Throwback Thursday Chicago Loop Street Scene Circa 1970

This video of a dubbed 8mm film was posted on youtube as being Chicago 1960’s but judging by the warm weather clothing and the fact that “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” was released in June 1970 likely this was shot around that time.

This is a real throwback for many of us who had an opportunity to spend time in “The Loop” during this era.

For costume or fashion designers, it’s a great chance to observe what people were actually wearing on the street in the work-a-day world and how they were styling their hair.

The street is bustling with a number of “older” women who were obviously shopping but who were also the backbone workers of many of the area businesses.

There is an “L” ride in the first minute that includes passing by the Armitage Avenue stop but most of this is shot around the north end of State Street and along Randolph Street. Look for the Greyhound station, Tad’s Steakhouse and Shopper’s Corner, also a little boy takes a lick of a store window.

Interesting to see the men cautiously eyeing the posters of the X-rated movie houses then standing in line for tickets. Check out the guy with the “shades” counting money in the ticket booth.

Some good glimpses of cars, taxis, and buses, shoeshine boys and newspaper sellers.

Nothing particularly noteworthy but if you like to just watch people and see how much things have changed in the past 50 years this is an interesting moment in time.