Monday, November 20, 1933

Daddy took us girls to school. I went to dentist in evening. Had tooth filled. Mrs. Raifert came over. I stayed all night with her.

Baffin Bay Earthquake - November 20, 1933

The 1933 Baffin Bay earthquake was a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Greenland
and Nunavut, and Canada at 6:21 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 20, 1933.

The main shock epicenter was located in Baffin Bay on the east coast of Baffin Island.
The shaking associated with this earthquake was only felt at the small town of Upernavik,
Greenland. The 1933 Baffin Bay earthquake is the largest recorded earthquake to strike the
 passive margin of North America and is the largest known earthquake north of the Arctic Circle.

No damage was reported during this earthquake because of its offshore location
 and the small population of the nearby onshore communities.

Saturday, October 7, 1933

I straightened up the house this morning. Went to the store. I read my library books. Helen's and them were by.

The NY Giants defeat the WA Senators
on October 7, 1933, to win the 1933 World Series.

The 1933 World Series featured the National League baseball champions, the New York Giants,
and the American League champions, the Washington Senators, with the Giants winning in five
games for their first championship since 1922, and their fourth overall.

Washington, D.C. has not hosted another World Series since 1933, thus Game 5 was the
final Series game played in the nation's capital as of 2010. This Washington Senators franchise
 became the Minnesota Twins during the 1960–61 offseason, and would not reach the World
Series again until 1965. The second Senators team became the Texas Rangers. The transfer
of the Montreal Expos to become the Washington Nationals opens the door to D.C.
again potentially.

Thursday, August 24, 1933

Went up to Emmett and Melvin's for dinner. Daddy fixed roof. Went over to Annie McKenzie's (Ruth's step-grandmother). She gave me a pretty pocket watch.*

*This is the actual pocket watch that Annie McKenzie
gave to Ruth Catherine McKenzie on August 24, 1933.
The watch now belongs to Ruth's namesake granddaughter,
Catherine Provenzale Braun.

Photo: Michael Provenzale

The average price of a nice pocket watch in 1933: $10

Sunday, August 20, 1933

Finished hemming my dress for church. We had all planned to go on a picnic today at Clay but it rained. Went down to Mart's for dinner and supper.

Blue Fancy and Rose Fancy adorable little frock.
The sheer printed chiffon volle is distinctly cut and
comes with a rayon grosgrain ribbon sash
$2.98

Tuesday, August 15, 1933

Rode up to Emmett and Melvin's, then went back to Henry's. Ruby stayed all night. My dad went to Kansas City, Kansas.

Soft tucked crown of sparkling Crystalline straw fabric, flattering over brim of
fine hair and Lacey pedaline straw and tiny harmonizing rayon plush flowers
for trimming. In Black and White or Blue and Lavender.

Saturday, July 29, 1933

Aunt Kate and Uncle Laten and Helen were by again today. Helen and I went down and got us eacher magazine.

Cover art copyright (c) Russell Sambrook

Sambrook's career was eclipsed by other Saturday Evening Post regulars like E. M. 
 Jackson, Douglass Crockwell, Ellen Pyle, Andrew Loomis, and, of course, Norman Rockwell.
But from the 'twenties through the 'fifties, Sambrook's workmanship was called upon for the
cover of the Post, The People's Home Journal, The American Boy, and others.

Friday, July 28, 1933

Jennie and Bobby Mallin left this morning for San Francisco. He's going to work on that new bridge. Cal, Helen and Kate and Laten were by this afternoon.

From the Albany (NY) Knickerbocker Press - July 28, 1933

Vanishing America

The last big trolley of the Schenectady Railway Company will disappear
 up State Street hill in the dusky dawn and two hour later the first bus to
 substitute for this 32-year-old service will make its appearance in Albany (NY).

Thursday, July 27, 1933

I went out and played with the kids around here this morning. I read my magazine, then I let Pauline read it. Went to the ballgame.


                             Until 1933 every Coke served at a soda fountain was
                             mixed by hand. The Coke syrup was put in a glass, the
                             carbonated water added, and they were stirred together
                             with a spoon.

                             When Coca-Cola debuted the first automatic fountain
                             dispenser (pictured below) at the Century of Progress
                             Exhibition in Chicago, people were amazed to see an
                             already-mixed Coke served by just pulling a handle.
                            

1933 Coke Dispenser

 

Friday, July 21, 1933

I went swimming today with Gweyn and Pauline in the afternoon. I got my Beginner's Button. Mother is sick. Uncle L(aten) is sick.

Release Date: July 21, 1933
Directed by: John Cromwell
Produced by: Merian C. Cooper
Written by: Edward Poor Montgomery (Play) and Jane Murfin
Distributed by: RKO Pictures
Running Time: 69-70 minutes

A woman (Harding) tricks a playboy (Powell) into marrying her and then
 tries to make him legitimately fall in love with her.

Note: On 4 April and 11 April 2007, Turner Classic Movies premiered six films
produced by Cooper at RKO but out of distribution for more than 50 years.
Among the six films was Double Harness.

Thursday, July 20, 1933

I read some magazines and sewed on the machine. Daddy went over to Raiferts' to play pinochle. Mother was sick.

Red Crown Tavern and Tourist Court
Platte County, Missouri

Built in 1931 by Parkville, Missouri, banker and developer Emmett Breen
at the junction of US 71 and Route 59 (now 1-435), the Red Crown was the site
of the July 20, 1933 gun battle between lawmen and outlaws Bonnie and Clyde and
three members of their gang. The outlaws made their escape, but would be tracked down
and cornered four days later near Dexter, Iowa, and engaged by another posse.

Uncharacteristically, Clyde Barrow was looking for a place the gang might hole up for
several nights. It was his usual practice to keep moving and never spend more than one
night in any given spot, but the previous weeks had been difficult. Bonnie had been badly
burned in a car wreck and two gang members had bungled a robbery and killed a town marshal.
With the police after them, they needed a place to stay that was out of the way. Unfortunately
for the gang, the clerk was suspicious of them from the beginning of their stay, and soon the
sheriff and numerous other lawmen descended on the two rooms at the back of the Red Crown.

All five members of the gang got away, but not without consequence. Blanche and Buck Barrow
got the worst of the shootout: his head wound would prove mortal, and flying glass would leave
 her blind in her left eye. Buck died in Iowa and Blanche was captured there. As for Bonnie and Clyde
and W.D. Jones,they got away again (on foot this time) to rob and fight another day.

(The shootout at the Red Crown was depicted in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, though the
sign on the motel in the movie reads "Platte City, Iowa," not Missouri.)

Wednesday, July 19, 1933

Pauline and I went swimming in the afternoon. In the evening we went down to the Water Carnival and went swimming again.

Miss America 1933 Whistle Stop Tour

The Whistle Stop Tour -- the seven MidWest contestants -- from left: Iowa, Missouri,
Kentucky, Kansas, Arkansas, Idaho and Illinois - photo taken July 19, 1933 in Chicago
- four were subsequently disqualified in Atlantic City: Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois and Iowa

For seven weeks prior to the September Atlantic City Pageant, the seven MidWest
contestants went on a "Whistle Stop Tour," billed as "The Pageant Beauties." Traveling
 by train to small towns and large cities throughout the MidWest, they were exhibited and
they performed at various small theatres on their way to Atlantic City, probably for
 publicity, but also to raise money for their expenses.

Miss Connecticut, Marian Bergeron, was ultimately crowned Miss America 1933.

Tuesday, July 18, 1933

I straightened up the house today. Pauline and I climbed trees. I gave her back her magazine. Went over to Gweyn's.

Craig Stevens (July 8, 1918 – May 10, 2000)

Born Gail Shikles, Jr., in Liberty, Missouri, Stevens studied dentistry at Kansas City
University, from which he received a bachelor's degree in 1936. Acting with the university's
drama club prompted him to halt his studies and instead to audition in Hollywood. Adopting the
stage name Craig Stevens, he debuted in a small role in 1939 and thereafter played mainly secondary
parts. In 1944, he married Canadian actress Alexis Smith to whom he was wed for almost fifty years
until her death in 1993.

After nearly twenty years in film, Stevens gained national prominence in 1958 for his starring role
as private detective Peter Gunn, a television series which aired on NBC (and later ABC.) The
series was produced by Blake Edwards, who also wrote and directed many of the episodes.
The theme music was composed by Henry Mancini and helped establish his early fame. After
the series ended, Stevens worked in television, movies and stage work. He and his wife co-starred
in nationwide tours of the musical Plain and Fancy and the comedy Cactus Flower.


Stevens died from cancer at the age of eighty-one in Los Angeles, CA. The Stevenses were childless.

Monday, July 17, 1933

We washed today. Daddy got some tickets to the ballgame so we all went. Pauline went with us. They played under lights.

Kansas City Monarchs - 1920-1965
Satchel Paige (far right) and Buck O'Neill (4th from right)
Home Field: Blues Stadium, 22nd and Brooklyn, Kansas City, Missouri

The Kansas City Monarchs were the longest-running franchise in the history of
baseballs' Negro Leagues. Operating in Kansas City, Missouri, and owned by J. L. Wilkinson,
they were charter members of the Negro National League. Wilkinson was the first Caucasian
owner at the time of the establishment of the team. In 1930, the Monarchs became the first
professional baseball team to use a portable lighting system which was transported from
 game to game in trucks to play games at night, five years before any major league team did.
The Monarchs won ten league championships before integration, and triumphed in the first
Negro League World Series in 1924.

Following the death of the original league, the Monarchs spent several years as an
independent team, mostly barnstorming through the AmericanMidwest, West, and western Canada.
They became charter members of the Negro American League  in 1937, winning the first league title.
Even after the team was sold and moved to Michigan, they retained the name Kansas City
Monarchs. The Negro American League ceased operations in 1962 and the Monarchs finally
disbanded in 1965.

Sunday, July 16, 1933

Went out to Winnwood Beach with Kate's. Went swimming. I found a "free milk" nickel. We won a box of candy.

Joan Crawford - July 16, 1933

Measuring 7-1/2" X 9-1/2", these dated black & white supplements were
included in Sunday issues of various newspapers and became collector's items.
The above photo came from the July 16, 1933 issue of The Philadelphia Record. 

Saturday, July 15, 1933

Pauline and her mother and Sugar and Johnnie and I went down to the Grove but they closed the pool. Pauline gave me a magazine to read.



Love Story Magazine - July 15, 1933

Dramatic dames and daring rogues... Such characters filled the pages of Street & Smith's
 Love Story Magazine. This popular pulp magazine for women told tales of loves lost and
found, terrifying treacheries, broken hearts, tearful reunions, Prince Charmings and ladies
spurned. It also gave fashion advice, social tips, and detailed horoscopes-- all with lush
illustration.

In business from 1864 to 1971, Street & Smith was the premier publisher of pulp fiction and
general interest publications. Among its pulp fiction periodicals, Street & Smith published
 adventure and sea stories (Air Trails, Do and Dare Weekly, Red Raven Library, Sea Stories
 Magazine, Tiptop Weekly); detective and mystery stories (Clues, Doc Savage, Mystery Story
Magazine, Nick Carter Weekly, Old Broadbrim Weekly, The Shadow); romances (Love Story
 Magazine, Romance Range); science fiction (Astounding Stories, Unknown); sports stories
(All-Sports Library, Athlete); westerns (Buffalo Bill Stories, True Western Stories, Pete Rice
Magazine, Western Story Magazine, Wild West Weekly); and young adult fiction (The Boys
of the World, Bowery Boy Weekly, Live Girl Stories, My Queen).



Friday, July 14, 1933

I went down swimming with Pauline to the Grove. Helen came down there with her mother and my mother.



Emanuel and Avram Rosenthal, killed at Majdanek

July 14, 1933: The Nazi Party is declared the only legal party in Germany.
The Nazis also pass a law stripping Jewish immigrants from Poland of their German citizenship. 



Thursday, July 13, 1933

I didn't do much today. Pauline and Edda Mae were over. It sure was awfully hot.



July 13, 1933 was a truly historic day in the life of the resort town of Shediac,
New Brunswick, Canada. This was the day that Italian General Italo Balbo, Minister
of Aviation in Benito Mussolini’s cabinet, and his armada of twenty four Savoia Manchetti
S-55 flying boats alighted on Shediac Bay. They were on their way to the Chicago Century
of Progress Exhibition. This was the first massed flight of aircraft ever to cross the Atlantic.



Wednesday, July 12, 1933

Went over to the hospital today. Aunt Katie and them were here. Went swimming in afternoon. Evening, too.

"Boots" of "Boots and Her Buddies" comic strip fame

Ogden Standard Examiner (Ogden, Utah) July 11, 1933

Here she is, youngsters! “Boots,” the famous star of the comic strip, “Boots and Her Buddies,”
with two of the garments from her new summer outfit. The outfit will include 12 garments in all.
The water’s fine today, so her new bathing suits especially appeal to her. And now you can have
 the fun of trying them on “Boots” trim little figure. Just cut them out and color them.
Tomorrow (July 12) there will be two dresses for “Boots.” (See below)

Tuesday, July 11, 1933

Mr. Raifert is in General Hospital. Helen and Aunt Katie and Uncle Laten are coming over tomorrow to take us. Going to go swimming.

Kate "Ma" Barker (October 8, 1873 – January 16, 1935)
Born Arizona Donnie Clark in Ash Grove, Missouri

"Ma" and her husband, George Barker, had four boys named Herman, Lloyd, Arthur,
and Fred, all of whom were juvenile delinquents from an early age. In the early 1920s,
the family moved from Aurora, Missouri, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the four Barker boys
continued in their errant ways. Herman shot himself on August 29, 1927, after a shootout
 with police that lasted hours; in 1928, Lloyd was incarcerated in the federal penitentiary at
Leavenworth,  Kansas; shortly after Arthur went to the Oklahoma State Prison, and Fred to
the Kansas State Prison. At this point, George gave up on his wild family and left, and "Ma"
took up with a ne'er-do-well alcoholic named Art Dunlop.

Arthur and Fred Barker teamed up with Alvin Karpis and several other criminals to commit a
spree of robberies, kidnappings, and other crimes. In 1933, as the Barker-Karpis gang began to make
headlines, rumors spread that "Ma" was the gang's leader and its criminal mastermind. Some in the
FBI even worried that when they finally caught up with the gang, they would have to shoot the old
woman, too. The rumors were just that, however. Ma Barker certainly knew of the gang's
activities, and even helped them before and after they committed their crimes. This would make
her an accomplice, but there is no evidence that she was ever an active participant in any of
the crimes themselves or involved in planning them. In fact, notorious bank robber and Barker
cohort Harvey Bailey once said, "Ma Barker couldn't plan breakfast" let alone a criminal enterprise.

As the youngest, Fred was stuck with the job of caring for his mother. He hauled her and, sometimes,
 Dunlop around the country with him. Eventually he and his mother wound up renting a house
on the northern banks of Lake Weir, near the town of Ocklawaha, Florida. The FBI tracked them there
and engaged them in the longest gunbattle the FBI was ever involved in. It lasted four hours and there
 are reports that a minimum of 1500 rounds of ammunition were poured into the house. The bodies of Ma
and Fred were held in a morgue for eight months in hopes of attracting criminal visitors before they
were transported to Welch, Oklahoma and buried alongside Herman in the Williams Timberhill Cemetery.

Monday, July 10, 1933

Daddy gave me a quarter to put in my bell bank for my school books. I went swimming. Called Kate.

Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966)

Born in Piqua, Kansas, into a vaudeville family, Keaton spent his childhood on the road with
his family. Legend has it that he earned the nickname Buster after he fell down a flight of steps at a
theater, and a magician on the bill, Harry Houdini, said to the elder Keaton, "What a buster your
kid took!" Keaton's career took off when he met Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle (see June 29 entry), who
invited him to play a small role in The Butcher Boy. The two went on to star in a string of comedies.
It was at this point that Keaton developed the deadpan expression that earned him yet another
nickname, "The Great Stone Face." He also began wearing his trademark porkpie hat, many of which
he made himself by cutting down a Stetson and stiffening the brim with concentrated sugar water.

While professionally successful, Keaton had a fairly miserable personal life. He was married three
times, had two sons that he didn't really get to know until they were older, and was an alcoholic. His
third wife helped him stop drinking and salvage his career. He went on to star in any number of movies
and television shows and worked until right before he died of lung cancer. Keaton has two stars on
the Hollywood Walk of Fame: 6619 Hollywood Boulevard (for motion pictures); and 6321 Hollywood
Boulevard (for television).