Eric Badofsky

@ebadofsky.bsky.social

22541 Followers 20420 Following

Anti-fascist husband and father • Historical archivist • Curio collector • Siamese cat addict • Chronic tree hugger • Volunteer curmudgeon • Windy City, USA • Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦 Banner art by Jason Holley (for Ray Lamontagne’s 2004 album, 𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦)

C. 1929 photo of actress Carole Lombard (1908 – 1942), captured in a striking Classic Hollywood glamour portrait. The photograph is attributed to Eugene Robert Richee, a prominent studio photographer for Paramount Pictures who specialized in the era's signature stylized portraits. It features dramatic chiaroscuro lighting, a hallmark technique of Golden Age Hollywood. The composition uses deep shadows, a soft background glow, and backlit silhouettes to emphasize her facial features, her sophisticated, cowl-neck white gown, and white calla lilies in the foreground. Lombard, dubbed the "Queen of Screwball Comedy" in 1930s Hollywood, was born Jane Alice Peters in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and moved to Los Angeles as a child. Renowned for her striking blonde beauty, sharp comedic timing, and vivacious off-screen personality, she was one of the era's highest-paid stars, earning up to $500,000 per film. After beginning her career in silent films and acting for Mack Sennett's "Bathing Beauties,” Lombard reached her career breakthrough in director Howard Hawks's 1934 comedy classic “Twentieth Century.” She is best remembered for her iconic performances in films like My “Man Godfrey” (1936)—for which she earned an Academy Award nomination—and her final film, “To Be or Not to Be” (1942). Lombard was married to actor William Powell from 1931 to 1933. Though they divorced, the two remained close friends. In 1939, she married the "King of Hollywood," Clark Gable, in one of the most highly publicized marriages of the era. Lombard's life was cut tragically short on January 16, 1942, at the age of 33. While returning to L.A. from her home state of Indiana after a highly successful WWII War Bond rally, the TWA airplane she was traveling in crashed into Mount Potosi, Nevada, killing everyone on board, including her mother. Following her death, Lombard was honorarily declared the first American woman to be killed in the line of duty during World War II.
This image features a young Don Knotts (1923 – 2006), best known for his role as Barney Fife on “The Andy Griffith Show,” as a ventriloquist at 19 years old. Knotts performed as a ventriloquist in his early career before gaining widespread fame as an actor. He used the dummy seen in the photo, which was named “Danny.” Knotts later served in the U.S. Army during World War II, continuing to perform ventriloquism for troops.
Photograph of French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot (1934 – 2025) cheerfully playing an acoustic guitar at her La Madrague estate in Saint-Tropez, c. 1958. Photo by Willy Rizzo. Bardot was an international sex symbol in the 1950s and 1960s and was often associated with the French Riviera, particularly Saint-Tropez. She later became an outspoken animal activist. A look back at her life, her career, and her oft-polarizing politics (via Andrew Pulver and Angelique Chrisafis, for @theguardian.com): https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/28/brigitte-bardot-french-screen-legend-and-animal-rights-activist-dies
Two-panel cartoon by artist Dave Whamond. Frame #1, captioned “CANADA'S RESPONSE WHEN THE U.S. HAS WILDFIRES,” depicts a beaver saying “WE'LL SEND OUR WATER BOMBERS AND FIREFIGHTERS TO HELP!” Frame #2, captioned “THE U.S. RESPONSE WHEN CANADA HAS WILDFIRES,” depicts Trump and the GOP elephant admonishing the beaver, shouting “NO SMOKING!” and “RAKE YOUR FORESTS!”
Six-frame cartoon by artist Pat Bagley depicting a tubby, scowling Trump supporter in a red MAGA cap, his arms crossed defiantly in front of him. His pose is identical in frames 1-5: Frame 1: YOUR EXPERTS CANT’TFOOL ME Frame 2: YOUR SCIENTISTS CAN’T FOOL ME Frame 3: YOUR HISTORIANS CAN’T FOOL ME Frame 4: YOUR REPORTERS CAN'T FOOL ME Frame 5: YOUR FACTS CAN'T FOOL ME Frame 6: Trump, dressed as a circus clown, now appears behind the supporter, whispering in his ear, “NO ONE FOOLS YOU!” The supporter, now looking confident and cheerfully enamored, points back over his shoulder at Trump and exclaims, “WHAT HE SAYS”
Photo of actress Natalie Wood (1938 – 1981) as an infant Her life in photographs, via 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘉𝘢𝘻𝘢𝘢𝘳: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/g32433801/natalie-wood-life-photos/
Leona Gage as Morella in Roger Corman’s 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳, with Basil Rathbone, Peter Lorre, and Vincent Price, 1962 Wearing a tattered lace gown with corpse-like makeup on her face, Gage is glaring into the camera with possessed look as she holds up her gnarled hands. Her long, dark hair is matted and tangled, as if she’s back from the grave. Ms. Gage was crowned Miss USA in 1957, but famously had the title stripped the next day when pageant officials learned she was a married mother of two. More on her strange, tragic story here: https://www.the-independent.com/news/obituaries/leona-gage-beauty-queen-who-became-an-instant-celebrity-after-being-stripped-of-her-miss-usa-title-2126758.html The film, based on Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic horror tale “Morella”(first published in the April 1835 issue of the 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘔𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳) is the fourth in the “Corman-Poe” cycle of eight films, largely featuring adaptations of Poe short stories. Plot: When Lenora Locke (Maggie Pierce) travels from Boston to be reunited with her father (Price) in his decrepit, cobwebbed mansion, she finds him drunk, disheveled, and depressed. He shuns her, insisting that she killed her mother Morella in childbirth. Lenora then discovers her mother's body decomposing on a bed in the house. Unable to return to Boston, Lenora remains in the house to care for her father. His ill feelings toward her soften when he learns she has a terminal illness. One night, Morella's spirit rises and kills Lenora in revenge for her childbed death. Morella's body is then resurrected, becoming as whole and as beautiful as she was in life. This is in exchange for Lenora's body, which is now decomposing where Morella’s once laid. Morella strangles her horrified husband as a fire breaks out in the house. Then both she and Lenora transform back to their original bodies, Lenora smiling as she lays on her dead father. Morella’s corpse cackles as the flames consume the house.
Decorated WWII pilot, author, professor, humanitarian, U.S. House member, U.S. senator, presidential nominee, UN delegate, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient George McGovern (1922 –2012). He is seen here in his Air Force uniform, hands on his hips as he poses in front of a plane propeller.
Black and white poster art depicting singer-songwriter and poet Jake Thackray playing his acoustic guitar, as designed by UK artist Russellann: https://www.redbubble.com/people/russellann/shop
Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013) wearing traditional Xhosa attire during the 1960s. He is seen here smiling calmly and confidently toward camera left. Mandela was a prominent South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who was elected the first black president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
Close-up portrait photo of London-born actress, model, singer, humanitarian, and activist Jane Birkin (1946 – 2023) with a flower tucked in her hair over her left ear
Cartoon by artist Pat Bagley depicting Trump’s personal criminal lawyer, Todd Blanche, portrayed as a circa 1930s, pin-stripe suited gangster. He’s taking a truth oath at last week’s Senate confirmation hearings with his right hand raised and his left hand resting on a violin case. His speech bubble reads: “Yeah, I swears.”
Lon Chaney and Joan Crawford in Tod Browning’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1927). In this still, Crawford (right), is gently cradling Chaney’s head at her chest as the pair gazes sadly toward the horizon at camera left. From the Criterion Collection: “The most celebrated and exquisitely perverse of the many collaborations between Tod Browning and his legendary leading man Lon Chaney, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 features a wrenchingly physical performance from ‘the Man of a Thousand Faces’ as the armless Spanish knife thrower Alonzo (he flings daggers with his feet), whose dastardly infatuation with his beautiful assistant (Joan Crawford)—a woman, it just so happens, who cannot bear to be touched by the hands of any man—drives him to unspeakable extremes. Sadomasochistic obsession, deception, murder, disfigurement, and a spectacular Grand Guignol climax—Browning wrings every last frisson from the lurid premise.” https://www.criterion.com/films/31173-the-unknown
Academy Award-winning actress Norma Shearer (1902 – 1983), seen here posing in a low-cut, silver satin dress, a confident, slightly mischievous smile on her face
Cartoon by artist Michael de Adder depicting Donald Trump, seen from behind, with a switch on his back marked “Unhinged” and “Completely Unhiged.” The switch is set to “Unhinged,” but that status has likely changed with Trump’s absolutely bizarre “election security” speech tonight (7/16/26).
Orange lilies blooming on the rocky Lake Michigan coastline in Evanston, Illinois
15-year-old Ruth Bader-Ginsburg (1933 – 2020) delivers a sermon as the informal “junior rabbi” at Camp Che-Na-Wah camp in Minerva, New York, 1948. Dressed in a dark jacket and skirt trimmed in white, she is standing at an outdoor podium as she smiles gently toward the camera. “In 1948, at the age of fifteen, the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg served as the informal "Junior Rabbi" at Camp Che-Na-Wah, a Jewish girls' summer camp in the Adirondacks, New York. “During her summers at the camp—which was owned by her uncle—the young Ruth (then known by her childhood nickname "Kiki") took on significant leadership roles: • Leading Services: She informally assumed the title of "Camp Rabbi" and led Shabbat prayers. • Delivering Sermons: She wrote and delivered Saturday morning sermons for the campers. • Early Advocacy: During her time at camp, she also wrote an essay emphasizing the importance of remembering the Holocaust, showcasing her lifelong dedication to justice and human rights. “Her time at Camp Che-Na-Wah is often highlighted by historians as an early indicator of her public speaking abilities, leadership skills, and connection to her Jewish heritage.”
Italian actress, model, and photojournalist #GinaLollobrigida (1927 – 2023), c. 1967. She seen here wearing a black, ornately trimmed jacket while holding a 35mm Nikon camera with a telephoto lens up to her face. Dubbed "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World,” Lollobrigida was among the last high-profile international actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. In 2013, she sold her extensive jewelry collection and donated the nearly $5 million from the sale to benefit stem-cell therapy research. A look at her colorful life and career from Il Cenacolo San Francisco: https://www.ilcenacolosf.org/italian_culture/gina-lollobrigida/
Wall display of colorful masks, carvings, and papier mâché sculptures for sale at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago
Four-panel cartoon by artist Tommy Siegel titled “ARE YOU A BIG, MANLY CONSERVATIVE? HERE'S WHAT SHOULD REALLY SCARE YOU…” It satirically depicts a macho, bearded Trump supporter in a Punisher t-shirt facing four different “terrifying and dangerous” situations in the real world. • RIDING MASS TRANSIT IN MAJOR CITIES • ROUTINE VACCINATIONS THEY GIVE TO BABIES • PEOPLE WHO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT GENDER • BEING REMINDED THAT TRUMP AND EPSTEIN WERE BEST FRIENDS FOR DECADES
Ink illustration by cartoonist Robert Crumb depicting Lady Gaga crowd-surfing among ecstatic fans during her performance at the Lollapalooza 2010 music festival. This piece was featured in the third volume of Crumb's comic anthology series, “Art & Beauty Magazine,” published in 2016. The illustration showcases Crumb's signature intricate cross-hatching and heavy ink outline work. He adapted the illustration directly from real-life concert photography. The “Art & Beauty” series serves as a satirical commentary on modern aesthetics, consumer culture, and celebrity fixation. In this volume, Crumb shifted his focus toward mass media, phone selfies, and modern pop icons.
Cartoon by artist JD Crowe depicting a close-up of a masked ICE thug wearing mirrored sunglasses. Reflected in the lenses of his glasses is the image of murder victim Renee Good, sitting in her car moments before ICE shot her in the face. The “ICE” logo on the thug’s hat spells out the last word of the caption: WE HAVE MET THE DOMESTIC TERRORIST AND IT IS... (ICE)
Film star Lana Turner (1921 – 1995) surrounded by jubilant U.S. Sailors and Marines at Treasure Island Naval Base during her June 1942 fundraising tour for the war effort. Turner’s appearance at the base reportedly caused a near-riot, with troops flocking to meet her. Needless to say, the fundraising was a big success.
Cartoon by artist Nick Anderson depicting a circus clown car (labeled “Trump Admin”) recklessly ramming itself into the middle of a complex maze with walls marked “Alliances,” “Budgets,” “Law,” “Trade,” “Ethics,” “Science,” and “Geopolitics,” among many others.
Full-length stage photograph of Portuguese-born singer, dancer, and actress Carmen Miranda (1909 – 1955) – taken by Annemarie Heinrich in Buenos Aires, 1935 Long before she became famous in Hollywood as the "Brazilian Bombshell" with her signature towering fruit hats and flamboyant tropical attire, Miranda was a massive star in Brazil and a successful milliner. This particular image exemplifies the peak of sleek 1930s Hollywood glamour, highlighting structural tailoring, a stylized peplum-style belt line, an exaggerated wide collar, and a dramatic mermaid silhouette. She is posed here confidently gazing off toward the horizon at camera left, her dark, tightly-curled hair falling just past her ears.
Cartoon by artist Ann Telnaes depicting a scowling, orange-faced Donald Trump holding a soccer ball smeared with tiny, orange handprints. Behind Trump stands notoriously corrupt FIFA president Gianni Infantino, sneering like a jackal. Reference reading: https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/07/06/world-cup-2026/balogun-trump-fifa-world-cup-brussels-outrage-00988416
A playful black-and-white closeup portrait of Grace Slick and Janis Joplin from 1967, taken by Jim Marshall for a Teen Set magazine article on the two “Queen Bees of San Francisco Rock.” Said Marshall of the session: "Everyone always thought there was a huge rivalry between Janis and Grace, but they were dear friends. This is the only time they were photographed together, and by the end of the session, we were all getting pretty silly and clowning around." A look back at their special bond from Arun Starkey (for 𝘍𝘢𝘳 𝘖𝘶𝘵 magazine, 2022): https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/grace-slick-and-janis-joplin-friendship/
1935 photograph of actor Bela Lugosi (1882 – 1958) leaning on the brick and wrought iron gate of his Beachwood Canyon home in Hollywood Hills while his beloved white shepherd, Bodri, stands watchfully on his hind legs at the fence.
White text over a bright green background reading: IMAGINARY ALGAE VANDALS? NOPE. STILL NOT DISTRACTED. RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES. OUR PRESIDENT IS A PEDOPHILE.
2020 editorial cartoon by late artist Ed Hall depicting the large, skull-shaped ghost of Fred Trump looming over his son Donald and saying “Loser…” Donald is looking up at the specter and meekly replying “Sorry, Daddy.”
Three-section pie chart illustrating the results of the 2024 presidential election by vote count: • (Blue) 75,019,230 voted for Harris • (Red) 77,303,568 voted for Trump • (Yellow) 89,278,948 eligible voters DID NOT VOTE! Ref. https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2024-11-15/how-many-people-didnt-vote-in-the-2024-election
Cartoon by artist Nick Anderson depicting a shocked Uncle Sam watching as a bloated, orange-faced Donald Trump—dressed in a bikini and fishnet stockings—pops out of a star-spangled birthday cake labeled “Happy 250th America.” In fearful response, Sam is screaming “AAAAAAA!”
Cartoon by artist Lalo Alcaraz depicting a white birthday cake with a burning cross in place of a birthday candle. On the cake, next to an upside-down U.S. Flag signaling distress, the frosting inscription reads “Happy 250 USA.”
This photograph features Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe (1926 – 1962) posing for a Fourth of July public service announcement. Striking a classic pin-up pose, Marilyn leans against an oversized novelty firecracker next to a warning sign reading "Beware of Danger, July 4th.” The photo session was captured in 1953 by photographer Bert Reisfeld (with variations archived by Michael Ochs and Bettmann). She is wearing the strapless red swimsuit designed for her iconic role in the 1953 romantic comedy film “How to Marry a Millionaire.” The image was originally produced as a playful Hollywood safety PSA encouraging the public to exercise caution with dangerous holiday fireworks.
Six-panel image of x-rays showing serious damage to hands caused by fireworks accidents.
Cartoon by artist Clay Bennett depicting Republicans, dressed as a baseball team in red and white informs, joyfully lifting “umpire” John Roberts on their shoulders in celebration. The following Roberts quote appears above the image: "Judges are like umpires. Umpires don't make the rules, they apply them." - Chief Justice John Roberts
1930s publicity photo of actress, singer, and dancer Lupez Veléz – “The Mexican Spitfire” (1908 – 1944). She is seen here wearing a brightly-decorated summer dress while cradling a puppy in her arms and smiling brightly. Veléz took Hollywood by storm in the 1930s, blazing new trails for Latinas in the film industry. Drama, it’s said, followed her everywhere she went, ending in her tragic suicide at just 36 years old. A look at her colorful life and career from ATI’s Kaleena Fraga: https://allthatsinteresting.com/lupe-velez
Screenshot from comedian-musician Hal Sparks’ daily YouTube program showing Hal pointing to a bright red and yellow viewer warning reading: “WARNING: TRUMP’S NUNT IS THE STUFF OF NIGHTMARES • VIEWERS ADVISED TO HAVE A BARF BAG HANDY.”
Red, white, and blue logo with stars and stripes depicting the silhouette of U.S. Air Force Major Jason Watson, who was arrested after publicly calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump. Dressed in his military uniform, he is holding a sign reading “IMPEACH. CONVICT. REMOVE.” The surrounding text on the logo reads: “I STAND WITH MAJOR WATSON.”
Black and white glamour photo of Cher by Richard Avedon for 𝘝𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦, 1966. With her face tilted horizontally, she is grasping a lock of her thick, dark hair above her ear.
Robert Plant with Lita Ford, Joan Jett, and Cherie Currie at The Starwood in Hollywood following a performance by the Runaways, 1976
Illustration by artist Natalya Bazilenco depicting the Kremlin engulfed in bright orange flames. https://www.redbubble.com/people/nbazilenco/shop#profile
This image shows a heartfelt embrace between legendary comedians Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner.The two creators met in the early 1950s while working on Your Show of Shows, forming a friendship that lasted over 70 years.They are famous for their seminal comedic duo skit, "The 2000 Year Old Man," which began in 1960. This photograph was taken by Robert Trachtenberg for a session showcasing their enduring bond.
Cartoon by artist Badiucao depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and terrorist Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as boxers, facing off against one another in a ring. Behind the startled-looking Zelenskyy crouches Donald Trump, smirking as he drives a knife into Zelenskyy’s ribcage.
Studio portrait photo of actress Claudette Colbert (1903 – 1996) as Empress Poppaea Sabina in the 1932 Cecil B. DeMille film, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 Set in ancient Rome during Emperor Nero's reign, the film depicts a love story between a Roman Prefect and a Christian maiden, against a backdrop of the persecution of Christians. Colbert plays the evil Empress Poppaea, who desires the Roman Prefect and conspires to have the Christian maiden eliminated. This role was a departure for Colbert at the time, as she was most widely known for more wholesome, innocent roles. The film is renowned for its extravagant sets and costumes designed by Mitchell Leisen. It also contains some daring pre-Code elements, including Colbert’s erotic "milk bath" scene. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 was a financial success that arguably saved Paramount Pictures, solidified DeMille's reputation, and helped launch Colbert into stardom.
Actor Victor Buono (1938 – 1982) as the villainous King Tut in the popular 𝘉𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘯 TV series (1966-1968) The wide-eyed Buono, clad in an ornate, pharaoh costume and Nemes headdress, is standing upright in an Egyptian-style coffin with his arms crossed, playfully mugging for the camera with a large cigar in his mouth. The role of Tut, which proved to be the most frequently featured original villain in the series, was one of Buono's career favorites because, as he later recounted, it allowed him to gleefully ham it up without restraint.
Photograph of a young woman in a black bikini top, a short black skirt, and a floppy straw hat joyfully dancing in the rain at Hungary’s annual Ozora Festival in Dadpuszta, 2011. Photo by Milan Cvetanovic. Each year, more than 30,000 international visitors gather for the weeklong celebration of music, art, and consciousness, featuring hundreds of musicians, art exhibits, workshops, lectures, dance and circus performances, camping, open-air markets, and more.
Portrait of actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1902 – 1992), photographed by Milton Greene, 1952. The blonde film star is seen here seated on an ottoman, her head bowed, highlighting her long, sharply legs in black heels.
A large, white cat named Schmidt, sleeping with his chin and paw draped over his owner’s shoulder.
Cartoon by artist Jesse Duquette depicting a side-by-side portrait comparison of two presidents and their doctrines: On the left, James Monroe, and the Monroe Doctine: “WE WILL NOT TOLERATE FURTHER COLONIZATION IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.” On the right, the clownishly orange-painted Donald Trump, and the Trump Doctrine: “I LIKE TO R@PE AND TRAFFIC CHILDREN.”
Satirical news headline from The Onion featuring a photo of a smirking Donald Trump. It reads: “Trump Still Polling Well With Working-Class American Pedophiles”
Black-and-white portrait photo of jazz singer and bandleader Cab Calloway (1907– 1994) at age 26 (c. 1933) With a stage curtain as the backdrop, Calloway, dressed in a white, belted tuxedo, has his hands folded in front of him as he gazes stoically toward the camera.b
Black-and-white photo of jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader Duke Ellington (1899 – 1974), photographed onstage by Herman Leonard during a 1958 performance in Paris. The photo depicts Ellington, dramatically backlit by a spotlight, seated at the piano with his hands hovering over the keyboard.