In 2023, sales for the US beer market topped $117 billion. Americans sure are crazy about our brewskies. In another grand American tradition, these vintage advertisements show that using sexy people to sell beer is always a winning combination. As Billy Dee Williams would say, it works every time! The height of cool right there, … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: This Bud’s for You
Category: 1960s
Bombshells: Alexandra Bastedo
While English actress Alexandra Bastedo (1946–2014) really burst onto the scene after the heyday of the Blonde Bombshell in cinema, we all know the Blonde Bombshell never really went away. Survey any point in cinematic history and you’ll find scads of bodacious blondes lighting up movie screens with their incandescent beauty. Speaking of incandescence, Bestado … Continue reading Bombshells: Alexandra Bastedo
Bombshells: Vera Day
English bombshell Vera Day (August 4, 1935) was once touted as Britain's answer to Marilyn Monroe. The absurdly photogenic and stunningly buxom blonde was certainly a looker during her prime acting years in the 1950s. Like many bombshells, Day eventually segued out of acting, but reappeared over the years here and there, most notably in Lock, … Continue reading Bombshells: Vera Day
Bombshells: Mara Corday
Born Marilyn Joan Watts on January 30, 1930 in Santa Monica, California, Mara Corday was an American showgirl, model, actress, Playboy Playmate and, as Wikipedia says, a “1950s cult figure.” That’s probably thanks to Playboy and the various westerns, horror, and science fiction B-movies she made during the fifties. The raven-haired Corday, who turned 94 … Continue reading Bombshells: Mara Corday
Marilyn Monday
As American icons go, Marilyn Monroe is the alpha and the omega. Like millions of others people, I’ve been obsessed with her since childhood—her incandescent beauty, inside and out, positively bowled me over—and that obsession is built for the long haul. I could post about her every single day and still never lose an ounce … Continue reading Marilyn Monday
Barbarella, Space Babe
I once read a review of Barbarella (1968), from some long-forgotten blog, that called the titular heroine a “space slut.” That blogger seemed to mean it as a negative thing. Well, we’re decidedly slut-positive around here at the Starfire Lounge, so let’s make it clear we see “space slut” as a positive. There’s been a … Continue reading Barbarella, Space Babe
The Art of the Ad: Choose Your Vice
Mid- to late-twentieth century advertisements for alcohol, tobacco, and other legal(ish) vices offer some of the most entertaining—and groan-worthy—time capsules of their era. Here are a few groovy examples. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the two newest members of the Mile High Club. It’s always Fishnet Friday with Passport Scotch! She definitely makes Genny a little … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: Choose Your Vice






