1961, Designs: cars, furniture, electronics, clothes

Mini Gatto (Cat) aka Mini-Zagato concept

- Designed by Ercole Spada and built by Zagato, Milan, Italy, 1961.

- Based on the BMC Morris Mini-Minor Van.

- 998 cc L4 Cooper engine

- unveiled at the 1961 Earls Court Motor Show, London, UK

Mini Gatto (Zagato)

Mini Gatto (Zagato)

Mini Gatto (Zagato)

Ford Gyron concept

- Designed by Syd Mead and Alex Tremulis

- Built by the Ford Motor Company, Detroit, Michigan, USA, 1961.

- two-wheeler with gyroscopes for balancing the car

- no engine was fitted

- unveiled at the 1961 Detroit Motor Show, USA

Ford Gyron concept

Ford Gyron concept

Ford Gyron concept

Ford Gyron concept

Berså plate

- Design by Stig Lindberg

- Manufactered by Gustavsbergs Porslinsfabrik, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1961.

Berså plate

Berså plate

Braun RT20 radio

- Design by Dieter Rams

- Manufactered by Braun, Germany, 1961.

Braun RT20 radio

Braun RT20 radio

'La Fonda' side chair and arm chair

- Design by Charles and Ray Eames

- Manufactered by Herman Miller, Zeeland, Michigan, USA, 1961.

'La Fonda' side chair

'La Fonda' arm chair

Cristobal Balenciaga designs in 1961

Cristobal Balenciaga Evening Dress

Cristobal Balenciaga Three-piece Suit

Cristobal Balenciaga Dress

Cristobal Balenciaga Cocktaildress

Citroën Adverts 1961

Citroën DS, USA (1961)

Citroën DS, USA (1961)

Citroën Ami 6,  Citroën 2CV and Citroën ID/DS, Netherlands (1961)

Citroën DS, UK (1961)

Citroën DS, USA (1961)

1961, Cars: Hillman Super Minx

In October 1961 British automobile manufacturer Hillman (Rootes Group) introduced the new Hillman Super Minx. The new car was an upmarket version of the smaller Hillman Minx. Initially the Super Minx was only available as a saloon with the 1,592 cc L4 Rootes engine with 46 kW of power.

In 1962 the range was expanded with a five-door estate (May 1962) and a two-door convertible (June 1962). In October 1962 all cars were updated with larger front disc brakes and a revised axle ratio. In 1964 production of the convertible ended after the Hillman Super Minx received a facelift, the wrap-around rear window was replaced by more conventional design with extra side windows. The windscreen became taller and the roofline less curved. In October 1965 the engine capacity was increased to 1,725 cc.

Hillman Super Minx Saloon (1961)

Hillman Super Minx Saloon (1961)

Hillman Super Minx Convertible (1962)

Hillman Super Minx Estate (1962)

Hillman Super Minx Saloon (1964)

Hillman Super Minx Saloon (1964)

The car was also sold as a rebadged Singer Vogue and Humber Sceptre. Production of the saloon ended in 1966, the estate was produced until 1967. It was replaced by the Hillman Hunter (Rootes Arrow). 

Singer Vogue

Singer Vogue

Humber Sceptre

Successor: Hillman Hunter (Rootes Arrow) (1966)

1961, Film: “On the Double”

The American comedy film "On the Double" premieres on 19 May 1961 in New York City. The film was directed by Melville Shavelson, who also wrote the screenplay together with producer Jack Rose. The film stars Danny Kaye in a double role, Dana Wynter, Diana Dors, and Wilfrid Hyde-White. The Music was written by Leith Stevens.

Synopsis

Ernie Williams, an American Private first class, has an incredible resemblance to the British General MacKenzie-Smith. Williams, a master of imitation, is asked to double the British General so he can make a secret trip East...

Dana Wynter as Lady Margaret MacKenzie-Smith and
Wilfrid Hyde-White as Colonel Somerset

Diana Dors as Sergeant Bridget Stanhope

Danny Kaye as Private First Class Ernie Williams

Main cast

• Danny Kaye as Private First Class Ernie Williams and General Sir Lawrence MacKenzie-Smith
• Dana Wynter as Lady Margaret MacKenzie-Smith
• Wilfrid Hyde-White as Colonel Somerset
• Margaret Rutherford as Lady Vivian
• Diana Dors as Sergeant Bridget Stanhope
• Allan Cuthbertson as Captain Patterson
• Jesse White as Corporal Joseph Praeger
• Gregory Walcott as Colonel Rock Houston
• Terence De Marney as Sergeant Colin Twickenham
• Rex Evans as General Carleton Brown Wiffingham
• Rudolph Anders as Oberkommandant
• Edgar Barrier as Blankmeister
• Ben Astar as General Zlinkov

Margaret Rutherford as Lady Vivian, Danny Kaye as Private First Class Ernie Williams,
Wilfrid Hyde-White as Colonel Somerset and Dana Wynter as Lady Margaret MacKenzie-Smith

Allan Cuthbertson as Captain Patterson, Dana Wynter as Lady Margaret MacKenzie-Smith,
Margaret Rutherford as Lady Vivian and Danny Kaye as Private First Class Ernie Williams

1961, Film: “Breakfast at Tiffany's”

The American romantic comedy "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is released on 5 October 1961 in the USA by Paramount Pictures. The film, directed by Blake Edwards, was written by George Axelrod based on the novel with the same name by Truman Capote from 1953. Main stars are Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Audrey Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly is one of her most memorable roles. The music, with the famous song "Moon River" with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, was written by Henry Mancini.

Synopsis

Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) is a charming socialite who lives alone in an flat. She lives her live with childlike innocence but nevertheless wears the most perfect designer clothes from Givenchy. She escorts various wealthy men but she fails to return their affections. When she meets her new neighbour, writer Paul Varjak (George Peppard), her carefree independence is overturned...

Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly with "Cat"

George Peppard as Paul Varjak and Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly

Main cast

• Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly
• George Peppard as Paul Varjak
• Patricia Neal as Mrs. Emily Eustace "2E" Failenson
• Buddy Ebsen as Doc Golightly
• Martin Balsam as O.J. Berman
• Mickey Rooney as I.Y. Yunioshi
• Alan Reed as Sally Tomato
• José Luis de Vilallonga as José da Silva Pereira
• Stanley Adams as Rutherford "Rusty" Trawler
• John McGiver as Tiffany's salesman
• Dorothy Whitney as Mag Wildwood
• Claude Stroud as Sid Arbuck

Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, singing "Moon River"

George Peppard as Paul Varjak and Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly

Awards

• Academy Awards, USA (1962), Oscar for Best Music, Original Song: Henry Mancini (music), Johnny Mercer (lyrics) for the song "Moon River"
• Academy Awards, USA (1962), Oscar for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture: Henry Mancini
• David di Donatello Awards, Italy (1962), David for Migliore Attrice Straniera (Best Foreign Actress): Audrey Hepburn
• Grammy Awards, USA (1962), Grammy for Best Soundtrack Album or Recording or Score from Motion Picture or Television: Henry Mancini
• Grammy Awards, USA (1962), Grammy for Record of the Year: Henry Mancini and His Orchestra (For the song "Moon River")
• Grammy Awards, USA (1962), Grammy for Song of the Year: Henry Mancini (composer), Johnny Mercer (lyricist), Henry Mancini and His Orchestra (performer) (For the song "Moon River")
• Grammy Awards, USA (1962), Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement: Henry Mancini (For the song "Moon River")
• Grammy Awards, USA (1962), Grammy for Best Performance by an Orchestra - for Other Than Dancing: Henry Mancini
• Laurel Awards, USA (1962), Golden Laurel for Top Song: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini (For the song "Moon River")

George Peppard as Paul Varjak and Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly

Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly and George Peppard as Paul Varjak

Trivia

• The song "Moon River" was especially written for Audrey Hepburn by Henry Mancini. Many versions later Mancini said that Audrey's performance was the best.
• Writer Truman Capote was unhappy with the decision to cast Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, his choice for the role was Marilyn Monroe. Monroe was originally cast as Golightly, but her coach advised her not to play the role.
• Other actresses that turned down the role were Shirley MacLaine and Kim Novak.
• Audrey Hepburn received Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for Best Actress.
• The famous black Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the opening scenes of the movie was sold for £467,200 on December 4, 2006 at Christie's Auction House in London, making it the second most expensive piece of film memorabilia ever sold.
• With her role as Holly Golightly, Audrey Hepburn became one of the style icons of the 1960s.
• The song "Moon River" was selected as the fourth most memorable song in Hollywood history by the American Film Institute in 2004 (after: "Over the Rainbow", "As Time Goes By" and "Singin' in the Rain").
• In 2012 "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was considered as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry

Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly

Original 1961 trailers

"Breakfast at Tiffany's", trailer 1

"Breakfast at Tiffany's", trailer 2

1961, Music: Helen Shapiro

In 1961, aged fourteen, the English singer Helen Shapiro, full name Helen Kate Shapiro (born 28 September 1946), scored 2 number 1 hits in the UK charts: "You Don't Know" and "Walkin' Back to Happiness".

Helen Shapiro was born in Bethnal Green, London. She attended Northwold Primary School and Clapton Park Comprehensive School. Her grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants. The family was too poor to buy a record player but Shapiro's parents encouraged a musical education. Helen played banjo and sang occasionally with her brother Ron in his skiffle group. At the age of ten she sang in the band "Susie and the Hula Hoops," a school band with her cousin Susan Singer and Marc Feld (the later "T. Rex" Marc Bolan). Aged 13 she followed singing lessons at “The Maurice Burman School of Modern Pop Singing” in London.

The Beatles, Helen Shapiro, Dusty Springfield, Eden Kane
and Keith Fordyce on the set of Ready Steady Go! (ITV, 1963)

Single "You Don't Know" (1961)

Single "Walkin' Back to Happiness" (1961)

In 1961, her first single "Don't Treat Me Like a Child", reached No. 3 in the UK charts. In 1962, aged fifteen she was voted Britain's "Top Female Singer". One of the supporting acts during her late winter/early spring tour of 1963, were "The Beatles". During this tour "The Beatles" had their first hit single.

"You Don't Know" (1961)

"Walkin' Back to Happiness" (1961)

Helen Shapiro performing "Look Who It Is" on "Ready Steady Go!" with "The Beatles"