This photograph features a couple of gangsters and their molls enjoying their dinner on the beach in Havana, Cuba. In reality, these gangsters are probably just law abiding tourists, but I like the gangster story better. This is a souvenir photograph from “La Playa de Marianao” (The Beach of Marianao). Marianao is one of 15 municipalities in the city of Havana. It is the home of the famous Tropicana Club which opened in 1939 and still operates today. However, it can be safely said that this photograph was not taken at the Tropicana. An inscription on the reverse of the photo asserts that the picture was taken in 1937 and one of the subjects is named Dagmar. Dagmar is generally a feminine name and originates from Scandanavia or Germany. This photograph has a number of interesting features. The image captures two couples eating a restaurant meal on the beach. If you magnify the photograph you can see their meal quite clearly. In fact, seeing the bread on the table made me hungry. Other diners and servers can be seen in the background. The appearance of the four individuals at the table spark speculation. The very pretty blonde woman is wearing shades and sitting in a manner in which she can show off her shapely legs (did I just say “shapely legs”?…..sort of creepy!). Her companion is informally dressed with an open shirt and jacket compared to the other man who is wearing a suit. The woman with the sun glasses and the informally dressed man are a cool looking couple. Maybe she’s Dagmar. The second woman is seated at the table with her handbag secured behind her on the chair she is sitting on. On the ground, under the table, is a large straw bag which likely contained beach supplies or the days haul from a day of shopping. To view other Cuban photographs, click on the category “Cuba”.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
GAIL, YOU REALLY – REALLY! OUGHT TO HEAR THIS BIRD-BRAIN’S SPIEL ON THESE FOLKS. READ THE WHOLE THING. SHE IS A DINGBAT. – LEMME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. V. (AKA “SHAPELY LEGS”)
One of the risks of writing “tongue in cheek” and trying to be humorous is that sometimes people think you are serious, or they think you are not funny, or they think that you are a “dingbat”. I appreciate humor and being sardonic and will gladly risk being classified as foolish.
This is fun. Use your imagination. Gosh, I’m old enough (don’t ask) to have known these folks. Looks like a buffet in back. They have filled their plates but not started to eat. The restaurant photographer offered his services ($) and Dagmar?’s chair has been put back to accommodate. The girls muster up a smile but the men’s expressions at best are wary, if not suspicious. Dagmar’s friend has emptied his glass, save for the ice on the bottom. His open collar had become acceptable by then, but a handkerchief in the breast pocket was still in order. I remember those mid-1930’s two tome shoes, the white part easily scuffed and hard to keep clean. Though their table is in the sand, Dagmar’s heels were not for the beach … or serious walking comfort, I would expect. Looking at the bread made me hungry too. I really enjoyed this … and the humor.