The Two Philadelphias, 1960s

A television travelogue about Philadelphia in the 1960s.To purchase a clean DVD of this film for personal home use or educational use contact us at [e-mail]. To license footage from this film for commercial use visit: www.travelfilmarchive.com

[@jimtownsend7899]

Philly is my hometown. I came back to live nearby after a military career. When I saw the video title, I thought it was going to be the good sections, and the sections you wouldn't go to in broad daylight. As we used to say, "That's a good place to go to get knifed." I've never been to the Devon Horse Show or in Bookbinder's, (could you imagine them letting me in?) but I did see some old haunts - Betsy Ross House, the Franklin Institute (I used to be small enough to walk through "The Heart"!), and of course, Independence Hall. Much of what we knew then is now gone, but we have our memories - Connie Mack Stadium (my grandfather called it Shibe Park till the day he died), the Spectrum, even when it was new, and when the roof blew off; JFK Stadium, Franklin Field (well, that is still there), Reading Terminal, Wanamaker's (Christmas Light Show, stand next to the Eagle!), Gimbel's and Lit's (to tour "The Enchanted Village"), Bain's Deli on Chestnut St. or Horn & Hardart's with a fist full of nickels. I. Goldberg's Army/Navy Store, Pearson's, Gold Medal and Mitchell & Ness sporting goods stores. Yes, Virginia, there really was a Mitchell & Ness, and they sold sports equipment as well as custom jerseys and hockey sweaters (that's what we call them.) I was never in the Troc when it was a burlesque house, but who remembers the ads for it in the Inquirer and the Bulletin (Evenings and Sundays. I had a route in Branch 73.)? Edit: How could I forget "The Vet"? I was at the last Phillies game at Connie Mack and the first game at the Vet. Froze my butt off in those terra cotta colored plastic nosebleed seats! 2nd Edit: Crap! I almost forgot the best part: Remember the guys on the corners along the Boulevard (if you have to ask which boulevard, you won't get this) selling "armpit pretzels"? Bags of 3, stuffed under their arm, 10 cents each/3 for a quarter.

[@barbpaq]

And venders selling roast chestnuts at City Hall.

[@statechamp3465]

How old are you Jim?

[@jimtownsend7899]

@@statechamp3465 62

[@doloresm7396]

Born in the Mayfair section in 1958, I did get to the Devon Horse Show and was introduced to the latest Deb while dating a Main Liner. They were lovely people but I was not raised with a silver spoon in my mouth which was fine. I preferred the white collar executive types in my life. I've left Philly ten years ago and miss it every single day. ' Dad worked for Gimbel Brothers (as we knew them) he was a delivery man for Gimbel's fine furniture back in the day. Brown trucks like the UPS trucks sparkling clean. He worked over 12 hours a day traveling all over PA. From Hamburg, PA to New Jersey. I miss Philly, even now that so much has changed. We had a stunning house in Mayfair. No homes compare to the workmanship of our brick row homes. Quality was amazing. Built in the 1920's and originally owned by the hosiery workers of the city who unfortunately many lost them due to the factories closing down. Our home was not foreclosed on and there were only two owners when I left in 2010. Now there has been three or four owners. Everything was stripped, from the crystal chandelier, to the 1950's glider, to the Gothic mirrors. I know, I went back and had a good cry. Oh well, I guess I knew what I would be leaving. I just wished I would have realized I wouldn't have the stamina I used to keep to turn this house into what I turned my old house into. I can't lay block like I used to, yes, I love me some masonry work, block work. Still trying to complete a 5' wall in the mountains. Tough work for a city girl. I won't quit until I turn this into Philly NEPA. Enjoy your city! Oh yeah, we have our Dad's Connie Mack ball all autographed up with the A's autographs. He used to stop at the stadium when he worked Philly to get all their signatures. I suppose you can guess the ball is dark, the signatures fading but it was part of my dad. Thanks for taking me back to the best days of my life.

[@mariusmatei2946]

@@doloresm7396 why did you leave, and where do you live, now?!

[@ElonMuskBestFriend]

I loved Philly. Born there in 1948 living in Kensington and Rittenhouse Square, we moved out totally in 2002 when crime was rampant with robberies and murders right in front of our home in Philly’s best neighborhood. Now Kensington, once a pristine model of urban living where Irish, Polish, Italian and German immigrants took pride in home ownership, now is a haven for drug zombies who walk aimlessly up and down streets. The America of the 60s is long gone and the new era of riots, looting, destruction and violence has taken hold.

[@bellesque861]

I was born in Philly and left in 1968. I'm amazed that there are so many skipped places that should be in this 1960s video. I think the city hall with William Penn's statue atop is an extraordinary building. What about South Street? And the magnificent Philadelphia Museum of Art which back in the 1960s (and maybe still) has/d an amazing statue of Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, shooting an arrow (Originally at Madison Square Gardons in NYC). You could find her once you climbed the seemingly endless number of outdoor steps that Rocky would later race up, but indoors once you'd gone up those steps too. What about the outdoor Rodin Museum along the Parkway? Not to mention skulling along the Schuylkill River. No mention of Philly steak sandwiches which have gone on to be famous. Or Hoagies. At least scrapple was mentioned. I think American Bandstand was still going strong until about 1964 or so. And the 1960s saw the end of The Artist's Hut and The Gilded Cage and other beatnik clubs, some of which turned into Hippy psychedelic clubs. Still, I appreciate the nostalgia of seeing the city as it was. I've been back a few times over the years to visit family and Philly has changed so much. Department stores gone. Bookbinder's gone (which my great grandmother took me to several times when I was a child, when it was oh-so-glamorous to young me!) These days I've only seen videos of the K&A area of Philly, where fentanyl rules. So very sad how this and so many other cities have declined.

[@WestPhillyNative215]

I agree!

[@DomSharpeXL]

This is a Philadelphia unrecognizable to a person who has lived there is whole life.

[@jipsees1908]

Yes indeed...many many changes

[@mariusmatei2946]

Well, you can say that about The Entire World: the World of the 1960s Is Unrecognizable To The World Of The 2020s (As Had The World Of The Beginning/First Decade Of The 1900s Been To The World Of The 1960s)!!

[@tolfan4438]

Thumbs up who remembers going into Independence Hall and touching the Liberty Bell

[@ohmyblindman]

I got yelled at for taking a picture with my brother-in-law that LOOKED like he was touching it.

[@ruthlessreid9172]

I just visited it and Independance Hall couple years ago (behind glass)

[@alipannell9345]

I touched the liberty bell one time ..i made sure to run my finger in the crack

[@tolfan4438]

@@alipannell9345 didnt we all. Did you fiddle with the screws?

[@alipannell9345]

@@tolfan4438 lol i daydreamed at the screws wondering wtf lol ...i was a little sientist i wondering how the wood at the top gonna last if they keep it out here lol

[@thoramann4259]

Philly here!

[@jamesfarrell1116]

Like a lot of American cities there are two cities in one. Go to north Philadelphia and you are in a very different world. This is a place where senless killings rules the day with soul crushing poverty goes hand in hand. Drugs and gun violence walk side by side with every step. Yes the two Philadelphia's a tale of two cities.

[@thephoenix2176]

Have you been there lately? The area is slowly becoming very expensive. It is less what you state and more like other parts that is drug infested opioids!

[@thomasjamison2050]

I never found North Philly to be all that bad. Strawberry Mansion, IMO, is much worse. And also parts of West Philadelphia, particularly west of U of Penn. But the effects of racism? Sure. All over the place in North Philly.

[@franks.2544]

@@thomasjamison2050 "Racism" hahahaha

[@thomasjamison2050]

@@franks.2544 Racists are the dumbest race of people in the world. They aren't even smart enough to recognize their own racism.

[@davidmccann9811]

Is South and West Philly better than North Philly?

[@sabih21]

Hoping to see just a peek of my neighborhood in one of the '2' cities but they didn't acknowledge Black life in 1965.

[@ikeswp4959]

sabih making up for today that's all they talk about

[@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN]

sabih mitchell Nor in Philadelphia do we try and talk about it today. 😂🤣

[@sabih21]

@@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@chicagoliightsx]

😔 That's sad smh

[@buckbuck9225]

What about wilson goode?

[@MrCjm608]

I loved watching this. I live at present 1 block from the Betsy ross house and really enjoyed the sights...

[@Modeltnick]

Grew up in the suburbs and used to ride the trolley into 69th steer station to catch the EL into downtown! Loved the city! So much to do and so rich in history. One of my favorite sights was the statue near Independence Hall in a park. It’s called “The Signer”. Very inspirational!

[@LiterallyGod]

It’s actually three philadelphias. The new, the old, and the desolation.

[@adamv2]

Must’ve been cool to be able to touch the liberty bell. I think that ended when some guy took a hammer to it in the 90’s. Now you can’t even get within 10 ft of it

[@magpieone9390]

I think you're right.One of my favorite memories is touching the bell during a class trip in second grade and it's the only part of that trip I remember!😆

[@kyngpapi]

adamv2 😂😂😂

[@alipannell9345]

That was in the 80s ..i touched it like three times ..once i stuck gum under the rim thinking that i would find it still there one day lol

[@Sarah.Riedel]

I believe the apartment towers at 0:10 are Parktown which is right next to the Expressway ramp, that was my mom and dad's first apartment together back in 1977 😊

[@irocitZ]

They should have showed all the nice potholes we have here, some of the best in the country.

[@kyngpapi]

irocit z 😂😂😂😂

[@tolfan4438]

The old original bookbinder's. In 1983 I ate there with my girlfriend it was a hundred and forty bucks without the tip. It was worth it

[@bryce6744]

Philly is such an interesting city.

[@bryce6744]

@Club Soda well said Club Soda 👌

[@PeacefulVictorytoTruth]

Very cool.. I was born in N.E. Philly.. and Grew up in South Jersey ... only to comeback in 2000 been here evet since and I wouldn't change it for the world.. As for the 2 cities in one . It feels like 5 cities in one now... I do not know if that is a good thing or not but It is my home. They say when you love here you think of nothing else outside of Philadelphia.... Maybe alot of people call it Myopic, I call it the norm.... I was very entertained.. I went to, "Rittenhouse Academy," For Schooling one Summer... I learned more there than I ever did in My South Jersey School, "Eastern Senior High." And the Scenery was second to none. Back then they still had the clotheslines art that wrapped around Rittenhouse Square... Ahhh... Childhood.. 😏

[@christineflowers9980]

This is the city I remember. Frozen in time. I wish it had never moved on. This was when you could be proud of saying "I'm a Philadelphian."

[@brianpizza1344]

fuck you we got this shit#real philly

[@christineflowers9980]

Brian Pizza we suck. Kenney sucks. Krasner sucks. When the overlords leave we might have hope

[@buckbuck9225]

What you cant now ?? Where ever you are stay there.

[@buckbuck9225]

@@christineflowers9980 who did you wrong bitch?

[@christineflowers9980]

Buck Buck you apparently went to Philly public schools. Poor thing

[@jamesc.1808]

Best city in the world...love it!

[@sabih21]

Absolutely !!! 💘

[@kyngpapi]

Facts 💯

[@jipsees1908]

Indeed it was

[@malvolio01]

Shithole now.

[@mariusmatei2946]

If that "world" is Pennsylvania!

[@wilburmcbride8096]

Good memories. I use to visit family in Philie. It now looks only good downtown while the other parts of the city needs an upgrade.

[@YzBG]

Not true.. it’s a city of neighborhoods. Every city has its good and bad parts.. and many areas of Philly like West Mt Airy, Overbrook farms, WYNNEFIELD and WYNNEFIELD heights, Andorra, Parts of East Falls, Manayunk, the entire upper northeast, East Oak Lane, most of East Mt.Airy, parts of Germantown ( especially off Lincoln Drive) are all very leafy, nice neighborhoods with colonial and federalists style housing.. many of those homes are large single homes. You obliviously don’t know the city well.

[@YzBG]

I forgot Chestnut Hill.. another part of the city that is a great place to live. .. and which has beautiful housing stock

[@oogisboogis]

It is spelled “Philly” but the pronunciation is the same.

[@reasonablespeculation3893]

Also a lot of upgrades as you go North on Broad from Center City. The Divine Lorraine looks like new.

[@chrisp4927]

@@YzBG Agreed. If anything, the city is overall in a better state today than it was in this video.

[@lswain1]

i didn't realize Conshohocken was part of the Main Line. I guess the Inn of The Four Falls was close enough to Gulph Mills.

[@lizkozlowski6167]

I remember touching the liberty bell they were the good ol days

[@melvinhoward2579]

Re

[@alipannell9345]

I ran my finger down the crack

[@tomjones5650]

I Boogie woogied on Sally Starr. And Kissed 💋 Pixanne full on the lips.

[@frankebell2383]

@22:50 narrator says the horse show is held on the "last month of May"? I think he meant the last week? 60 years later and still not edited.

[@FabricePBeland]

Changed a bit since then.

[@LV-sc8fi]

Philly was taken off the ventilator last summer(2020) and died shortly after.Thank you Mayor Kenney and DA Krasner.

[@zazaranger5]

Let 'Em loose Larry and Mayor McBooze

[@jam06477]

I miss touching the Liberty Bell and Susan.

[@vincentvango5338]

If mayor Kenny's 👃 nose is actually 12 inches long... Shouldn't it be considered a foot ???

[@zazaranger5]

Mayor McDrunk

[@xking4780]

This is my city baby

[@xking4780]

True

[@riggerhands4525]

I live in Arizona now but I spent 39 years of my life in Philadelphia. I went back a couple of years ago and it was nothing like I remember. So sad to what has become of the city of brotherly love!

[@JW-uy2on]

What were the differences you noticed?

[@warningsigns4526]

that freak that hypnotized the lobster had a manicure - little ferry

[@sollyparker3947]

How did the blue sky laws affect the night life of philly in the 60's?

[@stephenkane2464]

yea right i was taken back by that, night life non-existent in Philly 1960s? .... uhh...dunno bout that

[@vincentzito3933]

W.C. Fields once said "I visited Philadelphia on a Sunday once and found it closed"...

[@bewwatson2617]

Anne is a doll.

[@italobambino43]

Yes, but, when this was filmed, the Black Population was still around 35%. They made a mistake, it was the Third Largest City, Houston eventually surpassed Philadelphia in 1970, as LA did to Chicago. Besides, what does it matter? You think it was intentionally done to not include Black People? Well, they wanted people to visit the City!

[@soda349]

They? oh you mean poor blacks

[@donsaviano5957]

so da I think yours was

[@georgeaksich9017]

Italians might keep a cleaner street with less trash but I wouldnt say its much cleaner with less crime. More organized maybe but it wasn't exactly unnoticeable. Explains why we didn't see much of real south Philly on this video.

[@kyngpapi]

so da 😂😂😂

[@michaelcap9550]

Hypnotize a lobster? Wait until the ASPCA sees this.

[@irocitZ]

That was pretty stupid, were we really that dumb?

[@kyngpapi]

Michael Cap 😂😂😂

[@jamesangel2288]

Love Rocky 😁

[@rick4electric]

Anyone remember the Aquarium?

[@vincentzito3933]

Aquarama... It wasn't there for very long... I understand it was just in a bad location and did not get the traffic that it anticipated. I remember there being a TV show with a dance theme there for a few years...

[@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN]

rick4electric Built in Camden?

[@wandaperi]

It's actually in Camden, NJ

[@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN]

Katherine Phaye Is there another Camden? I visited the Aquarium shortly after opening.🤣😂

[@vincentzito3933]

The aquarium in Camden came many years after Aquarama which was on I believe 3300 Broad street in Philadelphia... They actually had a weekly dance there at 1 time...

[@chrisallen7911]

I loved the CLASS of Miss VIrginia Riddle's Coming Out party. Such Glamourous Young People in their Tuxedos and Ball Gowns. We have Lost the Historic Past and Glamour not only in Philadelphia but all across the nation.

[@thomasjamison2050]

"unbroken faith" was actually a misspelling. The 'u' was should have been an "o".

[@lesliebilotta8450]

I was on the SHOWBoat!

[@craigfazekas3923]

When white folks abounded & said things like, "why, that's fine..." 😎

[@Pfsif]

WC Fields once won a first place prize of one week in Philadelphia. Second place was two weeks in Philadelphia.

[@John-pp6hv]

He was actually proud of his hometown as he grew up in West Philly.

[@markd1672]

I was on the show boat in the mid 60s. I never forgotten that. Great memories. Now the city is a shit hole. High taxes, and the crime rate is out of control. The expressway is outdated. And the trash that's on the side of the roadway is atrocious. I am not proud of Philadelphia. The politicians ran it in to the ground.

[@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN]

Mark D Remember when Mayor Goode, dropped a bomb on the Africa Movement and burned down 2 City blocks? 😁🤯😂🤣😩💀👊👍🦄😳🧚🍌💩 We need another Frank Rizzo🤣

[@buckbuck9225]

@@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN it was called "move." mellenial.and you don't " remember" it

[@peteradaniel]

Don't black people live in Philadelphia?

[@cdw3088]

Lol

[@BGoody72]

Yes they do. You can have them if you like. Just come on over and get them.

[@dirratt]

The sound of Philadelphia

[@peteradaniel]

dirratt Racial disharmony?

[@JSOMERSETJSOMERSET]

+Club Soda nothing like Philadelphia conversation.. always something negative

[@buckbuck9225]

rittenhouse square isnt at walnut& chestnut

[@stephenkane2464]

lmfao

[@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN]

Buck Buck My mom lived at 18th and Rittenhouse Square.😁

[@tolfan4438]

Don't Walnut and Chestnut run parallel? Or is that the joke that you meant

[@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN]

Buck Buck I used to sit on the benches at Rittenhouse and watch the woman get off of work in there business attire, but always have on high priced running shoes. Never seen it anywhere else.

[@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN]

Buck Buck I miss Philly too. My daughter is almost a Senior at Haverford College so I go back. Moved to Santa Cruz, CA, for 13 1/2 years and then moved to Hawaii for past 17 years.😁👍

[@thomasdudley4558]

City of brotherly love

[@jeffreybussmann3313]

They let all those people touch the bell???

[@alipannell9345]

My teacher used to be like" line up we gonna touch the liberty bell " " i remember a classmate once he licked his hand and touched it i asked why he did that and he was like "fuk the liberty bell" (i was puzzled lol. )

[@jeffreybussmann3313]

@@alipannell9345 yikes

[@alipannell9345]

Lol

[@michaelr1577]

When we were white it wasnt a problem, but diversity diminishes all it touched

[@davidmccann9811]

So can't you touch it anymore?

[@PHL1213]

Back when the city was wealthy.

[@Moonroofmusik]

PHILLY!!

[@shaunrutherford7764]

I'm studying the accents in the Philly area - was the reverend's accent a Main Line one or just an old general Philly one?

[@marcvcivsnoveboracensis]

+Shaun Rutherford It is not a Philadelphia, "Main Line" or even Mid-Atlantic accent in almost any respect whatsoever. That part of the country has never been non-rhotic. The narrator, on the other hand, speaks with a rather typical, if mild, Philadelphia accent.

[@shaunrutherford7764]

The older generations, especially the wealthy from the Main Line, had non-rhotic accents similar to New Yorkers like FDR. That's why I was curious.

[@marcvcivsnoveboracensis]

+Shaun Rutherford I have heard that before, too, but I remain dubious that it was ever actually the case.

[@Pfsif]

He said "Philadel-fria, I know right.

[@joefrugoli4970]

I'm a Philadelphian. That's not a Philly accent . That's a New England Yankee accent

[@mr_free_soul4]

And now become a zombie place unfortunately what a change!

[@moemcgovern7345]

I'm very allergic to shell fish.

[@EDDIELANE]

Oh my god, poor Susan

[@wandaperi]

1:06 - Why does William Penn look like he always supersizes at McDonald's? :P

[@CANEsPappa]

Rittenhouse Square, at Walnut and Chestnut…? Those streets both run east to west and never intersect.

[@josephmatacavage7111]

Where is the Philadelphia Psychiatric Center? I was treated there for 1 month back in 1982.

[@vincentzito3933]

Just walk down any street, we're all fuckin nuts here now....

[@mlynncannon4188]

Joseph Matacavage - wasn’t it next to Women’s Medical Hospital across from the reservoir ?

[@josephmatacavage7111]

@@mlynncannon4188 You might be right.

[@tomjones5650]

Boogie Hatch on Monument n Ford rd.

[@adamschwartz2656]

I grew up in South Philly although I now live in the burbs. I have many many happy memories of my youth spending many happy days with family and friends. In another scenario, I'd move back but like the saying goes, you can never go back home.........again......

[@matthewlapish1107]

Anyone remember the revolution?

[@matthewlapish1107]

If Benny frank is to be believed, the chief cause of rebellion was the inability of the colonies to issue its own currency. The colonies had this power but king George took it away.

[@valeriebarone7957]

What year are you speaking of?

[@StevePhil-qw4ep]

1965

[@michaelkoszowski3716]

Kcabnrut !!! ....kcabnrut !!!!

[@thomasdudley4558]

Mainline is Delco

[@leonguisburg413]

The Main Line is Montgomery County

[@Dablkwid0w2008]

I dont know why they are talking about Main Line...that'd not Philly

[@capricorn1116]

Royal governor?

[@alipannell9345]

If she lets go of the neg rod during the electric demonstration the arc could burn her hands badly you wont be seeing that these days insurance wont cover that if something goes wrong your getting sued (BADLY LOL)

[@johnq.random7360]

Elephant in the room, anyone?

[@xix8165]

somebody summarize this.

[@melvinhoward2579]

No it 7th no u Hi Hi no

[@alipannell9345]

Theres alot of blk history too tho ..dont expect whitey to show our stuff

[@timsanders5779]

Bookbinders was over rated

[@oldsoldier8139]

Do blacks live in Philadelphia! Let's just say the sun is on an extended vacation.....

[@JSOMERSETJSOMERSET]

+Bruce those shitty areas were once beautiful..they tore them up.or is that down!

[@BGoody72]

JSOMERSET994 JSOMERSET994 I know, my mother used to tell me how nice west and north Philadelphia were. That was before black people started to move in and destroy. Those areas are now ruined. Most major cities have suffered that fate. The suburbs are next. HUD has a plan to relocate blacks and other minorities to areas that they regard as too white. It will be like forced busing with moving vans. No white neighborhood will be spared. They already did it in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The crime rate in white areas skyrocketed. HUD was testing the plan there. I assume they past the test. The goal is to make white people suffer.

[@Sennmut]

Ah, the blessings of the Welfare State.

[@ikeswp4959]

Blockbusters ruined Philly

[@Haitiangirl23]

@@BGoody72 yo mama racist

[@francosworld5030]

3 - Philadelphia's - I live Here! Communist City - Do Not Visit!!!! WTF

[@MichaelB-od3xh]

Where are all the criminals and murderers?

[@The508ranger]

Philly from W America’s view only 🤔😠

[@josiahquincy2744]

Fiet lux

[@priscillachapkylo934]

Sadly that nobody cannot get the City's public schools, in education system fallen to of Grace. and now try ever near to touch with hand the liberty beautiful bell might , wells have been existed, of independent 's Hall only allow look at nowadays every since.

[@mapledoodle5516]

Ummmmm, sure, whatever you said.

[@waterheaterservices]

Another city ruined by The Party

[@jamesangel2288]

Very dirty 😂

[@irocitZ]

You're not kidding, we could use a good power washing.

[@jamesangel2288]

@@irocitZ Not all neighborhoods ! I'll be in you city tomorrow 👍

[@irocitZ]

@@jamesangel2288 how'd you make out? Did you get out alive?

[@jamesangel2288]

@@irocitZ I didn't go ! I'm gonna wait until things open up more ! I live on the Jersey side of the tacony ! When I do I let you know !

[@irocitZ]

@@jamesangel2288 right on, I know the area pretty well. I used to work in cherry Hill and Pennsauken. Don't forget to lock your car doors soon as you get over the bridge, haha..

[@capricorn1116]

False

[@supernova2496]

Rent 10 dollars a month

[@wandaperi]

That is about $100 in dollars of 2020

[@birddog3130]

@@wandaperi Rent is closer to a $1000 in 2020. if he moved 6 blocks south,then rent was $5.00 per month,instead of $10... Again location is everything.

[@JW-uy2on]

When?

[@birddog3130]

Pervert Alert @8:45

[@ericb8004]

so fake - where are the real Philadelphians?

[@TheReesesGuy]

#NotMyPhiladelphia