This 1937 travelogue of Olvera St is as cheesy as an enchilada and fun to watch. Photographed in Kodak's VeriColor, it guides you, the traveler, through the heart of the city. While I got through the commentary that reflects the time's attitude toward Latinos and women with only a smirk, the 2:34 mark has a disarming mark on the wall I am puzzled by. Take a look.
Still, as the narrator might say, "it's a souvenir" from the past. Those of you who take part in L.A. urban changes will be interested to see the plaza's circle former function as an actual street.
The swastika was a good luck symbol in many circles up until WWII.
Posted by: Nate | July 18, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Dude, those awnings are so GAY!
Posted by: Scott Mercer | July 18, 2008 at 11:45 PM
"Soft speaking olive skinned guides, languid in business", I think he was talking about me!
Posted by: EL CHAVO! | July 19, 2008 at 01:16 AM
The swastika had (and still has) countless meanings around the world, many more than what we think of currently in the US as a neo-nazi symbol.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika
Also, it's really interesting to hear the older English pronunciation of Los Angeles as "Loce Angle-ease" instead of the current "Loss Ann-gel-ous". I wonder when the transition took place...
Posted by: Sameer | July 19, 2008 at 07:20 PM