The England Fans Who Went to the 1986 World Cup and Loved It So Much, They Stayed

In 1986, amidst high unemployment in the Black Country, a group of young childhood friends aged 20 to 23 lost their jobs. Seeking an escape, they scraped together a few hundred pounds each to follow the England national football team 5,000 miles away to Mexico for the 1986 FIFA World Cup and chose to never return home.

The most famous anecdote from the group involves Garry Hardwicke (nicknamed “Rabbithead”). He reportedly told his partner back home that he was just “nipping out to get a pint of milk,” and ended up staying away for 12 years.

The group, including friends nicknamed Adder (Gary Allen), Rabbithead, Batesy (Stuart Bates), Arnie (David Arnold), and Texas Steve (Steve Dawson), fell in love with the vibrant Mexican culture and welcoming locals. Instead of catching their flights back to the UK after England was knocked out by Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” match, they embarked on a massive journey across the Americas.

Most of the group eventually moved further north and built permanent new lives and careers in North America.

(via BBC)

Monica Lewis: The Bubbly Blonde of Mid-Century Glamour

Monica Lewis (1922–2015) was an American singer, actress, and popular pin-up girl of the 1940s and ’50s. With her bright smile, blonde hair, and bubbly personality, she became a favorite entertainer during World War II, performing for troops and appearing in numerous magazines.

Lewis enjoyed a successful career as a recording artist and nightclub singer, releasing popular songs such as “I Wish You Love” and “Put the Blame on Mame.” She also appeared in several Hollywood films, including The Strip (1951) with Mickey Rooney and Excuse My Dust (1951). Later in life, she lent her voice to animated characters, most notably as the singing voice of the female cat in the Tom and Jerry series.

Lewis remains a charming symbol of mid-century American glamour and entertainment. These vibrant vintage photos capture the radiant smile, infectious energy, and classic all-American charm of Monica Lewis, a beloved entertainer who embodied the optimistic spirit of postwar America.

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35 Amazing Photos of Gene Wilder on the Set of “Young Frankenstein” (1974)

Gene Wilder starred as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronkensteen”) in Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy Young Frankenstein, and it is widely regarded as one of his finest and most iconic performances. He not only played the lead but also co-wrote the screenplay with Brooks (who directed). Wilder has said this was his favorite film he ever made.

Wilder portrays the grandson of Victor Frankenstein, a respected American medical lecturer who initially rejects and is embarrassed by his family’s infamous legacy. He inherits his grandfather’s castle in Transylvania, discovers the old experiments, and gradually descends into mad-scientist territory while trying to create life.

His performance is a comedic tour de force. Wilder’s expressive face, wild frizzy hair, manic energy, dramatic outbursts (like the famous “It’s alive!” scene), and precise delivery shine throughout. He balances broad slapstick with subtle wit. He channels the intensity of classic Universal horror films (especially the 1930s Frankenstein movies) while making it hilarious. Critics praise the “fantastic performance” in this riotously silly spoof.

Scenes like correcting people on his name (“Fronkensteen!”), the “Puttin’ on the Ritz” tap-dance routine with the Monster (Peter Boyle), interactions with Igor (Marty Feldman, “What hump?”), Inga (Teri Garr), Frau Blücher (Cloris Leachman), and his fiancée Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn) are comedy gold. Wilder fought to keep the “Puttin’ on the Ritz” scene despite Brooks initially opposing it.

The film was shot in black-and-white to homage the originals, adding to the atmospheric yet funny tone. Wilder’s commitment to the role, including breaking character in bloopers from laughter, helped make it a classic.

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35 Glamorous Portraits of ’80s Brides

The 1980s was a decade of bold glamour, and nowhere was it more evident than in bridal fashion. These glamorous portraits capture the extravagant spirit of 1980s brides: complete with voluminous gowns, dramatic puffed sleeves, intricate lace details, big hair, and sparkling veils.

From lavish satin ball gowns to romantic off-the-shoulder designs, each photograph reflects the confident, larger-than-life aesthetic that defined wedding style during this iconic era. More than just fashion, these images embody the romance, optimism, and theatrical elegance of brides who wanted their wedding day to be nothing short of spectacular.

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Photos of Judy Garland and Terry the Dog Posing Together in “The Wizard of Oz” (1939)

One of the most beloved relationships in film history is that between Judy Garland, who played Dorothy Gale, and Terry, the female Cairn Terrier who played Toto in The Wizard of Oz (1939).

During filming in 1938–39, Garland was only 16 years old, and she quickly became fond of Terry. The little dog appeared in many of the film’s most memorable scenes, faithfully following Dorothy down the Yellow Brick Road and helping expose the Wizard’s secrets. Terry was already an experienced canine actor, having appeared in several Hollywood films before landing her most famous role.

Behind the scenes, Terry suffered a sprained foot when a Winkie guard accidentally stepped on her paw. She had to leave production for about two weeks to recover, and during that time she stayed at Garland’s home. The young actress became so attached to the dog that she reportedly offered to buy Terry from her owner and trainer, Carl Spitz. Spitz declined, keeping the valuable movie dog in his care.

Terry’s importance to the production was reflected in her pay. Her trainer earned about $125 per week for her work, more than some of the actors who played the Munchkins received.

After the enormous success of The Wizard of Oz, Terry became so closely identified with Toto that her name was officially changed to “Toto” in 1942. She remains one of the most famous dogs in movie history.

The photographs of Garland and Terry together are especially charming because their affection was genuine. What audiences see on screen, a lonely Kansas girl devoted to her little dog, wasn’t merely acting. Garland truly loved Terry, and Terry’s calm, intelligent presence helped make Dorothy and Toto one of cinema’s most enduring partnerships.

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Rudolf Swoboda: Master of Orientalist Portraiture

Rudolf Swoboda (1859–1914), often referred to as Rudolf Swoboda the Younger, was an Austrian painter renowned for his vivid and empathetic depictions of people from India and the Middle East. Trained at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, he rose to international prominence after Queen Victoria commissioned him to paint Indian subjects following her Golden Jubilee in 1887.

Swoboda traveled extensively across India, creating sensitive and dignified portraits of locals, soldiers, musicians, and everyday life. Unlike many Orientalist artists of his time who often relied on exotic stereotypes, his works stood out for their warm realism, rich colors, and genuine respect for his subjects.

These beautiful and evocative paintings highlight Swoboda’s exceptional ability to capture the humanity, character, and quiet nobility of his sitters, securing his legacy as one of the finest Austrian Orientalist painters of the late 19th century.

A Mussulman

Ahmad Khan

Ala Yar

An Indian

An Unidentified Man

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Brazil National Team Training Aboard the Ship “Conte Biancamano” for the 1934 World Cup in Italy

Brazil’s second appearance at a World Cup came in 1934, in Italy. For the first and only time in history, the reigning world champion did not take part in the following edition. Champions on home soil four years earlier, Uruguay chose not to participate in the tournament in retaliation for the absence of European teams at the 1930 World Cup in Montevideo. At the time, many countries claimed the long journey to South America was too difficult.

Sixteen teams qualified for the World Cup through the first-ever qualifiers, including the host nation: Sweden, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United States, Egypt, Brazil, and Argentina. Among these teams, only Brazil and Argentina did not need to take the field, due to the withdrawals of Chile and Peru.

Managed by coach Luiz Augusto Vinhaes, Brazil went to the World Cup without having played a single friendly in 1933. To reach Italy, the delegation left Brazil by ship on May 12. During the more than ten days aboard the ship Conte Biancamano, the players trained on deck.

Brazil national team training aboard the ship Conte Biancamano for the 1934 World Cup in Italy.

In a bizarre twist of fate, the Conte Biancamano docked in Barcelona to pick up the Spanish national team, who were drawn as Brazil's first-round knockout opponents. According to historical FIFA tournament trivia records, Spain’s legendary goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora reportedly spied on Brazilian star forward Waldemar de Brito practicing penalty kicks on the ship’s deck. Zamora later used this knowledge to save de Brito’s penalty during their actual match.

Because the 1934 World Cup featured a straight single-elimination knockout format, Brazil’s tournament was over almost as soon as it began. They landed in Italy completely unacclimatized just 48 hours before their opening match. On May 27, 1934, Spain defeated Brazil 3-1 in Genoa, instantly eliminating the Seleção after just 90 minutes of World Cup play.

The Brazilian team team on the bus prior to their first round match vs Spain which they lost and were eliminated from the tournament.

Brazil bowed out of the 1934 World Cup in the Round of 16 after a 3-1 defeat to Spain.