Rockwell Video Minute: Missing Tooth

Norman Rockwell often painted girls at turning points in their lives. In this 1957 cover, he captured a big step toward one childhood goal — growing up.

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While painting a picture for a Crest toothpaste advertisement, Norman Rockwell’s young model gave him a great idea for a classic Saturday Evening Post cover.

See all of the videos in our Rockwell Video Minute series.

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Comments

  1. Lou, I agree with your assessment of the Post 100%. I understand your feeling of having missed out on it at an earlier time in your life. Let me assure you though, the Post is in a new ‘Golden Age’ right now with the incredible redesign and fresh direction it has had for the past decade under Joan SerVaas.

    The bimonthly magazine complemented with the daily experience of the ultimate general-interest website, can only lead you to one conclusion: It is what it was, and more! Start the ’20s out right, with gifts of The Saturday Evening Post, and steer clear of any stressful Holiday shopping. The Post is the diamond in the moonlight we can still be proud of in this country. Past, present and future.

  2. I regret not being a Saturday Evening Post fan earlier in my life. I regard the magazine as one of the best (if not the best) I have ever read. The story content as well as the history it looks back on, are filled with so many memories.

  3. Interesting story behind one of Rockwell’s (much) later classic covers. I can certainly understand how he would have been inspired by his Crest ad series for doing a Post cover, and this was an excellent result.

    It tells the story of just what’s described in the video. I like the simplicity of the all-white background behind the three girls as to not distract. It’s also nice to see these kids in age-appropriate clothes for school! The ads I see for back to school clothes now (mainly Target) for girls are a ridiculous three ring circus. This includes pink and purple hair streaks and pom poms. I would never let my 8-9 year old daughter* go to school dressed like that. If she were of high school age though and wanted to dye her hair gray, I’d say okay. Better that than tattoos, nose rings, piercings and/or “tribal” type of lower ear stretching for rings, right?

    (*I’m a dog’s parent/play pal, fortunately.)

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