Yesterday’s photo showed a closer daytime view of the electrified Christmas trees that used to decorate Hollywood Blvd for the holidays. This one give us an idea of how they looked all lit up at night. I’m so glad this photo is in color so that we can see how pretty the boulevard used to look back then. The photographer was standing on the northeast corner of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave looking west. We can glimpse the Owl Drug Store on the left (i.e. the southwest corner) and as this photo is circa late 1946, the Hollywood Hotel would still have been standing on the right as it didn’t come down until 1956.
Bill C. says: “It’s late 1946 or January 1947. Note the billboard in the upper left for Blue Skies, a 1946 Paramount release with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Joan Caulfield. The film opened December 19 at the Paramount for a six week run, closing on January 30, 1947.”
This is roughly how that view looked in July 2024. Hollywood Blvd isn’t normally closed, so I’m guessing there was a big movie premiere happening later that day.
In the upper left corner, the billboard may indicate Blue Skies with Joan Caulfield is playing at the Paramount Theater, so this photo may be from 1946!
How pretty it was
For all us movie buffs, Fred Astaire sang “Puttin on the Ritz” in BLUE SKIES.
To tell you the truth, the color 1946 pix looks more classy than the current photo! It’s a thriving area for all us locals, much like Hollywood and Vine. Yes! You can see part of the Owl Drug Store, that logo seen in many old movies. Dec 25, 1946 was also a sad time in Hollywood. WC Fields passed on Christmas, although he was ill for some time. I am sure there was a salute to his legendary comedian then, still mentioned to this very day in Hollywood. Universal City always salutes him.
Any idea what that theater marquis is in the upper left corner of the photo?
oops, I should have read Martin Pal’s post. Sorry.