Weird Universe Archive

December 2013

December 28, 2013

Hangman’s Tree Cafe


An article from the Reading Eagle (Oct 27, 1954) explains what this place was:

Jim Long, our Hollywood correspondent, has visited another unusual restaurant. This one was Hangman's Tree Cafe, "the rendezvous of those who enjoy lousy food." That isn't Jim's opinion. It says so on the menu which he sent us.

Many of the items on the menu carry special notations, to wit:

Top sirloin steak, $3.15. Not the usual "mule hide" but finest aged beef.

Chicken fry steak, $1.85. Oh, no, it ain't chicken; it's a beat up cow.

Lamb chops, $2.75. Mary lost it, we found it, you can have it.

Chef's salad, $1. Yeah, we know, every restaurant has a chef salad, but they ain't got our chef.

Caeser salad, 80 cents. The chef will hate you for ordering it, but go ahead and gamble.

On top of the wine list is this announcement: "Seasoning for the town's most tasteless food."

These additional notes are carried inside the menu:

"Don't be a glutton. Leave a little on the plate. Remember, all leftovers are used in our Sunday hash."

"Warning! Well done steaks at your own risk."

On the cover it says: "Lousy food. Warm beer and cocktails. Sneering service."

It's a really good place, Jim writes. But, it seems, everyone in California likes humor with their meals. They must have something to laugh at since the smog keeps the citizens rather gloomy.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Dec 28, 2013 - Comments (5)
Category: Restaurants, 1950s

December 27, 2013

Ouch A Squirrel!

image
Forgot the beer on Christmas? That's a beating with a ceramic squirrel. The cops didn't buy the 'he just fell' excuse either.

Posted By: Alex - Fri Dec 27, 2013 - Comments (7)
Category: Stupidity

LONGINES CHRONOSCOPE:  UFOs



A show on space exploration and UFOs, from the1950s, when such things seemed very weird indeed.

It's amazing to see what they get right, and what they get wrong. "Space telescope? Nah, never happen!"

Posted By: Paul - Fri Dec 27, 2013 - Comments (9)
Category: Science, Television, 1950s

Starbucks Limited Edition Card

It's a gift card that costs $450, but it only gets you $400 worth of store credit. The extra $50 pays for the card itself, which comes in a "stunning rose gold hue."

But it's too late to get one, because they went on sale on Dec. 6 and sold out in minutes. [bitterwallet.com]

Posted By: Alex - Fri Dec 27, 2013 - Comments (9)
Category: Overpriced Merchandise

December 26, 2013

Cigarette Karaoke



Plus, millions of free cigarettes for our hospitalized fighting men!

Posted By: Paul - Thu Dec 26, 2013 - Comments (14)
Category: Addictions, Business, Advertising, Hospitals, Television, Smoking and Tobacco, 1950s

The SkiBee

Invented by Detroit resident Donald Steeg, circa 1970. The SkiBee had an eight-horsepower engine with a 24-inch propellor that served as a propulsion unit for motorized skiing. Anyone who was willing to wear this thing on their back, could enjoy skiing without having to find a slope to go down. During the summer, it could also be used as an outboard motor on a boat.


[Hutchinson News - Feb 6, 1970]

Posted By: Alex - Thu Dec 26, 2013 - Comments (7)
Category: Inventions, Motor Vehicles, Sports, 1970s

December 25, 2013

Merry Xmas from the space-age bachelor pad!


This is Jingle bells ! Merry Xmas or should I say, "Feliz Navidad, Baby!"

Posted By: Tyrusguy - Wed Dec 25, 2013 - Comments (5)
Category:

December 24, 2013

Backdoor Santa!


This song from 1968 is one of the weirdest Christmas songs I know!
MERRY XMAS TO ALL MY FELLOW WUVIANS!

Posted By: Tyrusguy - Tue Dec 24, 2013 - Comments (4)
Category:

Mystery Object

Can you guess what this mysterious object is? Answer is below in extended.





More in extended >>

Posted By: Alex - Tue Dec 24, 2013 - Comments (7)
Category:

December 23, 2013

Dry-Tabs

image

As you might suspect, these pills eventually met with Federal displeasure.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Dec 23, 2013 - Comments (4)
Category: Bathrooms, Body, Medicine, Advertising, Body Fluids, 1950s

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