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1950s catchphrases

posted 10 years ago by MikeF-6
9 replies | jump to latest

You know how some long forgotten memories will suddenly pop into your head? Well, today, when trying to negotiate the sale of one home and the purchase of another, the phrase “What a revoltin' development this is!” came to me. It is one of the catchphrases from “The Life of Riley.” The series starring William Bendix ran from January 1953 to August 1958. (The almost forgotten first version of the show with Jackie Gleason lasted on season, October 1949 until March 1950.) Bendix frequently used this catchphrase.

Do you remember any other ’50 catchphrases that you heard used at home or at school?

mf

Trust me. I’m The Doctor.

[–] GSPdude 10 years ago

Lucy I'm home...........I Love Lucy ( I still hear that one)
Now cut that out........Jack Benny

[–] MikeF-6 10 years ago

Those are great. Another from "I Love Lucy" might be: "Lucy, you got some 'splanin' to do."

"Now cut that out," is the foundation of my world-famous Jack Benny impression (for a rapidly shrinking audience of people who know what Jack Benny sounded like).

mf

Trust me. I’m The Doctor.

[–] Patricia91 10 years ago

"Just the facts, ma'am" from Dragnet

[–] MikeF-6 10 years ago

"Dragnet" was a gold-mine of catchphrases, wasn't it? I think especially of the often parodied opening narration: "Wednesday, August 12. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of robbery division..." Ending with: "My name's Friday."

mf

Trust me. I’m The Doctor.

[–] 3rdrowleft 10 years ago

One I still use teasingly if the situation warrants: "Boy, Beaver, are you in trouble".

But throughout it all, my motto was "Dignity! Always dignity!".

[–] Divtal-1 10 years ago

If we were dawdling when it was time to eat, or get in the car to go someplace, my Dad would "channel," Buffalo Bob: "Hey, boys and girls - what time is it!?"

Jackie Gleason's "And, awaaayyyy we go!," was also useful in a variety of situations.

[–] NewtonFigg 10 years ago

Jackie Gleason used a lot of expressions. In one Honeymooners episode, he was trying to be groovy with a group of teenagers and said goodbye using a 1920s line he thought was still hip. He said "See ya later, alligator." Gleason's popularity was so great, he brought that line back from the dead and a song was even made with that title. Ralph also said "Pow, right in the kisser!" and "To the moon, Alice!" and "Har har hardee har har"

Reggie van Gleason,III said "Mmm boy, are you fat." Fenwick Babbit said "You're a nice man." Charlie Bratton said "I gotta get me some more of these cigars." and "What's that slop you're eating?" Clem Finch said "Some day I'm gonna kill that man." Stanley Sogg said "Tonight's movie is brought to you by Mother Fletcher."

Jimmy Durante said "I'm surrounded by incompetents."

Steve Allen asked "Is it bigger than a breadbox?"

Ed Sullivan said "Tonight, we have a really big shew."

Jack Paar said "I kid you not." He asked guest Oscar Levant about Dinah Shore. Oscar said "I love Dinah, but my doctor won't let me watch her show. I'm diabetic."

[–] NewtonFigg 10 years ago

Well I'll be a dirty bird.