Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Coney Island Baby who was almost King of the Jungle

Laura Macfehin looks back on body builder Joe Bonomo- how the son of a Candyman almost became the most famous ‘swinger’ of all time! The Sweet Life On a mild summer morning towards the end of the 19th century, a ship was steaming into New York. It had come from Istanbul and the decks were crowdedContinue reading “The Coney Island Baby who was almost King of the Jungle”

Better call Eddie

For MGM moguls Eddie Mannix and Howard Strickling, dealing with their stars’ dirty laundry was all in a day’s work. Natasha Francois examines the seedy underbelly of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Movie star Thelma Todd’s body was discovered the morning of December 16, 1935 by trusted maid Mae Whitehead. The blonde bombshell was slumped behind the wheelContinue reading “Better call Eddie”

5 things our grandmothers did with bananas (that we don’t do now!)

“Forty-four times more nutritious than a potato!” Laura delves into the horrors and delights of vintage banana recipes. There is a lot that could (and has) been said about bananas. They have a cultural history loaded with vastly differing attitudes towards race and sexualities that could (and has) filled up many chapters. They have also becomeContinue reading “5 things our grandmothers did with bananas (that we don’t do now!)”

Everything but the kitsch-en sink: Poster collector Wil Wright

WELCOME TO PART TWO OF A NEW SERIES ABOUT VINTAGE COLLECTORS: In the second installment of Everything But the Kitsch-en Sink, Christchurch Film Poster Gallery proprietor Wil Wright shares his penchant for vintage movie posters and memorabilia with Natasha Francois. The Film Poster Gallery is New Zealand’s premier dealer of original theatre-used movie advertising material, including posters (from small daybills to extra-largeContinue reading “Everything but the kitsch-en sink: Poster collector Wil Wright”

What’s Shaking: Genever Juniper

Laura Macfehin tries three different New Zealand gins in three classic cocktails— the Gimlet, the Gibson and the dangerously coy Orange Blossom! After being almost completely replaced by vodka in the late sixties, gin has had a real upswing in popularity in the last decade. Crafty folks in distilleries around the globe have brought gin backContinue reading “What’s Shaking: Genever Juniper”

Small Screen Screams

Laura Macfehin retrieves some made-for-television goodness from the golden age of TV movies- resurrecting some her childhood faves and pointing fans to some seventies gems. Goggle Box There was a time when the television set was the central screen in most people’s lives, and broadcast television was what was on it. Before personal computers andContinue reading “Small Screen Screams”

Big Fish in a Small Pond: Labretta Suede and the Motel 6 ‘Bait’ EP Release launch party

On the eve of their first Auckland gig in over a year, the feisty frontwoman from “ass-whippin’ high-kickin’, low down rockin’-an-a-reelin’ rock’n’roll” band Labretta Suede and the Motel 6 talks to Natasha Francois about being underdogs in the scene, why their new EP contains their best material to date and why they’ll be making a commotion in the ocean on March 18.