Portraits of Joyce DeWitt as Janet Wood on the ABC Sitcom “Three’s Company”

Joyce DeWitt starred as Janet Wood on the ABC sitcom Three’s Company from its debut in 1977 until the series concluded in 1984. Known for her signature brunette bob, Janet was the pragmatic, smart, and “reliable” roommate who served as the voice of reason in Apartment 201. Her grounded personality acted as a vital foil to the ditziness of Chrissy Snow (Suzanne Somers) and the physical, often zany comedy of Jack Tripper (John Ritter).

Janet was the “straight woman” of the trio. As the manager of the Arcade Flower Shop, she was depicted as the most career-oriented and responsible of the three. Her role was crucial because her reactions to Jack’s antics or the Ropers’ (and later Mr. Furley’s) misunderstandings provided the “reality check” the audience needed to find the absurdity funny.

In the early seasons, Janet was known for her dark, short pixie cut and her reliable, “girl-next-door” wardrobe. As the show moved into the 1980s, her style evolved with the trends, featuring the iconic “shag” haircut and more polished professional attire. Unlike Chrissy or Cindy, Janet was never a pushover. She was frequently the one to stand up to the landlords or call Jack out on his schemes.

The chemistry between Joyce DeWitt and John Ritter was built on a deep, platonic “best friend” energy. While Jack was constantly chasing women, he often turned to Janet for genuine advice. She often acted as a protector for the more naive blonde roommates (Chrissy, Cindy, and Terri), frequently keeping them out of trouble.

Joyce DeWitt was cast in the second pilot of the show. Before her, the “sensible roommate” character was played by different actresses in unaired versions. By the end of the series, DeWitt’s Janet finally got her own romantic resolution, marrying Phillip Dawson in the series finale, which served as a lead-in to the spin-off Three’s a Crowd (though Janet did not appear in the spin-off).

 

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50 Fascinating Black and White Photos of Sandra Dee in the 1960s

Sandra Dee (born Alexandra Zuck; April 23, 1942 – February 20, 2005) was an American actress. Dee began her career as a child model, working first in commercials and then film in her teenage years. Best known for her portrayal of ingénues, Dee earned a Golden Globe Award as one of the year’s most promising newcomers for her performance in Robert Wise’s Until They Sail (1957). She became a teenage star for her performances in Imitation of Life, Gidget and A Summer Place (all released in 1959), which made her a household name.

Coming off the massive success of Gidget and A Summer Place, Dee entered the 1960s as a top-tier box office draw. She took over the role of Tammy Tyree from Debbie Reynolds, starring in Tammy Tell Me True (1961) and Tammy and the Doctor (1963).

Between 1960 and 1963, she was consistently voted one of the top ten most popular money-making stars in the U.S., peaking at No. 6 in 1961. She was marketed as the ultimate “ingénue”—the perky, blonde, and virtuous girl-next-door. This image became so iconic that it was famously parodied years later in Grease with the song “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee.”

In 1960, while filming Come September in Italy, the 18-year-old Dee met pop idol Bobby Darin. They married the same year and became one of Hollywood’s most photographed couples. The pair capitalized on their real-life romance by starring together in three lighthearted comedies: Come September (1961), If a Man Answers (1962) and That Funny Feeling (1965).

As the 1960s progressed, the “sugary-sweet” movies Dee was known for began to feel outdated in the face of the gritty New Hollywood movement and the counterculture. In 1967, Universal Pictures dropped her contract. She was one of the last stars to be held under the old-fashioned “studio contract” system. Her marriage to Bobby Darin ended in divorce in 1967. Though they remained close until his death in 1973, the split significantly impacted her career and personal well-being.

Toward the end of the decade, she attempted to break her “good girl” mold with more mature roles, notably in the 1970 horror film The Dunwich Horror, but she never regained her early-1960s stardom.

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30 Beautiful Vintage Photos of People and Their Beloved Dogs

Dogs and humans have shared a special bond for thousands of years, originally rooted in survival and utility. In the past, people primarily kept dogs as working partners; they were essential for hunting, herding livestock, and guarding homes against intruders.

From the ancient Egyptians who revered dogs as sacred symbols to Roman soldiers who used them for protection, these animals were valued for their loyalty and physical capabilities. Over time, as societies became more settled, the relationship shifted from a purely functional one to a companionship-based bond, paving the way for dogs to become the “best friends” we know today.

Take a look at these beautiful vintage photos that capture the special bond between people and their loyal companions from years gone by.

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10 Interesting Facts About Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple (April 23, 1928 – February 10, 2014) was not only Hollywood’s most iconic child star but also a pioneering diplomat and the youngest person ever to receive an Academy Award. Below are some of the most fascinating facts about her remarkable life and multifaceted career.

1. Her 56 Signature Curls

Her mother, Gertrude, was the architect of her image. For every film, Gertrude would personally style Shirley’s hair into exactly 56 pin curls. This was a precise, grueling process that ensured her look remained consistent in every scene.

2. The “Baby Burlesks” Controversies

Before her wholesome Fox films, a three-year-old Shirley starred in a series of short films called Baby Burlesks. In these, toddlers were dressed in adult costumes (including “diaper-and-lace” versions of adult fashion) and parodied hit movies. Shirley later wrote in her autobiography that these sets were often uncomfortable and that the director sometimes used a “sound box” (an ice box) to discipline the child actors.

3. She Almost Played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz

MGM originally wanted to borrow Shirley Temple from 20th Century Fox to play Dorothy. However, the deal fell through, some say because Fox wouldn’t release her, others because her vocal range didn’t match the songs. The role, of course, went to Judy Garland, and the rest is history.

4. She Saved a Major Movie Studio

During the Great Depression, 20th Century Fox was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Shirley became such a massive box-office draw that she single-handedly saved the studio. At just seven years old, she was the top box-office star in the world for four consecutive years (1935–1938), out-earning adult stars like Clark Gable and Joan Crawford.

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35 Vintage Snaps Capture Fashion Styles of ’70s Women

Women’s fashion in the 1970s was a vibrant era of self-expression, characterized by a mix of bohemian vibes, disco glamour, and rebellious spirit.

The decade began with a continuation of the late ’60s “hippie” look, featuring bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye shirts, and flowing maxi dresses. As the years progressed, the style shifted toward the high-energy disco scene, bringing sequined outfits, satin wrap dresses, and towering platform shoes to the forefront.

Additionally, the ’70s saw the rise of the “power dressing” precursor, with women increasingly wearing tailored pantsuits and blazers in the workplace. This iconic decade remains a major influence on modern runways, celebrated for its bold patterns, diverse textures, and “anything goes” attitude.

These snapshots offer a nostalgic window into the diverse and bold fashion world that defined women in the 1970s.

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Stunning Studio Portraits of a Young Bettie Page in 1952

Bettie Mae Page (April 22, 1923 – December 11, 2008) was an American model who gained recognition in the 1950s for her pin-up photos. She was often referred to as the “Queen of Pinups”: her long jet-black hair, blue eyes, and trademark bangs have influenced artists for generations. After her death, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner called her “a remarkable lady, an iconic figure in pop culture who influenced sexuality, taste in fashion, someone who had a tremendous impact on our society.”

Page arrived in New York in 1947 but didn’t find her “look” until around 1950. A chance meeting with a police officer and amateur photographer named Jerry Tibbs led to her first professional portfolio. Tibbs is often credited with suggesting she cut her hair into the trademark thick bangs to hide her high forehead, a style that became her visual signature. She became a fixture in NYC “camera clubs,” where amateur photographers paid to shoot models. These sessions produced thousands of images that were sold as “collector sets” in the back of men’s magazines.

By 1952, she began working with Irving Klaw, the Movie Star News photographer. Klaw specialized in pinup and “cheesecake” photography, as well as more provocative “bondage” themes which, while controversial, cemented her underground fame.

In the early 1950s, her style was a blend of girl-next-door charm and bold, graphic sexuality. She dominated these popular “men’s digest” magazines between 1952 and 1954. Because color film (like Kodachrome) was expensive and required perfect lighting, Page became a master of holding difficult poses while maintaining a natural expression, a skill that made her a favorite for photographers working with slow shutter speeds.

In the early 1950s, Page represented a bridge between the classic, soft-focus pinups of World War II (like Betty Grable) and the more explicit, stylized imagery of the late 1950s and 1960s. She wasn’t yet a household name, that would come with her 1955 Playboy Centerfold, but in the world of independent photography and newsstands, she was already the most photographed woman in the world.

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18 Amazing Photos of a Very Young Jack Nicholson in the 1950s

Before he became the wild-eyed icon of the 1970s, Jack Nicholson’s 1950s experience was the quintessential “struggling actor” story. He arrived in Los Angeles in 1954 at just 17 years old, originally just to visit his sister, but ended up staying to pursue stardom.

Jack didn’t start in front of the camera. His first job in Hollywood was as an office boy/mail carrier for the animation department at MGM. He worked alongside cartoon legends William Hanna and Joseph Barbera (the creators of Tom and Jerry). Legend has it that an MGM producer noticed his sharp looks and offered him a screen test, but Nicholson turned it down initially because he wanted to learn how to actually act first.

He joined a theater group called The Players Ring, where he began honing his craft. During this time, he met other young actors like Robert Towne (who would later write Chinatown). He spent the mid-1950s training in various acting classes, moving away from the “method” style popular at the time toward a more personal, idiosyncratic approach.

He made his first on-screen appearance in an episode of Matinee Theatre in 1956. His feature film debut came in 1958 with the lead role in the low-budget teen drama The Cry Baby Killer. By the end of the decade, he had begun his long-term collaboration with B-movie producer Roger Corman, appearing in films like The Little Shop of Horrors (shot in late 1959, released 1960).

The 1950s were just the beginning of a long climb. Despite appearing in low-budget B-movies, he experienced slow progress but never gave up. His persistence eventually paid off when the New Hollywood movement began reshaping the film industry, and his major breakthrough came in 1969 with Easy Rider.

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