1940 San Francisco - GLBT Historical Society

http://www.glbthistory.org
One of gay filmmaker Harold T. O'Neal's earliest films, this is a full-color panorama of San Francisco in 1940.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Harold
• O'Neal
• gay
• filmmaker
• San
• Francisco
• 1940
• glbt
• lgbt

[kd1s]

Fascinating look back at what is now the Gay Mecca. Well actually I think it's lost the spotlight a bit.

I live in a place that is also a gay mecca for the region. Even have an openly gay mayor, as well as the #2 and #3 in the House of Representatives being gay.

It's Providence, RI.

[glbthistory]

Send us some video of Providence. A lovely town, I've enjoyed visiting there.

[pf91rodman]

wow those statue things next to the exploritorium is that old?

[glbthistory]

If they are what I think you're refering to, they're from the 1915 S.F. Exposition. They were part of a large campus of structures, most of which were torn down later.

[1MSR]

GREAT video! The green & cream colors on some of the streetcars and cable cars date the material as being from the late 1940's. Any other clues as to the actual date?

[glbthistory]

We invite you to be a history detective and to visit the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco to examine for yourself the reels from Harold T. O'Neal's remarkable collection. His many films are meticulously dated (he was a technology geek of his day), both on the reels and often (as is the case with this one) with on-screen titles.

[WillowfanPS]

Wow, wonderful!

[LoraineMillie]

@shinesthrudarain The fist color film was the Cupid Angling (1918).

And oh have you not seen Gone with the Wind or the original Wizard of Oz?? yes they were both released in 1939 and was shot in Technicolor.

[SandySummers]

I lived in San Francisco from 1972-1976. It was definitely more beautiful in the 1940's.

[saddledsm]

A 1940 LGBT film. Now that's nice!

[xrayqqq]

Is nice see americans when they were still slim and not overfed...and lot of charming, elegant girls, so classy.

[hedablinka]

This video is great for showing all three of muni's liveries, as displayed on both of its Iron Monster street cars, from the early 20th century. Today, the "F" line has three of those cars, representing both designs and all three liveries as well. We also get to see a grand trip up Market street on a streetcar (Muni) with the inconvenience of the inside Market Street Railway tracks (18" from car to car), and both types of MSR cars, in two liveries--only one of the larger cars exists, today.

[hedablinka]

The Chron published a set of stats a few years ago, saying that 25% of the gay men who move to San Francisco move away within 4 years, those chased down said they found the gay scene in San Francisco inhospitable. No stats were given for other "gay" towns. Of course, some of the rest of us have simply discovered the "straight" neighborhood bars where one can go out and have a great time without looking for, or fending off, someone for the night...

[TomLibby100]

Fascinating film, and thank you so much for sharing this with us. In the scene showing the Bay Bridge, you can see a Key Line train on the lower deck. The cars, fashions and local businesses are all most interesting.

[MerleOberon]

makes me want Rice-A-Roni

[jojobug45]

yes i've seen those movies. I wasn't trying to stir up an argument. I just found it intersting that an amature video would have color from the 1940s--when i was thinking it would be difficult to produce because of the expense. i wasn't alive in the 1940s and about 90% of what i've seen come out of those days were black & white film.