Third Avenue El (1950)

★★★★★ · WOW, What a Ride!!! · transitfan · 2005-08-28

This film takes a few viewings to fully appreciate all of the work that went in to creating it. Not only is it fascinating for capturing elements of a bygone era, particularly the el in Manhattan and the Bronx, but it is also captivating in how it presents the story. With only a single dime to link "the day in the life" stories of the EL train together, this lovely vignette takes us briefly into the lives of its riders, the photographer, drifter, little girl and her guardian, and the young couple. The music really does work well, giving a frenetic pace on par with the demanding duties of the…

★★★★★ · Third Avenue El · dan b · 2003-10-08

This movie is so wonderful it made me feel like I've rode the 3rd ave el in a previous life. The scenes of the train twisting through the factories and apartments are stunning. It seems as if someone in their kitchen could have handed a sandwich to one of the passengers! The plot is delightful, centered around a single coin on the floor of the car. We see real life scenes of the Bronx, Bowery st., clothes lines strewn ala The Honeymooners and much more New York 1953. The music is the perfect companion to these incredible images. My wife and I sat in awe as this movie unfolded before us. What…

★★★★★ · stunning · AliceTeeple · 2004-02-16

Even though it's been gone for 50 years, the Third Avenue El still exists on this treasure of a film. It really felt as if we were right there along with the hobo, the young man, and the little girl. Beautiful shots, interesting plot context woven in there, and a lovely memento to something that obviously meant a lot to the filmmaker. Kudos to the Luke Wilson lookalike and the stuck quarter.

★★★★★ · Rolling, Rolling, Rolling. · Umass_Kid · 2004-01-29

The shots of NYC are worth watching alone! Vintage trains, Historic Landmarks And great architecture Sum the Flick up well. WouldnÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂt it be great to be able to ride by other peopleÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs window and get a Sneak Peek? This was a well-edited film with great camera shots, Montages, and Photographic tricks. A must see for any Graphic Artists. Oh what I would give to have been able to experience this first hand.

★★★★★ · Stepping Back · kingacres · 2005-07-15

This film is an exquisite gem! Simple, elemental and complete, it is a moving salute to a now vanished era. It's also very personal since I rode the "El" many times as a kid. In fact, I used to commute to Stuyvesant HS from Yorkville every weekday. How I loved standing next to the motorman's compartment, looking out the window of the door at the onrushing tracks, passing trains, and the always spectacular skyline of the city. I recall the announcement to tear it down as well as the "promise" to replace it with a Second Ave subway. That never happened of course and I have often wondered if…

★★★★★ · Live There · 38&3RD · 2007-04-09

I was 9 when the el was torn down. I lived on 38 & 3rd. When it went so did most of the people that lived there for most of their lives be they a child like me or a grandparent that had been there since birth or coming from the old country, wherever that my be. I will share this film with my children and their children. Thank you.