Joe's Vault: Christmas past in Seattle
KOMO shot film in the 1950s and '60s, and most if it - especially in the '50s - was silent film shot with fairly portable film cameras. The sound cameras were bulkier, making it harder to move from place to place.
Today we'll see what those silent cameras caught on Christmas Day, 1956: A pretty empty downtown Seattle. We also see dinner being served at Salvation Army Harbor Light.
On Christmas Day, 1957, we see some people eating in a cafeteria. I'm not sure where it is. Does anyone know? After that we see folks being fed at Salvation Army Harbor Light again, as well as the Millionair Club, then we see those down on their luck on the streets downtown.
Then we have a piece of sound film -- an interview with a Mrs. Hill, whose baby was born on Christmas Day. Happy 51st birthday to that child!
It's back to silent film after that on the day after Christmas, 1957. The streets downtown are full of shoppers looking for discounts. Sound familiar?
The fun part of looking at the downtown shots is trying to guess what street you're looking at. The buildings look a lot different these 50+ years later, with just enough clues to help pinpoint where we are.
Have fun trying to guess, and have a safe holiday!