Kodachromes

        Mel Torme (1925-1999) backstage at the Paramount Theater, in a visual approximation of his famous nickname conjured by photographer William Gottlieb and a block of dry ice in the dressing-room sink.

New York circa 1947. "Portrait of singer Mel Torme in dressing room." Medium format negative by Down Beat photographer William Gottlieb. View full size.

        In this WW2 Kodachrome we have the opening frame of the first-ever Shorpy Filmstrip® -- sort of a coming-attractions trailer for Shorpy 2.0, with larger pictures and type.

March 1943. "Camouflage class in New York University, where men and women are preparing for jobs in the Army or in industry, New York, N.Y. They make models from aerial photographs, re-photograph them, then work out a camouflage scheme and make a final photograph." Medium format Kodachrome transparency by Marjory Collins for the Office of War Information. View full size.

New York circa 1948. "Jazz singer at the Onyx Club, 52nd Street." We trust that this canary won't stay unidentified for long. Medium format Kodachrome transparency by Down Beat photographer William Gottlieb. View full size.

New York circa 1947. "Jazz singer Dottie Reid walking on 52nd Street." The stretch of pavement last seen here in a nighttime view. Kodachrome transparency by William Gottlieb for Down Beat. View full size.

        PHOENIX, December 3, 2018 -- Big band singer and jazz artist Dorothy "Dottie" Reid died today at the age of 97. Dottie sang with Jimmy Dorsey and Buddy Rich, and went on a world tour with Benny Goodman. Born June 15, 1921, in Arkansas, she lived in New York and moved to Arizona in 2004.

October 1959. "Pilot and auto test driver Betty Skelton at McDonnell Aircraft Corp., St. Louis. She is undergoing a multitude of physiological tests to assess her fitness to become an astronaut." 35mm Kodachrome by Bob Sandberg for the Look magazine assignment "Girl Astronaut -- Lady wants to orbit." View full size.

July 1948. 52nd Street in New York. "The Street is at its best at night, when the neons start to bloom. It loses some of its carnival atmosphere when daylight dims its gaudy luster." Kodachrome by William Gottlieb for Collier's magazine. If anyone needs us, we'll be digging Harry the Hipster at the Onyx. View full size.

November 1940. "Street scene in Mystic, Connecticut." A view down East Main Street of the Christopher Morgan house, last seen here. 35mm Kodachrome by Jack Delano for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.

September 1954. "Marilyn Monroe performing Latin dance number 'Heat Wave' in the movie musical 'There's No Business Like Show Business'." Kodachrome transparency from photos by Robert Vose for Look magazine. View full size.