Puppy Love Week - Falling in Love with "Puppy Love!"

Ready for some more cute pups and their lovestruck owners? Today's story is aptly named, "Puppy Love!" and it is from the pages of Falling in Love #124 (July 1971). Sheila is an "airline stewardess" and shares an apartment in New York with two of her co-workers. All three of them have a crush on the aloof Quentin P. Reardon, but he doesn't seem to notice any of them.


After a run-in with Quentin proves futile, Sheila decides she must take drastic measures and heads to the pet store to buy a dog! Now, Sheila doesn't buy any dog, but a dog identical to Quentin's pup -- a rare Tibetan Terrier.


Sheila's investment pays off. The next time she runs into Quentin at the apartment building, sparks fly.


Purchasing little Ying seems to do the trick and Quentin not only notices, but is completely enamored. Sheila and Quentin take their matching dogs to the park and then decide to take a drive to Connecticut, dogs in tow.


As the dogs frolic together, Sheila and Quentin walk side by side. Upon returning to New York, Sheila's roommates marvel at the newly formed romance, wondering how she managed to catch him. I guess they will find out when they are introduced to their new shaggy roommate!


Kind of a silly little story, but cute nonetheless! I hope you have enjoyed "Puppy Love Week!" Have a wonderful rest of the weekend and see you soon!

Air Hostess with the Mostess! ABC's New Show Pan Am and Charlton's Tri-Am Saga

ABC recently announced a new 1960s-set television show for next season starring the glamorous stewardesses of Pan Am! As a huge fan of Mad Men and all things 1960s, I think it looks terrific!

♥ Watch the trailer for Pan Am ♥

Romance comics were full of stories of career girls. Becoming a stewardesses (or air hostesses) as they were called back then, was a viable career option for the young, single gal looking to broaden her horizons and earn some money before settling down. This story, "Rendevous on Cloud 9" [sic] from Career Girl Romances #47 (October 1968) tells the story of one such young stewardess, Tessa Clark. The story is narrated throughout by Ms. Lydia Chalmers Drew, the Supervisor of Stewardesses for Tri-Am Airlines (obviously a play on Pan Am).


Tessa has yearned to have a career in air travel since childhood. She follows her dreams by graduating at the top of her high school class and working for Tri-Am part time while taking college courses -- something Ms. Drew recommended to her from the beginning.


After training and graduation, Tessa is assigned to Tri-Am's Paris flight with the handsome (and slightly cocky) young pilot, Sam Bollard. Once they arrive in Paris, Tessa goes off on her own to explore the city. She is followed by a creepy local named Pierre, who starts harassing her on top of the Eiffel Tower. Having been unable to get Tessa out of his mind, Sam miraculously appears and tells Pierre to scram.


Sam apologizes for his cold behavior during Tessa's first flight and asks her out to a romantic dinner to make up for it. They have a wonderful time as evidenced by this wonderfully hilarious (and stern) panel.


The lovebirds break all of Tri-Am's rules and continue to see each other -- dining, dancing and dating their way all over the world. One day while on a flight to Karachi, Pakistan, an engine on the aircraft goes out.


The piloting team grounds the plane and put out the flames that have engulfed the craft, while Tessa clears out the passengers. Afterwards, shaken from the ordeal, Tessa and Sam embrace. They both declare they do not want the other flying anymore, but Sam refuses to give up his career. Once back home, Tessa gives her letter of resignation to Ms. Drew -- who thinks Tessa is making a big mistake. Ms. Drew puts her on the inactive list anyhow, and a month passes. During her time off, Tessa becomes depressed and Sam's work performance declines. Tessa decides to give her career one more shot and Ms. Drew puts her on the next flight to Karachi.

"In Karachi, the Eastbound TAA flight
meets the Westbound..."

As soon as the plane lands, Tessa runs into Sam's arms -- effectively ending her tenure as a career girl and cementing her role as a woman of the domestic realm. Remember, marriage was a no-no for ladies of the sky throughout the 1960s!


No doubt the characters of ABC's Pan Am will be similar to Tessa, Sam and Ms. Drew from this comic book romance tale!

Have a wonderful
Memorial Day weekend!!!

Choosing a Career - The Romance Comic Book Way!

Romance comics are filled with stories of career girls -- actresses, flight attendants, nurses, secretaries. All glamorized occupations which promised readers not only a salary, but perhaps a man as well. Charlton's Career Girl Romances took it a step further with a semi-regular text article entitled, "Choosing a Career." Written by advice columnist, Jeannette Copeland, these articles are straight-to-the-point and detail the various opportunities within the mentioned fields, as well as the education and training necessary for each.

Modeling is a rather "traditionally" female occupation, and was often featured in romance stories as a ticket to freedom and style. Though a rather predictable career option to feature in a romance comic, this article has some good information concerning salary ($85 to $90 a week, approximately $470 in 2010) and fall back options for models -- typing and shorthand.

"Choosing a Career: Modeling!"
Career Girl Romances #71
(October 1972)

An article on modeling is to be expected, but how about an article on becoming a Female Sky Marshal? Bet you weren't expecting that! Do yourself a favor and read this -- it is terribly interesting from a historical perspective and a little eerie too, in light of the recent events of the past decade.

"Choosing a Career: Female Sky Marshal!"
Career Girl Romances #66
(December 1971)

The final "Choosing a Career" article this evening (courtesy of Mykal Banta of The Charlton Story) presents two career choices that couldn't be more different -- Federal Architect and Entomologist. Though they may seem like random choices for one article, they both demonstrate ways in which educated women could enter into the ranks of Federal employment.

"Choosing a Career: Federal
Architect or Entomologist?"
Career Girl Romances #69
(June 1972)

I was really excited to read these articles in Career Girl Romances as they are rather divergent from the usual sequential romance stories of working girls. Though a tad dry, Ms. Copeland and the gang from Charlton gave young women career ideas and options that provided alternatives to nursing, secretarial work, and other female-centric vocations.

If I find any more of these gems, I will be sure to share! They are such great snippets documenting attitudes of women in the workforce in the '70s, and I don't want any of you to miss out! Ya know -- just in case you were thinking of a career change!

Romance Under the Covers - Review of Our Love Story #10 (April 1971)

Our Love Story #10 (April 1971) has one of my favorite covers of the Marvel romance books from this time period. I think its the bold colors that get me, as well as the composition of this cover with pencils by John Romita.


The first story, "How Near to Heaven" written by Stan Lee and drawn by Gene Colan is short and to the point. Angela absolutely adores her job as an air hostess and doesn't want any man to stand in the way. She simply wants to date and have fun, with no real strings attached. That is until she meets Ted Harmon, a charming passenger of hers on a flight to San Francisco. As they get hot and heavy, Angela keeps reminding Ted (and herself) that she belongs in the sky and that she can't get too serious. You see, as reflected here in the panel below with a fellow stewardess -- Angela can't get married, otherwise she will have to give up flying.

The other flight attendant's warning about staying single is not in this story just for dramatic effect. That was reality for mid-century flight attendants. They were not allowed to marry, and once they decided to, they would have to leave their career behind. For many, being a flight attendant was a way to see the world before settling down, though for those that took it as a serious career and enjoyed it were out of luck for a number of years until the rules changed in the early seventies.


For Angela though, the decision seems to be an easy one. She wants Ted and he basically gives her an ultimatum. I wonder how many young ladies gave up flying not because they necessarily wanted to, but because they also wanted to be with the one they loved. A tough choice, no doubt!


The next story in this issue is a two-parter reprint originally from Teen-Age Romance #80 (March 1961) drawn and inked by Vince Colletta according to the Grand Comics Database. I know, I know. Everybody seems to hate his work, but I actually like the art in this story quite a bit. So, either I like Colletta or someone else drew this! Anyway, "My Love Wears a Leather Jacket!" is the tale of a spoiled, snotty girl from the suburbs who falls in love with a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who happens to look somewhat like Elvis.


The rather unpleasant, sheltered Anne is from the suburbs and has to move to a "slum" when her father gets ill and has to quit his job. She has only known perfect lawns and pool parties with friends who are in her words, "swell" and "decent" and "fun loving." She knows nothing of this world of "rough" looking teenagers who smoke cigarettes and are forced to take public transportation.


While taking a walk in her new neighborhood, Anne is harassed by a group of rough looking guys, which doesn't help with her negative feelings towards the move. Luckily, a mysterious boy named Rick comes to her aid.


That would not be the last time Anne would see Rick. He somehow figures out where she live and drops by. She agrees to go on a date with him, even though he wore the "attire of a young hoodlum." When Rick picks her up for their date the following evening, Anne is completely mortified by not only his outfit, but his motorcycle and his choice in cuisine.


Even though Anne thinks Rick is a nice guy, she just can't let go of the fact they are from different economic backgrounds. Her elitist attitude gets in the way of finding true love, and when Rick her asks her to go out again she blows him off with a lame answer.


When Anne goes home and sees her parents the next morning she has a temper tantrum and yells at her father for quitting his job. She just can't handle the fact that she may have feelings for someone whom she feels is "beneath her." Instead of trying to suck it up and make friends, she lets herself slip into a lonely, self-pitying depression. One day while venturing outside she comes across Rick and his friends. Anne flat out walks past him with her nose in the air. That night though, as she tries to fall asleep she is consumed by thoughts of Rick.

Then, one day as Anne is leaving school she is confronted by a seething girl who wants to know why Anne has been avoiding Rick. The mystery girl speaks very highly about Rick and seems very emotionally invested in his happiness.


We later find out that the girl who confronts Anne is, drumroll please! Rick's sister!!! No wonder she is so busted up about the whole thing! As soon as Anne hears this she realizes that she has to go find Rick and tell him how foolish she has been. While looking for him, she stumbles into the middle of a gang fight. All of a sudden Rick appears. Not to fight, but to break up the fight. After the hooligans refuse to break up the fight, Rick does so with his fists.

Though not very "romantic," these three panels are my favorite in the whole book. They are super action-packed!

After stopping the fight, Rick gives the guys a lecture in proper behavior. He has had enough of their antics, and just lets his feelings loose. Unbeknownst to him, his speech pays off and is the final piece of the puzzle that brings the star-crossed lovers together.

Isn't that a great story? It is definitely one of the more complicated and emotionally satisfying stories of the romance comics. The depth of the story was possible because the fact it had two parts, which wasn't uncommon for Marvel romance books. Sometimes it is just hard to fit a whole lot of plot into an eight-pager. Overall, this issue was a pleasant surprise and makes me want to read more Marvel romances!