A Couple doing the Charleston (1920s)

A dancing couple doing the charleston, 1920s via

Silk Stockings (1926)

Washington, D.C., 1926. “National Hosiery Week. Erlebacher window, F Street.” Among the Blue Moon shades on display: Flesh, Blond, Peau, Orchid, Gravel and “Jenny.” National Photo Company Collection glass negative via

The Bright Young Things Captured by Cecil Beaton (1927)

The Bright Young Things, or Bright Young People, was a nickname given by the tabloid press to a group of bohemian young aristocrats and socialites in 1920s London. They threw elaborate fancy dress parties, went on elaborate treasure hunts through nighttime London, drank heavily and used drugs—all of which was enthusiastically covered by journalists such as Tom Driberg.

They inspired a number of writers, including Nancy Mitford (Highland Fling), Anthony Powell (A Dance to the Music of Time), Henry Green (Party Going) and the poet John Betjeman (A Subaltern’s Love Song). Evelyn Waugh’s 1930 novel Vile Bodies, adapted as the 2003 film Bright Young Things, is a satirical look at this scene. Cecil Beaton began his career in photography by documenting this set, of which he was a member.

Bright Young Things by Cecil Beaton, October 1927; Rex Whistler, Cecil Beaton, Georgia Sitwell, William Walton, Stephen Tennant, Teresa Jungman and Zita Jungman via

Bright Young Things at Wilsford by Cecil Beaton, October 1927; William Walton, Cecil Beaton, Stephen Tennant, Rex Whistler, Georgia Sitwell, Zita Jungman and Teresa Jungman via

Stephen Tennant and The Bright Young Things, photograhed by Cecil Beaton, 1927 via

Performer Backstage (1928)

Performer backstage, 1928 via

Flask in Garter (1926)

Mlle. Rhea seated with flask in garter on leg, 1926 via

Jazz Age Pyjamas (1920s)

 Pyjama d’Edward Molyneux” très tendance” ed.gettyimage via

Pyjama de harem exotic, Paul Poiret 1922.” Très tendance” ed.gettyimage via

Flappers in Paris (1920s)

 Flappers in Paris, 1920s via

The Paris showroom of Maison Molyneux (1922)

The Paris showroom of Maison Molyneux, illustrated by Etienne Drian, 1922 via

Amazing Scenes From Silent Horror “The Phantom of the Opera” (1925)

The Phantom of the Opera is an American silent horror film adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, directed by Rupert Julian and starring Lon Chaney, Sr. in the title role of the deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House, causing murder and mayhem in an attempt to make the woman he “loves” a star.

The film remains most famous for Chaney’s ghastly, self-devised make-up, which was kept a studio secret until the film’s premiere.

The film was released on November 25, 1925. The picture also features Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry, Arthur Edmund Carewe, Gibson Gowland, John St. Polis, and Snitz Edwards.

The Phantom of the Opera directed by Rupert Julian, 1925 via

The Phantom of the Opera directed by Rupert Julian, 1925 via

 The Phantom of the Opera directed by Rupert Julian, 1925 via

Mary Philbin and Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera directed by Rupert Julian, 1925 via

Mary Philbin and Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera directed by Rupert Julian, 1925 via

Three Girls on a Bench in Berlin (1928)

Three fashionable looking girls on a bench in Berlin, 1928 via