Birdwatching, Manhattan style -- Pt. 82

The wife and I got married two years ago last night, and we spent a good portion of our wedding night at Bemelmens Bar at the Carlyle Hotel.

We had a great time that night, and one of the highlights was seeing then-governor Eliot Spitzer walk in a couple of hours after we arrived (we outlasted him by a couple of hours, too).

We returned to Bemelmens on the occasion of our first anniversary a year ago for a quick drink before going elsewhere for dinner, and did the same last night, on our second anniversary.

And who should walk in and be assigned the table right next to ours last night? Eliot Spitzer, his wife, and two friends.

I leaned over and told him I had a story for him, and he listened as I shared the tale detailed above.

"Is that true?" Spitzer asked. "Did that really happen?"

We assured him it was true.

"This will sound unlikely," Spitzer said, "but I've only been to this bar twice in my life."

He then congratulated us on our anniversary, told us he and his wife had been together twenty years and that the couple with them had only recently been wed.

As we gathered our things to leave an hour or so later, Spitzer quipped, "Now, when will you guys be back here? Two years from now?"

"No," I said. "We'll be here a year from tonight. We come here every year on our anniversary. And we expect to see you then!"

Wit of yesteryear

I love these lyrics, written in 1929 by Howard Dietz (Arthur Schwartz wrote the melody), for their wit, their evocation of the time during which they were composed, and for the slightly naughty aspect of at least one passage. It's almost like a pre-code movie in song form.

I also was intrigued to note the usage of "fly," with a meaning not so different from the one that term was afforded in the 1990s.

I guess I'll have to change my plan
I should have realized there'd be another man
I overlooked that point completely
Until the big affair began.

Before I knew where I was at,
I found myself upon the shelf and that was that;
I tried to reach the moon, but when I got there
All that I could get was the air.

My feet are back upon the ground --
I lost the one girl that I'd found

I guess I'll have to change my plan
I should have realized there'd be another man;
Why did I buy those blue pajamas
Before that big affair began?

My boiling point is much too low
For me to try to be a fly Lothario;
I think I'll crawl right back and into my shell,
Dwelling in my personal hell.

I'll have to change my plan around
I've lost the one girl I've found

The Grapefruit Gal

I watched PAROLE GIRL (1933) last night, which finds Mae Clark assaying a decent gal who takes part in a scam at a department store, only to get caught. Mind you, Clarke only takes part because her partner, Tony (Hale Hamilton), was decent to her ailing father some years back, covering his medical bills and paying for his funeral expenses, so she finds it hard to say no when he pressures her to return the favor.

The scam involves Tony loudly accusing Clarke of stealing his wallet in a crowded department store, allowing her to turn on the water works when it turns out she doesn't, in fact, have the wallet in her possession. Her subsequent threat to sue the store for doing irreparable damage to her reputation convinces the store manager to write her a check on the spot, and she splits the proceeds with Tony.

It's a tidy grift, and it works once, but the pair get greedy and try it a second time in another store. They almost get away with it there, too, but that store's manager receives a phone call just in time from his insurance company, alerting him that there's a pair of scam artists on the loose.

Caught redhanded (Tony's already scrammed), Clarke throws herself on the manager's mercy and has him convinced that she's not a bad sort and should be given a second chance, but the big boss, played by Ralph Bellamy, says it's out of his hands, that the store's insurance company requires them to presecute all such misdeeds.

So Clarke is, of course, found guilty and has to serve time, blaming Bellamy all the while.

Upon her early release, awarded after some faux heroics on her part during a prison fire that she intentionally started, she sets out to make Bellamy pay by getting him drunk and wedding him (or, rather, convincing him that they're married -- the "justice of the peace" who performs the ceremony is actually Tony, her old partner in crime, so the knot is not legally tied), which makes Bellamy a bigamist, since he married a gal back in college that he's not seen in years. (That his first bride turns out to be Clarke's prison cellmate [Marie Prevost] stretches credulity a bit, but one doesn't watch a picture like this expecting verisimilitude).

Can you guess how it all pans out? I trust that you can -- I certainly did as I watched -- but it doesn't matter. The picture's still plenty entertaining.

One thing to watch for, should you ever catch this snappy little Pre-Code programmer: When Bellamy wakes up, groggy and hungover the morning after, with no idea yet that he's "married," he's surprised to find Clarke sitting in his breakfast nook, enjoying a light repast of -- wait for it -- grapefruit. (Many of you will here recall Ms. Clarke's most famous on-screen moment, filmed two years earlier, that saw Jimmy Cagney shoving a grapefruit in her face during a memorable scene in THE PUBLIC ENEMY, so it's amusing here to see her savoring a bit of citrus enjoyment in the more conventional fashion.)

Birdwatching, Manhattan style -- Pt. 81

A few minutes ago, I brushed shoulders with one of my movie star crushes (hi Flo!), the lovely Maggie Gyllenhaal, at Joe: The Art of Coffee on 13th Street.

And while I'm unwilling to jump to any conclusions regarding our silent encounter -- I'm only reporting the facts here -- I can tell you that she gave me a second look, glancing at me over her right shoulder as we stood waiting for our respective cups of java.

Mind you, I was wearing a vintage double-breasted suit with peak lapels, an old-school bow tie, and a cocoa-hued fedora, so she might well have been thinking, "Who's the freak?"

But given that none of us can presume to know just what Ms. G was thinking, I prefer to imagine her asking herself, "Who's the dreamboat in the classy get-up?"

Backtracking a bit, Flo and I saw character actor John Cullum at an opening night on Theatre Row on Friday night, and on Saturday evening, we spotted Michael Feinstein, Tyne Daly, and Frank Langella at Marilyn Maye's show at The Metropolitan Room.

Birdwatching, Manhattan style -- Pt. 80

The past two mornings, I passed Kathryn Erbe, fetching star of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, on my way to work.

I wonder if we're neighbors.

A few days back, Flo spotted Wilco's Jeff Tweedy as we dined at the General Greene in Brooklyn, but I didn't recognize him, so she gets all the credit.

Birdwatching, Manhattan style -- Pt. 79

I just saw a dapper John Waters exiting the Paul Smith store on Fifth Avenue at 16th Street.

Birdwatching, Manhattan style -- Pt. 78

On Sunday night, I spotted Oliver Stone in the company of a pair of women young enough to be his daughters (though I saw no family resemblance) passing in front of Chelsea Market.

On Monday evening, I saw Bebe Neuwirth walking north along Fifth Avenue near 11th Street, in the company of a middle-aged guy I didn't recognize.

Birdwatching, Manhattan style -- Pt. 77

On Sunday evening, Flo and I saw actress Swoozie Kurtz with a female companion, strolling south on Seventh Avenue near 17th Street.

Birdwatching, Manhattan style -- Pt. 76

Yesterday, I spotted Fisher Stevens heading east on 13th Street between Fifth and University.

Today, it was Parker Posey, walking west on the same block.

Some things never change

I enjoyed this snarky account, from Cornell Woolrich, of a ride on the NYC subway, circa 1932:

I looked back and her house was gone, sunken, swallowed up in the masonry quicksand of New York. I sank into it myself a moment later, plunging into an iron hut with a ground-glass roof that stood on the sidewalk, down a flight of cement steps laved by tepid air, onto a concrete platform flooded with tawdry dusty electric light. A roar, a hiss, a current of wild air carrying leaves of newspaper on its bosom, and the opposite platform had vanished behind a long row of dirty lighted windows and pneumatic doors that slipped effortlessly back like secret panels in a detective story. But when they attempted to close again, there was always some latecomer, now at one car, now at the other, to squeeze himself in at the last moment with a sheepish grin of satisfaction, until at last a guard came and glowered and pulled each one definitely shut with a swing of his arm.

I saw that there were seats, but I was so used to standing that I stood anyway, my wrist linked around a porcelain hoop. I felt more comfortable standing. I was one of that vanishing race who, when they had a seat, relinquished it to the first woman who entered, unless they were too stout or smelled of garlic. This was an express, hence all the locals going in the same direction passed it with quick facility. Laboriously it overtook them at the in-between stations, only to be passed again a moment or two later. The idea seemingly being that, since an express was an express, it could rest on its laurels.

Still More of Yesterday's Slogans, Today

Last week, I posted lists of advertising slogans used by hat and cap makers and apparel manufacturers, taken from a 1949 book called American Slogans.

Today, I'm sharing a list of slogans culled from the same source that were used by shoe companies (including slippers, shoe cleaners and polish, etc.):

Absorb shocks and jars (Massagic air cushion shoes). Weyenberg Shoe Mfg. Co.
Action shoes for boys and girls (Red Goose).
Adds comfort to every step (Armstrong's shoe products).
Always first with all that's new (Winthrop Shoes).
American gentlemen shoes designed for the American man (Hamilton Brown).
American lady shoes designed for the American woman (Hamilton Brown Shoe Co.).
America's best-known shoes (W.L. Douglas Co.). Boston.
America's home shoe polish (Shinola). Gold Dust Corp.
America's No. 1 heel (O'Sullivan Rubber Co.).
America's smartest walking shoes (Enna Jettick).
Art in footwear (Laird, Schober & Co.). Philadelphia.

Bates originals (Bates Shoe Co.). Webster, Mass.
Beauty treatment for your feet (Red Cross Shoes).
Bends with your foot (Red Cross Shoe). Krohn Feckheimer Co.
Best for rest (house slippers). S. Rauh & Co.
Best for the purpose, The (Wiggletoe Shoe).
Better little shoes are not made (Mrs. Day's Ideal Baby Shoe Co.).
Biggest news in infants' shoes (Play-Poise).
Big house for little shoes since 1900, The (Edwards).
Boot with the muscles, The (Beacon Falls Rubber Co.).
Built-in quality in every shoe (D. Myers & Sons). Baltimore.
Buy shoes at a shoe store (Marrott's Shoe Store). Indianapolis.

Calendar of fashion (International Shoe Co.).
Cammeyer stamped on a shoe means standard of merit (Cammeyer Shoe Stores).
Comfort shoe of tomorrow, The (McLaughlin-Sweet, Inc.) Auburn, Me.
Compare and you'll wear (Selby Shoe Co.). Portsmouth, Ohio.
Compare and you'll wear Styl-eez.
Connolly shoes are comfortable shoes (Connolly Shoe Co.).
Cushion every step (Weyenberg Shoe Mfg Co.). Milwaukee.
Custom-built support for foot troubles, A (New Method Food Foundation).

Designed for going places in style, in comfort (Pediforme shoes).
Did you Nugget your shoes this morning? (shoe polish).
Double welt means double wear (Shaft Pierce Shoe Co.) Fairibault, Minn.

Easiest kind because skeleton lined, The (Florsheim Shoe Co.).
Easiest shoe for women, The (Utz & Dunn Co.).
Every pair is full of wear (Kinder-Garten shoes). Wallace Shoe Co.
Every pair made to wear (Gutta Percha rubbers).
Everything a shoe store needs (Wm. H. Walker Co.). Buffalo.

Faithful to the last (Nunn, Bush & Weldon Shoe Co.).
Famous shoes for women (Queen Quality). Thos. G. Plant Co.
Fashioned by master craftsmen (Nunn Bush Shoe Co.). Milwaukee.
Fashion forecasters (International Shoe Co.) St. Louis.
Fashion-over-the-shoe (U.S. Gaytees). Rubbers.
Fashion's favored footwear (Washington Shoe Mfg. Co.). Seattle.
Favored footwear of Her Majesty, "Queen for a Day" (Queen Quality).
Feel the air cushion (Weyenberg Shoe Mfg. Co.).
Fibre-sorted soles (A.C. Laurence Leather Co.).
First always, finest all ways (Florsheim).
Fit for every foot (shoes). G.R. Kinney Co.
Fit right, feel right, they're walk-fitted (Bostonian shoes).
Fits on the foot like a glove on the hand (F. Blumenthal Co.).
Fits the foot in action or repose (United States Shoe Co.). Cincinnati.
Fit to be tried (Musebeck Shoe Co.). Danville, Ill.
Flexible for every comfort (Cantilever shoes).
Flexible shoe for your flexible foot, A (Cantilever).
Flexible where you want it, rigid where you need it (U.S. Shoe Co.).
Florsheims afoot mean comfort ahead (Florsheim Shoe Co.).
Florsheims, of course!
Foot insurance for the future (Julian & Hokenge, Inc.) Cincinnati.
Foot of comfort means miles of happiness (Ault Williamson Shoe Co.).
Foot nearer perfection, A (G.R. Kinney Shoes).
Foot-stimulating shoe, The (Bellaire).
Footwear counsellors since 1884 (Turrell's).
Footwear for all occasions (Latterman Shoe Mfg. Co.). Brooklyn, N.Y.
Footwear of distinction (M.M. Bernstein).
For any wear and everywhere (Florsheim shoes).
For every walk in life (Melville Shoe Corp.).
For men who measure value in terms of quality alone (Florsheim).
For normal foot growth (Pro-tek-tiv shoes).
For the active woman of today (F. Mayer Shoe Co.). Milwaukee.
For the life of your feet and the feet of your life (Williams Shoe Store).
For the man who cares (Florsheim).
For your toes woes (Lunn & Sweet). Auburn, Me.
Friendly to the feet (Jarman Shoe Co.). Nashville.
From first step to fourteen years (Fargo-Hallowell Shoe Co.). Chicago.

Gentlemen's fine shoes (Nettleton).
Gives joy complete to women's feet (Dun & McCarthy, Inc.). Auburn, Me.
Give your feet young ideas (Weyenberg Shoe Co.). Milwaukee.
Good feet are the foundation of good health (Burns Cuboid Co.).
Greatest name in rubber (Goodyear soles).
Greatest name in shoe polish (Griffin).
Great shoes for little Americans (LIttle Yankee).

Half the fun of having feet (Red Cross Shoes). Internationl Shoe Co.
Hand of a master craftsman is behind this trusted trademark, The (Douglas).
Heel that won't peel, The (F.W. Mears Heel Co.). Auburn, Me.
Heel with nine lives, The (Cat's Paw). Foster Rubber Co.
He won't change from shoes to slippers because he's enjoying Massagic comfort (Weyenberg Shoe Co.).
High mark on leather, The (Alexander Bros.).
Honest wear in every pair (shoes). Marston & Brooks Co.
How much of your overhead is underfoot? (Dominion).

If it's new, Saks has it (Saks Shoe Corp.).
In cool step, to the minute (Mansfield shoes).
In step with fashion (Lampe Shoe Co.). St. Louis.
In the California manner (Gude's, Inc.). Los Angeles.
It takes on added beauty in the shoe (Surpass Leather Co.).
It takes leather to stand weather (J. Edwards & Co.).

Jewel of patent leather, The (Lawrence Leather Co.). Boston.
Judge it by its users (New Castle Leather Co.).
Just spread it on (BiXby's Jet Oil Shoe Polish).

Keep children's feet as nature made them (Shaft-Pierce Shoe Co.).
Keep good feet healthy (Gilbert Shoe Co.). Thiensville, Wisc.
Keep in step with Paris (shoes). Enzel-of-Paris, Inc.
Keep in step with youth (Burdett Shoe Co.). Lynn, Mass.
Keep the foot well (Arch Preserver Shoe). E.T. Wright & Co., Rockland, Mass.
Keep young feet young (Simplex Mfg. Co.).
Keep your feet dry (Miner rubbers).
Keep your feet young (Simplex shoes).
Keep your feet fresh (Massagic Air Cushion). Weyenberg Shoe Mfg.
Keep your shoes beautiful always (Raynorshyne Products). San Antonio.
Keep children's feet as nature made them (Shaft-Pierce shoes).
Keeps the foot well (Arch Preserver Shoes). Shelby Shoe Co.
Keep white shoes cleaner, longer (Esquire). Lanolin shoe cleaner.
Keyed to the mode and mood of romance (footwear). Stix-Altman. Weiner, Inc.
Kid flatters the foot (The Kid Group). Tanners Council of America.
Kiddies' feet are safe in Kinney's hands (G.R. Kinney). Shoes.

Last fits, the fit lasts, The (Goding Shoe Co.). Paris, Ill.
Last fits, the fit lasts, The (Stacy Adams Co.). Brockton, Mass.
Leather for fine shoes, The (Standard Kid Mfg. Co.). Vode Kid.
Leather is there in every pair, The (Peters Shoe Co.).
Leather that sells more shoes, The (Kepner Leather Co.). Boston.
L'Echo de Paris (shoes). Murphy & Saval Co.
Lets the feet grow as they should (Educator Shoes). Rice & Hutchins.
Life of leather, The (Bergmann Shoe Mfg. Co.). Portland, Ore.
Like walking on air (Weyenberg Shoe Mfg. Co.).
Loveliest of leathers (New Castle Leather Co.).
Little shoes for little devils (Faust Shoe Co.).
Look at your shoes and keep them clean (Gold Dust Corp.).
Look at your shoes, others do (Florsheim).
Looks good from any angle (Naturalizer shoe).
Look smart, feel fresh (Porto-Red Shoes).
Lucky for boots (shoe laces). Paire Bros.

Made stronger to wear longer (Fargo-Hallowell Shoe Co.). Chicago.
Made-to-measure fit in ready-to-wear shoes (W.B. Coon Co.).
Make leather last longer (shoe oil and grease). Bergmann Shoe Mfg. Co.
Makes any good shoe better (United Shoe Machinery Corp.). Boston.
Makes life's walk easy (shoes). L.A. Crossett Co., North Abington, Mass.
Makes shoes wear longer (Red-line-in). Farnsworth Hoyt Co.
Make you want to walk (Nature-Tread Mfg. Co.).
Man's first choice, A (Weyenberg Shoe Mfg. Co.). Milwaukee.
Man's styleful shoe on a real chassis, The (E.T. Wright & Co.).
Men wear them everywhere (Florsheim Shoe Co.).
Mighty good shoes for boys (Temple Shoe Co.). Waupum, Wisc.
Miles ahead (Converse Rubber Shoe Co.).
Million Americans can't be wrong, A (Father & Son Shoes).
More by the pair, less by the year (Stetson Shoe Co.). Boston.
More than mere economy, more than sheer economy (Johanson Bros. Shoe Co.).
Most comfortable shoe in the world, The (Ground Gripper Co.).
Most powerful shoe in America, The (Theo. Bergmann, Portland, Ore.).
Most salable shoe in America, The (Red Cross Shoes). Krohn-Fleckheimer Co.
Most salable shoe in America today, The (Red Cross).
Moulded to your foot (Aid-A-Walker shoes).
Myers means merit (shoes). D. Myers & Sons, Baltimore.

Not the price per pair, but the cost per mile (Stacy-Adams shoes).
Nothing takes the place of leather (American Leather Products, Inc.).
Not made to a price, but a perfect product (Mrs. Day's Ideal Baby Shoe Co.).

Only dependability brings success (shoes). Pandora.
Outer beauty, inner worth (Tober-Saifer shoes).

Perfected corrective shoe, The (Fairy foot). Walker-Knaier Shoe Corp.
Praise for Biltrite comes from the heart but the comfort and long wear come from the sole (Biltrite Rubber Co.).
Pre-tested shoes for boys and girls (Poll Parrot).
Prince of soles (Alfred Hale Rubber Co.). Atlantic, Mass.
Proofs of leadership (Lawrence Leather Co.).
Proudest name in shoes, The (Keith Highlanders).
Put your feet on easy street (Weyenberg Shoe Mfg. Co.).

Quality always maintained (Hood Rubber Co.).
Quality at modest cost (International Shoe Co.). St. Louis.
Quality is higher than the price, The (Juvenile Shoe Corp.).

Right shoes on time, The (B. Friedman Shoe Co.).

Scientifically correct shoes for juveniles (H.W. Merriam).
Shaped to fit like your stockings (Foot Saver Shoes). Shortback's.
Shaped to your foot in action (Noned Corp.). Rochester.
She walks in beauty (Brauer Bros. Shoe Co.). St. Louis.
Shoe everybody knows, and almost everybody wears, The (Melville Shoe Corp.).
Shoe of champions, The (Keds).
Shoes for all the family (Ground Gripper Shoe Co.).
Shoes of character (Vollman Lawrence Co.). Cincinnati.
Shoes of worth (A.E. Nettleton Co.).
Shoes that often leave everyone natty (Koorc Spat Shoes).
Shoes you order are the shoes you get, The (P.J. Harvey Shoe Co.).
Shoe that holds it shape, The (W.L. Douglas Shoe Co.).
Shoe that's different, The (Field & Flint Co.). Brockton, Mass.
Shoe that's standardized, The (Educator). Rice & Hutchins.
Shoe with a talking point, A (Teeple Shoe Co.). Waupun, Wisc.
Shoe with the beautiful fit, The (Naturalizer).
Shoe with the mileage, The (W.H. Walker & Co.). Buffalo.
Shoe with the youthful feel, The (Air Step Shoe).
Slipper-free where the foot bends (Bates Shoe Co.). Webster, Mass.
Slippers of merit (Kozy Komfort Shoe Mfg. Co.). Milwaukee.
Smart shoes for beautiful feet (Julian & Hokenge Co.). Columbus, Ohio.
Soft shoes for hard wear (Jumping Jacks).
Soft shoes for tender feet (J.J. Grover's Sons Co.). Lynn, Mass.
Sole idea (Neolite shoes).
Sole of fashion (Neolite shoes).
So little never bought so much (Buskens). Shoes.
Specialists in children's good shoes since 1892 (Shaft-Pierce Shoe Co.).
Spring step shoes (Murphy & Saval). Chicago.
Stay put (Tweedie Boot Top Co.).
Step into a Fortune, your key to a wealth of satisfaction (Fortune Shoes).
Step into the shoes of a Manikin (footwear). Stix-Altman-Weiner.
Sticks like a barnacle (Sperry Footwear). Beacon Falls, Conn.
Stop burning shoe leather (Wonder Shine Sales Co.).
Stronger than the law (shoes). Roberts, Johnson & Rand.
Sturdy to the last (Merriam Shoe Co.).
Styled for comfort (Jordan-Williams shoes).
Style for any taste, a fit for any foot, A (Florsheim).
Styled shoe built on a real chassis, The (E.T. Wright & Co.).
Style that stays (Commonweath Shoe & Leather Co.).
Sure sign that they're good, A (Hood rubbers).

Take it easy and breezy (Walk-Over Koolies).
That's why, where quality counts, calfskin spins the yarn (Lawrence leather).
There are no finer shoes (A.E. Nettleton Co.). Syracuse.
There's double wear in every pair (Dryden Rubber Co.).
They neither crimp your roll nor cramp your style (Bob Smart Shoe Co.).
They're tops for the bottoms (Musebeck Shoe Co.). Danville, Ill.
They rise to the occasion (Knockdown bleachers). Leavitt Mfg. Co.
They've got to be Stetson to be snappy (Stetson Shoe Co.).
They walk with you (Melville Shoe Corp.).
They win your feet (United Shoe Mfrs.).
Time will tell, wear Sundial Shoes (Morse & Rogers).
'Tis a feat to fit feet (Dalsimer shoes).
Today's most scientific shoes (W.B. Coon Co.).
To restore loveliness to footwear (shoe dressings). Everett & Barron Co.
To sell more shoes, buy Moore shoes (Moore Shoe Co.). St. Louis.
Tough and springy (rubber heels). O'Sullivan Rubber Corp.
True to its name (Novelty Shoe Co.).
Try on a pair of Jarmans Shoes, let the shoe horn be the judge.
Two feet of comfort in every step (rubber & leather footwear). W.H. Walker.
Turns sidewalks into soft carpets (Air-Step Shoes).
Twinkies, healthful, sturdy, neat; built for wear on busy feet.

Until Friendly Fives were made, good shoes were expensive (Jarman shoes).

Walk of the town, The (shoes). Simon Bros. Co.
Walk on air (Weyenberg Shoe Co.). Milwaukee.
Washable shoes, The (Keds).
Watch your feet (foot appliances). Scholl Mfg. Co.
Wealth of value in Fortune Shoes, A (Richland Shoe Co.).
When you pay for quality, why not get the finest (Florsheim shoes).
Where thrift meets style (shoes). J. Edwards & Co.
White shoe magic (Rainbow Chemical Products). Uxbridge, Mass.
World's Fair feet (Selby Shoe Co.). Portsmouth, Ohio.
World's lowest price shoe repair (So-Lo Works). Cincinnati, Ohio.
Worn with pride by millions (Freeman Shoe Corp.). Beloit, Wisc.

Yield with every step (Massagic Air Cushion Shoes).
You can't wear out their looks (J.P. Smith Shoe Co.).
You're as young as your feet (Seebasco Laboratories).
You're in style when you step into a Fortune (shoes).
You're twice as smart with Vitality Shoes.
Your feet are worth Fortunes (Richland Shoe Co.). Nashville.
Your feet are your fortune (Musebeck Shoe Co.). Danville, Ill.
Your footprints in leather (Matrix shoes).
Your friend (Tom McCann). Shoes.
Your guide to the best in Men's slippers (Evans).
Your personal pedestal (Elevator shoes). Adler.
You walk on cushions when you walk in Osteo-path-iks (Allen-Spiegel Shoes).

More of Yesterday's Slogans, Today

Yesterday, I posted a list of advertising slogans used by hat and cap companies, taken from a 1949 volume called American Slogans.

Today, I'm sharing a much longer list of slogans from the book, used back in the day by clothing manufacturers:

Always good (Aetna Garment Co.).
Always ready, always dry (Alligator raincoats).
America's finest fitting outercoats (Barron-Anderson Co.). Boston.
America's first name in formal wear (Rudofker's Sons).
America's foremost fashion creator (Milgrim). New York.
America's only known-priced clothes (Styleplus). Henry Sonneborn & Co.
America's smartest buy (TruVal Shirts).
An investment in good appearance (Kuppenheimer clothes).
Anti-freeze underwear for men and boys, The (Hanes).
Aristocrat of shirtings, The (Sea Island Mills). New York.
Aristocrat of summer suits (Priestley's Nor-East).
As western as the setting sun (Frontex shirts).

Balanced tailoring (Timely Clothes, Inc.) Rochester, N.Y.
Balanced tailoring makes Timely Clothes look better -- longer.
Bath Towel you can wear (Toga Towel Co.). New York.
Bear for wear, A (Daniel Wagner & Sons, Inc.). Louisville, Ky.
Because, it's sure to rain (Alligator raincoat).
Belcraft Shirts, your bosom friend (Belcraft Shirt Co.). New York.
Berkley Ties the world (Berkley Knitting Co.). Philadelphia.
Be Scotch, get your money's worth (Sportswear). Doniger & Co., New York.
Best buy, wet or dry (Plymouth weatherproofs).
Best by TEST from coast to coast (Test overalls, work pants).
Best for fifty years (F.C. Taylor Fur Co.). St. Louis, Mo.
Bigger than weather (Patrick-Duluth Woolen Mills).
Big name in clothes, The (Styleplus Clothes). Henry Sonneborn Co.
Boy's suit built for wear, The (J.J. Preis & Co.). New York.
Brilliant as the sun (Lustray Shirts). Lustberg-Nast Co., New York.
Buy overalls from the inside out (Crown & Headlight).
By this sign you shall know them (Currick, Leiken & Bandler).

Campus King, The (Lakeland Sportswear).
Change to Reis (underwear).
Clothes in the New York manner (Weber & Heilbroner).
Coats for every wear, everywhere, The (International Duplex Coat Co.).
Custom tailored throughout (Stratford Clothes). Cohn, Rissman and Co., Chicago.
Cut out for a long career (Washwear). Elder Mfg. Co.

Designed to be lived in (sweaters). Irwill Knitwear Corp., New York.
Distinctive in dress. (Printz-Biderman Co).
Does something for you (Style-Mart Suit). Merit Clothing Co., Mayfield, Ky.
Dollar for dollar, your best buy (Tru-Val Shirts).
Don't forget that Koveralls Keep Kids Klean (Levi Strauss & Co.).
Don't get wet, get Palmer (Palmer Asbestos & Rubber Corp.). Chicago.
Don't get wrecked, get Palmer (Palmer Asbestos).
Don't strain the rain (Whiz 3-way protection). R.M. Hollingshead Corp.
Do something for you (Style-Mart Clothes). Merit Clothing Co.
Do you wear pants? (Plymoth Rock Paints Co.).
Dry back or money back (outdoor clothes). Lewis M. Weed Co., New York.

Easiest name for a man to remember, The (shirts). Wilson Bros.
Easy on you as your skin (underwear). Du-Ons.
Even the collars and cuffs are clean (Coffield washer).
Every fur at every price (Samual Katz). New York.
Every mile of yarn gives an extra year of wear (Cooper Underwear Co.).
Every pair must please (gloves). Wimelbacher & Rice, New York.
Every style worth while (Louis Meyers & Son, Inc.). New York.
Every test proves its value (Knitted Padding Co.). Canton, Mass.
Every thread woven by hand (El Ricos neckties).
Exclusively yours (Berkeley Junior Fabrics).

Fashion in action (ranch togs). Wrangler.
Fashions for the Youthful (Mimi Dresses). John Wanamaker.
Faultless since 1881 -- The nightwear of a nation (Faultless Nightwear Corp.).
Feel the fabric and you'll feel the difference (Botany shirts).
Fifty per cent more wear (H.D. Lee Mercantile Co.). Kansas City, Mo.
Fine outercoat makers since 1901 (Barron-Anderson Co.). Boston.
Finest habit a man can have, The (Merchants Tailors Society). New York.
Finest human hands can achieve, The (Langrock Clothing Co.). New Haven, Conn.
First choice for aprons (Lawrence Leathers Co.). Peabody, Mass.
First in elastic supports (Bauer & Black).
First with the last word (Britannic wool hose).
Follow the ARROW and you follow the style (Cluett, Peabody Co.). Shirts.
For all 'round and comfort (men's belts). Sears Roebuck.
For any child of any age (E-Z underwear).
For boys six to sixty (Springfoot sox).
For easy wear -- everywhere (flanel). Washougal Woolen Mills, Washougal, Wash.
For every walk in life (socks). Monarch Knitting Co., Ltd., Canada.
For goodness sake wear Buckeye Shirts (Buckeye Shirt Co.). New York.
For leisure wear -- everywhere (flannel). Washougal Woolen Mills.
For men who care what they wear (Pioneer Suspender Co.). Philadelphia.
For that good-looking feeling (Doris Miller Clothes).
For the nicest youngsters you know (Mason Clothes).
For the rest of the night (pajamas). Steiner & Sons, Asbury Park, N.J.
For the seat of your diaper troubles (Dennison diapers linen).
For young men and men who stay young (Society Brand Clothes). Alfred Decker.
For younger young men (Leopold, Solomon and Eisendrath).
Founders of the first nationwide tailoring service (M. Born & Co.). Chicago.
Friend-making work shirt, The (McCawley & Co., Inc.).
From fleece to fabric (United States Worsted Corp.). New York.
From mill to millions (Hamilton Carhartt). Overalls.
From raw cotton through finished product (Morgan cloths).
Fur goodness sake try Kruskal (furs). Kruskal and Kruskal, New York.
Furmost line, The (furs). Wells-Treister Co., New York.
Furs that reflect youth (Zimmerman-Scher Co.). New York.

Gift tie of a nation, The (Chicago Printed String Co.).
Give a look INSIDE to get value outside (and in). Crown & Headlight overalls.
Gloves that "go places" (Belle Glove Co.). Gloversville, N.Y.
Golden Rule garments (Carhartt shirts and overalls).
Greatest name in socks, The (Interwoven Stocking Co.). New Brunswick, N.J.

Help build personality (Stadium Clothes). Woodhull, Goodale & Bull, Inc.
Hi-chair to hi-school (Nazareth undies).

If it hasn't this red woven label, it isn't B.V.D. underwear.
If it's Cowden, it fits (work clothing). Cowden Mfg. Co.
If it's Fownes, that's all you need to know about a glove.
If it's Madewell, it well made (underwear). Taunton Knitting.
If you think clothes don't make a difference, try walking down the street without any (Wolf Tailoring).
Impressively correct (Irish & Scottish Linen Damask Guild). New York.
In action and relax-ion (Weber & Heilbroner).
In the New York manner (Weber & Heilbroner).
It lox the sox (Pittsburgh Garter Co.).
It pays to dress well (clothing). Fred Gibberd, Ltd.
It pays to show the name they know (Kleinert's rubber goods).
It's a case of good garters (Sidley Co.). San Francisco.
It's in the fit (Schwartz Bros. Dress Co.). Chicago.
It's the collor that makes the shirt. (Grunwald-Marx).

Kind of clothes gentlemen wear, The (Kahn Tailoring Co.).
Kind real boys wear, The (Perfection Clothes). H.A. Seinsheimer Co.
Kind that lasts longest, The (Bull Dog Hose). Boston Woven House & Rubber Co.

Label mothers know and trust, The (child suits). Minneapolis Knitting Works.
Label of luxury (Callaway Mills). La Grange, Ga.
Label of quality knitting in sportswear and underwear (Hanes).
Labels of character (Atlas Co.)
Largest immediate delivery fur house (Samuel Katz). New York.
Learn about little women from us (Schwartz Bros. Dress Co.). Cleveland.
Leg of nations, before the court of the world, The (men's garters). Sidley Co.
Let Munsingwear cover you with satisfaction (undewear).
Let Taylor do your tailoring (J.L. Taylor & Co.).
Let them grow up in Kaynee (The Kaynee Co.).
Let us tan your hide (fur). Crisby Frisian Fur Co., Rochester.
Light as a breeze, soft as a cloud (Rand dress shields).
Like old friends they wear well (gloves). Louis Meyers & Son.
Line of beauty, The (frocks). Mann, Guggenheimer Co., New York.
Look smarter, wear better (Shane Uniform Co.). Evansville, Ind.
Look to "Paris" to look your best (garters).
Love of a glove, A (Acme Glove Corp.). Gloversville, N.Y.
Luxury tropical with the cashmere-like feel, The (Goodall Sunfrost).

Made in America for little Americans (R. Solomon Knitting Mills). New York.
Made stronger to last longer (A. Stein & Co.). Chicago.
Made to stand the gaff (Nogar Clothing Mfg. Co.). Reading, Pa.
Magic word in junior sportswear (Petti).
Maiden California -- Stretch everywhere (garters). Sidley Co.
Makers of America's finest fitting outercoats (Barron-Anderson Co.). Boston.
Make the children happy (Yankiboy Play Clothes). Sackman Bros., New York.
Mark of modern pajamas, The (Dot snappers).
Masterpiece of craftsmanship (windbreaker).
Means better underwear (Amho). American Hosiery Co.
Meyers makes gloves for every father's son and mother's daughter.
Million dollar overall, The (Crown Overall Mfg. Co.). Cincinnati.
Miracle in the rain, A (Koroseal raincoat).
Mix 'em and match 'em (Buster Boy Suit Co.). New York.
Most admired, most desired for cool comfort (Marlboro shirts).
Musingwear -- beyond compare (underwear).
"Must" for every wardrobe, A (Sportleigh's briefer coat).

Name to remember in rainwear, The (Weatherbee). Triangle Raincoat Co.
National buyword, A (Georgiana frocks).
National summer suit, The (Goodall Worsted Co.).
National summer suit for men, The (Keep-Kool), Snellenburg Cloth Co.
Neatness lasts from breakfast to bedtime (Essley Shirt Co.). New York.
New air-rolled garter, The (Novelty Rubber Sales Co.). Akron, Ohio.
New pair free if they rip, A (Rip-proof overalls, playsuits, jumpers).
New York styles America (Monroe Clothes).
Next to nothing (jacket and shorts). Drybak Corp., Binghampton, N.Y.
Next to nothing at all (underwear). Du-ons.
NIGHTwear of a nation, The (Faultless Pajamas). E. Rosenfeld & Co.
No metal can touch you (Paris garters). A.G. Stein Co.
No other name in knit underwear has meant so much to so many for so long.

Oh, Kleinert's? OK! (Kleinert's rubber goods).
On and off in a jiffy (comfort belts for men). Little Corporal Mfg. Co.
One that won't bind, The (E.Z. Garters). Thos. P. Taylor Co.
One white shirt that's different, The (Van Heusen).
Oshkosh, b'gosh (overalls). Oshkosh Overall Co.
Outfitters of Sportsmen (Lou J. Eppinger). Detroit.

Pants that stand the gaff (L. Rosenblatt).
Peak value of the year (Dickinson Clothes, Inc.). Philadelphia.
Perfect brace that stays in place, The (suspenders). The Sidley Co.
Perfect raincoat that millions of mothers have been seeking (Esquire).
Perfect underwear for children, The (Minnesota Knitting Works).
Postman's, the gloves Milady loves (Bacno Postman Co.). New York.
Protecting the nation's hand-power (Work gloves). Boss Mfg. Co., Kewanee, Ill.
Protects you handsomely (Lakeland sportswear).
Protect your hands with MITTS (Mitts Mfg. Co.). Brooklyn, N.Y.
Pure northern wool from sheep that thrive in the snow (Men's overcoats).

Quality costs no more (Frederick Nelson Dry Goods).
Quality without compromise (Paris garters).

Rage of the college age, The (Sidley Cords).
Rainy day pal, The (Reflex slicker). A.J. Tower Co., Boston.
Rest is easy, The (nightshirts and pajamas). E. Simons Mfg. Co., Port Chester.
'Round the year coat, A (Alligator rainwear).
Rub 'em, tub 'em, scrub 'em, they come up smiling (Jack Tar Togs).
Rugged as the west (Outdoor Clothes). Black Mfg. Co., Seattle.

Secret of California casualness, The (Men's sportswear). H. & L. Black.
Send Trend to a friend (aprons). Sid Levy & Sons, San Francisco.
Shirt house of America, The (F. Jacobson & Sons). New York.
Slip into a Bradley and out-of-doors (Bradley Knitting Co.). Delevan, Wisc.
Smart clothes that never smart your purse (Bonton Dress Shoppe). Boston.
Smartest cool suit, the coolest smart suit, The (Haspel seersucker).
Smart wear for the women who care (Bertha Taylor Dress Shop). Indianapolis.
Soft and silky as a kitten's purr (Society Brand clothes).
Soft as kitten's ears (Melbroke ties).
Soiled clothes that are not spoiled clothes (The Thoro Products Co.). Denver.
So-o soft, so-o smooth, so-o comfortable (Eclipse Sleep Products, Inc.).
Springs right back into shape (Penna. Knit Coat Co.). Philadelphia.
Standard in rubber goods for nearly half a century (Kleinert Rubber Co.).
Step thru, button two (The Sealpax Co.). Baltimore, Md. (underwear).
Stitched and styled in California (dresses). Alice of Calif., San Francisco.
Strong for wear (Jobbers Overall Co.).
Strong for work (Jobbers Overall Co.).
Styled for young fellows, worn by all fellows (Chas. Levy's Sons). New York.
Style outside, leather inside (Boys' jack-o-leather suits). J.J. Preis & Co.
Style without extravagance (Men's clothes). Dreyfous & Lang.
Support of a nation, The (Paris garters).
Sweater is better if it's Huddlespun, A (Herald Knitwear Co.). New York.

Tain't gwine rain no mo' (Pioneer Rubber Mills) [Note: I included this one only in the interest of completeness.]
Take your cue -- Q-B-Q Gloves -- Quality beyond question (Bacno-Postman Corp).
Tate-made is Rite-made (industrial uniforms). Tate Mfg. Co., Danville, Va.
Taylor-dressed man stands out from the crowd, The (Royal Tailors).
That well-dressed look (H. Black Co.).
There can be no compromise with quality (Langrock Clothing Co.). New Haven.
There is only one Jockey (underwear).
There's a Lee for every job (work clothes).
There's something about them you'll like (Fleurette Frocks). Einhorn Bros.
There's style and wear in every pair (Wear-Right gloves)
They fit royally (shirts). Phillips-Jones Co.
They hold their shape (Travelo knit jackets and vests). Peckham-Foreman, N.Y.
They must make good or we will (Oshkosh Overall Co.). Oshkosh, Wisc.
They're cut to fit to fight fatigue (Reis underwear).
They won't let you wear it unless it fits (Men's clothing). Kolmer-Marcus.
Thorobred air in every pair, A (gloves). Grewen Fabric Co., Johnstown, N.Y.
Tie with the silver lining, The (neckties). May and Hill, New York.
Tops for your trousers (suspenders). A. Stein & Co.
To uphold your sox, trousers and dignity (Barrthea garters and suspenders).
Tropical suit that "breathes" fresh air (Northcool suits).
Trousseau house of America, The (Grand Maison de Blanc). New York.
Two-piece unionsuit, The (Henderson & Erwin). New York.
Two buttons on the shoulder, none done the front (Sealpax Co.). Baltimore.

Unaware of underwear (P.H. Haines Knitting Co.). Winston-Salem.
Uniformly good (Sainthill Levine uniforms).
Use celanese fabrics, they make your dresses smarter (Canadian Celanese).

Very coolly yours (Coronado clothes).

Wares that men wear (Stone Bros.). Brookline, Mass.
Washwear for real boys (Tom Sawyer). Elder Mfg. Co.
Wash without worry (Outdoor Lifer shirts).
Wears like a pig's nose (Men's overalls). W.M. Finck & Co., Detroit.
We put the world to sleep (Universal pajamas). Reliance Mfg. Co., Chicago.
We put the world to sleep (sleeping garments). Steiner & Son, New York.
What you want in work clothes (Big Yank).
When appearance counts (David Adler & Sons). Milwaukee.
When in Broderick suits your class is dressed, each girl's inspired to play her best (Tom Broderick Co.). Glendale.
When the sun goes down (Berkeley Square Clothes). Philadelphia.
Where fashion reigns (B. Siegel Co.). Detroit.
Where style begins (Buddy Lee men's suits).
Who's your tailor (Ed V. Price Co., Chicago). Tailoring service.
Wide for comfort (garters). Thos. P. Taylor Co.
With the Permafit seam (sweaters). Jerry-Jane, Inc., Los Angeles.
Work clothes that fit and look like dress clothes (Kast-Iron).
Work clothing that conquers hard wear (Cowden Mfg. Co.).
World famous for quality (Wembley tie).
World smartest quality, The (Phillips-Jones Corp.). New York.
Wrinkleproofs your clothes (shadowskirt). A. Stein & Co., New York.

Year 'round corduroy, The (child corduroys). Togeroy's.
You bet it's good--it's a Brentwood (sportswear). Philadelphia.
You can't knock the crease out (Digby slacks).
Your legs will thank you (Brighton Wide-Web garters). Pioneer Suspenders Co.
Your shoulders will thank you (Pioneer Suspender Co.). Philadelphia.

Yesterday's slogans, today

I bought a book from 1949 called American Slogans, and in this case, you can tell a book by its cover, because that's just what it is -- a collection of thousands of slogans from companies in every area of commercial endeavor. No commentary, no analysis (other than a brief foreword) -- just 318 pages of then-contemporary slogans, with up to 55 entries per page.

Here are the entries from the Hats and Caps category:

All over town (Young Hat Co.).
All the new ones all the time (Rothchild Bros. Hat Co.).
Are you true to your type (Stetson).

Coolest hat under the sun (Cardine Hat Co.). St. Louis

Don't take less than the best, don't take less than a Lee.

Every man should wear at least three straw hats (Nat. Assn. of Straw Hats Mfrs.).

Hat corner of the world, The (Knox the Hatter).
Hat for every face, A (Sam Bonnart, Inc.).
Hat of silent smartness, The (Lamson & Hubbard Co.).
Hats made so fine that all others must be compared to them (Knox hats).
Hatter to gentlemen for over half a century (Wolthausen).
Hat that goes with good clothes, The (Mallory Hat Co., Inc.).

I look my best in a Hardeman (Hardeman Hat Co.). Seattle.

Mark of the world's most famous hat, The (John B. Stetson Co.).
Most comfortable hat made, The (Resistol self-conforming hats). Byer-Rolnick.

National headquarters for uniform caps (Superior Uniform Cap Co.). Chicago.

On the well-dressed head (Stetson).
Overhead economy (Stetson).

Right for cool comfort (Stetson Straws).
Right for Sunday morning (Stetson).
Right hat for real men, The (Langenberg Hat Co.).

Seen in the best of company (Vanity Hats). Noname Hat Mfg. Co.
Self-conforming hats (Resistol).
Shade better than the rest, A (straw hats). Superior Hat Co., St. Louis.
Step out with a Stetson (John B. Stetson Co.). Philadelphia.
Stiff brim straw with the soft brim fit, The (M.S. Levy & Sons). Baltimore.
Styled for young men (Stetson).

There's a Merton cap or hat for every sport (C.S. Merton & Co.).
Tomorrow's body today (Tuxedo Hat Body Corp.).

Ventilated straw hats (Caradine Hat Co.). St. Louis.

World's largest retailer of hats (Kaufman Hats, Inc.). New York.

You look your best in a Stetson.

Birdwatching, Manhattan style -- Pt. 75

It's been a while since I spotted a celebrity while strolling the city's streets, but Campbell Scott and I crossed paths yesterday; he was walking south -- Flo and I were headed north -- on Eighth Avenue near 21st Street yesterday.

I'm reminded now that Scott was the last celebrity I reported seeing, just over two months ago and in the same neighborhood. I hope he's not stalking us.

Actually, I recall now having seen Paul Giamatti in the interim, but I neglected to mention it here, given that I've bumped into him any number of times.

I'm Brett Leveridge, and I approved this post

In my day job, I work at a university, focusing on online courses, and with the opening of the spring session this week, I've been pretty busy taking calls from confused and anxious students.

Today, after I explained to one young woman that the information she was seeking had been sent to her in a letter from the university ("Oh? I'll have to try to find that letter, then!"), she told me I sounded on the phone just like Barack Obama.

I assured I was neither as tall, as handsome, nor as accomplished as our 44th President.

"Ah, you didn't have to tell me that," she said, sounding a bit crestfallen.

I do have a knack for disappointing the lay-deez.