"PM": A 1940s newspaper for the 99%
The upstart progressive New York tabloid, PM, featuring the renowned street photographer Weegee as its star photographer and a host of other notable talents of the time including Margaret Bourke-White and Helen Levitt, is the focus of a new exhibition at the Steven Kasher Gallery in New York through Feb. 20, 2016.
Brandishing its progressive outlook in the 1940s, the newspaper made its mission clear in its first issue: "PM is against people who push other people around. PM accepts no advertising. PM belongs to no political party. PM is absolutely free and uncensored. PM's sole source of income is its readers -- to whom it alone is responsible. PM is one newspaper that can and dares to tell the truth." Photography was considered crucial to its ambitious mission.
Weegee
The Critic, Opening Night at the Metropolitan Opera , November 22, 1943
By CBSNews.com Senior Photo Editor Radhika Chalasani
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
PM was printed for the 99% before that became a term to identify those not at the top of the economic ladder.
Founded by Ralph Ingersoll, the former managing editor of Time-Life publications, it not only attracted major photographic talent its pages included the writings of the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy Parker and even future Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill. Among its illustrious staff were also the cartoonists Theodore Geisel, of Dr. Suess fame, and Al Hirschfeld, best known for his black and white portraits of celebrities.
Max Peter Haas
Heroic Taxi Driver, Leonard Weisberg, Lying Dead at Deadly "Mad Dog" Shoot-Out in Manhattan, January 14, 1941
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Weegee made a name for himself as a crime photographer and, since his time, has become known as one of the great street photographers of New York. He worked for PM for six years.
Weegee
Their First Murder, October 9, 1941
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
It was a very radical approach at the time to journalism to reject all advertising. Ingersoll believed that advertising corrupted the profession.
Adam Clayton Powell at the Negro Freedom Rally, Madison Square Garden, June 26, 1944
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Margaret Bourke-White was part of the afternoon tabloid's first year staff. Though Bourke-White eventually left because she didn't like daily newspaper deadlines, she and Mary Morris were the first female press photographers on staff at any daily American newspaper.
Margaret Bourke-White Men Searched the Job Boards on Sixth Avenue as Unemployment is Rising Again, June 1940
Published in PM, June 30, 1940 and Sunday, May 25, 1947
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
With its powerful stable of talented writers and photographers, PM crusaded for social justice, union power, U.S. entry into World War II and Roosevelt's New Deal. The paper was vehemently anti-Hitler.
PM made no bones about its point of view with front pages that declared, "The Fascists are Winning," and asked "What Are You Going to Do About It?"
Irving Haberman
Marlene Dietrich kissing a G.I. as he arrived home from WW II, New York, July 1945
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"8
The tabloid relied more heavily on photography than other newspapers of its era. It's initials actually stood for "photographic material" in addition to it reflecting its afternoon publication.
Irving Haberman
Goldstein on His Way to the Chair, November 1941
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Despite lofty ambitions, the newspaper never broke even. The grand experiment came to an end with the final publication in June 1948.
It created a lasting influence, however, as a model for the counterculture independent journals of the 60s and modern publications such as The New York Times.
Third Ave., Upper East Side, Offers no Trees or Cliffs for Kids to Climb, but Porch of Abandoned Building is Excellent Substitute, July-August 1940
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Weegee
Phillip J. Stazzone is on WPA and Enjoys his Favorite Food as He's Heard that the Army Doesn't Go In Very Strong for Serving Spaghetti, October 1940
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Bernie Aumuller
More Coming, Pearl Reep, Belle Dodds, and Ruth Hassen, all of Flushing, Covering Their Heads as They Walk Along Chambers St., February 1946
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Morris Engel
Coney Island Embrace, 1938
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Irving Haberman
Back from Sing Sing. William Panaro, a Murder Inc. Member of Abe Reles, Return by Train to New York for a New Trial, January 1940
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Al Taylor
Camille Dumas After Standing in Line for 15 Minutes, Finally Emerges From the Dairy Store With Her Daughter's Milk Ration-About Half a Pint, July 1946
Published in PM, Friday, July 12, 1946
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
PM published at a time when labor was just starting to win the right to organize. PM was wholeheartedly pro-union, publishing nearly six pages a day of labor news.
Gene Badger
On May 13 The Day, Yiddish Newspaper, Where 42 Employees Are On Strike, May 1941
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Irving Haberman
Political Handbills Litter Southern Blvd., February 1948
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Martin Harris
Two Members of Gang Known as The Mott Street Terrors Waiting to be Interviewed for Admission, Madison Settlement House, New York City, March 1941
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
Irving Haberman
Out After 6 Years. Standing Miserably Amid Their Furniture Outside Their Three-Room Apartment at 2650 E. 7th St., Brooklyn, March 1948
"PM New York Daily: 1940-48"
The exhibition, "PM New York Daily: 1940-48," features over 75 black and white photographs from both staff and freelance photographers. Also included in the exhibition are vintage copies of the newspaper itself.
Morris Engel
Bosun of U.S. Lines' American Importer Tells his Men, Most of Them in Their 20s, How Much Liberty They'll Rate in London, March 1946
Published in PM, Sunday, March 31, 1946