1940s RCA TV billboard in LA

[old_tv_nut]

Movie of drive through 1940s Los Angeles shows billboard for RCA TV, at 4:32:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er4ab2RzaEo&t=197s

[dishdude]

Cool video.

[Sandy G]

LOVED seeing the Cars in their then "Natural" habitat, & how they really looked & worked... To me, there's something sorta "Unnatural" about an over-restored Model A or '55 Chevy driving around...

[Eric H]

The Billboard must be from late 1946, you can see a 721TS and there are an Elephant and a Donkey having a boxing match on the left side.

[old_tv_nut]

First commercial station in LA: KTLA, channel 5, January 1947, so this is probably 1948 with the presidential election approaching.

[jr_tech]

I was surprised that I did not see any TV antennas on the apartment buildings.


jr

[old_tv_nut]

Originally Posted by jr_tech

I was surprised that I did not see any TV antennas on the apartment buildings.


jr

Interesting point - but maybe you would have more luck if you found a building containing a bar.

[decojoe67]

I saw that cool vid years ago, but never noticed that billboard. It shows a 721TS, which is a 1947 model. Relatively few had TV's at this time, but by 1948 that would change.

I love the look of that era. I'm reminded of '40's Film Noir movies watching it.
Notice the pace is so much slower. Everything is just naturally aged too. No litter, graffiti, or vandalism. People are dressed civilized. Men look like men and woman like woman. Do that same ride today and everything is opposite. We've come a long way - hmmmm.

[Sandy G]

I've never understood how people STOOD walking around in "Sunday-Go-To-Meetin'" clothes like that in summertime. NOTHING much was air conditioned, few buildings, virtually NO cars--Sheesh...Women could at least get away w/maybe somewhat "Lower cut tops", but for guys, it was pretty much a regulation jacket & tie...

[old_tv_nut]

Originally Posted by Sandy G

I've never understood how people STOOD walking around in "Sunday-Go-To-Meetin'" clothes like that in summertime. NOTHING much was air conditioned, few buildings, virtually NO cars--Sheesh...Women could at least get away w/maybe somewhat "Lower cut tops", but for guys, it was pretty much a regulation jacket & tie...

I remember movie theaters propping one front door open to blow cool air out on the sidewalk and lure people in - they all had signs touting how cool it was inside.

[Eric H]

Someone on Prelinger said this was a Process shot used for rear projection in a scene where the actors are in a car. They claimed the movie is Shockproof from 1949 (which would verify old tv nut's 1948 claim) I'm going to watch it tonight and see if it's true.

[decojoe67]

Originally Posted by Sandy G

I've never understood how people STOOD walking around in "Sunday-Go-To-Meetin'" clothes like that in summertime. NOTHING much was air conditioned, few buildings, virtually NO cars--Sheesh...Women could at least get away w/maybe somewhat "Lower cut tops", but for guys, it was pretty much a regulation jacket & tie...

People at that time might've been a little uncomfortable, but wanting to look dignified out-weighed their discomfort. Society had moral compasses in them at that time and also something that doesn't exist today - strength of character. Nowadays go visit a downtown LA resident in their sidewalk tent - just watch what you step in on the way there - and being fluent in drug-induced slurred speech is a plus. Yes, America is SO MUCH better now. We should be very proud.

[WISCOJIM]

Originally Posted by Eric H

They claimed the movie is Shockproof from 1949 (which would verify old tv nut's 1948 claim) I'm going to watch it tonight and see if it's true.

Have you found a good video of this online? The one I found on YouTube is so severely cropped that even the faces are missing from most scenes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bbM450NNjE



.

[Eric H]

Originally Posted by WISCOJIM

Have you found a good video of this online? The one I found on YouTube is so severely cropped that even the faces are missing from most scenes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bbM450NNjE


.

I have it on DVD, started watching it last night and it is used as background for a car trip.

I'll try to post some screen shots if I can.

[Eric H]

I was able to snag these off the screen, the beginning of the film is the beginning of the ride, it's on the steep hill, later you can spot the same car seen in the footage behind them.