Category Archives: 1950s

The Crucible

The Crucible (1953) is the second-best-known play by Arthur Miller (after Death of a Salesman), and arguably his most important.  Telling a tale from some 350 years earlier (now over four centuries ago), it dramatizes the infamous witch trials of … Continue reading →

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Walt Disney’s Peter Pan

The original story of Peter Pan, Wendy Darling, Captain Hook, and Tinker Bell is in the public domain in most of the world, having been published by creator J. M. Barrie in novel form in 1911. Although the basic story … Continue reading →

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Rebel Without A Cause

Rebel Without A Cause is a landmark of American culture, identified by the Library of Congress as culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant. It features James Dean in his next-to-last role, with Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo, and a supporting cast … Continue reading →

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"Rocket 88"

"Rocket 88" is arguably the first Rock and Roll song. It’s a celebration of the new Oldsmobile 88, one of the archetypal pleasure-craft automobiles of the era, and (almost as obviously) a celebration of sex. It was recorded in March … Continue reading →

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Casino Royale

Ian Fleming’s spy novel Casino Royale was published in 1953.  It introduced the characters of stalwart CIA agent Felix Leiter, the villain Le Chiffre, and the beautiful but unpredictable Vesper Lynd…. oh, and some guy named Bond… James Bond. Although … Continue reading →

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