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My son is looking into redoing his kitchen, and I have been watching the process with restraint and curiosity. That means I am managing not to try and take over or offer too much advice. This is hard, as any mother knows.
Anyway, as he has perused various styles of this and that, I noticed the ads that tout Mid Century modern. This is a style that revives the kind of furniture and kitchens that suburban houses had in the 1950s and 60s. It was the kind we had in my house when I was a kid, since no one remodeled kitchens back then unless they were really rich. “Mid Century” economics meant “You bought it, you lived with it.” Among elements of Mid Century Modern that really should be left alone are the terrible greens that were popular in the ’60s and ’70s. Designers can give avocado green a new name, but I know it when I see it. Am I the only one who will never have a green room again, any green room, until the day she dies?
I find revivals of styles that were popular in my own earlier life not only more old-fashioned than ultra current, but also a little annoying. Surely the world can wait until I, and everyone who was alive before 1970, is gone before reviving the material culture of our lives and calling it “retro cool.” This goes for clothing, too, and eyeglasses, shoes, and cars. (Although I do have a thing for cat-eye eyeglasses.)
I guess I am not a big fan of revivals in general, now that I think about it. I don’t much like remakes either. I have rarely seen a movie that is a new version of an old one and thought the new one was better. I have rarely heard a singer “cover” an older song and thought it was improved upon. Partly I think it is like cheating. I usually think “Get some imagination, people, and create your own take on that theme instead of just redoing someone else’s.”
It won’t surprise you to know that I also have an opinion about reissues. In this case I think they are okay as long as they are clearly labelled as such. I am not sure how I feel about reissues that are tweaked. The purist in me wants the original, but I know that if the writer thinks it should be tweaked it probably should be. But a reissue is not redone, for the most part. It is just a new printing of the original. Now, if a new author took a classic romance novel and rewrote the same story—-did a remake of it the way movies are sometimes remakes—- that would be odd.
Some revivals/remakes/reissues make no sense to me because I could never figure out the point of the original. For example, there is about to be a remake of the Three Stooges in movie form. The original show was old when I was young, but could be seen on Saturday afternoons where I lived. It gave new meaning to my father’s blanket description of television as “the idiot box.” I never got this show. I never laughed. I never thought it was funny. So the idea that the Three Stooges is being resurrected mystifies me.
But most revivals and remakes confound me, so my reaction to the Three Stooges is nothing new.
Do you like Mid Century modern as a style?
Are you planning to see the Three Stooges movie? Did you ever watch the television shows?
What is your favorite revival, or trendy retro item/style? Your least?
Which remake of a song or movie did you think was an improvement? Which one was the worst?
I hate that they remade Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Gene Wilder did it beautifully and should never had been messed with. Then there is the flipping awful covers of classic Beatles songs and the mess that Tina Arena did with Lulu’s To Sir With Love. That sort of thing drives me nuts (very short trip) and makes me want to yell at the fools who messed with it.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 4:27 am.
I can think of one remake that I thougt was better. I just can’t remember its name. I have to look it up before I post it. I guess there have been a couple of covers of Beatle songs that I thought were not too bad too.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:01 am.
Well we agree on the Avacado Green, and can add Harvest Gold to the list. I do, however, like the kitchen in your photo. It looks clean and bright—oh, and red. Most of my small appliances are red.
As to your other questions:
Do you like Mid Century modern as a style? Not as a rule. The starburst clocks, the gonna-be-a-color-someday palette, the less than elegant lines are just annoying on so many levels they defy discription.
Are you planning to see the Three Stooges movie? Did you ever watch the television shows? No. Although I may end up with the DVD for Hubble. Yes, because my father chose what we watched and men seem to like that kind of physical comedy(?) for reasons I have yet to understand.
What is your favorite revival, or trendy retro item/style? Your least? Dresses with waists and/or princess lines a la Jackie O. The nubby fabric suits, ironing boards, spray starch, and all that went with it, however, you can keep.
Which remake of a song or movie did you think was an improvement? Which one was the worst? Can’t think of a one that improved upon the original (although there MUST be one somewhere), and the worst has to be the one remake of the Wizard of Oz (can’t recall the title. Selective memory, perhaps?)
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 6:52 am.
Gwyn, I was going to point out Harvest Gold, too. My mother’s kitchen was 100% harvest gold — and it had carpet that was gold, too. In the kitchen!
I was really happy when the hippie look came back into style, Madeline. In my opinion, long hair and bell bottoms should never have gone away
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 8:48 am.
I like that look too. But it was very strange going to the University and seeing all these girls who looked just like I had when I was their age. Better than the big hair look when I started there, though.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:05 am.
Ah, yes, harvest gold. Ugh! Actually I bought this house when it still had an avocado green stove. And I used it until it died.
Well, the fact that kitchen is red tipped the scales for you, I know! I should have used the weird green one instead.
It is always worse when they remake a classic. It is a type of hubris.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:03 am.
Oh, and I think you are totally correct that the Three Stooges was guy stuff.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:06 am.
I do like mid century modern, but I agree about the avocado. I spent years getting that and yellow out of my house. I always wanted to have a kitchen that looked like a 50s diner. Not sure why.
I am NOT going to the 3 Stooges movie. I’m with you. Think up something new.
I’m excited about bell bottoms and tie dye shirts being back. I wish I’d have kept my old ones.
I like Guns ‘n Roses version of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” much better than Dylan’s. But only Judy Garland can do “Somewhere over the Rainbow.”
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 7:39 am.
I will agree on the Guns and Roses version being good. Dylan is an aquired taste, and other people doing Dylan songs normally are more popular.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:07 am.
I also shudder over mid-century modern. I grew up into 70s and everything was avocado, and shag carpet.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 7:48 am.
I am currently living in a house with green walls. I have the worst urge to paint them a lovely shade of blue.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 7:57 am.
I had shag carpet too! What a hassle that was to keep clean. You could never really trust it. If you did not have a dog to act as vacuum cleaner, it got yucky.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:08 am.
I just wish they would stop the “remakes” there are so many good books that deserve screenplay for movies.They shouldn’t have a need for a “remake” I think the powers that be are lazy and don’t want to risk failure.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 8:21 am.
I think it is the mistaken notion of “no risk” that drives the remakes of movies, too. I find it annnoying because there are only so many movies that will get made,and the remakes are hogging some slots.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:09 am.
Do I like mid-century modern.. No, though with the exception that if it’s done neatly and in someone else’s house I could like it there, but not enough that I want it where I’m living. No shag, no carpeted kitchens, no avocado (except in my guacamole mmmm), no garish wallpaper I’m not fond of it and the hubby would HATE it.
The three stooges isn’t something I’d pay to see on the big screen but I might rent it later, though I’m not sure I’d be up for a whole movie’s worth. I’ve seen small parts of a show and found it a little funny, but it seems like it’d get old quickly if I watched too much.
I like bell bottoms… comfy, guess those are among my favorites. Least favorite styles, some of the 80s stuff coming back.. I’ll rip my own jeans thanks, not pay more for less fabric, and skinny jeans.. are only good for skinny not curvy people (aka not me).
Favorite redo would have to be Whitney Houston’s (may she rest in peace) cover of I will always love you – I like it better than the original (though Dolly is awesome). Worst redo.. hmmm tough one, there are so many things that just should not have been messed with. I agree with Kelly in that Gene Wilder was the best Willy Wonka, he fits the book’s character better to me. Though I did like that the new one followed the book a bit better, I could have very much done without the creepy version of the oompa loompas, and the crazy added Wonka back story.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 8:53 am.
When I was looking for pics for the kichen, I found many that were not all that bad. But the only way they really resembled real mid century ones was in using a kind of Nordic modern style for the cabinets. So this may be a style that is a lot better if you have tons of money to spend. Which is oftn the case!
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:12 am.
I was so psychologically damaged by avocado green that it’s difficult for me to tolerate *any* shade of green at all. Ugh.
I have a house filled with antiques, though, so I can’t muster too big of a critique of the whole “retro” thing. And while I generally dislike “cover” songs, I think Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt” is spectacular, as is Marilyn Manson’s cover of “Sweet Dreams.” Sometimes, redux adds depth and extends our understanding of the original song in such a way that it makes something new.
This will never be true, however, for avocado green!
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 8:54 am.
I can’t handle green in decorating either. A few years ago all the designers on t.v. started going for green when they decorated a space, and DH and I would roll our eyes. It may have been the television cameras, but it all looked yucky to me. So I am probably damaged too. I keep saying that maybe a nice celedon green would work, but then I picture a whole wall of it and go for something else.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:15 am.
Oh Madeline, I’m so glad you said that about The Three Stooges. Hot Cop loves them and I never see what’s funny about hurting someone else. I cringe every time one of them pokes or gets poked in the eye, which is about twice a minute. OUCH!
I think the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice was a good re-do from all of the previous versions. It was simply perfect.
Other than that, I tend to like the originals.
And no, I don’t like avocado green. My parents house was green — green carpet, green walls, green curtains. After years and years my mother finally had it redone … now it’s tan carpet, tan walls, tan curtains. Sadly, I don’t think she believes in ‘contrast.’
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:17 am.
Maybe it’s a guy thing with The Stooges?
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:42 am.
Regarding P & P— I am going to set aside any movies or shows that do the classic books. I think they are fair game. Like all those versions of Scrooge–they do not bother me at all.
These references to guys and the Stooges has brought back memories of teenage boys I know giggling away when seeing those shows. I had a few male friends who thought they were hilarious, so the movie will probably do well with the nostalgia crowd.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:17 am.
Not a fan of Mid-Century Modern due to the hand me down furniture we had when first married. It did go well with the gold shag carpet in our first apartment. We laugh now when we see kitchen tables in furniture stores that look exactly like our old one.
Lionel Richie re-did his own song, Endless Love, with Shania Twain that I think is better.
My favorite remake of a movie is Parent Trap.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:18 am.
A few years ago I got rid of a dining room set that was late mid century modern— scandinavian design. It started being popular in the 60s, then really became big in the 70s. I had figured out it was reviving, so I had the sense to give it to a young couple who thought it was just wonderful. To me it was old, and not all that well made, but it had clean lines that worked for a long time.
When I think mid century, I think of those old formica and steel tables. We had one in our kitchen when I was growig up. My parents must have bought it long before I was born, or inherited it.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:21 am.
That is exactly the type of kitchen table DH’s parents handed down to us. I’m not complaining, we had nothing, but it was from the 30 – 40′s era. About 10 years ago we see it’s shinier twin in a furniture store and laughed.. We wondered if we should have kept it.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 12:35 pm.
I like Mid-Century Modern, I’ve always been a fan of the 1950s (and even earlier).
I thought the two remakes of The Shop Around the Corner with Jimmy Stewart (1940) were great – In the Good Old Summertime with Judy Garland and Van Johnson (1949) and then You’ve Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (2001). The remakes made enough changes to really highlight the stars in the newer versions but kept the fun aspects of the story intact.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:32 am.
I did not know that You’ve Got Mail was a remake (of sorts.)I am all for new works being inspired by old ones, and incorporating changes.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:23 am.
I didn’t like mid-century modern the first time as much as I like it this time. This time, I like the lamps better. The lamps the first time around were too tall and the shades too big and round and huge. I also think there was too much pattern in the wallpaper back then. This time, it’s cleaner and more pared down. My mom didn’t do the avocado or harvest gold appliances (from the 70s), she did yellow or white (the 60s). In the early 70s she redid the whole bottom floor in fire engine red/white/black–very bold and graphic and daring. Upstairs, each room was a different color with pop art wallpaper and matching carpet.
The Three Stooges have always remained a mystery to me; I think they’re a Guy Thing. But I adored Abbott and Costello and Laurel and Hardy. Adore, adore, adore. Especially Laurel and Hardy. The Marx Brothers have also always left me cold.
True Grit was actually good both times. I almost prefer the remake—it was grittier and I actually liked the heroine. In the first version, I kept hoping someone would kill Kim Darby.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:39 am.
See, I knew someone would disagree with me.
Although, I do agree Kim Darby drove me bananas too. The way she said ‘trash’ made me laugh though. 
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:51 am.
I think Kim Darby was supposed to be irritating. What I remember about that first version was how totally asexual she was. Also one of my favorite moments in film was when John Wayne charges with his two guns out and his reins in his mouth, after Robert Duvall taunts him about “big talk from a one-eyed fat man.” And I am not even a John Wayne fan, but in that movie and few other late ones, he played this wonderful satiric version of his on screen self in old age.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:27 am.
I should add that one reason I remember her is because as soon as she appeared, I thought “hell, no romance in this movie, I’ll bet.”
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:28 am.
LOL, no kidding!
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:29 pm.
I like Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello, too. There are times when we totally mess with the kids, and do something like Who’s on First with them.
We showed the kids the the Laurel and Hardy movie when they move the piano. Then, we took them to Silver Lake to see the actual steps. It was fun.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:01 pm.
I like Mid-Century Modern somewhat, but not necessarily for my own house. I love that kitchen in the picture, but I wouldn’t want it for my kitchen.
My folks didn’t have the avocado, we had the harvest gold, so there is nothing gold in my house, and I doubt we would ever use it. I love green, though…just not avocado green.
We have a lot of sage green and hunter/forest greens in our house.
I used to watch The Three Stooges all the time when I was a kid, but I would never see the movie. It looks dumb. There was a time and a place for it and it’s in the past. I will say that we saw the remake of Footloose, and I didn’t hate it. It was decent, some things were similar, some things changed quite a bit. I tell you, they are threatening to remake Dirty Dancing and I will have to protest that one. That’s one that shouldn’t be touched either, IMHO, especially with the passing of Patrick Swayze. There was a time and a place for that too.
As far as the best remake, I loved Michael Buble’s version of Fever. That song has been done over and over, but I really like his version. Worst, I Think We’re Alone Now that Tiffany remade in the 80′s…HORRID, imho. Movies, I would say that Ocean’s Eleven was one of the best remakes ever. That was an awesome movie, although I probably would have cast someone other than Julia Roberts as Tess. Great soundtrack too. Worst remake, and call me a purist because I know some people loved it, was True Grit. I thought it was awful from beginning to end. John Wayne was THE MAN…reminds me of my daddy.
I like the flare/bell bottom style from the 70′s, and also the current change that has them fitting lower on the waist. MUCH more comfortable that way.
I am like you though because I definitely wonder if there is no one left with any creativity because they are either doing a movie for the umteenth time, or they are remaking a song again. Doesn’t anyone write songs anymore?? I’ve also noticed that the scores for films are very similar. It’s like it is the same melody played with different instruments to invoke a different emotion…but it’s the same music (Titanic, for example, has the same melody in many of the songs on the soundtrack). I remember the score from Star Wars was SOOOO cool, and it had to have taken so long to create so many different songs.
Ok, I’ll get off my soap box now.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:49 am.
I gasp in horror at the thought of them remaking Dirty Dancing! It is so perfect as it is. They shouldn’t tarnish it with a remake.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 10:53 am.
Me too!! I loved it, and Patrick was so beautiful in that movie. I want them to leave him alone.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:02 am.
I actually saw the original Ocean’s Eleven. I was too young to understand it and got totally confused. It was a different movie, though, and it ended very differently—all the money ended up being cremated by accident with one of the band. I loved the new version; the old one was almost too much of an inside joke, too much of its time. Also in the new one, some of the actors had their best roles in years. Elliot Gould was hilarious, especially to anyone who remembers him when he was mid century modern, lol.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:33 am.
Agreed. The remake was very clever and full of twists and turns. Elliot Gould was absolutely hysterical in that movie, as was Bernie Mac and Don Cheadle. I also thought Carl Reiner was genius in it. Of course George, Brad and Andy were amazing too…just a great film.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:37 pm.
I don’t like the idea of them re-making Dirty Dancing either. Kenny Ortega, who was the original’s choreographer, signed on as director, and they hired someone from Glee to write the script. IMDB has the release date as July 26, 2013, which since the movie is still in development, that could change easily.
As for music score sounding the same, I agree that they do. When my dh is working on animated features, they will use other movie scores as temp tracks (they use Last of the Mohicans a lot). I think that creates big opportunities for deriative scores when the composers come into write the score. Then, there’s the composer for The Artist. He used Bernard Herrman’s score from Vertigo in his score for The Artist, and he won an Oscar for it. There are a lot of people in the business who felt like he shouldn’t have been nominated since it wasn’t completely original work.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 1:29 pm.
I’m with you about the whole green thing. When we moved into our house, it had the original harvest gold oven that leaked like a sieve. Though it still worked, it heated the house the first winter we lived here. I like some retro stuff, like canisters. I looked for years for a canister set that one could dip one whole cup in for flour. I never found it, then inherited my grandma’s set. It worked out in the end…
One revival I love–cars. The new Camaros and Mustangs are great. I would love to have either brand, but they still aren’t kid friendly.
The Muppets was a great remake movie. It had all of the old songs that I remember from my childhood. DH and I had a moment in the theater when Kermit started singing Rainbow Connection.
I’ll probably check out the stooges dvd when it is released. Son is into that kind of humor, so I think he’ll enjoy watching it.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:51 am.
Someone else who likes canisters! Not only do they have to allow a whole cup to go in, I want them to hold the standard amounts that come in the package. So 5 pounds of flour, etc. After years I finally found some and still use them. All the newer sets seem to have arbitrary sizes and not seal the ingredients well enough.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:35 am.
The only thing avocado green looked good on was an avocado and I will never miss harvest gold. But I do miss my O’Keeffe & Merritt double oven stove that just happened to be harvest gold, dh bought it for me and never considered matching appliance colors. My sister and I both have a strange fondness for a lime green color that was popular about 20-30 years ago; we call it our ugly green but we still love it.
Remakes generally mean they have run out of ideas and need a quick fix. I just heard they plan on remaking Rockford Files with Vince Vaughan, are they nuts??
Three Stooges, watched them didn’t like them but I had no choice the males of the house LOVED them. Will I see the remake? About as likely as I will wake up tomorrow with Christie Brinkley’s body.
Whitney’s cover of Dolly’s song was better other than that can’t think of any.
Bell bottoms? I have a bell bottom thank you very much, don’t need to celebrate it.
My grandparents restaurant was decorated in the Mid Century Modern and I loved it, don’t want it in my kitchen.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:53 am.
Remaking Rockford Files with Vince Vaughn is wrong in so many ways. James Garner was always classy and Vince has absolutely none. You’re right, the idea is totally nuts.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:33 am.
LOL on your own bell bottom!
And they can’t remake the Rockford Files. That is a sacrilege. I feel that way about Hawaii 5-0, although other than the name of the show and the characters, it does not have a whole lot in common with the old one.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:37 am.
I’ve watched Five-O a few times and it’s good, I just could get past the ripoff of a classic nature. One show I enjoy in both the BBC & US versions is Being Human and even that is almost a total copy with the accents changed.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:07 pm.
we have done a lot of rip offs of british shows. I never know much about the originals, so I don’t mind because I am ignorant!
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:39 pm.
We have been doing it for years, All In The Family was a British import.
Sad news for all of us Dark Shadows fans, Jonathan Frid died on Friday. He would have loved the Friday the 13Th irony.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 3:07 pm.
Not a fan of mid-century modern. Not sure how some of those colours ever became popular. I remember my grandparents had a washroom that was baby blue. The toilet, sink, tub and toilet paper were all baby blue. I will stick with white or beige for my washroom porcelin. Although, the kitchen in the picture above is nice, but for someone else, not for me.
Won’t be watching the Stooges movie. I never really understood the draw of the tv show.
I really like the revival of the 50′s style dresses, but I don’t think I could ever pull one off. I am not a fan of bell bottoms or high waisted jeans. I could also do without the skinny jeans craze.
I generally don’t like remakes, but there are some horror movies that have been done well. I thought The Last House on the Left remake was just as good as the original. One remake I absolutely didn’t like was The Planet of the Apes. As for music, I liked the Dixie Chicks cover of Landslide better then the Fleetwood Mac version. One of the worst covers IMO is Britney Spears’ cover of I Love Rock n Roll. It was awful.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 10:51 am.
Baby blue is early mid century. All the bathrooms in the suburbs in the 50s were like that. Pastel tiles, floors, sinks, etc. My son has the original bathroom in his house and the color is mint green. My parents had a mauvey pink in theirs, but our second bathroom was white (I guess it was cheaper.) I could live with those colors easier than the avocado green.
Leggings are all the rage with the girls at my school. I guess some are really very skinny jeans, but they have stretch so they are leggings. Okay, going back in time now, but one mid century modern style that has thankfully not been revived is stretch pants with stirrups that go under the foot. You can see them in reruns of some shows from then. I wonder how long they were popular. I think maybe they were derived from ski wear.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:42 am.
I HATED the 3 stooges. My bothers would watch them and I’d have to leave the house. Go out in the backyard and fight the urge to kill something. I feel the same about Lucy.
As for movie remakes, I’m with you. What? No creativity in Hollywood these days? I just heard that they are remaking Steal Magnolias. Really? Hey HOLLYWOOD–I have 15 books you can make into movies. All original. Knock yourselves out.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 10:58 am.
See, I am with you. I hated them. It was not mere indifference.
Why remake Steel Magnolias?I don’t get it.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:44 am.
It is hilarious how everything old becomes new again eventually. Bell-bottoms from my brothers’ youth and leg warmers from mine have cracked me up over the past decade. I put my foot down, though, if ozone-depleting hair sprayed bangs ever make a comeback!
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:15 am.
I promise not to use hair spray on my bangs, but I need to do something. They refuse to obey.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:45 am.
I am in my mid-fifties and these remakes are colors and things I didn’t like in my early years. I was just visiting with a former high school classmates about the “classics”. How appropriate with the passing of Dick Clark. It seems all these remakes of movies, music and even fashion are coming from my generation. The remakes are terrible, so does this mean I am not “old” but “classic?”
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:26 am.
That is what it means! And I think that whenever this stuff is described as retro, we need to correct it.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:46 am.
I have to comment on something off topic. I think that our line up of covers on the right is gorgeous. So much variety in styles and colors.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:48 am.
When I was in college, I lived two years in a 1969 trailer that was all avocado green: the shag carpet, couch and chairs, curtains, kitchen linoleum and appliances. My roommate bought an iguana as a birthday present for her boyfriend and it escaped. We couldn’t find it for days because it blended in with everything. One morning I felt like I was being watched and looked around and finally saw him watching me from the top of the curtains.
I think the Three Stooges are definitely a guy thing. They are probably one of the main reasons I turned to reading as a way to escape; my day and brothers loved them. They outnumbered me and controlled the t.v.
I hated bell-bottomed jeans as a child and will forever hate them. Nothing gets stuck in a bicycle chain like stupid bell-bottomed jeans.
The worst remake of a song I ever heard was Conway Twitty singing “Slow Hand” by the Pointer Sisters. Ear bleeding and teeth gnashing material. On the other hand, the version of an older Johnny Cash singing “Hurt” by the Nine Inch Nails and the accompanying video made my heart ache. You could see, hear and feel that he had lived every word. On that same album he covered Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”. Tom Petty and some of his bandmembers backed him up. When it was finished, Tom reportedly said, “My God, he WROTE that song.”
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 11:50 am.
Sorry, should read: my DAD and brothers loved them.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 12:52 pm.
OMG that iguana story is a riot. I can picture the little guy having the run of the place, thinking “I think now I understand what mom meant about camoflage coloring.”
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:08 pm.
Yeah, we thought it was pretty funny, too, but we had a hard time getting to sleep while he was enjoying his freedom. It was early spring when the nights were still cold and we worried about his little cold-blooded self seeking “heat sources”.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 3:26 pm.
I don’t like the retro look either. I grew up in the 50′s and 60′s. Fortunately, we always had white appliances. Didn’t have shag carpet either. Don’t want remakes of old TV series either…just bring back the old series. Only James Garner can be Rockford or Maverick. I don’t want to see the Three Idiots…I mean Three Stooges movie either. My husband does want to see it. Maybe I can send him with our son.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 12:09 pm.
Yeah, send him with your son. Okay, i am convinced this is a guy thing, and a nostalgia thing. I twill probably haul in the money but at least now I know why
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:09 pm.
I like some mid-century modern, it is big in LA and Palm Springs and I have friends who have done up their whole house with vintage pieces. It’s ok, but I have no desire to trick my place out with it.
I have never understood the appeal of the Stooges. Ever.
I’m not sure what my favorite revival is. I wish some elements of eras would come back more – the fun colors of the 80s, the clothes of the 40s and 50s (which kind of are, thanks to Mad Men) and the manners of the 30s and 40s
Remakes are not my thing, though I am guessing the remake of The Hobbit will beat the snot out of the animated original.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 12:38 pm.
wow, I had forgotten about that animated Hobbit. Yeah, that is one remake that can’t miss.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:10 pm.
I agree with Becky.. I think that some of these Retro fashions, furniture and movies that are coming back are not up to my high standards..
I am a simplistic person when it comes to furniture.. I am going out today to start looking at new sofas.. I know what I want, but I know I am going to have a hard time finding just what I want… I don’t like anything too busy with colour. And I want something that will blend with my cherry wood accents… Oh well, I know eventually that I will find what i want..
As to movies… The Three Stooges is out.. I never liked them the first time around and I won’t this time either..
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 1:00 pm.
I often go with a clear idea of what I want and then can’t find it–at least not in my price range
I end up buying something I had not thought of. We have white leather in our family room that I would have NEVER planned.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:41 pm.
I don’t care for mid-century modern. My parents had the avocado kitchen and orange family room shag carpeting. Been there, done that. LOL I’m not really into retro. If I remodel my kitchen, it would have a contemporary look.
I did watch The Three Stooges in syndication, but I don’t think I’ll see the movie. I can’t imagine the plot working in a contemporary setting.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 1:04 pm.
It even has an all star cast. Who would have thought Sean Penn would want to be a Stooge?
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:42 pm.
My tiny brain hurts because I have been thinking so hard about this! I don’t care for the Stooges either. I do believe it is a guy thing completely. The ugly green of yesteryear should never be brought into conversation again! *G*. There are so many shades of green out there now that are so pretty I could easily deal with that. Now, I can’t think of any movies, and I can only think of one song that I like the remake better. My I’m-100%-Irish-I-Don’t-Know- What-The-Rest-Of-My-Family-Is can only think of an Irish Pub song called ‘Whiskey In The Jar.” It is a song that many different Irish bands have done, but Metallica remade it a few years back. I like all versions, but Metallica’s takes a slight lead for me. Sorry, that’s all my pea brain comes up with!
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 1:13 pm.
You did better than I did on the remakes. I know there are some I want to comment on, but I can’t think of them right now.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:43 pm.
I’m not a fan of Mid-Century Modern, but I can see why some people might like it. Personally, all those straight lines are boring. The colors, ugh. My mom’s kitchen was remodeled in the 70s (because our house was originally built as a duplex in the 40s, had 2 nasty kitchens). The wall color was definitely a deriviative or harvest gold.
The Isley Brothers might have written Twist and Shout, but The Beatles own it. I love Johnny Cash’s version of Hurt, but I’m not a huge fan of his version of Ring of Fire. It reminds me a bit too much of a mariachi band. I like Social Distortion’s version – it rocks. Adam Lambert’s version – shudder.
Things that I’d like to see make a comeback – clothes from the Forties and Fifties. On a whole they are SO much more flattering on women. I’d really love it if manners made a comeback.
The Stooges are juvenile male comedy. I don’t get it. Fortunately, my dh doesn’t get them either. We won’t be seeing the remake ever.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 1:54 pm.
A lot of the Rolling Stones songs were covers too–many more than I had realized.
I would not mind if hats for women came back. I don’t look good in them, but I like them. And if thy came back maybe they would size them instead of this one size fits all nonsense (that men never have to deal with, ever!)
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 2:45 pm.
I LOVE hats. They used to have sizes, but these days it is one size fits all. I need a bigger hat because I have SO much hair, lol. I bought this amazing hat off of ebay years ago, hoping that it’d fit. No such luck, but on the plus side my daughter LOVES it. She’ll put it on every so often. One of these days it’s going to fit her.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 3:40 pm.
Oh, manners….wouldn’t THAT be lovely?? I know we drilled the niceties into our children, but it just seems to be a rarity anymore. Please, thank you, yes ma’am, no sir, holding doors, holding elevators, waving if someone lets you over in traffic…heck, just letting someone OVER in traffic. *sigh*
I also agree about the clothes. The clothes were flattering on real women back then. Nowadays, most of the clothes we see are made for the way-too-tiny women on the runways.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 3:44 pm.
I have recently had the oddest exprience in my day job. A student–female–addresses me by my last name alone. No Mrs. Ms. Dr. or anything else. Just my last name. It is a first. In a way, even my first name would not be so startling.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 4:31 pm.
The clothing thing bothers me. There were some jeans I saw in a catalog that are SUPER cute, but who has a 34″ inseam in the regular fit?!! I’ve tried petite pants on before, but 30″ is too short.
I walk my kids to school almost every morning. Being from a small town in Montana, I grew up saying hi to everyone because if I didn’t know them at the time, shortly thereafter I would. When we’re walking I always make sure to say hi and smile at everyone we see. In California it initially surprises people, but then they smile back and say hi.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 7:20 pm.
2 things I have learned about those long inseams. First, they expect you to wear high heels with them. Second, if you are not very careful when you wash them, they shrink length wise, enough that they fit! So don’t get petite even if they do fit right because once you wash them they will be too small.
Buying pants today is a big hassle.
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 1:25 pm.
We recently redid some of our house, and Hubby has the same strong reaction to 60′s stuff as you do. It’s funny, because growing up in Thailand kept me from being immersed in that style, so I find it amusing (although not appealing, necessarily). But he has a visceral reaction against it as being old-fashioned.
I liked the clothing in the 60′s, so I don’t mind that retro reaction, although sometimes it makes me laugh.
I find remakes intriguing. Some of them I liked better than the originals (Sabrina and The Thomas Crowne Affair come to mind), but often I scratch my head, wondering why anyone would remake them. (I am totally with you on the Three Stooges. Why does anyone even like that show? I don’t get it.)
Music is the place I probably most enjoy remakes. I love hearing someone’s different take on an old song, and I often like the “cover” better, depending on the song. Hubby rarely does.
Hey, you and Hubby sound a lot alike! Come to think of it, you even like the same kind of music, judging from a previous blog you once wrote. Should I be worried?
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 8:18 pm.
Check out these *fabulous* glasses that were on Antiques Roadshow this week. The gold ones were appraised at $6000-$9000, so they’re not for me unless I win the lottery. But wow, I hope I win because they are sooooo retro-cool!
And no, I will not be watching the Three Stooges.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 8:51 pm.
Oops, forgot to share the link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/201105A26.html
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 8:51 pm.
Years ago Melanie Griffith did a remake of Judy Holidy’s brilliant role inBorn Yesterday. What a sin! Such arrogance. That’s like thinking you can remake The Godfather.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 9:57 pm.
Aaahhh, the avocado green appliances. HORRIBLE!!! The kitchen of my youth had them along with PINK walls, tile backsplash and linoleum. It was the ultimate dieter’s kitchen because you literally lost your appetite when you walked in there!
As for females I love, David Cook did a version of MJ’s Billy Jean that was a lot slower than the original and IMHO, much better. I also love HI-50 and the early 90′s Ben Cross version of Dark Shadows. I won’t be seeing either the new version of the stooges or Dark Shadows when it comes out. Both look too stupid to waste that much time out of my life.
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 10:29 pm.
I have to disagree with The Three Stooges being a guy thing. I love, love, love the old ones and my mom is the one who got me watching them when I was a kid! My fiance, best friend, and I watch the Three Stooges marathon every New Year’s Eve. So much fun! As for the film… I don’t know about that. I prefer to stick with the originals.
Posted on April 20, 2012 at 10:22 am.