Hollywood Starlet by Norman Rockwell: Mardee Hoff

From the Saturday Evening Post 2016 Calendar--  March.

"Hooray for Hollywood!  By the 1930s, America's obsession with celebrity was in high gear, and Rockwell immortalized one of its rituals -- the star interview.  Within two weeks of the picture appearing on the Post cover, his model Mardee Hoff, an aspiring actress, landed a contract with 20th Century Fox --  a testament to Rockwell's influence."

Hollywood Starlet appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, March 7, 1936.

One thing nice about this 2016 Saturday Evening Post calendar is that there are so many Rockwell prints that I've never seen before.

I was unable to find out anything about her on Wiki or imdb.  I did find a picture of her wearing short shorts and saying that in 1935 she was selected as having the most perfect figure.  Not bad judging by the photo.

Thanks Norman.  --DaCoot

Young Artist by Norman Rockwell: Rain Slickers

From the Saturday Evening Post 2016 Calendar for February.

"Be My Valentine.  Fashion fads come and go, but young love lasts forever-- at least until the next downpour.  In the 1920s, rain slickers were all the rage.  Acutely aware of the need to stay current, Norman Rockwell tuned in to timely ideas saying, "I just keep my ear to the wind and, when I heard of a craze or fad ... I'd do a cover of it."

A young boy painting a pair of hearts on the back of a young girl.

Young Artist appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post, June 4, 1927.

Keeping Dry and in Love.  --Cooter

The Pharmacist by Norman Rockwell

From the Saturday Evening Post Norman Rockwell 2016 Calendar for January.

The Pharmacist appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post March 18, 1939.  Judging from the face and mustache, I'd say he is the same model Rockwell used for Dreams of Long Ago, James Van Brunt, one pf his favorite models.

"For Better or Worse?  The hometown pharmacist was once the go-to guy for what ails you.  But while the apothecary carefully concocts a healing elixir, the boy with the bad cold has one question on his mind:  What will it taste like?

"A storyteller with a brush, Norman Rockwell had a knack for the direct hit, creating images that instantly connected with viewers."

--DaCoot

Dreams of Long Ago Painting, Norman Rockwell "The Old Cowboy"

From the Saturday Evening Post Norman Rockwell Calendar for 2016, month of April.

I first met this old cowboy on a cover of a Pure Prairie League album.  They used his likeness on several of their albums.

"DREAMS OF LONG AGO"

"Wild West.  Tapping into the public's fascination with Western lore and legend, Rockwell depicted an aging cowboy, listening to a gramophone, surrounded by memories of days gone by.

"When Rockwell met model James Van Brunt, he was drawn to his magnificent, eight-inch mustache.  'You couldn't help admiring it," said Rockwell, who used Van Brunt as a model in several Post cover illustrations."

Dreams of Long Ago appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, August 13, 1927.

--DaCoot

Time to Put the New Calendars Up

I have monthly calendars in three places around the house.

Out with the 2014s which had Currier & Ives prints from my bank and the Boys Town "Treasured Days" featuring art by noted print maker Sam Timm and two Beatles ones (Hey,1964, fifty years ago, was the quite the year for these guys)..

Up go the 2015s, which will include one featuring Saturday Evening Post covers by artists other than Norman Rockwell from my bank and a calendar of Norman Rockwell from the Paralyzed Veterans of America.  A great glimpse at American life in the 30s and 40s.

There are also one featuring Military Posters from the Smithsonian and another featuring the Civil War art of Mort Kunstler.

Lots of history in these four calendars.

Now I Know What Day It Is.  --DaCoot