One of history’s most iconic and endearing child actresses, Shirley Temple’s spirited acting and singing routines provided a welcome escape from the darkness of the Great Depression. At 21, Temple posed for a number of publicity photographs, such as this wonderful yet bizarre photo snapped in 1949. Below we see Shirley in a Thanksgiving-themed photo, with none other than the crowning dish of the feast: a turkey.
This probably wouldn’t fly as good marketing with vegetarian and vegan activists today, but back in the day, this was perfectly comical! With a career beginning at age three, she, unlike many other child actors, managed to grow her career in another direction. Temple went into diplomacy and served as the U.S. ambassador to Ghana under the Ford administration, as well as later on to Czechoslovakia under George H.W. Bush.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Kitty, 1953
With her violet-hued eyes, delicate facial features, and voluptuous body, Elizabeth Taylor is one of the screen sirens of Hollywood. With her start as a child actress in the 1940s, it seemed she would follow the usual trajectory and end up married with children. But not for Taylor. As an adult, she blossomed, as did her beauty and career. In 1999, Taylor was named the 7th greatest screen legend by the American Film Institute and frequently tops lists regarding the Golden Era of Hollywood.
Whilst she often played the seductive yet quick-witted woman in her roles, she also had a soft spot. For cats. In this image, captured in 1953, you see her coyly posing with an adorable kitten poking its head and mittens out of her pocket! At the time, she was filming "The Girl Who Had Everything." But let’s be real here; that’s one pretty lucky kitty!
The Beatles, 1964
Harry Benson, the iconic photograph below, is one of those that people just can’t get enough of. The subject of the image? Only the hottest pop-rock band in the world at the time: The Beatles! Staying in the obscenely expensive George V Hotel in Paris in 1964, the Beatles were only just getting a taste of the fame to ensue. The night this photograph was taken was the same night the “Fab Four” found out that their song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” went No.1 in the United States.
But perhaps the best part about this photograph’s story is that Glasgow-born Benson wasn’t interested in the band at all and wanted to cover a story in Africa instead. But after an encounter with the band and their music, Benson was mesmerized, so he stuck it out with them, taking countless photographs. This is just one of many, but it perfectly captures the excitement and happiness of the moment.
A Gentleman, 1910
The image of this doctor captured in the 1910s shows that your man has no excuse not to look dapper as hell! But there may be something else that’s gotten your attention. If you didn’t think doppelgangers were a real thing, think again. Doesn’t this man look exactly like celebrated actor Brad Pitt!?
With his piercing eyes and light locks, this Pitt resemblance has sent us reeling! They do look uncannily similar, which is quite something, given this photo was taken 53 years prior to Brad's birth. It’s quite likely that a couple of decades ago, there was a photograph taken of someone who looks exactly like you!
The King’s Autograph
When someone refers to “The King,” they’re undoubtedly talking about the King of Rock and Roll: Elvis Presley. With a reach like no other artist before or after him, he is remembered as a legend in his own right. Before he had truly reached stardom, here he is pictured signing autographs for his fans.
Part of what was a golden age for music, Elvis was a pioneer in the Rockabilly style - a genre that fused country with rhythm and blues. His goal was to imbue popular music with African American music, and once America heard his new take, they were hooked. Selling a staggering amount of records which, in a time before instant downloads, was a massive feat, Elvis will remain one of the highest-selling artists of all time.