The Pin-Ups

Submitted by Betty Gondola

Reprinted from Life Magazine (without permission) Spring-Summer, 1985





Betty Gondola

In 1985, Life Magazine published a special issue, "Forty Years Later, The Heros, The Battles, The Homefront - World War II." The magazine was sent to me from Betty (Alex) Gondola. Look for other excerpts from this magazine in future Gorgon issues.




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In a 1943 LIFE article, servicemen's fantasies ran amok in awarding accolades to a cavalcade of pinups. They ranged from Hollywood stars to showgirls whose hubba-hubba factor was highest in a bathing suit.

Helen of Troy's face may have launched a thousand ships, but movie star Betty Grable's legs inspired millions of servicemen. One of five had her pinup, making Grable the most popular photo in the footlockers, Quonset huts and imaginations of servicemen from Fort Dix to Okinawa. Yank, The Army Weekly ran a pinup every issue on the theory that good ol' American gams were worth fighting for.

Betty Grable shows off her "Million Dollar Legs." The war's most popular pinup was also educational. Grable's coordinates were used to teach map reading to aviators.


Joan Leslie
All-Out Girl

Betty Hutton
Girl We'd Most Like to Spend a Howling Furlough With

Paulette Goddard
Girl We'd Like to Submerge With

Rita Hayworth
Girl We'd Like to Be Cast Adrift With

Maureen O'Hara
Girl to Ride with on a Bumpy African Road

Veronica Lake
Girl We'd Like Most to Make Our Objective

Janet Blair
Girl We'd Like to Take on a Night Bombing Mission

Gene Tierney
Girl We'd Like to Guard on a Lonely Pacific Isle

  


Jane Russell was chosen mascot by an Air Force squadron in Stockton, California. She was a protege of millionaire Howard Hughes, and her image was airborne on plane snouts from Buna to Bizerte to Bikini.

Chili Williams was a 21-year-old Minnesota model when her picture in a polka dot bathing suit in LIFE drew 100,000 requests for her pinup. The Army used her for slide shows on camouflage technique, explaining "vital principles are impressed in the minds of camouflage students in a most effective manner."

Jo Stafford

The girl we'd most like to ----! (according to a certain someone who shall remain nameless)

Editor's Note: Jo wasn't included in the original article but I had to include her for a certain someone. You know who you are--enjoy!
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