Old New York In Photos #164 – Elevated Curve At 110th Street

The Ninth Avenue Elevated Curve At 110th Street c. 1880

The Ninth Avenue Elevated train tracks took a dramatic “S” turn at 110th Street to continue along Eighth Avenue. This part of the El system were very elevated, at certain points rising 100 feet above street level. Because of its phenomenal height Continue reading

Classic Hollywood #159 – Humphrey Bogart Gets Married

Humphrey Bogart Marries Wife Number Three, Mayo Methot – 1938

Few Hollywood duos are eternally associated with one another like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

Bogie and Bacall. Bogie and Betty. Bogie’s baby. All phrases indicating the inexorable linking of the couple.

But Lauren Bacall was not Humphrey Bogart’s first wife.

Humphrey Bogart was married three times before meeting and falling in love with Lauren Bacall during the 1943 filming of To Have and Have Not. Bogart was 43, Bacall just 19.

Bogart’s first wife Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #163 – The Financial District During An Air Raid Test

Pedestrians Scatter As President Eisenhower Runs An Air Raid Test In New York – 1957

My mother and father tell of practicing “duck and cover” in school.

The drill was to supposedly protect oneself from a nuclear bomb. As if crouching under a desk would have done anything to shield you from an atomic blast. Continue reading

Donald Trump & Joe Biden Debate – Who Was The Better Van Halen Front Man: Hagar or Roth.

What Presidential Candidates Should Debate About  – Rock ‘n Roll

Sammy Hagar David Lee Roth photo: Bryan Steffy/Getty, Jason Kempin/Getty

The future of artificial intelligence is a very serious subject which at some point we will cover in a serious way.

But in the meantime this is a short, frivolous use of AI, but entertaining if you are a Van Halen fan.

In reality I doubt either candidate could name one Continue reading

Classic Hollywood #158 – Ingrid Bergman Goes Skiing

Ingrid Bergman Skis At Sun Valley Idaho – 1946

Well That Was Fun
Ingrid Bergman is ready for a rest now, following a ski trip down the slopes at Sun Valley, Idaho. The famous resort, taken over by the Navy during the war, will be open to the public this fall.  March 24, 1946 photo from Steve Hannagan, Public Relations

Ingrid Bergman and a handful of celebrities were special guests at Sun Valley to promote the fact that the resort would be re-opening.

Among the skiers with Bergman that week were Gary Cooper Continue reading

New York 1921 Not Quite A Sanctuary City

In 1921 Police Were Not Concentrating On Rounding-Up Illegal Aliens

Instead They Were Arresting The Unemployed, Especially Those From Other Cities

Page 2 article New York Herald January 16, 1921

In 1921 instead of illegals, the New York City Police Department were gathering up men from other cities who were jobless.

This article is from the January 16, 1921 New York Herald:

POLICE ROUNDING UP NON-RESIDENT IDLE

Jobless Who Do Not Live Here Arrested as Vagrants.

Squads of detectives and uniformed policemen, under orders to arrest unemployed men who could not prove themselves residents of New York City, went through the lower East Side last night and early to-day inspecting saloons and lunch rooms. At one saloon at 199 Worth street twenty-nine men, who had nothing to do but warm themselves  beside a stove, were made prisoners and locked In the Elizabeth street station on charges of vagrancy. Continue reading

Classic Hollywood #157 – Betty Grable Poses For USC Trojan Sculptor

Betty Grable Is Model For “Spirit Of Hollywood” – 1937

photo: World Wide PhotosHollywood, Calif: Roger Noble Burnham, noted sculptor last night presented his latest work, “Spirit of Hollywood,” to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the women’s division. Miss Betty Grable, actress was present last night and was chosen by Burnham as his model because in “Spirit of Hollywood,” he sought to depict youth, beauty and energy moving forward and looking upward, but with “both feet on the ground.” The sculptor said he felt Miss Grable exemplified this, as she worked her way upward through childhood in Hollywood. The life size plaque will be on display in the Chamber’s auditorium. Photo shows: Roger Noble Burnham, noted sculptor, completing his plaque of Miss Betty Grable, actress, shown posing for Burnham. photo: Wide World Photos 11/9/1937

Among Roger Noble Burnham’s (1876-1962)  most enduring works is the sculpture on the campus of The University of Southern California (1930) called Trojan Shrine aka Tommy Trojan. Continue reading

New York City Boys Celebrate The New Year January 1, 1943

Boys On Bleecker Street Blowing Horns On New Year’s Day – 1943

photo by Marjory CollinsOn December 7, 1941 our country was pulled into  World War II by the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan.  As January 1, 1943 arrived the United States had just completed a year of austerity and patriotic sacrifice.  Many people realized the grim reality that this war would go on for years. It was hard to find a reason to celebrate anything. Continue reading