Happy Birthday Chrysler Building

NY Times ^ | April 22, 2005 | James Stephenson

[M. Espinola]

Another trip down memory lane.

Source

[speedy]

Heh heh. I know in the early days of movie-making, they used to make cowboy films in New Jersey. Actually, though, some of that land north of the GWB is still open along the palisades, although nothing like in that photo. And I guess Palisades Park hadn't been constructed yet!!

[speedy]

Great!! I feel as if I'm in a "Thin Man" movie or a Cagney gangster flick!!

[Amalie]

A great structure; in the extensive Chrylser biography done a couple of years, the whole story of the building and its structural design is given. It is well worth the read if you can find a copy. Also, I am almost certain the tools are now at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Mich.; they were there the last time I was up. Many of them were actually designed and made by Chrysler himself for his railroad work.

After his railroad work, Chrysler made his fortune working with Billy Durant at Buick, then helped turn around a couple of ailing auto builders before consolidating the pieces for the new Chrysler Corporation in 1924; Dodge came on board shortly after. He was the last of the era of pioneer automotive giants, and was well-known as a hands-on guy who could do just about any job his men at the plant could.

[the invisib1e hand]

that's a great

little graphic! It would be so much easier to avoid the NYT altogether if they never ran stuff like that.

[the invisib1e hand]

don't I see that marvelous facade when I'm glancing up Broadway from Wall on a clear day?

***

"Architects dressing up like their buildings..." I laughed inside until I thought of the Twins -- first it was a cute thought, then it was melancholy. Then it began to piss me off and give me renewed reslove for everything that standing against deathwishers and America haters (synonymous) is all about.

[Miss Behave]

Pharmboy, thank you for posting this. The Chrysler Building is my most VERY favorite skyscraper. It is STUNNING in any light...day or night...a superbly magestic work of art.

Happy Birthday, Tall Beautiful Lady.

[Miss Behave]

Grand pic. Thank you fieldmarshalj.

[Miss Behave]

Beauty abounds....

[M. Espinola]

Can you believe the admission price?!

[Miss Behave]

My heart jumped when I scrolled upon your pic. :-)

[Miss Behave]

Your third pic. Stunning. Thanks for it.

[GVnana]

Still the most beautiful skyscraper ever constructed.

[M. Espinola]

Actor Jimmy Cagney examines a photo transmitter in The Associated Press wirephoto room, New York City, June 15th, 1938. (Photo: AP)

'Asta' used to steal the show

[M. Espinola]

The 40 Wall Street to the south-west from Maiden Lane. On the right the Chase Manhattan Bank.

[speedy]

Yeah, I'd happily pay a dime to go to Palisades Park!! Man, do you have the pics or what?! How I miss living in NYC -- and I can hardly imagine an evening more fun than hanging out with Nick and Nora and Asta. Unless it would be going to Toots Shor's with Babe Ruth. Or being at the opening of "Golddiggers of 1933."

[Pharmboy]

Nice word pictures Leni...I could see it all.

[M. Espinola]

You really understand the pulse of The City. Check out the front of the Chanin Building, built in 1929, a 56 story, another fine Art Deco building, at 122 E 42nd St.

The Chanin Building lower facade, showing the incised friezes.

Full view

Early Promo Poster

[Pharmboy]

Great photo--thanks.

That area of NJ just north of the GW Bridge still looks pretty much the same, other than the addition of the Palisades Parkway.

[WestCoastGal]

Wow, great pics.

Beautiful building, the first thing I always notice about a city is the skyline and skyscrapers.