This short subject shows the excavation under way for Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan, for more than half a century one of the great pieces of public architecture in New York. Then they tore it down to put up what Russell Baker called 'a bus station with trains.' After that they put up photos of the old station. What were they saying? "We were dopes to tear this down" or possibly "If we tore down this, think what we'll do to you." Well, that was the 1960s, for you.
In the meantime, there is this picture from 1905. It's not exciting today, but it was ambitious at the time, being done, as it was, as a 180 degree pan shot. Quite an accomplishment. It is also interesting because it was shot by Billy Bitzer, who in a few years would become D.W. Griffith's cameraman.
In the meantime, there is this picture from 1905. It's not exciting today, but it was ambitious at the time, being done, as it was, as a 180 degree pan shot. Quite an accomplishment. It is also interesting because it was shot by Billy Bitzer, who in a few years would become D.W. Griffith's cameraman.
