There’s something about (I presume this is) a Kodachrome photo that brings a scene to life with vibrant color. We’re looking north up Highland Ave from Hollywood Blvd. That light blue car on the left is a circa 1961 Porsche, so let’s call this shot circa early 1960s. That blade neon sign on the right: Power House Cocktails makes me wonder how strong those cocktails were! It’s also a little weird to see the Hollywood United Methodist Church without its huge red ribbon that it first erected in 1993 to honor World AIDS Day and is still there.
My thanks to David G. for finding this photo.
Ken S says: “I feel like I see black license plates, which would make it at least 1963.”
Bill M says: “The vibrant blues and slightly subdued reds make me think Ektachrome rather than Kodachrome.”
Johnny B says: “This is a digitally colorized image from a beautiful b&w original. I can tell right away by the pink roadway, but the other hues lack any subtlety (as well as mostly being guesses.)
This is how that same view looked in May 2022. All those stores on the right have now been replaced by apartment buildings.
I remember that Chop Suey sign at the Chinese Restaurant there on the right, but I don’t recall the name of it. Around 1980 I was waiting for a bus there, and George Jefferson himself, Sherman Hemsley, came out the door of the place and nodded hello to me when I turned and recognized him.
The VW signage on the right marks the location of Bob Smith’s Volkswagon dealership where you could see the pop-up camper van on display on the showroom floor. Beetle ownership was skyrocketing in this era before the American manufacturers would be forced to look again at economy auto alternatives. Japanese cars had barely made a ding, and the original Toyota dealership was down on Hollywood Boulevard east of Vine by Hartunian Ford.
My error. This one at 1730 N. Highland was a location for Competition Motors, previously at 1219 Vine St. since about 1953. Bob Smith was on N. Cahuenga, reportedly replacing Competition around 1963 which had grown to a multi-location dealer and supplier organization from its’ humble roots in North Hollywood in the late ‘40’s (Porsche/VW). There was also a Competition lot (used cars) below the Hollywood Ranch Market at 1200 N. Highland Avenue.
That stunning tower! First United Methodist Church (dedicated in 1929). Featured in the original WAR OF THE WORLDS in 1953, many other classics, like George Cukor’s WHAT PRICE HOLLYWOOD. The actual address is 6817 Franklin Avenue. Among the famous folks who were members, included Bob Barker (who lived about a mile away) and movie star Robert Taylor, also Busby Berkeley. For any tourist in Hollywood, has to be the first stop, indeed. Yes, the 2022 photo shows lots of new buildings, but the church will be there forever! Thanks, Martin for the memories.