Bummed out by 2020? Swing into the 60’s!
Yes there’s a global pandemic, but you can still travel! Take a trip to the 60’s with this list of online escapes for the perfect (roman) holiday. But Alec, Roman Holiday came out in 1953. Shut up! This is my blog!
If you’re feeling a little bummed out by the current state of the world, like I am, you can find a bit of escapism in time travel to the groovy 60’s. I was exposed to some bits of 60’s culture growing up: Dr. Suess, Bewitched, the Beach Boys, the mop haircut I had at 13, Mary Poppins, tie-dye clothing…so there’s a double layer of nostalgia at play that makes this time period so fun. Take a whirl with these for more!
If you’re looking for a quick fix, I highly recommend That Girl streaming on Amazon Prime starring the exquisite Marlo Thomas. The five season series follows the delightful adventures of Ann Marie, a young actress trying to make it in New York in the late 60’s. It’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s meets New Girl. The 30 minute episodes are like bites of a light and airy puff pastry as we follow Ann around the city, in and out of auditions, modeling gigs, and classes (Steps on Broadway not pictured). Plus, Ann’s zany wardrobe would have Fran Fine and Carrie Bradshaw frothing with jealousy. Why watch? The episodes still feel topical and Ann’s bright optimism is an instant dose of sunshine.
If you’re feeling sing-songy, there is nothing more transportive than a musical. You may have already seen a few: West Side Story (61), The Music Man (62), Mary Poppins (64), My Fair Lady (64), The Sound of Music (65), and Funny Girl (68) were all 60’s staples. If you’re in the mood for something equally zesty, make some Jiffy Pop and check out The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Why watch? It's an entirely sung (!) love story that’s vibrantly filmed; I can guarantee you’ve seen nothing quite like it!
If musicals aren’t your thing, check out BUtterfield 8. It’s a zingy dark comedy with Dame Elizabeth Taylor at her best. She plays a call girl named Gloria Wandrous caught up in an affair with a rich, married man; sort of a precursor to Pretty Woman if you amped up Julia Roberts’ attitude to 12, gave her a beehive hairstyle and a penchant for destruction found only in native New Yorkers. It has quick pacing, but not so quick you can’t watch it while working on your couch. Lawrence Harvey and Eddie Fisher (Taylor’s real life husband) co-star, but Taylor steals the show. Why watch? Elizabeth Taylor was supposed to retire from film work with 1958’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof but due to her studio contract with MGM, was forced to film this. She didn’t speak to the director for the ENTIRE filming process and channels her vitriol for the project into lines like: “Terrible, isn't it, Steve? I say "yes" too much when I shouldn't and you say "no" too much when you shouldn't” and my personal favorite: "Mama, face it. I was the slut of all time!”. The film was MGM’s biggest box-office hit for 1960 and won Taylor her first Oscar for Best Actress. She never grew warm to the film, later stating: "I still say it stinks". Wrap yourself in a fur, say yes to this film and see for yourself!
If you’re just looking to zone out with some background music but want something a little different than the Beatles or the Beach Boys, spend some time with the originators of your favorite sound. Behind every famous white musician there were creators of color--namely Black Americans who remain largely uncredited for their contributions to culture. Elvis, I’m looking at you! If you like Patsy Cline, Paul Anka, or Frank Sinatra check out Della Reese, Pearl Bailey, Muddy Washington, Bo Diddly, the Ronettes and Eartha Kitt. You might have heard these artists at Christmas time, or in School House Rock, or on the soundtracks in your favorite movies, but do a deep dive and I’m sure you’ll find something in their catalog you like! Some of your favorite contemporary songs sample this era of music, as well. Trace the musical family tree and stream the songs that inspired your favs. If you want a custom recommendation, send me your favorite artists and I’ll make you a personal list! In the meantime, this playlist is easy listening and perfect for de-stressing from Zoom calls, as background noise for long showers, or algorithmically distancing yourself from the latest Justin Bieber release.
If all this is making you hungry, try a 60’s recipe. You can recuse yourself from the Chrissy Teigen v. Alison Roman drama with one of the defining recipes from the decade that popularized jello molds, shrimp cocktail, TV dinners, and stuffed celery (ants on a log are a 60’s thing! You love the 60’s and you didn’t even know it!). If you have more time on your hands try beef bourguignon, which was popularized with Julia Child’s show, “The French Chef” which started airing in 1963 (stream it on PBS!). Get blitzed on a crafty drink, like a Mint Julep, a Sidecar, or a Manhattan while you’re at it. If you put on an apron to do so, I will personally mail you a check for $100 (adjusted to 60’s inflation of course).
If you’re looking to read something, good for you! I am nominating you for a Nobel Prize now. You may have had to read Vonnegut, Bradbury, Steinbeck or Miller in grade school. I would love to read any book report you did on any of these authors! Writing was even more male-dominated than it is today, so check out some lesser known women who wrote incredible works during this time. Feminist writing took off in the counterculture of the day, and can be seen across the works of Maxine Kunin, Muriel Rukeyser, Maya Angelou, and Denise Levertov. If poetry isn’t your thing, Lucia Berlin’s short stories are perfect snippets of 60’s culture, stemming from the working class jobs Berlin held throughout her life. Read A Manual for Cleaning Women, a compendium of her short stories, each one offering a sage yet concise read based loosely on her own experiences. You’ll never be able to guess what’s coming next with scenes that vary from hitting nuns, pulling a mouthful of teeth at once, Communist history teachers, alcoholic mothers, and more. Speaking of Communism, The Golden Notebook (free PDF) by Doris Lessing is a fabulous read that provides social commentary on women’s rights, Stalinism, and more. Think Slyvia Plath with a political angle. Round out your reads with this link to In Watermelon Sugar (a different sugar than the Harry Styles track!), a late 60’s novella about a utopian society where the sun is a different color every day. Beautiful, groovy, a little dark, and totally far out.
Let me know if you take a trip, and if not, I’ll see you at Woodstock!
