christmas 1920: have yourself a creepy little christmas
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Los Angeles Express, December 25, 1920.
While the editor thought this was an adorable page three picture, it can't help but come off as creepy these days. Is this child having a nightmare? Is Santa secretly a giant demon who takes on the form of a friendly holiday figure? Was Fred Coffey really angry at the Venice Publicity Bureau and decided to come up with the creepiest image possible?
Elsewhere on this page, readers were told that Los Angeles "contributed to more Christmas dinners than any other city in the world" thanks to food harvested in Los Angeles County. "It has been told by a California traveler and adventurer that in the trading posts of the South Sea islands he found canned products bearing the labels of Los Angeles." At the Los Angeles County Prison, jailer George Gallagher declared that "the 375 guests in his hostelry had one of the finest spreads in the entire city - not only the entire city, but in all the region west of the Rocky Mountains."
Perhaps this Santa joined the jailhouse feast after he was arrested for peering into children's windows.
The creepiest Santa I ever encounted was on a road trip several years ago. My mom, sister, and I had spent a few days in Ottawa, and decided to explore some small towns on our way back to Toronto. We stopped in a holiday gift shop in Merrickville. While my mom was finding all kinds of things she liked, I nearly jumped out of my skin when I encountered this statue.
The rest of my family had a similar reaction.
Perhaps the artist was watching slasher flicks when creating this, or "And All Through the House" from Tales From the Crypt (either the 1970s film version or the television series).
Ottawa Citizen, December 24, 1920.
Back to 1920, where Los Angeles wasn't the only city with stalkery Santas staring at or hanging over children. Kids had similar issues in Ottawa, where Santa also admitted he had an accomplice, Mr. Sandman (who may or may not have turned on his magic beam).
Washington Star, December 24, 1920.
This illustration seems innocent enough: a child requesting a doll for Christmas. The cartoonist, Robert Ripley, was a rising star, having launched his Believe It or Not! strip for the New York Globe the previous year.
But...
Vancouver Province, December 24, 1920.
...this Ripley cartoon was also syndicated at the time, presenting a slightly ghoulish/gothy street urchin clutching a doll that (presumably) Santa delivered. If you don't view the squiggles on the lettering as fresh snow, this "Merry Xmas" could easily lead a horror story.
Given the long-term viability of this product, all of the "Grade A" research and development didn't get the public to crack open a can. The ingredient list would be intriguing, just to see how many multi-syllabic chemicals were used to keep the eggs and meat shelf-stable. If they have a Spanish flavour, why not Western (unless Ham and Cheese was expected to fill that void)? As for my favourite omelette combination? Ham, mushrooms, peppers, cheese and a dash of paprika or ground chipotle. Source: Canadian Grocer , November 1980 - JB
This installment of my "Retro T.O." column for The Grid was originally published on April 24, 2012. Globe and Mail , May 27, 1989. Depending on the city, the practice had different names—“bum rushing” in New York, “trashing” in Los Angeles, “steaming” in London. As the 1980s came to a close, the media in Toronto reported that a growing number of local youths participated in “swarming” attacks on individuals and businesses to steal jackets, jewellery, money, shoes, and, in the case of the Yonge and Eglinton branch of Fran’s, pastry. These incidents heightened fears about increased gang activity and how to handle restless, disaffected youth throughout all socio-economic levels in the city.
From November 2011 through July 2012 I wrote the "Past Pieces of Toronto" column for OpenFile, which explored elements of the city which no longer exist. The following was originally posted on May 20, 2012. Advertisements, (left) the Toronto Star , April 22, 1966 (right) the Globe and Mail , July 26, 1967. In an August 1967 article, the Globe and Mail ’s Blaik Kirby set the scene for anyone curious about entering one of Yorkville’s oddest coffee houses. “The Mynah Bird is a fetid room in a former Victorian home, with a tiny triangular stage behind bars in one corner. There are two other rooms in reserve if needed. You enter through a hallway, passing the piranha and the caged mynah bird after which the place is named. Hanging rushes conceal the high ceiling. The walls are red flecked wallpaper. The lights are low, with candles on each table. One of the two friendly go-go girls ushers you to a seat, and soon reappears on the stage. She is slightly plump, with lo...
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