May 2009

25 years ago - 99 Luftballons (Yes, the German version of 99 Red Balloons!)

Submitted by Mary on Tue, 05/19/2009 - 9:48am (174 reads)

This is the only German song I can recall that has been played on American radio stations since I was born. Wait. No. Actually, Der Kommisar by Falco, also from the early 80's, was in German. Have there been any other German songs on US radio? I remember hearing both versions of 99 Red Balloons on the radio back in 1984 - both the German and the English version. I loved both. I remember going to a birthday party and a girl asked if I could bring this song which I had recorded off the radio onto a tape. read more...

Archie (from the comic strip) is finally getting married this year!

Submitted by Mary on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 9:53pm (202 reads)

This is the year of marriage surprises. David Letterman got married. Joy Behar from The View will be getting married. I'm a fan of both of them. And, I'm sure they won't mind that I am including their names with Archie, a comic strip character. ;) One major difference (besides the fact that Archie doesn't host a talk show) is that Archie still hasn't chosen who he will marry, while David Letterman and Joy Behar have already been in commited relationships for years. Will Archie marry Betty or Veronica? What does his buddy Jughead think?

New Mexico - The Blue Swallow Motel on Route 66 in Tucumcari

Submitted by Mary on Sun, 05/24/2009 - 11:33am (427 reads)

In our Retropolis tour of America we give the owners of The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico the retro seal of approval for bringing it back to the late 30's to early 40's (which is when it was built). They recognized that the decor found in typical chain motels just wouldn't make sense in this Route 66 classic motel. Some people these days feel like they are doing an old building a favor by "upgrading" to granite countertops, but if the building is a classic, these "upgrades" look like they're in the wrong place in the wrong time. read more...

One of the first movies ever in New York City - Filmed over 100 years ago

Submitted by Mary on Sun, 05/24/2009 - 1:20pm (163 reads)

At just over a minute long, "WHat Happened on 23rd Street, New York City" is one of the earliest short films. It gives you a good understanding of what the sidewalks and streets of NYC looked like in the summer in the early 1900's. They were dressed warmly, although it was filmed in August in 1901. This was actually their summer attire. New York is hot in the summer even for those with shorts on, so I can't imagine how hot this must have been in the 1901 attire. read more...

It's North Carolina Week! Let's start with a stop by an old produce stand.

Submitted by Mary on Mon, 05/25/2009 - 1:04pm (181 reads)

Since Retropolis is based in North Carolina, we wanted to pay a special tribute to this great state that we now call home. read more...

FOR SALE: Cameron's House from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Submitted by Mary on Tue, 05/26/2009 - 12:15pm (204 reads)

"Please please please let me get what I want" - The Smiths

An instrumental version of that song was playing in the art musem scene in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and I'm sure many people will be feeling those lyrics when they see that this house is for sale. Cameron's house! This is a mid-century modern lover's DREAM house. The second I heard about this I went scurrying online for the real estate listing so I could see the photos, and I found the listing here: read more...

North Carolina - Home to the Largest Home in the United States - The Biltmore Estate

Submitted by Mary on Tue, 05/26/2009 - 9:58pm (252 reads)

I just wrote a blog entry about this gorgeous estate, but I accidentally lost it (computer malfunction- ugh!). But really the video offers a great explanation of this grand estate anyway. I will just add this: read more...

Mount Airy, NC: Otherwise known as Mayberry, home to Andy Griffith

Submitted by Mary on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 10:29am (245 reads)

Andy Griffith was born in Mount Airy, and The Andy Griffith Show and the fictional town town of Mayberry is believed to be based on Mount Airy. Now Mount

Airy is in many ways based on Mayberry. You will find tributes to the show wherever you go in town, especially downtown, where you will find cute little

shops and Snappy Lunch, an original old diner known for it's porkchop sandwiches. http://www.thesnappylunch.com/ read more...

Soldier in NC reunites with his son

Submitted by Mary on Sun, 05/31/2009 - 4:24pm (203 reads)

Although this video may be somewhat off topic from my usual antique / vintage / retro blogs, it does make a sweet ending to North Carolina, and it celebrates something timeless and ancient - the love of a father and son. Since Father's Day will be coming up in June, I just want to personally thank all the fathers in the military who are overseas or who have had to spend any time away from their children and families. A special Happy Father's Day MONTH to them! A big THANK YOU to all the military mothers too! read more...