In this vibrant color shot we’re looking down Broadway to the aptly named Broadway Theater at 428 S. Broadway, between 4th and 5th Streets around the corner from Pershing Square. They had a pretty good double bill playing that week: “Rob Roy” and “Creature from the Black Lagoon.” The latter movie came out in March 1954, so I’m guessing the shot was taken later that year. I would also love to have seen the neon sign for the neighboring American Music Co that sold records, televisions, radios and appliances. A veritable one stop shop!
A 1954 advertisement for Philco portable record player, available at the American Music Co for $29.95:
This is roughly how that view looked in February 2023. There no sign of the Broadway Theatre any more. That space now appears to be occupied by The Judson loft apartments.
First picture is full of life!!! Can’t say the same for the current photo. At least the building still stands.
Most of the now photos Martin uses are from Google Street View and it makes sense because they tend to like to drive around streets when there’s not a lot of people or traffic.
I bet one Joan Crawford’s movie characters took classes at MacKay Business College.
Ha! That gave me a good laugh! And I suspect you’re right!
The ground floor windows in the modern shot have an image of a trolley car passing buildings.