Wow - what a difference in the NJ and NYC skyline - so few skyscrapers. So many trees. It's hard to believe we actually had such a huge waterfront with ships docking up and down the Hudson. 3rd Ave El roaring overhead, etc. So many things now gone... Man, I remember shopping at Bond's clothing store!

Ratpack - when was this on TCM?

it will on TCM in about 11 hours


3:30am Short Film: Content (Short, Trailer, etc.): Mighty Manhattan, New York'S Wonder City (1949)
This Fitzpatrick travel short visits Manhattan, exploring its history, culture, architecture, and people. The short also pays special visits to come of Manhattan's more famous neighborhoods and landmarks.
Cast: James A. FitzPatrick Dir: James H Smith C-20 mins

rat

OK, thanks. I'll set my DVR and then record it onto DVD.

what could have changed?


1959

quote:

Originally posted by ratpak:
what could have changed?


1959

I want to add it to my DVD library - I have a nice collection of classic movie "oldies" - mostly black and white.

PT 1 - 3:50 looks exactly like the West End on 86 St.

Wonderful videos. I really enjoy the taxi and bus color schemes. Does NYC still have the taxi medallion system? I remember as a kid reading about how expensive it was to get a medallion.

Thanks for the great Link! Found this on the same link.
Check out the streamliners leaving Chicago!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaMGqzkNwLY


Franktrain

quote:

Originally posted by NYC Steeler:
Wow - what a difference in the NJ and NYC skyline - so few skyscrapers. So many trees. It's hard to believe we actually had such a huge waterfront with ships docking up and down the Hudson. 3rd Ave El roaring overhead, etc. So many things now gone... Man, I remember shopping at Bond's clothing store!

Ratpack - when was this on TCM?

Man, I remember WORKING at Bond's clothing store! It was the fall of 1969 through the holidays when they laid all us high school kids off. On breaks, I would go a block or two south to the huge Nathans and feast on, I know what you're thinking but it's not the dogs; it was their corned beef and world famous fries. Hey, when you can't get to the original out at Coney...great memories.

Steve VP

quote:

Originally posted by Fred Lundgren:
Wonderful videos. I really enjoy the taxi and bus color schemes. Does NYC still have the taxi medallion system? I remember as a kid reading about how expensive it was to get a medallion.

Yes, we still have the medallion system - and it's extremely expensive: a medallion just sold for $766,000 - FOR ONE TAXI! Medallions are in extremely short supply - alot of them are owned by a taxi corp that leases them to drivers. In 1981 they sold for $30K - that's some appreciation, huh? Welcome to NYC.

wow,in 1949 i think i wasent even thought off.this is way before i was on planet.

dam, in 1949, dad was on a tricycle and mom was in diapers...

My Grandparents were still in school then!

C'mon guys, you're making me feel old...even if I was only 3 in 1949!

Jim

DANG! Having been born in 1942, I still regret not seeing much of
the good stuff that was around earlier (especially streetcars and interurbans),
or that I saw, but don't remember that well.

But I'm sure grateful that I was around before you young whippersnappers!
At least I remember gate cars on the Myrtle Ave. EL, PCCs and trackless
in Brooklyn, streetcars and trackless (all service) in NJ, where I grew
up, and STEAM passenger and freight trains, although diesels had already
made many incursions by that time--First Generation diesels, that is.

And since the Pennsy had a roundhouse in the town where I grew up, my father
took me there on Sunday afternoons, where the hostlers would let me ride in
the cabs of the steamers, as well as the motors, such as GG1s and P5as.

Imagine all you younger guys have missed.

Lee

Trackless? Is that like those electric buses in SF?

quote:

Originally posted by Pelham Express:
Trackless? Is that like those electric buses in SF?

Probably the nation's first non-polluting bus. Green before it's time!

Elliot

Yes, that's it...trackless, as in the photo above.
And Public Service of NJ (among others) had all-service
vehicles, which had gasoline engines, so that they could
operate the buses beyond the end of the wires.

Lee

I found a shot of some Public Service "all service vehicles." The photo almost looks hand colored.



Lee, do you know where this was taken?

Elliot

quote:

Originally posted by railfare:
I found a shot of some Public Service "all service vehicles." The photo almost looks hand colored.



Lee, do you know where this was taken?

Elliot

I don't recognize the spot, Elliot, but I'll ask around.
A busy intersection, but I don't recognize that monument.
Interesting that one of the ASV's is running on gas.

But I did find a link to a lot more photos of Public Service ASV's:

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/psct.htm

Lee

In case you missed it on again 8.28 est on TCM


3:39pm Short Film: Content (Short, Trailer, etc.): Mighty Manhattan, New York'S Wonder City (1949)
This Fitzpatrick travel short visits Manhattan, exploring its history, culture, architecture, and people. The short also pays special visits to come of Manhattan's more famous neighborhoods and landmarks.
Cast: James A. FitzPatrick Dir: James H Smith C-20 mins

Lee

Gate cars ran on the Myrtle ave El into 1956 about the time the last mile by a PCC was logged in Brooklyn as well. On the Myrtle ave El, I can recall the convertibles in the summer time when they took out the side panels and we had open air cars. There were shades that you could pull down in case of rain.

WITH REGARD TO THE NYC CABS AND MEDALLION SYSTEM MENTIONED EARLIER, I JUST WATCHED A MOVIE CALLED "A CATERED AFFAIR" MADE IN 1955. A CABBIE (ERNEST BORGNINE) AND A PARTNER HAVE SAVED THE $8,000 THEY NEED TO BUY A MEDALLION. HOWEVER, BORGNINE'S WIFE (BETTE DAVIS) WANTS TO SPEND $2,000 ON THEIR DAUGHTER'S WEDDING.
THERE ARE SOME SHOTS OF THE 3RD AVE EL.