The Prelinger Archives are something special. In addition to dozens of bizarre educational films from the mid-twentieth century, they've also got some great vintage films about New York City.
Go "Around the World" in the 1940s and never leave New York, aka "Baghdad on the subway"--from the Jewish Lower East Side to a Puerto Rican neighborhood to an Italian bocce court and kitchen, it's quite a trip.
Hop on the Third Avenue El in the 1950s:
Then fast forward to the 1960s and spend a Sunday in Greenwich Village:
See the whole list of films here.
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a.k.a. The Book of Lamentations:
a bitterly nostalgic look at a city in the process of going extinct
- Jeremiah Moss
- THE BOOK:
"We should all buy Jeremiah Moss’s book, Vanishing New York." --Sarah Jessica Parker
“Essential reading for fans of Jane Jacobs, Joseph Mitchell, Patti Smith, Luc Sante, and cheap pierogi.” --Vanity Fair
"a vigorous, righteously indignant book that would do Jane Jacobs proud." --Kirkus Reviews
THE BLOG:
"the go-to hub for those who lament New York's loss of character." --Crain's
"No one takes stock of New York's changes with the same mixture of snark, sorrow, poeticism, and lyric wit as Jeremiah Moss." --Village Voice, Best of NY
“Jeremiah Moss…is the defender of all the undistinguished hunks of masonry that lend the streets their rhythm.” --Justin Davidson, New York Magazine
"One of the most thorough and pugnacious chroniclers of New York’s blandification." --The Atlantic, Citylab
"Hyperbolic and combative, tireless and passionate." --Salon
Oh! That one of the third ave el in the 50's is just incredible!
ReplyDeleteAgree.. the subway car ITSELF was great, the ornate streetlamps, horse-drawn wagons.. even Horn & Hardart's! And the people! Thanks, Jeremiah. Back to watch the others. ~ Vicki
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