HOUSES in OLD MOVIES!
There are only two movies I know of where the old
houses can spotted:
"TENTH AVENUE ANGEL" - with Margaret O'Brien: 1948.
In the final scene of the movie where Margaret is getting 3 pairs of skates, a
large "coconut" to die for can be seen under the little feather tree in
the background.
Antoinette's husband John captured these shots from the video:
Thanks a million, John!
And here are some shots of the "10th Avenue" house that Antoinette
scored from The Fair Set on eBay Dec., '06...
It appears to be in better shape than the one in the movie; the trees seem to be missing
on that one, but there is no doubt it's the same house. Window and porthole patterns all
match up; the structure is the same. This story has come full-circle and is now complete
. Pretty amazing, eh? These things appear in only two known movies.
"THE PREACHER'S WIFE" - Denzel Washington - Whitney Houston:
In this '80s remake of "The Bishop's Wife"-1947, several houses
are visible on a mantel putz - above the fireplace in the parsonage office/study
in a few shots. Hard to tell exactly what they are, though.
If anyone spots houses in any other old movies, please let me know!
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
If you are seriously into "putzing," - James S.Morrison's fabulous
compendium of authentic old home Christmas photos A VINTAGE VIEW OF
CHRISTMAS PAST would also seem to bear this out. One sees the cardboard
houses in photos from the thirties on, but not before. Earlier putzes are seen
to be comprised mainly of home made or tin train accessory buildings, albeit
many amazingly elaborate and well-crafted things - but no dimestore cardboards.
(This hard-to-find publication is a book the serious putz collector absolutely
ought to have! I have no affiliation with Mr. Morrison except for a
great appreciation of his book. It's a private publication. The only current
source of which I'm aware is:
"A VINTAGE VIEW of CHRISTMAS PAST"
- by James S. Morrison
ISBN:0-9647875-0-4
National Christmas Center
3427 Lincoln Highway
Paradise, PA 17562
(717) 442-7950
$29.95 plus shipping. It's best to call.
.... What a "Time-Machine!" - I HIGHLY recommend!!! ...if you
can find it.
UPDATE:Jan.07,'06
I have heard from a couple of people who tried to get this book that J.S.
Morrison says he has run out. This was a private printing, so if you see it
for sale anywhere - GRAB IT! As far as we know, he has no plans to reprint,
but perhaps if enough people call for it, who knows?
Phillip V. Snyder's ...
"THE CHRISTMAS TREE BOOK"
"The History of the Christmas Tree and Antique Christmas Tree Ornaments"
Viking Press
SBN0 670 22115-5
Were I permitted to keep but one book on the history of the Christmas tree
and "putzing," this is would be my choice...written with love and great integrity.
Phil Snyder has passed on, now, and I don't believe his life's devotion is still in print,
but you see copies in used book stores and on eBay. If you do - grab one! They can usually
be found quite reasonably and you can't do better at any price.
