From Hollywood stars to elephants, south Essex had a totally different atmosphere back in 1937.
We have blown the cobwebs off our old records to take you on a journey back to the days of waved hair and smart style.
Taken just two years before the Second World War got underway, our photographs show youngsters taking part in toddler competitions and carnival queens dressed for the occasion.
Westcliff actor Don Stannard is pictured at Leigh station ahead of departing for Hollywood, where he had secured a seven-year contract.
Meanwhile, Australian actress Lucille Lisle headed from the outback to Chalkwell Park for a Beautiful Toddler competition and elephants were unlikely visitors to Southend Hospital 84 years ago.
Scroll down to see some images from yesteryear.
Ashore - gales washed up this yawl in Thorpe Bay
Victory - carnival queen Thelma Unthank with toddler category winner Bobby Nash
Tots - the winners of the 1937 carnival toddler competition
Hollywood beckons - Don Stannard
Judge - Australian actress Lucile Lisle at the Beautiful Toddler competition
Read more:
- IN PICTURES: When two train crashes in 1961 rocked south Essex
- Southend seafront and Priory Park caught on camera half a century ago
Dressed for the occasion - the 1937 Canvey carnival court
Hitched - thrice widowed Amelia Willett was about to marry Freeman Ball of Pitsea
Game, set and match - members of the Southchurch Lawn Tennis Club
Gathering - the Peculiar People’s thanksgiving harvest
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