There are some photos you can look at and almost hear the sounds, smell the traffic, and taste the air. For me, this is one of those photos. We’re looking north up Vine St from Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, circa 1960, when the street still featured many of the businesses whose signs lit up the night: Wallichs Music City, Santa Fe railway, Plaza Hotel, The Broadway-Hollywood department store, Taft building on the southeast corner of Hollywood and Vine, and at the far right NBC television studios. Those studios would be razed in 1964, so this photo captures it during its final years. (Source: waterandpower.org)
Alison M. later posted the (original) color (postcard) on my Facebook page:
This is roughly how that view looked in July 2024.
Fantastic, finally a view of Wallichs Music City.
I can still hear their radio ads in my head!
Thanks, Martin. There’s my old building, the Broadway. Worked there for many years at AT & T. We had about a thousand employees in that place back in the 90s. So old (built in the 20s), we had a loose bat one day fly above us. No kidding. The top floor was said to be haunted by the ghost of Howard Hughes, who had an office there. Gutted in the 2000s, I remember seeing them loading the trucks with junk. Today its expensive condos. Yes, the Taft across the street, I also worked there briefly. That place also showed its age, but was quaint and quiet. Lots of memories, Hollywood and Vine. I take pride in probably helping pay the electric bill at the old Broadway building with all my AT & T sales. We had a lot of fun there, even with the bats!
Wow, Tom, it’s news to me that Howard Hughes was ever in that building!
Wow! Beautifully exposed and sharp focus on this photo. I love these black and white night shots of Hollywood. Thanks Martin
I’m glad you like it as much as I do, Gregory. It’s a special one!