Western Family Magazine - August - 1956

Welcome to Magazine Monday. Today we set the way back machine to the August 1956 edition of Western Family Magazine. This magazine must be intended for women (of the west) as it mostly has child care, clothing, how-to articles, recipes and advertisements.






The great painting on the cover is The Regatta by Phil Dike, it really sets the mood nicely. “16th year, 2nd issue – August 1956 – Volume 31, No.2” - I’m confused, so they started in June 1940, wouldn’t this be Vol. 16, No.2??? I think I’ll just call Hollywood 9-8331 and ask for them myself.






This four page Disneyland article reminds me of a similar article from McCalls February 1956 issue, which happened to be this blogs first Magazine Monday post from January of this year (link). The McCall photos were in color, Western Family must not have had the budget for that, even most of the advertisements are not in color.

“The Casual Western Woman” is a super time capsule of the 1956 styles and the “bright new world of sweaters”. You do know of course that “Emphatically, a wardrobe of sweaters is the fashion essential”. This is why these should be in color: “Jacquard Cardigan” and “Green and Red Paisley on white”. Where is the girl on the right standing???






The prices were all looking pretty reasonable so far, then along comes Tomorrowland lady at $90! Well it is cashmere & black Chantilly Lace (I know that song just went thru your head!). The lady on the top left would look more at home on the Jupiter 2.






Someone (preferably a woman) should try and redo this Adventureland photo, you could still get that exact same angle and background. The “pixie mood” hood lady looks funny.






Oh boy, the fire truck back when it ran out on Main Street. I bet those metal wheels were murder on the street. What do we have here, the Gullywhumper! Soon to make her triumphant return to Disneyland’s Rivers of America. (Remember, you heard it here first).






How about some vintage advertisements? I’m hungry, how about a "Smorgasbord”? All those trays look yummy but I’m taking that entire cold cuts tray back to my table! The serving trays and bowls are extra cool too… Hey is that mayonnaise yellow?






Quilted aluminum foil, from Kaiser! It’s “Ribbed for extra strength”.






This woman got a big kiss because she remembered to have Budweiser on hand for her husband’s poker friends.






Let’s set the content of this ad aside and focus on those two stunningly beautiful 1950’s ladies. Did people really look like that? I love all the stars and sparkles and the colored background, wow.





Hi-C Orange was my favorite drink as a kid (ok, it’s still my favorite and I get it every time I go to McDonalds). Unfortunately, Citrus Cooler (my 2nd favorite) is no longer made. I’ve never seen “Hi-Cecil” before, he’s cute.






I remember toilet paper that came in “tinted shades”, do they still make toilet paper in colors?






What do you do with all those empty mayonnaise jars? Torches of course.