STOCKINGS OF TOMORROW / THE SULTAN'S FAVORITE

Originally released by Joe Bonica and sold through the back pages of magazines, "Stockings of Tomorrow" dates to the mid-1940s. It features model Cleo Moore (1:29), Nancy Finley (3:29) and others, showing off silk and nylon stockings and smiling for the camera. The stockings shown are from Willy's "What's in a Name" Hosiery line and according to a title card (4:45) the velveteen clocks are hand pressed. Finley's stockings are zipper pocket hose, with a small pocket for lipstick or cash. The reel also features two dance numbers, Carolfae Peterson in "The Sultan's Favorite" (5:13) and Sheree in her original Tiger Dance (10:22).

"Stockings of Tomorrow" was created in part because, during WWII, stockings were in heavy demand. This was due to wartime material shortages. Before the war, silk stockings were very popular, but Japan was the primary source of silk for the United States. With the escalation of the war and deteriorating trade relations, the US cut off silk imports, leading to a significant shortage. Silk was essential for military parachutes and other wartime needs. Nylon, introduced by DuPont in 1939 as a stronger and more affordable alternative to silk, quickly gained popularity. However, as the war progressed, nylon production was prioritized for military applications such as parachutes, ropes, and aircraft fuel tanks, making it scarce for civilian use. In the pre-war era, it was considered socially unacceptable for women to go out in public without hose. Stockings were seen as an essential part of a well-dressed woman's wardrobe. Both silk and nylon stockings provided a smooth, finished look to the legs, enhancing a woman's appearance. The scarcity of stockings led to the development of alternative solutions, such as leg makeup ("liquid stockings").