Letter 14, from Joan aka "Dusty"

Hi Sal~

Sorry about that Sally business but I just couldn't resist the temptation.

So, you finally got the table did you? Well that's good because I was just about ready to come over there and fix that guy.

It's beautiful out today. The sun is shining and the sky is nice -n- blue.

Have you seen “Take Me Out to the Ballgame?” It was swell. We saw it Friday nite. Honestly it was the best picture I've seen in a long

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time. We laughed and laughed.

By the way, just when are you coming home? The only place I can think of to go is to the movies (seeing that I love the movies so much)

I'll have you know, Mr. Coraccio that my mother is not 6'4”, and she is not a wrestler. She is 4'11” and a very pretty girl. So there.

Why should I tell my boss we graduate the 2nd? I'm not getting any vacation as it it is.

I'm afraid you'll just

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have to get used to popular music as I don't like that hill billy style.

Now, Sal you don't better make yr ms wait so long for an answer from you. Thas not nice.

Have you heard “You're so Understanding” by Billy Eggstein? (I don't know how his last name goes) It's nice.

I was going to answer your letter yesterday, but I had to go to the doctors. Somebody slammed my hand in the car door and he thought it was broken. It isn't though, just badly bruised thank goodness.

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Hope you can read this letter.

My mom is using the table, and I'm in the parlor writing on a book.

Well, see ya soon.

As Ever

Joany


It's funny how you think of popular culture like songs and movies as being so important and epitomizing of a moment in time, but in reality it may not carry over in history the way you expect. Joan really likes Billy Eckstine's version of "You're So Understanding," and clearly it was a radio hit, but trying to find that version of the song, or any other version, was a challenge! Below you can listen to Dean Martin's version and try to imagine what it would have sounded like in Billy Eckstine's voice:

 You're So Understanding by changela
Most of us know the song "Take me out to the ball game," but it's funny to imagine the time when the movie from whence the song comes was a new release. Here, you can view a number from the film:



On a personal note, having had an aversion for popular music myself, I was amused to discover that Sal clearly had a disdain for the hits of his day, and preferred a style that Joan refers to as "hill billy". I do wonder what she meant by that! This letter reflects Sal's dry sense of humor -- clearly he wasn't afraid to make jokes about his sweetheart's mother!

Letter 13, from Joan aka "Dusty"

[5 of 6. Written April 15, 1949]

Friday (before work)

(Hide this pic before anyone sees it)

Hi Sal,

It's Good Friday, and we haven't any school. Got your letter this mornin and thought I'd answer it right away. Gee, I wish I didn't have to go to work. We have no school all next week, but my boss found out so I'll be working all next week too.

It's too bad you can't be home for Easter. Everyone is going to be all dressed up (That is if it's nice) I'm just praying. If it is nice, I'll take some snaps

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and send one to you so you can see my outfit for yourself, but I'll explain it to you in the meantime. My suit is navy blue, my blouse is white nylon (very very pretty), my shoes are navy blue also (high heels okay?) my hat is white with blue trim and I'll wear white gloves and carry a navy blue pocket book. (disruptive enough?)

You really make me feel bad about not sending you a graduation picture. I'll see what I can do there are still two left and still about seven or eight promised

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What am I gonna drew?

I saw Joyce in school and told her to write to you.

Did you see the eclipse? It was really beautiful. We watched it for quite a while. When it was completely shadowed it turned the prettiest color.

Woolworth's is still going to be Woolworth's except that it's gonna be a new streamlined Woolworth's with a nice big sody fountain.

Sorry I forgot to kiss you goodnight but after all you said you hardly knew me

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so it wouldn't be very proper would it? I just don't go around kissing every boy goodnite you know.

Excuse me while I look for a snapshot. My brother dug up this one (quiet, it's a chance to show off my fur coat) Honestly sugar plum, it's the only one I have that isn't too blurry. It's not a very good pic, but you can use your imagination can't ya. I'll send another as soon as I take one, and you can disregard this one.

“Happy Easter” As Ever

---> belated Dusty.

Letter 12, from Joan aka "Dusty"

Thursday Nite

Hi Sal:

How you all?

I got yr letter yestiday and I'm out here sitting on the porch answering it. If you find the penmanship difficult to read, you'll know why.

So you all went to that dance hey? Glad you had a good time. Keep it up and – Arthur Murray will have to take lessons from you.

My Mom is listening to the radio, and the enchanting melody of “Some Enchanted Evening” is sailing out the door right over to me sitting here on the porch. I just love that song don't you?

Did you see “Mr. Beldevere Goes to College”? We saw it last week and honestly, Sal we laughed and laughed. All that guy has to do is stand there and you can't help laughing.

You don't have to address me as Miss Morin. Shaking hands with the mayor didn't go to my head.

Before I forget, Jack Dadonna

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was picked president of the Senior Class.

Never mind mentioning my beauty. Eighteen is the starting of my career as a woman. So they tell me, but I never believe everything I hear. I certainly don't feel any older.

My, my, Sal, you certainly seem to be mixed up, if you don't know what your taste is. Well anyhow, maybe we'd better drop the subject altogether, hey?

Too bad you're not out of the service now. My

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boss was looking for a fellow for the office.

It's nice out right now. It's kind of hot, but there is a little breeze.

I haven't been swimming yet, and, by the looks of things, I don't think I'll ever go.

Bea went to the hospital today. She is going to have an operation on her back tomorrow. That poor kid. Well guess that's all for now.

As Ever

Dusty

Letter 11, from Joan aka "Dusty"

[2 of 6]

Wednesday morn

Hi Sal:

It's only me Dusty Marin. We have all this week off from school and seeing that I don't have to go to work till two, I thought I'd answer your letter right away. I'll mail it on my way to work. (See how good I am to you?)

It's beautiful out today. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and it's not too cold. Beautiful day for a nice drive in the country, and I had to go and let

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the chauffeur take my convertible.

I have the radio on right now and they're singin “Tulsa” have you heard it? It's cute.

Pretty soon I'll be a grad of W.H.S. My how time flies. I'm getting old. I'll be 18 pretty soon. It's pretty tough.

You tell your bunkmate I said to let you use the table, after all we can't have you all knotted up ya kno.

Did I tell ya that Moran's Market burned down? Well

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anyhow, there building a new one right around the corner from my house. In fact it's all built. It will open around the 28^th. Real sharp.

Right now they're playing “The Mood I'm In.” And I am too. I think I have spring fever or somethin.

Went to the tote last nite to the Newton Fireman's Ball. It was pretty good. They had some nice entertainment. I was going to sing for them but I didn't feel like it. They had one gal there that

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played music on some cocktail glasses. She was really wonderful. “Just Reminicin” (I don't know how to spell it.) That's what they're playin now.

So you're bashful huh? Well, well, so am I so don't feel too bad.

When I take some more snaps I'll send you another one so you can get rid of that one you have. We couldn't take any Sunday because the sun wasn't out.

Guess that's all for

now.

As Ever

Dusty

I'm going to post this one with no commentary. This time, I'm going to let other people comment. What do you think of this letter from Dusty?

Letter 10, from Joan aka "Dusty"

[no envelope. Group of letters written in May 1949]

[1 of 6]

Tuesday Nite

Hi ya Sal:

How's you? I guess I was wonderin wha happin to ya. I kind of figured you did somethin like that though. Of all things.

The weather here hasn't been too bad. We had a couple of real hot days then it sort of cooled off.

I heard “Gee but It's Cold Outside” I think it's really cute.

Looks like I'll have to come down and take care of that bunkmate of yours. You tell him he'd better

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watch out or I'll come down there and take care of him.

TIF.S.R.LH.H. Means this is for Sal, rush like holy heck.

Can't say that I like that there hillbilly music. Give me popular or light classics any day.

I didn't take any pics last Sunday. I just keep putting it off.

Aha. So you might get home next month. I don't know about sendin me folks out. Besides my mother is only a little girl 4 feet 11. Nothin to worry about.

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I think the prom is around the twentieth or the 24^th. I'm not sure.

We graduate the third. Class day is the second. Just 14 more days of school. Gee Sal all the homework we get. It's awful honestly. I have practically no time to myself at all, but, as you would say, what are ya gonna drew?

My boss asked me today when we get out of school. I said around the sixth. So he said good you can start work full time on the

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seventh. Isn't that awful?

Well Sally I guess that's all for now.

As Ever

       Joany

        --- alias

               Duss

p.s. What happened between you and Joyce?

What does G.W.T.S.G.L. mean?

What happened, indeed! There seems to be a lull in their correspondence (March to May), but we may never know what happened to cause it! Was it problems with the bunk mate? Was it being moved from boot camp? Was it being on the ship? I love Joan's feisty spirit, and I bet she was (and probably is!) a lot of fun. It sounds like she knows just how to get around pushy teenage boys who want to get her alone!

This is a short letter, but it sure does bring up a lot of questions. I mean, what does GWTSGL mean, after all?

Letter 9, from Joan aka "Dusty"

[5 of 5. Written on March 19]

Saturday

Howdle de do,

Guess what!!! We had another snow storm. How do you like that? Here is the first day of spring (so called) around the corner, Monday to be exact, and we have another snowstorm. It makes me so mad.~

Went to the show last night ~ “The Wake of the Red Witch” was playing. It was okey but nothing to really brag about ~ Naturally I got scared stiff when they showed the octopus ~ In fact I was practically underneath the

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seat ~

Just +5 more days till we graduate ~ My how time flies~ It seems it was only yesterday we started school, then it was Christmas, and, after Christmas, the time certainly flew by~

Seeing that we haven't met officially, I shouldn't even be writing to you now should I? ~ I thought Jack introduced us, but I guess he must have overlooked that little article~

Woody was home again last Sunday, and naturally Vivian was in her glory ~ He must be stationed right around here huh ~

Before I forget, I'm sorry for calling you Mr. But gee whiz snooky you never put S.N. on your letters. How's I supposed to know?~ I put Mr. cause I didn't want to be impolite. I'm sorry, sorry, sorry ~ Forgive me?

Now about your rubbers, I'm still looking~ are you positive you left 'em here? ~ Maybe it was over to Gloria's house you left em huh? ~

You know what you can do for me? ~ You can send me some snapshots of you, if you have any handy.~

Too bad you can't be home for Easter, but if you're taking a leave a little later on maybe it would be silly. ~ Are you by any chance coming home in May to take a certain person to the prom?

Well Sally oops scuse me Sal Guess that's olly for now ~

[shorthand writing]

As Ever

Joany

  alias

  Dusty

    alias

    “The Girl with the Green Hair.”

Well, I finally decided to look up when "rubber" started to be used as a slang term, and wouldn't you know, it began in the 1930s. In this letter we realize that neither one of them could have left their rubber boots at the other's house (seeing as we learn here that Sal and Joan haven't officially met in person), so therefore this back and forth about the rubbers, well I'm sure you can agree that it's good old teenage humor at work! We think of kids from the 40s as so wholesome, but I think we can safely say that kids throughout history are up to mischief. But I do wonder what leaving one's rubbers or losing one's rubbers is supposed to be a euphemism for...

Wake of the Red Witch came out in 1948, and featured John Wayne and Gail Russell:  "Captain Ralls fights Dutch shipping magnate Mayrant Didneye for the woman he loves, Angelique Desaix, and for a fortune in gold aboard the Red Witch."

  Click here to see a clip of the movie (spoiler alert!).

I was interested to read that WHS seniors in 1949 would be graduating in late March. That's awfully early, isn't it? I assume that the rest of the school went on until summer, wouldn't they?

Is it me or does our friend Joan seem a little more interested in this letter? After all, she does ask for a photo of Sal. And is that a hint there for him to take her to the prom? 

The end of this letter features short hand. Since I transcribed the letters and don't have scans, I am not able to get the short hand symbols translated. Perhaps in a later post!

Letter 8, from Joan aka "Dusty"

[4 of 5. Written March 19, 1949]

Saturday Morning

Hello honey bunny,

How you all? Got yr letter (as you can see) and thought I'd write this morning before I do my shopping.

My Mom is sitting here racking her brain trying to do a puzzle. She says it's the craziest thing. Scuse me while I look up a word in the Webster.

Okay, here I am again. There was a dance last night at the High School sponsored by the Commercial Club. It was pretty good. We had loads of fun. Joyce was there too. Next time I see Woody I'll say

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“hi” to him for you.

Now about those rubbers, honestly sugar foot I can't find neither hide nor hair of em. You won't be needing them anyhoo now that Spring has sprung, the grass has riz I wonder where the flowers is. (I had to put that in. corny huh)

If yr havin troubles with yr face, Woodbury won't help. In fact it will make it worst. I can't use anythin but Ivory on my face. Those Woodbury Cocktails taste like anicette. It makes you sick. Bea gave me some once. I'll never drink it again. Oh! Horrors. Anyhow,

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Sal don't worry too much about the pimples. They'll go away in due time. The only thing you can do (here's some nursely advice) is to drink lots of milk and water, cut down on sweets, and get plenty of fresh air and especially sunshine. The sun dries them up. (I'll send you a bill for services.) Try it though, I'm sure it will work. (I think)

It's really beautiful out today. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and everything looks grand. It's really nice and warm. These are the kind of days I could just walk and walk and walk especially in the country.

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Know what bamby, I think me is getting spring fever. Nothin to worry about though. I gets it every year.

Now Sal, don't go saying things like that after all you hardly know me. How can you all be interestin in me?

The girl I had in mind as a “certain girl to the prom” was Joyce of course. I thought you were going to take her if you got home. I don't know if she's been asked yet or if she's accepted.

Bye for now honey-bunny. I could read the shorthand perfectly. Youse is pretty good at it ya know.

As Ever

Dusty

Attempts to discover what the "Commercial Club" was have failed, so if anyone reading this knows what they were or what it was about, please comment! I also tried to find any sort of image from a Waltham school dance in 1949, to no avail!

Woodbury was a brand of soap, founded in 1870. Their wikipedia entry states that, "In 1936, Woodbury soap was the first product to use a picture of a nude woman in its advertisements." They had a product called Woodbury facial soap that was very popular, and though I couldn't find anything online about a tonic or medicine that one might drink, they were indeed "brought to court for practicing medicine without a license" so maybe that's the anisette-tasting cocktail she refers to.

But all that is not to be confused with Woody. Woody's given name was George, and he hung around with Sal's "gang" (as he called it).

Again with the rubbers talk! I think he may have actually forgotten his boots. But still, I suppose it could be an inside joke. What do you think?

As I suspected, it appears that Sal might have been a little more sweet on Joan (aka Dusty) than she was on him. And notice that she doesn't ask him if he would like to take her to the prom! But yet, she is sure laying on the affectionate terms. But she broke her promise not to mention Joyce again.

One thing I learned is that (at least at one time) Sal could read and write shorthand!