Graphic Props for Photography

Shirlie explained these little graphical images to me. They are like the cover of a book, the title of a movie, the headline in the newspaper. She created these "title images" as props to introduce a collection of photographs. She did the same thing in her own photo and scrapbook albums.

I found these in a box filled with her photos. Many of these in this little collection are from the Ad Club's trip to Hawaii in 1957. They demonstrate Shirlie's talents, not just as a photographer, but also as a graphic artist/illustrator. She also exhibits her whimsical side is some of them. Pretty neat stuff!

Happy Birthday Shirlie!

Shirlie came into this world 95 years ago today. 

Happy Birthday!

Politicians • Eleanor Roosevelt and Richard Nixon

Shirlie was pretty much apolitical ... she either liked the person or didn't. Period. She figured that she couldn't really influence the politicos and that most of them were crooks anyway! When it came to taking photographs, she just did her job ... and did it well.

A story she told me, several times, was when she photographed ex-actor, then US Senator from California, George Murphy. This was in the mid-1960s. Murphy was holding a cigar (or cigarette) when she was ready to take the photo. Shirlie was adament that he should snuff out the smoke for the photo. At first he declined, but she persisted. He had the photo taken sans cigar! She met with him a few years later and he remembered her as "that persistent photographer." (Murphy was diagnosed with throat cancer a few years later and had half of his larynx removed!) I wish I had that photograph.

While I do not have that photo, I do have, in Shirlie's collection, several photos of politicians from both ends of the ideological spectrum -- Eleanor Roosevelt and Richard Nixon.

Mrs. Roosevelt visited San Jose in 1947 as a guest of the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee. A reception in her honor was held at the De Anza Hotel, where Shirlie took these photographs.

 

Eleanor Roosevelt at the reception held at the De Anza Hotel 1947 (Shirlie Montgomery)

Mrs. Roosevelt and local politicos 1947 (Shirlie Montgomery)

The top photo is featured in the book Reflections of the Past: An Anthology of San Jose (p.176). It is credited "Courtesy: Tom McEnery." Shirlie actually took the photo ... and still has the negative. John McEnery, Tom McEnery's father, commissioned Shirlie to take photos at the reception, but, even though he received and kept the photographs, never paid Shirlie ... and she never forgot that slight right to the end!

In 1960 then Vice-President Richard Nixon ran for US President against John "JFK" Kennedy. Two years after his loss to Kennedy, he ran for governor of California (which he also lost). Shirlie was called on to photograph Mr. Nixon while he was in San Jose.

Richard Nixon making the rounds in 1962 (Shirlie Montgomery)

Great shot of Nixon 1962 (Shirlie Montgomery)

1961 Cosmetology Convention at Rickey's

I am not sure who any of these folks are, but it looks like they were having fun!

Shirlie took on all kinds of photo assignments. Conventions were one of her favorites -- well, not like the wrestlers were, but she loved to have fun and conventions gave her the opportunity to both have some fun and photograph people having fun.

See anyone you know? Let me know, I would love to i.d. them.

These folks look like they got carried away with the makeovers!

These shots are from the gathering of cosmetologists at Rickey's on the El Camino Real in Palo Alto back in 1961. The signs they are carrying read: San Jose Invites YOU in '61. Why a San Jose theme in Palo Alto? I don't know, except that San Jose was woefully short on great gathering places in the early 1960s.

Hale's, Macy's, Stern's ... and more

Shirlie's commercial clients ranged from mom & pop shops to the giants of San Jose retail. She covered events, weddings, charitable groups, trade associations, politicians and celebrities. Shirlie also had clients like Paul Masson, IBM, FMC and more. Here are some of the publicity photos she shot for downtown San Jose stores.

Hale's on Santa Clara Street downtown was one of the anchor stores. This looks like a recruiting photo taken on the stage at San Jose Civic Auditorium.

Candy Bar of the Week ... I wonder if she got paid in candy? Great looking counter!

Another Candy Counter! I see a trend here ...

The sign in back says: Semi-Annual Sale - All Macy's Own Wines

Stern's Luggage was on First Street before it moved to Valley Fair in the 1960s

Inside Stern's filled with leather products

Fancy Pastries, Pies and Cakes

American Legion School Award

Shirlie was an avid reader, a pretty darn good writer (having won the San Jose Mercury youth writing contest several times) and active in extracurricular programs at school. For all the years that I knew her, she had this large medallion on an easel in her display case, along with a photo of her grandmother and her cherished Mexican animal knick-knacks.

The medallion is the American Legion School Award. She got this award when graduating from the eight grade in 1932. It was awarded by the American Legion to students who not only demonstrated scholastic excellence, but also community and patriotic fervor. Awarded to the boy or girl "who best represents those qualities of character and ability, which we believe, when properly cultivated and matured, will result in worthy citizenship and well rounded manhood and womanhood."

This particular medal was designed by R. Tait McKenzie in 1925 and made by Medallic Art Co. of New York. This design was presented to girl awardees until 1951 when the design was changed. There was a different design for boys and a smaller medal attached to a ribbon as well. 

According to a 1937 brochure on the School Award program the following short address was used in the declaration of the girl receiving the girl’s medal:

Little lady, in giving you The American Legion School Award, we are conferring upon you an honor which should never be entrusted to anyone but that of the noblest character, highest ideals and the most tender sympathy. The soldiers who fought for you during the World War believe that your mind and soul are of a quality to realize the responsibility that you have in always living and acting by those rules of conduct, and the faith in the goodness of God, which make a good woman earth’s highest treasure, and man‘s noblest inspiration. We want you to ever bear in mind that the country can never rise higher than the soul of its womanhood. We want you to know that we have complete faith in the majesty of your mind, and the goodness of your heart. And now and ever, may the strong love of God Almighty abide within your bosom, and, like an armed band of invincible and immortal warriors, guard and guide your soul.

 

Celebrities Arrive at SFO Aboard a DC-7

Shirlie was called upon to take all kinds of publicity photos. While she just loved taking sports action shots, especially of wrestlers, and was a consistent contributor to the newspapers in the Bay Area, it was publicity photos that paid the bills.

This photo is of a group of Hollywood celebs just after deplaning from a Douglas DC-7. The DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. This photo looks to be from the late-1950s and is probably at San Francisco Airport, as the San Jose Airport was primarily a small general aviation facility until 1965. United Airlines did not fly out of San Jose until 1967.

Don't you just love how they were dressed? These were the days when you dressed up to fly. It was like going to the City. Wish it were still that way today! The suits, dresses, coats and hats are true fashion statements of the era.

Celebrities Arriving at SFO Aboard a DC-7 (Shirlie Montgomery photo, restored by Joe Holt)

I wish I could recognize any of the celebrities in this photo, but I can't ... I don't know the '50s Hollywood stars well enough. If you can, please comment below.

Check these sites for more information and photos of the DC-7 and a history of San Jose Airport.