Vintage Life Society Podcast

This episode is all about Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. And Ocean Liners. And Airships. And Interstate Buses. And Rental Cars. Back in the early to mid-twentieth century — getting there might been more than half the fun.

In this episode, you will be able to experience the sound of an actual steam train journey from the late 1930s to early 1940s — first hand — as if you are actually there. This is possible by collecting vintage 1930s and 1940s field recordings of actual steam train sounds and mixing them with other vintage period recordings — all to give you a historically authentic sound experience of a real 1930s era journey by steam train. For the most immersive experience, I highly encourage you to listen to this with headphones. If you close your eyes you can imagine yourself really there.

The early 20th century saw huge transformations in the way business was conducted in the United States. Women replaced men in many office jobs. The idea of "big" business came into being as new technologies allowed for national and international business relations. I'll talk about all of this and also try to give you a picture of what the early 20th century office was like. You'll find the whole song at the end of the podcast, "Business in F" by Gene Kardos and His Orchestra. Vocals by Gene Kardos and ensemble. Recorded on December 18, 1931.

Back in the early to mid 20th Century, everybody wore a hat. How did they wear them? When do you keep your hat on and when do you remove it? In this episode, I'll talk about some of the essential rules of hat etiquette for both men and women in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. I'll also give you a few authenticity tips for your period accurate historical impression. Music performed by Jack Teagarden and His Orchestra. Vocal by Kitty Kallen. Recorded in 1939.

In this episode, I talk in detail about eating and drinking out and while on the go during the 1920s, 30s and 40s. The kind of foods you'd find, what people expected from eating out, and how to use this knowledge for your own historic impression. Song is "Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee" by Enrique Madriguera and the Biltmore Orchestra. Recorded in 1932.

In the early twentieth century there was an explosion of coin-operated vending machines offering just about everything you could think of including gum and candy, cigarettes, postage stamps, and transportation tickets for buses, trams and trolleys, jukeboxes, your weight, and of course pay telephones. Where were they typically found? How were they operated? Listen and find out. "Put a Nickel in the Slot" song by Wingy Manone And His Orchestra. Recorded in 1935.

If you really want to add some depth to your period-authentic vintage impression that won't cost you a dime then you'll want to hear this episode from the Vintage Life Society. In this episode, I'll talk about how most Americans spoke in the 1920s and early 1930s. I'll also give you five methods you can use to emulate the speaking styles of the 1920s and 1930s for yourself. Musical interlude is "I'm Gonna Dance Wit Da Guy Wot Brung Me" performed by Harry Reser's Night Club Orchestra with vocal accompaniment by Tom Stacks. Recorded July 23, 1927. At the end of the podcast you can hear part of our theme song, "I'll See You In My Dreams" performed by Anson Weeks and his Hotel Mark Hopkins Orchestra. Recorded in 1932.

In this premier episode I share my own deeply personal story about my passionate interest of everyday life in another era, my life-long pursuit of "That Old Feeling," and the reasons why I created Déjà Vu Industries and the Vintage Life Society. Musical interlude is "That Old Feeling" by Carroll Gibbons and the Savoy Hotel Orpheans with vocals by Anne Lenner. Recorded in November 1937. At the conclusion of the podcast you can hear the song in its entirety.