These Untouched Vintage Photos Make Us Nostalgic For Simpler Times
Jump in your time machine and get ready to travel back to the days before Photoshop and Instagram! These vintage photographs will take you on a trip into simpler times when flower children could be found groovin’ their way to Woodstock or Jimi Hendrix shooting some pool at a friend’s house.
There’s something special about these retro photos that make us smile; they capture raw emotion without any need for editing or filters! Imagine playing pool with Jimi Hendrix in 1967…
The 1950s Were A Time To Bring A Date To The Drive-In
Even in the 1950s, bringing your crush or partner to see the latest film after a nice dinner out was high on the “date list.” Only going to the theater looked a bit different. Instead of going to a traditional theater with a huge marquee, a lot of young people opted for the drive-in.
This way, they could be alone in a car, order food, and also socialize with other people their age. We hope no one reading this has ever been “stranded at the drive-in” like Danny Zuko!
Jayne Mansfield Reading Fan Mail In 1955
In the ’50s and ’60s, Jayne Mansfield was regarded as one of the primo Hollywood ladies. She was a movie and television actress, as well as a nightclub entertainer and singer — a triple threat.
Although her career was short-lived due to a horrible accident, Mansfield was loved by many. Here, we see her in an old-school mailroom, looking quite happy reading fan mail from one of her adoring fans.
The Blues Brothers Knew How To Draw In A Crowd
Starting as a sketch from the NBC variety series Saturday Night Live, The Blue’s Brothers quickly became popular, paving the way for the full-length motion picture. Starring John Belushi and Dan Akroyd, the movie was wildly popular and has since become known as a “cult classic.”
Garnering generally positive reviews from critics, the concept of “The Blues Brothers” led to The House of Blues venue franchise where people go to listen to good tunes.
Brigitte Bardot Stretching Before Dancing On TV Variety Shows
Growing up, French actress Brigitte Bardot had her eyes set on becoming a professional ballerina. Ultimately, she went into modeling and acting instead of dancing, but continued to land roles in which her character would gracefully, or not so gracefully, twirl around the stage.
The black and white photograph shows Bardot and her dance partner Michel Renaud warming up and stretching before their performance on a French program called TV Variety Shows.
Behind The Scenes Of The Magnificent Seven
The Western film The Magnificent Seven hit theaters in 1960, introducing the world to seven gunslingers who were hired to protect a small town from bandits. While the film originally garnered mixed reviews, The Library of Congress still found it significant enough to add to the United States National Film Registry in 2013.
This behind the scenes shot shows the seven stars, Yul Brynner, Brad Dexter, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, and Horst Buchholz.
Karen And Richard Carpenter With Their Many Awards
The vocal group, The Carpenters, was made up of the sibling team of Karen and Richard. Over a 14-years career, the duo recorded ten albums and released numerous hit singles. Their brand of music was interesting melodic pop, intriguing listeners, and shooting them straight to the Billboard Hot 100 a few different times.
By the time their career came to an end, The Carpenters had sold more than 90 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling artists of all time.
Diana Ross Dancing The Night Away At Studio 54
First becoming popular as a member of the group the Supremes, Diana Ross quickly made a name for herself in the music industry. Here, we see her dancing the night away in the infamous Studio 54 disco nightclub in Midtown Manhattan, New York.
From 1977 to 1980, people would flock to the club to forget about the world around them. Currently, the old Studio 54 location is being used as the location of a Broadway Theatre.
Freddie Mercury And Mary Austin At The Ivor Novella Awards (1987)
The thing about Queen singer Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin is that they were infatuated with each other before he hit major stardom. The two met in 1969 after the singer graduated from college, and Austin was working as a shop-girl.
A few years later, in 1974, they married. Then, in 1976, they decided they were better as friends, divorcing but remaining extremely close. This image is the two at The Ivor Novella Awards in 1987, where Mercury received an award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.
Deep Purple Going Full-On Rock & Roll In 1974
At the time, the British band Deep Purple was moving into a genre of music that no one really paid attention to, hard rock, and heavy metal. Later, they would become known as the pioneers of the genre, joining Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath as “the unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early to mid-seventies.”
Here, were see guitarist Ritchie Blackmore going full-on rock and roll during the California Jam tour in 1974, smashing his guitar over an amplifier.
Jungle Pam Hardy Posing For Hot Rod Magazine
In the 1970s, people would be hard-pressed not to find Jungle Pam Hardy walking up and down drag race tracks. As the trusty sidekick to Jungle Jim Lieberman, the track was more of a home for Pam than a place to race cars.
At the time, there were little to no women on the circuit; seeing Pam was a huge drawing point for the crowd. Here, we see the legendary lady posing next to a Chevy Vega Funny Car for Hot Rod magazine.
Ann-Margret Being Goofy In 1965
A certified star by 1965, Ann-Margret Being has a career in the entertainment industry that spans over five decades. Starring in films with huge acts such as Elvis in Viva Las Vegas surely helped her rise to fame!
But, she didn’t seem to let the celebrity status go to her head. As we can see in this beautiful black and white photograph, Ann-Margret Being still had time to goof off in front of the camera!
Kiss Taking Over London In 1976
In 1973, four men decided to form a little rock band called Kiss. Little did they know, but the New York group was about to become mega-stars in the music scene. Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Gene Simmons, and Ace Frehley were unlike any band out there.
They were theatrical, with costumes, painted faces, and even fire breathing! As their popularity grew, Kiss saw their fanbase stretch overseas. Here, we see them posing in front of The Palace of Westminster in London.
The Honeymooners Was A Hit In The 1950s
CBS aired the pilot episode of The Honeymooners on October 1, 1955, replacing a variety comedy sketch of the same name. The sitcom quickly became must-watch primetime television.
The series was the first United States sitcom to portray a working-class family instead of the All-American upper-middle class. The Honeymooners only lasted one season of 39 episodes.
Italian Singer Patty Pravo Sitting Among Vinyls
Italian singer Patty Pravo made her debut in the music world in 1966. From there, she remained a popular artist through the 60s and 70s, losing traction the following decade and picking back up in the 90s.
Even so, she is reportedly the third-highest selling Italian artist in history. This picture captures Pravo in what we’d guess is her element: surrounded by vinyl records, a record player, and many pieces of paper that might be her artistic ramblings.
Johnny Cash Singing For 800 Inmates At Cummins Prison Farm
Country singer Johnny Cash began doing his infamous prison concerts in the 1950s. His first concert was held at San Quentin State Prison in 1958. There, he famously sang “A Boy Named Sue,” a rendition that reached number one on the country charts.
Cash went on to do concerts at Folsom Prison, where he sand “Folsom Prison Blues,” and Cummins Prison farm, where this picture was taken. At Cummins, he adapted the Folsom Blues song to include the lyrics “I’m locked in Cummin’s Prison.” He was made an honorary life-timer!
Fan-ilows At A Barry Manilow Concert in 1983
Singer and songwriter Barry Manilow came onto the scene in the 60s, composing an entirely original score used on the off-Broadway play The Drunkard. From there, he went on to have a successful career spanning over 50 years.
Throughout that time, Manilow went on to release 51 Top 40 singles, 13 platinum albums, six multi-platinum albums and has gained the praise of huge names like Frank Sinatra. So, it’s no wonder these ladies are decked out in their Fan-ilow garb, watching him perform at Blenheim Palace on August 28, 1983.
Dean Martin Giving Some Encouragement To Frank Sinatra
On July 20, 1965, the grounds surrounding Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, were packed for a handprint ceremony for singer Frank Sinatra.
As you can tell from the picture, fellow singer, Dean Martin, was very happy for his long-time friend.
Marjorie Kelso Doing A Door By Door Census In 1950
Before the United States Census was mailed to each American household, or the internet was up and running, people would walk door-to-door, counting heads to determine the population in each state.
In this case, United States Census taker Marjorie Kelso of Oakland, California, was captured via photograph walking among the docks of the ark community of houseboats off Alameda Avenue. Tucked into her side is a large book, where she will tally the heads living in each household.
A Crowd Heading To Woodstock In 1969
In August of 1969, 32 bands and solo acts came together for what is considered one of the pivotal moments in popular music history.
Woodstock was one of the signature events for the counterculture generation going against the establishment. Here, we see a sea of young adults making their way to Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York.
Dustin Hoffman And The Graduate Poster
Before Dustin Hoffman was known as a huge name in Hollywood, he was Benjamin Braddock, a college graduate with no real plan for the future. Enter Mrs. Robinson, the older woman who gets on Braddock’s radar only for him to fall for her daughter.
The Graduate went on to be the highest-grossing film worldwide when it was released in 1967. Little did Hoffman know while he was standing next to the theater poster that he was about to become a huge star.
Robin Williams And Shelley Duvall As Popeye And Olive Oyl
1980 brought us the comedic genius of actors Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall in the musical Popeye. Williams starred as the title character while Duvall played the role of his love interest Olive Oyl.
The film went on to gross $49.8 million worldwide and received generally positive reviews from critics. This behind-the-scenes picture definitely illustrates the relationship the two had on set, with Duvall trying to be serious while Williams was his goofy self!
Jimi Hendrix Playing Pool In His Downtime
Jimi Hendrix is one of the most celebrated guitarists of the 20th century.
Just because he is a high-profile star doesn’t mean Hendrix didn’t like his downtime. Here, we see the guitarist smiling while playing a game of pool at a friend’s house back in 1967.
Skating Rink Fun With Mick Jagger And Jerry Hall
Mick Jagger has had a career spanning over five decades.
While they’re not together anymore, Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall were quite the couple for some time. Here, we see them having some fun at a skating rink.
Barbara Bach And Robert Moore Promoting James Bond
The James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me was released in 1977, quickly becoming a wildly popular spy film. Eon executive Charles Juroe, said, “I have never seen a reaction in the cinema as there was that night. You couldn’t help it. You could not help but stand up. Even Prince Charles stood up.”
Here, we see the two lead actors of the film, Roger Moore and Barbara Bach, posing with the Lotus Esprit to promote the movie. Obviously, their promotions worked, as the film grossed $185.4 million in the box office.
Sylvester Stallone Signing Rocky Autographs At The Premiere
In 1976, the rag- to-riches sports drama Rocky hit theaters. An unknown talent at the time, Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay, fighting with each studio he brought it to because he wasn’t willing to work unless he was Rocky Balboa.
His hard work and patience were worth it, as the film went on to gross $225 million in the global box office. It even won three Academy Awards that year, including Best Picture.
Lloyd Bridges Taking His Acting To The Sea In 1960
Sea Hunt was an action-adventure television series that aired from 1958 to 1961, staying very popular for decades after the last episode. Starring Lloyd Bridges as ex-Navy diver Mike Nelson, the show features various underwater shots and daring rescues made by the lead character.
Along with its great visual effects, the series made sure to remind viewers of the importance of conserving the environment. The series ran for four seasons, with a total of 155 episodes.
The Rat Pack Taking The Stage In 1960
The “Rat Pack” consisted of talents such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop, among others, through the years.
The name “Rat Pack” came from the 50s, when Humphrey Bogart and his friends returned from Vegas to their home state of New York, looking “like a rat pack.”
Hitsville, U.S.A.
This humble building at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit was the headquarters of Motown Records, one of the most influential record labels in American music history.
That “Hitsville, U.S.A.” sign was no brag, either — thanks to chart-topping artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson — Motown churned out hit after hit after hit.
SS United States
The SS United States was launched during the tail end of the glory days of ocean liners, but the grand ship still managed to make history as the fastest ocean liner ever built.
Key to the ship’s speed was the fact that it was built, wherever possible, of lightweight materials like aluminum rather than steel. It was able to complete a transatlantic passage in just three days.
Jimmy Carter During A Quiet Moment
Jimmy Carter served as the 39th President of the United States between 1977 and 1981, and also spent two terms as a Georgia State Senator followed by a stint as the state’s governor.
Of course, Carter was also famously a peanut farmer. This 1970 photo captures him on his farm after his time in the state senate and one year before he’d become governor.
A Typical 1950s Classroom
While the basics of a classroom have always been the same — students seated at desks as a teacher conducts a lesson — the garb on these students places this photo firmly in the 1950s.
During this decade, many areas saw a transition from smaller one-room schoolhouses to larger suburban schools that were better equipped to handle the postwar baby boom.
The Freeway System Gets Rolling
Los Angeles is known today as a city of cars, with a spaghetti-like system of freeways, onramps and offramps that snake their way around the city.
Of course, the city wasn’t always like that, and this 1946 photo of the freeway near Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles shows the city’s freeway system in its infancy.
The Dawn Of Suburbia
Following World War II, an influx of returning servicemen and their families needed space for their families to grow — and suburbia filled the need.
The postwar economic boom led to the construction of innumerable residential communities on the outskirts of larger cities — areas with sprawling homes, lawns, and winding streets. Levittown, New York, is generally regarded as the first modern suburb.
At The County Fair
County fairs have been an American tradition for over a century, and while their popularity may have waned in recent years, they’re still a fixture of rural communities across the country.
This 1970s photo shows a mom riding a Ferris wheel with her two kids, which offers a commanding view of the fairgrounds below.
Watching The Presidential Debate
In a time before internet connectivity, televised presidential debates gave the public a chance to measure the candidates against one another.
This family in Marshalltown, Iowa is huddled around a TV in September of 1976 to watch the first presidential debate of the season. That year’s election pitted Gerald Ford against Jimmy Carter.
The Beatles In Miami
The Fab Four were an overnight sensation in the United States after their iconic performance on The Ed Sullivan Show — and they quickly capitalized on this fame by touring the United States.
This photo was taken in February of 1964 in Miami, at the very start of their first tour. They’d return in 1965 for another tour, which set records for attendance and revenue.
A New York Produce Market
This photo of an outdoor produce market in New York’s Corona, Queens neighborhood was snapped in 1970, but aside from the prices, has a certain timeless quality.
That’s because while big box stores dominate today’s retail landscape, outdoor markets like these have managed to persist and stay relevant in densely populated areas like New York.
Women’s Professional Baseball
The World War II years were a lean time for America’s Pastime, as many of baseball’s top stars were overseas fighting in the war. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was founded in 1943 to give baseball fans an alternative.
The league featured teams in smaller midwestern communities like Rockford, Illinois and Racine, Wisconsin. At its peak, the league had ten teams and could draw crowds numbering in the thousands.
Hollywood And Vine, 1963
Some of the buildings in this 1963 photo may have changed, but the iconic Capitol Records building shows that this could only be Vine Street in Hollywood.
The intersection of Hollywood and Vine may be the most iconic intersection in Los Angeles thanks to its pop culture notoriety. Today, this stretch is a mecca for Hollywood tourists.
A 1970s Retail Strip
This 1970s view along the Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans shows the kind of urban sprawl that became commonplace on the outskirts of major cities.
While it’s hard to argue that sights like this are beautiful or pedestrian-friendly in any way, these retail hubs proved to be very convenient for anyone who had a car to travel to them.
Guarding The Whiskey
Guard John Costello is shown sipping on a cup of coffee (or is it coffee?) as he guards hundreds of cases of Johnnie Walker in New York in 1947.
New York’s ports would have been a hive of activity around this time, as the war had been over for two years at this point, freeing up shipping lanes and fuelling the country’s postwar economic boom.
A Catskills Resort
The Catskills, affectionately nicknamed the “Borscht Belt,” were a popular tourist destination for the bulk of the 20th century, with numerous resorts springing up to serve the needs of vacationing New Yorkers.
The region was also a proving ground for comedians like Mel Brooks, Joan Rivers, and Jerry Seinfeld. Starting in the 1980s, though, air travel and competition from other tourist destinations caused the Catskills to decline.
Voting Or Bake Sale?
A polling station seems like a great place to set up a bake sale, as people can reward themselves for their civic-mindedness with a delicious baked good after voting.
This 1972 photo from Michigan shows a bake sale right outside of a polling station — and one voter evidently couldn’t resist the scent of freshly-baked treats.
A Cold War Rivalry
Basketball wasn’t especially popular in 1952, when this photo of a game between the Soviet Union and United States was taken. The American team won this matchup in Helsinki.
Two decades later, it would be a different story. At the peak of Cold War tensions, the Soviet Union controversially defeated the United States to win Olympic gold in basketball.
The First Stewardess
During the very early years of commercial air travel, Lieutenant Ellen E. Church became the world’s first stewardess, or female flight attendant.
This 1930 photo notes that she was first employed by United Airlines in 1930, shortly after convincing airline officials that nurses should be employed as stewardesses on longer flights.
The Real-Life M*A*S*H
While the venerable television show M*A*S*H revolved around a fictional field hospital during the Korean War, MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) units existed during both World War II and the Korean War.
This 1952 image shows field medics as they go about their duties at one such MASH unit during the Korean War. If not for the gravity of the situation, this could be a still from the TV series.
A Timeless Summertime Tradition
Countless Americans have fond memories of going away on overnight camping trips as part of a youth group, oftentimes affiliated with the Boy or Girl Scouts, or a church group.
This quintessentially American image shows a group of boys at one such summer camp as they salute the stars and stripes being raised first thing in the morning.
LBJ, Post-Presidency
The presidency of Lyndon Baines Johnson was a complicated period, as LBJ was pushed into action following the death of John F. Kennedy, won re-election, and then became increasingly unpopular as the Vietnam War dragged on.
This image shows a contemplative LBJ in 1970, shortly after he left the White House, on his ranch in Texas. Johnson was 62 at the time and would pass away just three years later.
Saluting Their Veterans
Veterans Day (which honors veterans) and Memorial Day (which honors those killed in conflict) are still observed in the United States, but these days took on added meaning in the years immediately following World War II.
It’s unknown which small town this photo was taken in, but it shows a flag-raising ceremony sometime in the 1950s, as residents gather to pay tribute to their heroes.
Burt Lancaster On Set
Burt Lancaster had a long career in Hollywood as a leading man, acting in a variety of roles during his 45-year career. This image shows Lancaster between shoots of the film Jim Thorpe – All-American in 1951 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Lancaster is receiving instructions from the director of the film, Michael Curtiz. While Jim Thorpe – All American is largely forgotten today, one of Curtiz’ other films — Casablanca — is steeped in Hollywood lore.
The Capital Of Baseball
This photo shows the cavernous confines of Yankee Stadium (“the House that Ruth Built”) during the 1951 World Series between the New York Yankees and the New York Giants.
While the Giants reached the World Series in dramatic fashion — with Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” at the Polo Grounds — the Yankees would prevail 4-2 to win the World Series that year.
Paying Tribute To The Past
The color photography and sideburns in this photo place it firmly in the 1970s (1974, to be exact), but these cowboys are taking part in an old-time American tradition.
They’re gathered for Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which was first held in 1897. The annual festival, now well over a century old, is still celebrated every summer.
Not Your Everyday Boxing Match
It’s understandable that Muhammad Ali is in this shot, which was taken just prior to a 1978 boxing match, as Ali was the most celebrated prizefighter of all time at that point. But his opponent, while recognizable, finds himself in an unusual venue.
That’s because this was a charity boxing match that pitted Ali against entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. It was, of course, a light-hearted exhibition, with all proceeds going to charity.
Jane Fonda On Set
Jane Fonda’s legacy is somewhat complicated, as her criticisms regarding the Vietnam War led to the derisive nickname “Hanoi Jane” in later years.
But at the time this photo was taken, Fonda was seen simply as a rising star in Hollywood. This 1963 photo was taken during the filming of Joy House. At the time, Fonda would have been 25 years old.
Before Las Vegas Got Big
There’s something undeniably nostalgic about vintage postcards, and this 1952 postcard of Hotel Last Frontier in Las Vegas shows an optimistically green lawn, considering the hotel is located in an arid desert.
At the time, Vegas was already a hub for casinos and betting, but it was still a long way away from the garish neon metropolis we know today.
A Showcase For Dessert
This 1958 photo of a grocery store in Nashville is obviously staged and designed to showcase what was apparently the store’s main attraction: Low-calorie, high-protein frozen desserts, which can be had for the price of 49 cents per half gallon.
While there’s no word on how the dessert tasted, this picture still serves as a fantastic time capsule of midcentury shopping and design.
Dustin Hoffman Poolside
Dustin Hoffman can be seen relaxing poolside with his wife Anne Byrne in this 1975 photo, taken during the Cannes Film Festival. The film Lenny, in which Hoffman starred, was showcased at the festival.
Hoffman’s career is well-documented, while Anne Byrne had a brief film career in the 1970s. The two were married in 1969 but divorced in 1980.
Gas Attendants Are A Rare Sight Today
Outside of states where drivers are prohibited from pumping fuel, it’s a pretty rare thing to find a full-service gas station, where attendants will pump fuel and drivers can remain in their cars.
Back in the day, of course, this was far more common. This 1971 photo shows nattily-attired gas station attendant Morgan Moore at a Shell station in Nashville.
Errol Flynn During A Quiet Moment
Iconic Australian actor Errol Flynn — best known for his swashbuckling roles during the Golden Age of Hollywood — can be seen here with his son Sean during a fishing holiday at Lake Mead, Nevada, in 1951.
Sean Flynn went on to make a name for himself as a photojournalist during the Vietnam War, but disappeared in 1970 after he and other photojournalists were kidnapped by the Viet Cong in Cambodia. He was declared legally dead in 1984.
A ’70s Teen Idol
Those of a certain vintage may recognize this image from a photoshoot for Tiger Beat magazine. It shows David Cassidy alongside an unnamed young woman as they lean against a car in an Old West town.
Cassidy was best known for playing Keith Partridge in The Partridge Family. He later went on to have a musical career as a teen idol, with his popularity peaking in the mid-’70s.
