The Fifties: Popular Culture and nuclear fears. 1950-1955

Harry Truman

Harry Truman was the President as the 1950’s began. Truman’s presidency was a turning point in foreign affairs, as the United States engaged in an international foreign policy and renounced isolationism. However, he was unable to stop Communists from taking over China. When communist North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, he sent in U.S. Troops and gained UN approval for the Korean War. He ordered the development of the atomic bomb on January 31, 1950.

1952 Election

Held on Tuesday, November 4, 1952. Republican Dwight Eisenhower was the landslide winner, ending a string of Democratic wins that stretched back to 1932. He carried the Republican Party (GOP) to narrow control of the House and Senate. Foreign policy was a main issue in the race for the Republican nomination. The nation was polarized over the Korean War and the extent of corruption in the federal government became a major issue as well. The economy was prosperous, and thus economic and social issues played little role in the campaign. The 1956 Election was between incumbent President Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson. Eisenhower was reelected. This was the last presidential election before the admissions of Alaska and Hawaii.

Joseph McCarthy/The Red Channel/McCarthyism

Joseph McCarthy was an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. He is best known for fueling fears of communist subversion and initiating the “McCarthy trials”. He was noted for making claims that there were large numbers of Communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers inside the United States federal government and elsewhere.

He was eventually unable to substantiate his claims and was censured by the Senate. The term “McCarthyism” stems from his practices. Today the term is used to reference reckless and unsubstantiated accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents.

The Korean War

The Korean War had a major impact on the 1950’s. When North Korea invaded South Korea, the United States came to the aid of South Korea. China, with assistance from the Soviet Union, assisted North Korea. In September 1950, an amphibious UN counter-offensive was launched at Inchon and cut off many of the North Korean attackers. On October 1950, Chinese forces crossed the Yalu and entered the war. Chinese intervention triggered a retreat of UN forces which continued until mid-1951. The fighting ended on 27 July 1953.

Peanuts

October 2, 1950, the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz was first published in seven U.S. newspapers.

Fender

Fender Telecaster was introduced in 1950. It was the first guitar of its kind manufactured on a substantial scale and has been in continuous production in one form or another since its first incarnation.

The Rosenberg’s

The Rosenberg were American citizens who spied for the Soviet Union and were tried, convicted, and executed for conspiracy to commit espionage. They had apparently passed information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union, allowing Joseph Stalin to speed his development of Soviet nuclear weapon development.

Queen Elizabeth II

February 7, 1952, Elizabeth II was proclaimed Queen of the United Kingdom at St. James’s Palace in London, England.

Mr. Potato Head

Mr. Potato Head was a toy made of a plastic model of a potato which could be decorated with a variety of plastic parts. Ears, eyes, shoes, a hat, a nose, and a mouth were usually included and could be attached. They toy was distributed by Hasbro beginning in 1952.

John F. Kennedy weds

On September 12, 1953, U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island.

Colored Televisions

On December, 30, 1953, the first colored television went on sale for about US $1,175.

Crick and Watson, discovered the DNA

The discovery in 1953 of the double helix, the twisted-ladder structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), by James Watson and Francis Crick marked a milestone in the history of science and gave rise to modern molecular biology, which is largely concerned with understanding how genes control the chemical processes within cells.

Brown v. Board of Education

This landmark United States Supreme Court case declared state laws establishing public schools for black and white students was unconstitutional. It was handed down on May 17, 1954.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was an American actress and model. Famous for playing dumb blonde characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950’s. After a series of minor film roles, she signed a new contract with Fox in 1951. Over the next two years, she became a popular actress with roles in several comedies. Monroe faced a scandal when it was revealed that she had posed for nude photos before becoming a star, but rather than damaging her career, the story increased interest in her films. By 1953, Monroe was one of the most bankable Hollywood stars. Although she played a significant role in the creation and management of her public image throughout her career, she was disappointed at being typecast and underpaid by the studio. When the studio was still reluctant to change her contract, Monroe founded a film production company in late 1954, Marilyn Monroe Productions (MMP). In late 1955, Fox awarded her a new contract, which gave her more control and a larger salary.

Alan Freed

Alan Freed was an American disc jockey who would become internationally known for promoting the mixing of blues, country and rhythm and blues music on the radio. He actually coined the term Rock and Roll. He helped to organize the “Moondog Coronation Ball” on March 21, 1952 at the Cleveland Arena. This event is known as the first rock and roll concert. Crowds attended in numbers far beyond the arena’s capacity, and the concert was shut down early due to overcrowding and a near-riot. Freed gained a priceless notoriety from the incident.

McDonald’s

Ray Krock opened the first McDonald’s on April 15, 1955 in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Dr. Jonas Salk

Dr. Salk was a medical researcher and virologist. He introduced the polio vaccine in 1955. Before his vaccine, polio was one of the most frightening health problems in the world.

Disneyland

Disneyland opened to the public in 1955.

James Dean

Dean was an actor who would become a cultural icon. He starred in movies such as Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and also East of Eden (1955) and Giant in (1956), released after his death. Dean’s premature death in a car crash on September 30, 1955 cemented his legendary status.

Rocky Marciano

Rocky Marciano was an American professional boxer who held the world heavyweight title from September 23, 1952 to April 27, 1956. Marciano went undefeated in his career and defended his title six times. Known for his relentless fighting style, stamina, and an iron chin, Marciano has been ranked by many boxing historians as one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time.

Rosa Parks

December, 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to obey bus driver James F. Blake’s order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger and is arrested, leading to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Flying Saucers

This toy company from Woodland Hills, CA was known for marketing many popular toys during the 50’s including the Hula Hoop.

Television

Although the Golden Age of Television began prior to the 1950’s, the 50’s brought about some truly memorable programs.

The King and I

The King and I is a Broadway musical that premiered on March 29, 1951, at Broadway’s St. James Theatre. It ran nearly three years, then the fourth longest-running Broadway musical in history, and has had many tours and revivals.

My Fair Lady

My Fair Lady was a musical based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion.

Sun Studio

Sun Studio was a recording studio opened by rock-and-roll pioneer Sam Phillips at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee on January 3, 1950. It was originally called Memphis Recording Service. Artists who would record there include Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Charlie Feathers, Ray Harris, Warren Smith, Charlie Rich and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Hank Williams Dies

Hank Williams was an American singer-songwriter and musician He was regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century. Several years of back pain, alcoholism, and prescription drug abuse severely damaged Williams’ health. He died in 1953 at the age of 29 from heart failure exacerbated by pills and alcohol. Despite his short life, Williams has had a major influence on 20th-century popular music, especially country music.

Carl Perkins

Carl Perkins was an American singer-songwriter who recorded most notably at the Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee beginning in 1954. He is best known for his song, “Blue Suede Shoes”.

The Platters

The Platters was one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era. The group had 40 charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart beginning in 1955. The Platters were one of the first African American groups to be accepted as a major chart group and were, for a period of time, the most successful vocal group in the world.

Little Richard

Little Richard was a musician, singer and songwriter. An influential figure in popular music and culture for more than six decades, Little Richard’s most celebrated work dates from the mid-1950s, when his dynamic music and charismatic showmanship laid the foundation for rock and roll.

The Catcher of the Rye

The Catcher of the Rye is a 1951 novel by J.D. Salinger. It was a controversial novel, originally published for adults.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

The Diary of Anne Frank is a book of the writings from the diary of Anne Frank, a Dutch girl who hid for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The book was published in the United States in 1952 by Doubleday & Company and would go to be made into a movie in 1959. The book is included in several lists of the top books of the 20th century.

Burns and Allen

Burns and Allen was a half-hour television series broadcast October 12, 1950 on CBS. It starred George Burns and Gracie Allen. This was a situational comedy TV series and would go on to receive many Emmy Award nominations.

Edward R. Murrow

Edward R. Murrow was an American broadcast journalist. He first came to prominence with a series of radio broadcasts for the news division of Columbia Broadcasting during World War II. Millions of listeners throughout the United States listened to his shows. Many consider Murrow one of journalism’s greatest figures, noting his honesty and integrity in delivering the news.

The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan show was an American variety show that ran on CBS. It was hosted by Ed Sullivan. The format was essentially the same as vaudeville.

Today Show

The Today Show premiered on NBC on January 14, 1952. Today was the first program of its genre when it premiered. The program blended national news headlines, interviews with newsmakers, lifestyle features, and local news updates from the network’s stations.

I Love Lucy

This television sitcom starred Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley. It aired in black and white on October 15, 1951 on CBS.

Adventures of Superman

This television series was based on comic book characters. This was the first show to feature Superman. It began filming in 1951and aired in late 1952 and was sponsored by cereal manufacturer Kellogg’s. It starred George Reeves, Jack Larson, John Hamilton, Robert Shayne and Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane. Coates would later be played by Noel Neill.

Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

This sitcom aired on ABC beginning on October 3, 1952 and starred the real-life Nelson family.

Father Knows Best

This show was a radio and television comedy series that portrayed a middle class family in a city named Springfield in the Midwest. It was created by writer Ed James in the 1940s, and ran on radio until 1954 when it then began running on television.

The Honeymooners

This sitcom is based on a skit that regularly appeared on the Jackie Gleason Show. It debuted as a half-hour series on October 1, 1955 on CBS. The Honeymooners was one of the first U.S. television shows to portray working-class married couples in a gritty, non-idyllic manner (the show is set mostly in the Kramdens’ kitchen, in a neglected Brooklyn apartment building).

The Day the Earth Stood Still

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a 1951 science fiction film, done in black and white, from 20th century Fox. It starred Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe and Sam Jaffe.

All About Eve

All About Eve was a drama film that was released in 1950. It starred Bette Davis and Anne Baxter.

An American in Paris

An American in Paris was a 1951 musical inspired by an orchestral composition called an American in Paris by George Gershwin. The film starred Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guetary and Nina Foch.

The African Queen

The African Queen was a 1951 adventure film adapted from the novel of the same name by C.S. Forester. The film was directed by John Huston and produced by Sam Spiegel and John Woolf. It starred Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn

Singin’ In The Rain

This 1952 musical comedy film was directed and choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. It starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds.

From Here to Eternity

This 1953 drama film was directed by Fred Zinnermann and based on a novel by James Jones. It starred Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift and Frank Sinatra.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

This 1953 film was an adaptation of the stage musical. The film was released by 20th century Fox and starred Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe.

High Noon

This Western was released in 1952 and was directed by Fred Zimmerman. It starred Gary Cooper and would go on to win four Academy Awards.