequence set to the sonic stylings of children singing “Hooray for Santa Claus.” Once the songs ends, we are told by the newscaster for KID-TV that they have sent a news crew to the North Pole to interview Santa Claus. I got excited upon hearing this news, only to find out in the...

As we see more and more public spaces become smoke-free, it’s easy to forget that smoking wasn’t always considered hazardous. In the days when it was socially acceptable to smoke, cigarettes were advertised on television and endorsed by popular celebrities and cartoon characters. A carton of cigarettes was considered an appropriate gift for children to give their fathers. In the Mad Men universe, where smoking...

Electrify your Christmas music mix with some Hammond organ sounds! Jimmy Smith originally was a pianist and later became an organist in the early 50’s. Smith signed on with Verve Records in the 60’s and had the opportunity to collaborate with the great Lalo Schifrin and Wes Montgomery. Don’t be mistaken; Jimmy Smith’s style is not your typical funeral or church organ music. His jazz...

Claudia from The Paris Apartment have compiled a list of classic vintage Christmas movies from the past that will no doubt get in anyone the perfect holiday jingle-jangle mood! Classics such as Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life and Holiday Inn are just a few of these retro gems from times gone by. Watch the trailers here below. Holiday Inn (1942) Christmas in...

If you lived in the 1950s, 60s, 70s––or even the 80s––you probably spent some of your time watching television during the Christmas season. (This was back when it wasn’t inclusively referred to as ‘the holidays’.) Apart from the Christmas or holiday-themed episodes of your favorite TV series, you might have also sat through a music-filled extravaganza special, featuring some of the superstars of the day....

White Christmas from 1954 starring the dynamic duo Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Which is your favorite retro Christmas movie and why? Leave a comment! ...

Since Yuletide is almost upon us, I thought it would be a great idea to share a special Retro Christmas compilation with you fine folks. The compilation features 25 songs, one for each day until Christmas day. The theme is as the title of the compilation suggests, holiday related songs from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. You will most likely recognize most of the titles –...