After the war, entertainment was quite different. Rationing was over; however, little money, wage scale stayed very low for a long time. Boys dating usually borrowed their family auto during a Saturday night when they could. We had many ballrooms in the area, with "big bands". These places were always very crowded for the live entertainment. Oftentimes difficult dancing to the jitterbug because of the lack of space, and often times bumping into another couple inadvertently. The male dancers had double duty in selecting space. Of course there were couples who were extremely good dancers, and the floor would be cleared for them.
We had "supper clubs" then, which were more elegant and popular restaurant places. Sometimes a show to watch while eating.
The radio was popular. During the war years, we listened on battery powered radios for news of troop movements, and of course music and live radio shows. Serial programs were followed during evening hours when family members were home from school and working. We needed humor during those times, and the radio provided it. Bob Hope provided USO Tours for the troops. The radio provided those broadcasts during Christmas, have listened to all of them, and when television was available watched the shows. Bob Hope brought "hope" to our servicemen in combat of returning home, and laughter to many.
Movies were a huge hit during that era, frequented by many. The male and female movie stars were very well known, and at times we were given a questionaire to remark what impression we had of the movie. Clark Gable, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Marlan Brando, and many others.
We socialized a lot then. Many private parties at individual homes. Our soldiers had returned home, the war was over, and we had much to celebrate. Everyone seemed happy again, at long last. However, oftentimes giving a toast to fallen comrades the soldiers had known, in silence and reverance.
Garson Kanin wrote of them, "The magic of Astaire and Rogers cannot be explained; it can only be felt. They created a style, a mood, a happening. They flirted, chased, courted, slid, caressed, hopped, skipped, jumped, bent, swayed, clasped, wafted, undulated, nestled, leapt, quivered, glided, spun - in sum, made love before our eyes. We have not seen their like since."
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