July 3, 1964, Friday. Well day. Been sick for two weeks!
Felt better, came home and washed my hair for tomorrow. I can’t wait, because I’m going to see Byran at the dance. Mom and Dad went out and I stayed home. Went to get something to eat about 10:00 tonight with Sandy and Barbara. We went by the Jib and nobody was there so we drove by Jack’s house. His car was there. Sandy got on the floor so he couldn’t see her. We drove by his house abut 10 times. We could hear music and watched figures through the window, but we couldn’t tell who was there. Jack doesn’t like Sandy anymore. Probable because she was a Prude.
One of our favorite pastimes was cruising our boyfriends and ex-boyfriend’s houses and spying on them. The moment I felt well, I was out with my friends looking for action. I guess guys thought Culver girls were prudes compared to Westchester girls and stopped dating us right before Summer of 64.
Nana is so good to me when I’m sick. She turns the lights down low in the living room and plugs a heating pad in right next to her Lazy-Boy chair, so I can find some comfort and watch TV with her. She makes me anything I think I can hold down. I crave chocolate pudding with milk on it. It tastes so good going down, but I throw it up abut 10 minutes later. She gives me a Coke with cream in it. Sometimes it stays down. She gives me a tranquilizer to relax my stomach and a red pill to sleep. Also Excedrin and a hot bath will help me sleep for about four hours. Nana talks to me about Science of Mind while she holds my hand. Her voice puts me to sleep. She gives me her bed and she sleeps on the pull out couch in the living room. She is always cheerful and good to me. I really don’t know what I would do without her kindness when I’m sick.
While I was at Nana’s a letter from the Maybelline Company made out to my dad, but with her address on it, came to her apartment. I imagine it was a dividend check.
1964 was the year that Maybelline dividend checks began to pay off in larger amounts, thanks to Ultra Lash Mascara…That was that product that really sent Maybelline profits off the chart.
In 1964, Great Lash Mascarawas born and featured a beautiful young Black Model, who spoke in code, to the growing liberated female market. The genius in this Ad was connecting Civil Rights with Women’s Rights. 1964 was the year that changed America, both Culturally and Politically.
July 1, 1964, Wednesday. Bonnie’s Birthday. Still at Nana’s
July 2, 1964. Thursday. Think I’m getting well. President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing segregation in schools and public places.
Drove to the beach with Nana, felt better. Came home and ate a tuna sandwich. Sandy Block called and my stomach started getting nervous again. Nana started talking about my career again. She wants me to continue on where she left off. She was a dancer specializing in Russian Ballet. She thinks I will be an actress and singer if I really push towards it hard. After our talk I threw up my dinner, she so patiently fixed for me. I felt so bad about it. I didn’t sleep at all. I want to be well so much, I feel I’ll never be normal. I also want to go home! I can’t stand this apartment another day…It’s so small, I can’t get away by myself. I am so lonely for my friends.
Martha & The Vandellas “Dancing in the Streets” During the summer of 1964, Martha Reeves’s “Dancing in the Street,” became an unexpected anthem for a nation in the midst of radical social change.
June 27.1964, Saturday. Sick June 28, 1964, Sunday. Sick
Granddaddy and Mary came over. They’re on their Honeymoon. Granddaddy brought us each an Indian Necklace and a Kennedy half dollar. I was shocked how much Mary looks like Mayme, except she has dark eyes. She has heavy features too. Granddaddy looked years younger. Also acted different too. I tried to talk to them, but I finally had to go to bed. Still sick as ever.
June 29, 1964, Monday. Sick.
Well I couldn’t make school. Still too sick. Can’t shake it loose, I can’t understand how I’ve become sick again after so long. My nervous system is shot, my nerves feel like there hanging out. I went to Nana’s to get some drugs to relax and get out of pain. I need some quiet. The TV is on all the time here. Donna always plays the record player and the phone keeps ringing in the bedroom for Donna or me. Also, the kid’s friends are here and we always have company over. I think I’m going to die I’m in so much pain and I can’t keep anything on my stomach. Nana’s apartment is always quiet and she takes care of me so I can sleep
My family should have had it’s own Reality Show in 1964.
Imagine my 75 year old grandfather, bringing over his 70 year old Bride while they were on their Honeymoon. Not to mention the constant cast of characters coming and going, records blasting, TV droning day and night, phones ringing nonstop and little kids running around with their friends. It’s no wonder I couldn’t do homework or get decent grades. I had to go to Nana’s for Valium, Muscle Relaxers and Sleeping Pills. Drugs helped me let go and sleep when I was so sick. Too much excitement isn’t good for anyone no matter what age.
Was so sick this morning, but forced myself to get dressed and go to Summer School. I felt sick when I got there. Then after school Sandy, Dianne and I drove to Toes. Howard was there. He took one of my Saffron Pictures and acted overly friendly for some reason. Dave was there too. But Bryan and Jack weren’t. We went to Tops and Bottoms and exchanged the bottom of my bathing suit, than went to the Flying Jib. I had a hamburger and fry’s as usual. I came home and threw it all up. Now I’m really on my way to being sick.
June 23, 1964, Tuesday. Sick
June 24, 1964, Wednesday. Sick
June 25, 1964, Thursday. Sick
June 26, 1964, Friday. Sick.
Mrs. Launderville called, she’ got an audition for me at MGM. I am going to do a scene from “Our Town.” Mike Dinners will do the scene with me. We’re to do it July 17th. I’m to see her Monday at school. Sure hope I’m well by then. Also, the school called and said I’ll have to give up Summer School if I’m not there Monday.
“Our Town” presents a long-gone way of American life and is generally known as a work that is meant to be presented in a theater with very little scenery.
It is one of my very favorite plays, and I had done it many times in acting class. There is very few props, but the audience get’s lost in the story and never misses fancy sets. I bet I get well in record time so I don’t miss this opportunity.
June 21, 1964, Saturday. First day of Summer and Fathers Day.
Unk Ile came over today. I was sick all day. Unk gave us $10.00 a piece. It was a crummy day. I knew I was in for being sick. I just trued to fight it off, thinking I wasn’t going to get sick anymore. Plus tomorrow is the first day of Summer School. I don’t know if I can make it. I can’t ever plan on anything, since I never know when my sickness will come. I wish the Doctor’s could do something for me. These pills just make me hungry all the time. Granddaddy called. I talked to Mary. I was sort of scared. Nana was disappointed, because I couldn’t entertain Unk Ile. She always pushes me, saying, “nobody ever had to ask me twice to get up and dance for an audience.
Nana on the right, performing one of her dances when she was on the road with the Russian Ballet at 16… She’s been like a Stage Mother to me since I was five years old… always pushing me to perform for Unk Ile.
I must be crazy today, because I raked the backyard, washed my car, ironed some blouses and did exercises for an hour. Unk Ile is coming over tomorrow for Father’s Day. It’s going to be boring for me, because I know Nana’s going to bug me to entertain him all night. I wonder if Bryan thinks of me. Lauri said she didn’t see him or Dave graduate or at Disneyland. But, Howard was there. Sandy, Vick and I went to Toes tonight. Mark Hays was there with his friends, drunk. He attacked Vicki. Bryan came, said he tried to find my telephone number. I really like him. Wish he’d ask me out.
Maybelline introduced ULTRA LASH wand Mascara, in 1964,
Unk Ile was my father, Bill Williams, uncle and Godfather. He was also the founder and owner of the Maybelline Company since 1915. He was really more like a Grandfather to us, because he raised my dad since he was 12 years old, after his dad died… Nana was married to Unk Ile’s brother, Preston, my grandfather. That’s just a little family history.
Was kinda sick, didn’t sleep to well. I just kept dreaming of Byran. I’d give anything to go out with him. I think he likes me a little, because he followed me to the Jib last night. We went to the Wall and Toes today. Jack was there, but Byron wasn’t. Tonight is Grad Night. Byran’s band, The Marauders, are playing at Disneyland. Marilyn and I went to the Culver Graduation, then picked up Sandy and Dianne Block and went back to the Wall in Santa Monica… but nobody good was there. After that we went to a party in Westchester, but the Cops broke it up. Then we cruised Fosters, but couldn’t find anything to do so we went home. Felt sick sorta.
While the Country was going through major changes in 1964, I remained Clueless… Cruising in my 57 Chevy with the radio blasting, was the only thing on my mind that Summer.
Graduation Night forCulver City High School, Class of 64.
1964 was the year we stood up… and split apart. The year the Beatles came to America, Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali, and three civil rights workers were murdered in Mississippi. “Once we went through it, there was no going back…”
Singed up for Summer School. Have to take U.S. History over. Won’t get t the beach until 1:00. Pearl and I went shopping, I got a girdle and some shoes. We went to Westchester dance. Sandy and Diane Block, Patty Rodriguez and Pearl drove together. Jack and Phil were there. Byran was the drummer in The Marauders Band. He looked so bitchen. I really love him a lot. I danced all night, right in front of him. He was with me during he breaks. After the dance he told us to come to Tiny Naylor’s. But we had to go to the Jib to see Jack. I almost died when he came into the Jib. We were together for an hour. He kept playing with my hair, he loves it. I sure wish he’d ask me out.
Byron’s band The Marauders, had a big following and he hung out with Mark Volman, one of the founder’s of the Turtles. I thought for sure they would be the next big band in 1964.
The Turtles was a group rock psychedelic and folk rock American of the 60’s, formed in 1965 in Westchester by Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman.
The Turtles-It ain t me babe
.
The Flying Jib was the main hangout for Surfers at Toes, in Playa Del Rey. Tap beer was 25 cents, Bottle Beer 35 cents. A cup of Clam Chowder, 25 cents. A grilled Top Sirloin Steak, Onion Rings $1.35. Grilled Swordfish Steak, $1.35.
Tiny Naylor’s in Westchester was open 24 hours, so kids often had breakfast after a late night party.
I’d pull up in my cool, 57 blue and white Chevy and no one could believe a girl owned such a bitchen set of wheels.
Sandy Block and I watched them making “Mr. Novack.” It was so tough! We talked to all the MGM guys and they all knew Granddaddy. We went to the costume shop, than drove down to Toes. Byran and Louie were there. Byron told me to come to the Westchester dance tomorrow. He’s so bitchen. I love him. We all went to a Culver beach party. Everyone was drunk. Dave and Jack came. Patty Rodriguez and Dave were making-out all night long. I almost died, it made me feel sick. I kissed Windy Overbach at Fosters. Patty Rodriguez likes Dave. but, Dave kept looking at me. I wore my hair all down… I felt so sad I wanted to cry.
My Grandfather, Andy MacDonald, (in the center sitting next to my mom) you remember, the one who ran off and married his 70 year old mistress after my Grandmother died?… Well, he was the construction Boss at MGM from 1924 until he retired in 1967, the year MGM sold… and the year my Great uncle, Tom Lyle Williams sold the Maybelline Company to Plough Inc. Anyway it was always a thrill when I ran into people who knew him. It made me feel like a celebrity.
Mr. Novak is an American dramatic series starring James Franciscus in the title role, which aired on NBC for two seasons, from 1963 to 1965
Mr. Novak – Moonlighting (1964)
It’s My Party – Leslie Gore –
So the drama of Summer 1964 begins with me having to watch my friends making out with my ex-boyfriend, Dave Kendal and me trying my hardest to make him jealous. Leslie Gore captured that teenage heartbreak in, “It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I want to,” a Universal Theme Song for broken hearted girls.
Last day of Finals. Parties started tonight. We all went to Holly Comstack”s Yearbook party. Everyone was there. We just signed yearbooks until 10;00. Everyone was getting Graduation kisses. It wasn’t so great. I came home and got to bed about 12.00. Was so tired.
June 16, Tuesday. Summer Vacation.
Tired of Yearbook Parties. Was so tired I could barely crawl out of bed. We got out of school at 12:20. Pearl and I went shopping. I got Daddy some black trunks for Fathers Day. I got Donna a yellow shortie night gown for her 9th grade graduation, But she didn’t like it because it was too fancy. I fixed my hair like the girl on the can of Chicken of the Sea.Went to a party at Patty Carols. Had a big dinner for her Birthday. Went to Fosters and Jack and two guys were there. Went to Yearbook party. Was boring, so many people. We went back to the party, than to Sandy’s and drove to Tito’s Taco, than home. Was a boring night.
My new Summer Hairdo taken right off a can of Tuna
We went to every Yearbook Signing Party just so our books would be filled with signatures. The more signatures we had the more popular we thought we were. I lost my yearbook when my house burned down in the 1993 Laguna Beach Firestorm. A friend found my year on E-Bay and bought it for me. It’s actually in the mail right this moment. I’m very happy to finally have it back.
Saffrons Rule 