OLD ’ZINE FUN PART 2

YESTERDAY, WE BEGAN LEAFING THROUGH R&TS from January-March 1950. And, wouldn’t you know, this developed into a two-parter. 

Another Famous Personage. A classified ad in February 1950 listed quite a buy: A Thirties 2 1/2-liter 4 place sports car for only $970 (figure $13,376 in today’s dollar). 

Image from R&T, February 1950.

Wikipedia notes that Dave Garroway “was an American radio and television host on NBC. He was the host of Garroway at Large from 1949 to 1951, the founding host and anchor of Today from 1952 to 1961, and the host of The Dave Garroway Show from 1953 to 1954. His radio work included host of the The Dave Garroway Show (radio program) from 1947 to 1955 and Monitor from 1955 to 1961.”

David Cunningham Garroway, 1913-1982. Image from Shiels & Bruno (personal manager)-James J. Kriegsmann, photographer.

The Swallow ad reappeared in R&T, March 1950, but not April. I like to think Dave’s proto-Jaguar found a good home.

Wanna Hang Out? R&T ads of the era had several suggestions for hanging out, east and west.

Wikipedia notes, “The Hudson New York was established in 1928 by Anne Morgan, daughter of J. P. Morgan, as the American Women’s Association clubhouse and residence for young women in New York.… The American Women’s Association went bankrupt in 1941 and the clubhouse building was converted into The Henry Hudson Hotel, open to both men and women. During World War II the building housed Dutch soldiers.”

Image from R&T, January 1950. 

Because of its regular 1950s’ appearances, I’d like to think the Henry Hudson was home to out-of-town R&T readers. Years later, in November 2020 the hotel closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wikipedia notes, “It is slated to be converted into 438 below-market apartments by a co-living firm.”

Image from R&T, January 1950.

As of January 11, 2020, Jim Otto’s was still there: “Have eaten there since the 1960’s,” reports an entry, “Meals there are always delicious.”

And a recent Facebook listing cites The Filly Park ’n’ Eat on Rte. 66 in Duarte, 1940s.

Image from Bruce Dunseth LOST ANGELES.

Rene Dreyfus’s Restaurant(s). SimanaitisSays readers may recall René Dreyfus and Le Chanteclair, his restaurant at 18 East 49th Street, between Rockefeller Center and the Waldorf-Astoria.

Image from retro on 8th.

And pal Larry Crane offers more details at VeloceToday.com, March 11, 2009. Here he picks up with René Dreyfus prior to World War II: “No way to get home, they were quickly ordered to New York to do propaganda for France. Running out of patience and funds at an increasing pace Rene and an old friend from Nice bought the Red Coach Inn near Englewood, New Jersey.”

Larry continues, “It was quickly discovered as the place to be for expat Europeans trapped in the States for the duration of the war, but after 7 December 1941 he joined the U.S. Army and did a circuitous tour of the European theater. Upon his return to New York he found and bought a small French restaurant called Le Gourmet…. His third American restaurant became Le Chanteclair at 18 East 49th, and finally in partnership with his brother Maurice.”

Maybe You Just Wanna Lower Your Ford? No heating, no welding, 2” drop any make any year… $3.33 set; Ford shackles 1932-1947 … $1.50 set. 

Images from R&T, January 1950.

The ad included, “3rd Annual Hot Rod Show. Don’t forget! When in L.A. for the show, visit our store. We’re only 3 blocks from the show.”

And What a Show! I believe the show’s ad helped me discern the difference between a girl and a pony.

Image from R&T, February 1950.

Thereafter I forgot about ponies; but I’ve never forgotten R&T. ds 

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2026.