Pinup of the Day...

Today I will pay tribute to the number 1 pinup girl during World War II, the beautiful Betty Grable. Betty like many talented kids, was propelled into into acting by her mother. She used a false identification to get her first film, and was later fired when her true identity was discovered. After that, her actual first role was the leading dance number in the film Whoopee! After small parts in over 50 Hollywood movies throughout the 1930s, Grable finally gained national attention on stage for her role in the Cole Porter Broadway smash Du Barry Was a Lady in 1939.
1940 kicked off her movie career, landing her a contract with 20th Century Fox making her their top star throughout the decade. Some of her best movies during this era include Down Argentine Way, Moon Over Miami, The Dolly Sisters, and Mother Wore Tights. By the end of the 1940's Betty was the highest paid female star in Hollywood.

It was also during the 40's that Betty posed for her famous pinup photo in her swimsuit for the GI's of WWII, making her the #1 pinup for American soldiers (even with competition like Rita Hayworth and Veronica Lake). She was recognized as having the best legs in Hollywood, and was known as "the girl with the million dollar legs" because of them being insured for $1,000,000 with Lloyds of London. Many photoshoots have her posing in positions that would best display her slender legs.

Betty was cast in several post-war musicals during the 1950's. Her last big film hit was 1955's How To Marry a Millionaire, which she starred in along with Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe. At the time Marilyn was being groomed as the next Hollywood sex symbol to replace Betty. Instead of this turning into a feud, Grable was quoted saying to Monroe "Go and get yours honey, I've had mine".
In an interview in 2007 with Hugh Hefner, Hef admitted that Grable was his inspiration for founding the Playboy empire. Her vast career as a box-office bombshell continues to introduce Betty Grable to a whole new set of audiences generation after generation. She is the original pin-up girl, a Hollywood legend, and an American icon.

The Cherrybomb Ball is coming up on June 27th at 8pm. Be sure to put on your "best Betty" and come join the festivities! And as always, come visit us at FOUND (A Vintage Shop) to get a piece of history to wear to the Ball. We have many outfits that work for the Pinup era, with many of them being 50% off because of our fabulous Summer Sale going on right now!
Come in and shop!