July 31, 1950
If you are following this blog, (which I hope you are!) you will see that it’s been about three years since Joan wrote to my grandmother. Now, I can not claim that to truly be the case as I can possibly be missing some letters. Regardless, it’s at a point in the correspondence that a.) my grandmother is being bold and asking to meet (actually, I think it’s grandpa making the moves) and b.) Joan is now offering! And coming in a few short blogs – you will see that grandma actually did meet Joan in California on a Warner Brothers studio set of what could have been the final days of filming for Goodbye, My Fancy – and prior to the filming of This Women is Dangerous (released in 1952) But as I said, more on that in a few blogs.
Now and at this time in 1950, Irwin is now a young man of 18 trying to figure out just what to do next. Brooklyn College is an option but the Korean War, which just stared within the last 40 days, is pressing on his heart. His friends want to fight – but Irwin is not a fighter. Never was – and that held true until his passing due to a severe case of long-term, undetected, pancreatitis at the early age of 68 in 2000. But regardless whether Irwin was a fighter or not – Mary would be devastated if her only child enlisted. That would never be the case.
Brooklyn in the 1950’s was in midst of some dramatic changes. The cities industrial energies began to wane. Manufacturers began to move to cheaper locations in other cities, and the ports became less active as large container ships, requiring deep harbors, began to dominate the shipping trade. The easy availability and affordability of government-sponsored housing loans spurred the middle classes to leave their old neighborhoods for the suburbs. Hundreds of thousands middle class residents abandoned Brooklyn for Queens, Long Island’s Nassau County, Staten Island, and New Jersey. Whole Jewish communities fled their old neighborhoods and moved to Flatbush, Borough Park, Eastern Parkway, and Brighton Beach. Many Italian families moved to Bensonhurt and Gravesend.
And, here the Sokol’s stayed – in Brooklyn. Joe working diligently at the Jolly Roger 7 days a week. And although business was good most days, the competition was fierce – and it came from the original Nathan’s where not only were the hot dogs served, they had the most incredible thick ripple cut french fries. Something Irwin had often, much to Joe’s dismay. Irwin helped at the Jolly Roger as much as possible, but not often enough to Joe’s or Mary’s liking. He was somewhat of a wanderlust – still deciding what he wanted to do in the future. Where he wandered most often though was to the beaches of Coney Island or Brighton Beach – hanging out with ‘the guys’ and checking out ‘the girls.’ And of course, eating at Nathan’s.
Irwin also loved the rides at Coney Island. He knew most, if not all, of the ride operators and he basically had a free pass due to the Jolly Roger’s location. The rides and the activities on Coney Island, for the time, were magical. Steeplechase Park, the big slide, the barrels, the human pool table, and the Roller Coasters – The Cyclone, The Thunderbolt, the Bobsled – , the Wonder Wheel, etc, etc., were enough to keep a young man occupied for days. And he loved it – all of it. Too much to Joe and Mary’s liking – but he was their only child – slightly spoiled, mischievous, but oh so dedicated to his parents like many children of his day. And within Brooklyn of the 1950’s there were virtually no divorces and few one-parent families. There were no drugs or drug problems but life was hard for many people – but the families stayed in tact.
And Mary (or I’ve said before, I think it’s Joe doing the ‘asking’ for Mary) has convinced Joe to make a trip to California – but they have no plans. Mary is well aware that Joan spends much of her time filming on the west coast and although times are tough, they are committed to meet Mary’s favorite movie star. And all Mary has to do is call CR. 67071 to find Joan’s whereabouts. And this number, CR. 67071, which I believe was Joan’s NY apartment number and not the studio’s number, was the ticket. Well, not the only one, Mary and Joe now needed train tickets – and I am certain their budget could not afford such a trip. But, in a few short blog posts you will see evidence that they made the trip – hopping on the 20th Century Limited train from New York Central Railroad to Chicago, and from there the Los Angeles Limited train for the 45 hour trip.
And there are some interesting tidbits about the 20th Century Limited train – for one, the term “Getting the red carpet treatment” started with this luxurious train. Passengers walked to and from the train on plush crimson colored carpet which was specially designed for the train and rolled out in both NY and Chicago. And since many of you are movie fans, the train scenes that took place from NY to Chicago in Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest” was the 20th Century Limited.
So what was going on in 1950?
- Sino-Soviet friendship treaty signed
- Communist Chinese forces invade Tibet
- British atomic physicist Klaus Fuchs is convicted of spying for the Soviet Union
- Phonevision – the first pay-per-view service, becomes available
- Guys and Dolls debuts at the 46th Street Theatre
- Charles Schulz introduces the world to the Peanuts comic strip
- The first Xerox machine is produced
- The first self-service elevator is installed by Otis Elevator in Dallas
- The first successful kidney transplant is performed at Loyola University by Dr. Richard Lawler
- (Jan 17) Brink’s robbery in Boston – almost $3 million stolen
- (Jan 31) Truman orders development of hydrogen bomb
- (May 9) Robert Schuman proposes Schuman Plan to pool European coal and steel
- (June 25) Korean War begins when North Korean Communist forces invade South Korea
- (Sep 22) Col. David C. Schilling (USAF) makes the first nonstop transatlantic flight in 10 hours and 1 minute
- (Nov 1) Assassination attempt on President Truman by Puerto Rican nationalists
- Era of McCarthyism begins
- World Series: NY Yankees d. Philadelphia Phillies (4-0)
- NBA Championship: Minnesota Lakers d. Syracuse (4-2)
- Stanley Cup: Detroit d. NY Rangers (4-3)
- Wimbledon: Women – Louise Brough d. M. duPont (6-1, 3-6, 6-1), Men -Budge Patty d. F. Sedgman (6-1. 8-10, 6-2, 6-3)
- Kentucky Derby: Middleground
- NCAA Championship: CCNY d. Bradley (71-68)
- NCAA Football Champions: Oklahoma (10-1-0)
- World Cup: Uruguay d. Brazil (2-1)
- Oscar, Best Picture: All the King’s Men
- Other movies that year included: Sunset Boulevard, All about Eve, Born Yesterday, The Third man
Books:
Paul Bowles, The Delicate Prey
Ray Bradbury, The Martian Chronicles
Ernest Hemingway, Across the River and Into the Trees
Mary McCarthy, Cast a Cold Eye
Isaac Bashevis Singer, The Family Moskat
Wallace Stevens, The Auroras of Autumn
Lionel Trilling, The Liberal Imagination
Mary Dearest - My Grandmother and Joan Crawford 