At the height of his career in the 1940s, Spike Jones began to feel trapped by his acclaimed satirical arrangements of popular songs. In 1946, he formed another group, consisting of the same members, called Spike Jones and his Other Orchestra and played only ‘pretty’ music.

He was terrified of being remembered as the purveyor of silly renditions of popular ballads. That being said, Spike Jones and his City Slickers’ silly performance of Cocktails For Two always leaves me in stitches. It may be hokey, and it may be corny, but take a look at that cello gag and tell me you aren’t loving every second of it.

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‘It’s Sarah Silverman meets the Shaggs’, writes the LA Times. Past performers on Comedy Central, The Apple Sisters have won a mess of awards for best musical comedy act.

Rebekka Johnson, Kimmy Gatewood and Sarah Lowe (Candy, Cora and Seedy Apple) pack a comedic, slapstick punch as they sing, dance and endorse a tasty treat called Corndy (the Corn-Flavored Candy). Filled with double entendres, The Apple Sisters still manage to be cute as all heck. Catch this amazing 1940s-era variety act on July 25 at Largo in Los Angeles.

Shucks, computers sure have have come a long way over the past 60 years or so, as this awesome collection of photos of early models — including Whirlwind, Colossus and Pegasus — confirms.

Since the 1940s, Rochdale Cider has been pumping out locally produced and brewed apple cider for enthusiastic Kiwis. When the New Zealand company thought it was about time for an updated look, they turned to creative agency Supply for a fun, ‘retro cheek’ makeover.

Stenciled lettering and a layout reminiscent of old boxing posters and screen prints now adorns these humble bottles. And the cider too is not-too-shabby, in flavors like traditional, ginger lime, or sparkling medium-dry — perfect for that crisp autumn day when you’re feeling nostalgic yourself.

The period between 1:22 – 1:43 in The Shangri-Las’ track, Out In The Streets, is a miracle. I’ve never been so obsessed with twenty seconds of high-hat and high school girl shrieks: it’s a raging teenage fantasy that all the composition notebooks in all the lockers of 1965 couldn’t write better. That the singers have managed to preserve their naivety perfectly in this three minute song may be the reason I feel recording pop music is worthwhile.

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Alfred Hitchcock’s icy heroines inspired Yeojin Bae’s Autumn Winter 09 collection. Its 40s noir meets modern day muse with seductive tailoring and asymmetric style. Yeojin Bae’s signature has become ultra-feminine shapes contrasted with coveted tailored separates Unravelled shapes are expertly tailored. Raw edge silk blouses have dipping necklines and are worn boxy and loose. Wool Angora overcoats feature a dramatic bias cut hem and buckled flare sleeve in black or herringbone. Flame red chiffon falls delicately into an asymmetric wrap skirt, as figure hugging stretch leggings bring billowing shapes back into the body.