While it was all happening at once, the 1930s may have existed in two separate worlds. While old Hollywood stars like Mae West reveled in the limelight, basking in the glitz and glamour of the pictures, several other Americans desperately to make ends meet amid those times.
From Albert Einstein sporting a tuxedo for a film premiere to families sporting rags, here are 30 photos of "haves and have-nots" from the 1930s.
1
Actress Hedy Lamarr, c. 1930.
2
“My grandfather, holding a copy of the first edition of his Marxist inspired journal ‘New Dawn’ (1930s Trinidad).”
3
Folks wait in line outside of a very ironic sign posted in Louisville, Kentukcy,
4
“Gramma's wedding picture from mid 1930s.”
5
A family smiles for the camera during in 1930.
6
“My aunty in a late 1930s luxury baby buggy.”
7
Men wait in line to look for work, circa 1930.
8
Jean Harlow and Clark Gable pose in for a promotional photo for a Hollywood film, c.1930s.
9
Folks wait outside of Al Capone’s soup kitchen for a meal, circa 1930.
10
“My Grandfather (date unknown - likely early 1930s).”
11
An older brother looks after his younger sister in Ramblers Park, Washington, 1939.
12
Actress Mae West was one of the few folks who managed to amass a fortune during this era, making roughly $300,000 per year.
13
A family poses with the American flag they saved from a house fire, circa 1930.
14
Greta Garbo relaxing on what appears to be a boat, c. 1930.
15
“My Great Grandfather building coffins. (Brooklyn, NY - 1931).”
17
“My grandfather (left) and his siblings in Wright County, Minnesota circa the 1930’s.”
18
“My great grandmother, 1930s France.”
19
“The community comes around in Alabama, 1933.”
20
Barbara Hutton smiles after tying the knot with Georgian prince Alex Mdivani, 1933.
21
A job seeker clutches a sign looking for work, 1932.
22
Models attend the Longchamp Races in Paris, France, circa 1930.
23
A street food cart in New York, circa 1930.
24
Actress Barbara Stanwyck, early 1930s.
25
“Children fish for dropped change in street grates in New York City, 1930’s.”
26
Actress Mae Clark celebrates New Year’s Eve 1934 with Dr. B. Blank.
27
A migrant worker sits on the side of a car, 1936.
28
Actress Claudette Colbert sports an opulent Egyptian-themed costume for ‘Cleopatra,’ circa 1934.
29
Marion Davies poses with Gloria Swanson, Constance Bennett and Jean Harlow at a high-society, Tyrolean-themed get together.
30
Actress Joan Bennett smiles amid a toast at Agua Caliente, 1933.
31
Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin attend the premiere of “City Lights”, 1931.
