Charles’ 
Slide of the Week: October 19th, 2007
“Trick-or-Drink”, Miami Beach, Florida, 1959
A stylish and spirited pair of cross-dressing couples hold overexposed signs hand lettered with the words “trick-or-drink.” Clearly these gender-swappers would rather have cocktails than candy! Pumpkin-spiced martini anyone?
According to the legend the Americana tradition of “trick-or-treating” began in the 1930s on the west coast. But nobody seems to know exactly where or when. The black mail-like command didn’t appear in print in a national publication until 1939. For the most part Halloween, as we know it today, and all activities that go with it, are largely a product of the 1950s.
I can remember trick-or-treating as a kid in the 60s, growing up in Ontario, CA, making the neighborhood rounds and then going home and changing into second costume and going out for a second round. I guess you could call me a two-timin’ trick-o-treater or would that be a trick-o-treatin’ two-timer?
Here’s to trick-or-treating for candy AND cocktails…and YOU!!!
Charles Phoenix
Los Angeles
October 2007
Sets this Slide belongs to:
Holidays
7 Comments on “"Trick-or-Drink", Miami Beach, Florida, 1959”
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October 19th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I love your slides! They remind me of growing up. Speaking of reminding, doesn’t the fellow on the left look like Boy George? He could be Boy’s father! That’s how Boy George got started wearing makeup! He saw his Dad doing it!
October 19th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
This one is hilarious! I wonder if after a few drinks they didn’t swap partners as well as genders! The “ladies” and “gentlemen” seem like they have a few tricks up their sleeves, IYKWIMAITYD!
October 19th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I believe that Trick or Treating started earlier. Wikopedia credits it as early as 1915. The Meet Me In St. Louis musical movie shows a rudimentary form of Trick or Treat in 1904 - the film was based on a woman’s autobiography. My mother in her 80s says she remembers dressing up in costume in LA in the late 1920s and going Trick or Treat in her neighborhood - says most of the girls dressed up as witches, fairies or Clara Bow, the movie star with a red wig! A few years later in the 1930s she say ALL the little girls dressed as Shirley Temple. Were the movie star costumes an LA phenomenon? Would be interesting to hear from your fans in other parts of the country. My older brother remembers dressing up as Hopalong Cassidy to Trick or Treat in the late 1940s.
Thanks for the wonderful slides each time! Keep up the good work!
A big fan,
Sunny in Palm Springs
October 19th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
I was born in 1938 in Ct. and as a kid always went trick or treating - my parents would take me when I was a toddler so it started way before the 50’s. People gave out a large candy bar which was only 5 cents back then
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:15 am
i like it … it’s a very good discovery
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I wouldn’t call it two timin’, I would call it greedy! Ha ha ha, wish I would have thought of doing that!
October 24th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Please come to the East coast for some shows!!!