Letters to Uncle Gay

Teri Mandemaker
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Personal Journals

Intimate, funny, and irresistibly vivid glimpses of 1940's Los Angeles. When a lively 25-year-old woman writes to her beloved uncle- only a few years older and serving overseas during World War II - nothing is off limits. In these real-life letters, she chronicles her days and nights in Los Angeles with charm, wit, flirtation, and a sparkling sense of adventure. Each episode features a letter read aloud revealing a time capsule of love, youth, and the human moments that persist - even in a world at war.

  1. May 7

    Pat Meets Bob, Dec 8 1945

    Pat meets Bob for the first time! He just got discharged from the marines and he is one beautiful man! Pat and Bob got married in 1955, but it seems like their romance was long in the making.

    6 min

  2. May 6

    Cocoanut Grove, Nov 6 1945

    The Cocoanut Grove was a nightclub inside the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. A prominent blonde singer performing at the Cocoanut Grove was Martha Tilton known as the "Liltin' Miss Martha Tilton".

    8 min

  3. May 5

    Blue Monday, Oct 29 1945

    In this episode Pat reports about Wally's bad injury where he tore the tendons on his right arm on a broken bottle. Yuck! We also hear about dewy weather in Southern California.

    3 min

  4. May 5

    Raising Wolves Turkey Day 1945

    Pat loved to bowl and she joined women's bowling leagues in the 50's and 60's. In fact Pat's youngest son, Thomas, not yet born as part of this series, became a competitive bowler and he even appeared on television throwing the ball.

    4 min

  5. May 5

    Angel Wings, Oct 8 1945

    Wouldn’t it be swell to sprout angel wings? An image of "the Luscious One" is on the Letters to Uncle Gay FB page post on January 17, 2026

    4 min

  6. Mar 3

    Jerry #8: Dear Uncle Ugly

    What is Christmas without our dear Uncle Ugly.

    4 min

  7. Mar 3

    Jerry #7: All about soap bubbles

    During the 1940's the Coconut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard was the premier, glamorous Los Angeles hot spot. Known for its tropical decor- featuring real palm trees from a Valentino film - it hosted big band music, Hollywood elite, and wartime service men, including hosting the Academy Awards until 1943.

    7 min

  8. Mar 3

    Jerry #6: Palm Springs Gigolo

    On November 17, 1945 UCLA defeated Saint Mary's with a score of 13-7. The game was held in Los Angeles, where the Bruins handed the 7th ranked Gaels one of their only regular session losses.

    5 min
See All (25)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Intimate, funny, and irresistibly vivid glimpses of 1940's Los Angeles. When a lively 25-year-old woman writes to her beloved uncle- only a few years older and serving overseas during World War II - nothing is off limits. In these real-life letters, she chronicles her days and nights in Los Angeles with charm, wit, flirtation, and a sparkling sense of adventure. Each episode features a letter read aloud revealing a time capsule of love, youth, and the human moments that persist - even in a world at war.

Information

  • Creator
    Teri Mandemaker
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Teri Mandemaker
  • Show Website
    Letters to Uncle Gay