Images of teenage girls in poodle skirts dominated American popular culture on the 1950's. But as Kelly Schrum shows, teenage girls were swooning over pop idols and using their allowances to buy the latest fashions well beforehand. After World War I, a teenage identity arose in the US, as well as a consumer culture geared toward it. From fashion and beauty to music and movies, high school girls both consumed and influenced what manufacturers, marketers, and retailers offered to them. Examining both national trends and individual lives, Schrum looks at the relationship between the power of consumer culture and the ability of girls to selectively accept, reject, and appropriate consumer goods. Lavishly illustrated with images from advertisements, catalogs, and high school year books, Some Wore Bobby Sox is a unique and fascinating cultural history of teenage girl culture in the middle of the century.

'In my dreams, I was always in some vast landscape on a long, straight road. Driving. Always driving.' Gwenda had always loved the open road, but her home town of Newcastle didn't really offer the sort of adventure she longed for. So, in 1957, with friend and fellow nurse Pat in tow, she left the dismal British winter behind, and embarked on an amazing American adventure. After a year nursing in Cleveland, Gwenda, Pat and three new friends set off on a road trip around North America, driving in a rickety 1949 Ford. What follows is the charming true story of five remarkable young women. Over the course of eighteen months, the girls go to a 4th July rodeo, visit San Francisco and Las Vegas, learn to surf in Hawaii, spot movie stars in Hollywood and celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Wherever they go, the travelling nurses cause a sensation. This is a delightfully nostalgic memoir of friendship and the romance of the open road.

1950's music sensation, Drew Suede, has a serious problem. Even though his fame is growing, a secret haunts him at every turn. Ignoring the advice of his manager, Drew reaches out to an unsuspecting hero. This is an enjoyable production for theaters of any talent level. With a flexible script and an engaging story, this show can be adapted to many theater types. Production of this show is NOT allowed without a properly executed "Agreement to Produce" on file with the publisher.

Divorce-a horrid seven letter word in 1914.... Gertie MacGregor, became the first and only divorced woman in Laurel, Maryland. At seventeen and in love with Edward Neal, her world was roses and sunshine. She hoped Edward would see the world as she did, but after three years, her blinders were removed. Edward's deep seeded anger ruled him. He shattered her arm and the marriage. Society expected her to make the best of it and keep the marriage vows. She chose divorce. Rejection-Words of condemnation rolled off tongues at Gertie like hot bullets when she was removed as soloist of the church choir. Gazes were averted as she met friends and neighbors. She was denied help in a time of need, and lost her job when she stayed home to care for her sick child. Her chosen path was not accepted in small town America in the early 1900's. She was ostracized and the pitfalls were many as she struggled to raise her son alone. Gertie filled her life by serving veterans at nearby Ft. Meade, through WWI and WWII. She developed USO clubs and sat at the bedsides of wounded heroes. WWII changed women's place in the world. They became part of the work force and raised children alone. Eleanor Roosevelt officially recognized Gertie's service. She was redeemed her in the eyes of her community. Jesse Morgan partnered her in service to veterans and brought love back into her life. The beautiful winding staircase in Jesse's home was symbolic of her small steps to some distant height. They walked in perfect accord up the stairs to their future. Courage-Gertie walked through life, poignantly meeting the fears and hardships of war, the devastation of loss and hatred, and the joys and sorrows of love with the grace of heroes.