Collide-O-Scope: Rhapsody In Seattle a look at the city in the 1930s & 1940s

[@wasserdagger]

I remember several of those classy theaters were still in existence in the 60's and 70's during my youth. I was lucky enough to catch at least a few movies in them before they disappeared. I loved downtown Seattle back then. Not so much today, though. It's not the fun, safe place it used to be.

[@d.martin7692]

I still have the Marx Brothers autographs that my mother got outside the stage door at the Paramount in the thirties. I used to work at Fahey-Brockman's in the 1960's. I saw the Great Escape at the old Colonial theater next to Manning's in 1963. I saw A Hard Days Night with the Beatles at the Orpheum theater. I saw Walk on the Wild Side at the Embassy theater. Loved the soda fountain in the Bartell's at Westlake. I used to walk around downtown unaccompanied as an eleven year old with no worries in the fifties.

[@bergunx]

I was born and raised in Seattle and I love this city and it’s good to look back at its past.

[@KJ-xc6qs]

Fabulous footage, really enjoyed the vaudeville acts. Couldn't believe the incredibly long crowds waiting to see Gone With The Wind; how beautifully everyone dressed back then.

[@YoungEbazz]

I think Back in those days felt comfortable I can already feel it

[@JBearwa]

this is really well done. Thank you so much! A fascinating look at Seattle

[@Visiting-Vintage]

This is wonderful! I found some references in April-May 1937 The Seattle Daily Times for a Vaudeville show at the Palomar "staring two screen personalities Betty Burgess and Sonny Lamont" (just FYI if anyone else was wondering when that was)

[@Jeff-uj8xi]

From the paint scheme on the Seattle Transit System trolley coaches and buses, I'd say this is mid to late 1940's. On my early trips to Seattle, I rode on the Great Northern Empire Builder and the North Coast Limited. It went to the King Street Depot in Seattle. Those were the glory days of famous named trains. I traveled first class in sleeping cars and ate in the dining cars. Wonderful memories. By the way, I enjoyed listening to the Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue.

[@JBearwa]

Also included 1930s as advertised. Wizard of Oz was released in 1939.

[@PeterRichardsandYoureNot]

Gotta love the 30s. You even got dressed up to stand in the bread line. ;-)

[@MarkTaylorCanfield]

Very cool! I love how classy people used to dress to go see a show. My mind is kinda blown by the size of the Wrigley's spearmint gum neon sign. You can see a tiny man on the boy's arm apparently fixing the lights. He's barely discernible...

[@nicholaschard7143]

It's sad that Great Northerns Rocky the Goat neon sign was removed in 1970 and not left there for historical reasons.

[@terrilally2790]

Yep! I remember driving in my dad's car up 4th Ave, which was the main route, US 99, before the freeway and the Alaskan Way Viaduct. You could see the GN Goat sign all the way down 4th Ave.

[@mrshiney2]

My mom and her sister were there during WWII, she said it was the greatest time of her life...dance,dance,dance

[@l.a.crenshaw5952]

Wonderful! Wonderful!

[@joshlist8306]

Awesome work, Boys!

[@TheReturnofNIlbog]

Thank you Josh!

[@corville1]

Added this to my favorites list and subscribed.

[@markjust2177]

Shane and Michael, this is just magical! A little love letter to this city, it's simply outstanding. Thanks for creating it. A question though, where was the auto-coaster located?

[@TheReturnofNIlbog]

I think that was either Ballard or West Seattle.

[@pg13]

@@TheReturnofNIlbog According to a reddit thread on the topic, the "Whoopsy Ride" was off Aurora near where Washelli Cemetary is now. The footage is from 1929. The ride was dismantled in 1936. www.reddit.com/r/SeattleWA/comments/gdouto/seattles_drive_your_own_car_roller_coaster_in_1929/ Fascinating!

[@cclivs]

So great! This goes right up there with the vanishing Seattle slideshow at Dina Martina shows. Where did you find this footage?

[@stevewells7326]

Awh!... The Golden Years!... Seattle used to have such great neon signs... Now-a-days, most of the city's storefronts are covered with dingy, moss-ridden awnings, with terrible, generic typography.

[@lourowberryrowberry2343]

And homeless on the sidewalks.

[@JonasClark]

@@lourowberryrowberry2343 We keep chasing them out of everywhere else they attempt to sleep.

[@larryhinze]

And needles AND turds.

[@JonasClark]

@@larryhinze I can count on one hand the times I've seen either downtown.

[@larryhinze]

@@JonasClark I saw Needles outside my apartment in West Seattle. I have seen them as I pedaled my bike downtown in parks and the streets. I have walked into public bathrooms at the market and Wallingford and seen people shooting up. Not sure what world you are living in.

[@glennschramm9692]

this country has lost it soul

[@keithdukes5990]

You're damn right sir!!!

[@ghostlyimageoffear6210]

Lost its people, displaced and replaced.