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Stunning Vintage Photos of Times Square in the 1960s

The 1960s was a decade of profound social and cultural change in the United States, and Times Square was a direct reflection of this turbulence. The wholesome, family-friendly atmosphere of the post-war era began to erode, giving way to a grittier and more complex environment.

The End of the Movie Palace Era

The continued rise of television and the migration of middle-class families to the suburbs dealt a severe blow to the grand movie palaces of Times Square. These enormous theaters, which held thousands of seats, could no longer attract large enough audiences to remain profitable.

This decline was symbolized by the demolition of the legendary Roxy Theatre in 1960. Other large cinemas were forced to abandon first-run Hollywood blockbusters, switching their programming to low-budget action films, horror movies, and exploitation films to survive. This change marked the definitive end of the golden age of the movie palace.

Broadway continued to produce major hits during the decade, including long-running musicals like “Hello, Dolly!” (1964) and “Fiddler on the Roof” (1964). However, the theater world was also changing. Towards the end of the decade, the groundbreaking rock musical “Hair” (1968) arrived on Broadway. With its themes of counter-culture, anti-war sentiment, and on-stage nudity, “Hair” mirrored the radical shifts happening on the streets outside. The rise of smaller, more experimental Off-Broadway productions also began to draw creative energy away from the main theater district.

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The Rise of “The Deuce”

As mainstream businesses and tourism declined, a different type of enterprise moved in. The 1960s saw the proliferation of adult bookstores, peep shows, and bars catering to a rougher crowd. This transformation was most visible on 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, a block that earned the notorious nickname “The Deuce.”

Theaters on “The Deuce” became known as grindhouses, specializing in a non-stop rotation of violent and sexually suggestive films. This influx of adult-oriented businesses began the area’s decades-long reputation for seediness and crime, fundamentally altering its public image.

A Center for Protest

Reflecting the social turmoil of the era, Times Square became a prominent stage for public dissent. The U.S. Armed Forces recruiting station, located on a traffic island in the middle of the square, became a focal point for frequent and often large-scale protests against the Vietnam War. The area also served as a gathering point for demonstrations related to the Civil Rights Movement. The square’s role as a place for celebration was increasingly shared with its new identity as a platform for protest.

#1 A night street scene at 47th Street near Times Square, showing the Rivoli cinema, circa 1958.

#2 Jerry Quarry, challenger for the heavyweight title, holds an open-air workout in Times Square in preparation for his fight with Joe Frazier, June 16, 1960.

#4 The Kilgore, Texas band and Snoopy move through Times Square during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, November 27, 1969.

#5 A sign on Times Square reads “War is Over… If you want it. Happy Christmas from John and Yoko,” December 15, 1969.

#6 The Allied Chemical Tower reduced to its steel framework during renovation, circa 1960.

#7 Theater marquees and neon signs lit up at night on Broadway, Times Square, 1960.

#9 Traffic and pedestrians on Broadway between West 47th and West 48th Streets, north of Times Square, 1960.

#10 Theatre actor Eli Ask poses in Times Square, 1960.

#11 Cheers rise from the crowd as the clock strikes twelve in Times Square on New Year’s 1960.

#12 An unidentified veteran stands near the corner of West 43rd street in Times Square, August 1, 1960.

#13 Pedestrians at the intersection of Broadway & 7th Avenue (near West 44th Street), in Times Square, August 1960.

#15 A Presidential campaign banner for John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson hangs above Broadway in Times Square, October 1, 1960.

#16 The ‘Gorgeous Gobbler’ turkey balloon drifts over Times Square during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, November 24, 1960.

#17 Busy intersection of cars, traffic, and pedestrians in Times Square, Broadway and West 45th Street, 1960s.

#19 The Horn And Hardart automat and cafeteria on Times Square at nighttime, circa 1961.

#20 An advertisement for Coppertone sunscreen in Times Square, circa 1961.

#21 Reflections of people and billboards in Times Square, 1961.

#22 Eddie Carmel, an eight-foot-seven, 450-pound man, strolls through Times Square.

#24 Street Scene and Billboards at Night, Times Square, July 1961.

#25 Customers inside Fast food Diner at Night, Times Square, July 1961.

#26 Crowd Outside Booth Theater at Night, New York City, July 1961.

#28 Thanksgiving Day Parade nears Times Square, November 26, 1961.

#29 Majorettes parade in the Thanksgiving Parade near Times Square, November 26, 1961.

#30 Pedestrians walk on 42nd Street between 5th and Madison Avenues, circa 1962.

#31 Anti-nuclear protestors march past the Paramount Theater in Times Square, 1962.

#33 The Elvis Presley film ‘Follow That Dream’ is advertised at a cinema in Times Square, 1962.

#34 A souvenir shop selling hats, t-shirts and badges in Times Square, circa 1962.

#36 Pedestrians and traffic on Times Square, with commercial signs and advertisements on the buildings, 1962.

#37 Street scene in New York, Times Square, circa 1962.

#38 Pedestrians cross Broadway, at the West 46th Street intersection, in Times Square, February 1962.

#39 Photo montage of marquees for “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” and “Walk On The Wild Side” in Times Square, March 1962.

#40 Bright lights and neon signs of Times Square, March 1962.

#41 Ed Sullivan is interviewed in Times Square, June 22, 1962.

#42 The ‘Donald Duck’ balloon takes a bow in Times Square during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

#43 Times Square at the crossroads of Broadway and 7th Avenue, 1963.

#44 Vehicles and pedestrians create gridlock on Seventh Avenue in Times Square, January 1, 1963.

#45 Cars driving on Broadway at Times Square, with commercial signs and theatre marquees advertising films, 1963.

#46 Radio broadcaster Long John Nebel standing in Times Square, 1963.

#47 Actor Tony Randall and a model in Times Square, 1963.

#48 A construction crew sets up a March Of Dimes mock birthday cake in Times Square, January 1, 1963.

#49 Exterior shot of the Criterion Theater marquee featuring Lawrence Of Arabia in Times Square, June 1, 1963.

#50 Exterior shot of the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum on 42nd Street in Times Square, June 1, 1963.

#51 Two men wait to cross the street at the intersection of West 43rd Street and Broadway in Times Square, June 1, 1963.

#56 Night time view, north along Broadway, of Times Square, February 21, 1964.

#57 A street scene with a man sitting in front smoking, 1964.

#58 A street scene with cars and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, showing the Metropole cafe, 1964.

#59 A street scene with cars, buses and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, showing movie theatres and a woman with a paper bag, 1964.

#60 A street scene with cars and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, with the Metropole cafe in focus, 1964.

#61 A street scene with cars and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, showing movie theatres and an elderly man feeding pigeons, 1964.

#62 A street scene on Broadway in Times Square, 1964.

#63 A street scene with cars, buses and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, 1964.

#64 A street scene on Broadway in Times Square, showing the sign outside the movie theatre promoting ‘Stolen Hours’, 1964.

#65 A street scene with cars, buses and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, showing movie theatres, 1964.

#66 A street scene in front of a church entrance with cars, taxis and a bus in Times Square, 1964.

#67 A policeman directs traffic in front of the neon billboards of Times Square, circa 1965.

#68 High-angle view of Times Square facing south at dusk, 1965.

#69 Cooks broil steaks on charcoal pits at Tad’s Steak House in Times Square, 1965.

#73 A criminal suspect in handcuffs is escorted to the Police Station near Times Square, 1965.

#74 Junkies in front of a Howard Johnson’s Restaurant in Times Square, 1965.

#75 The Criterion Theater on Times Square, with Bond Clothes behind, circa 1965. The movie showing is ‘My Fair Lady’.

#76 Illuminated signs “Viva Bardot, Viva Moreau, Viva Maria” in Times Square, 1965.

#77 People protest by One Times Square and the Astor Hotel against war and atom bomb testing in the US and Russia, circa 1965.

#78 People protest in Times Square against war and atom bomb testing in the US and Russia, circa 1965.

#79 People sitting at pinball machines in an amusement arcade in Times Square, circa 1965.

#80 Anti-Communist protestors march past the Paramount Theater in Times Square, 1965.

#83 Exterior shot of the Palace Theater on Broadway in Times Square featuring the musical Sweet Charity, March 1, 1966.

#84 Travelers in the rain on Forty Second Street in Times Square, September 21, where 5.54 inches of rain were recorded.

#85 Weapons of all varieties are found at Kaufman’s Surplus and Arms Store in New York’s Times Square district.

#88 Times Square photographed from the Allied Chemical building.

#89 A white-gloved policeman directs traffic at 7th Avenue and 42nd Street in Times Square, 1967.

#90 View of 42nd street at Times Square with marquees above cinemas advertising Hollywood and pornographic films, April 1967.

#91 A young man chats to a young girl as they walk down 42nd street and Eighth avenue in Times Square, January 1, 1967.

#92 An elderly man wearing a billboard for a local restaurant stands next to a pay telephone near Times Square, January 1, 1967.

#93 A man leans against a garbage can in the theater district on 42nd street in Times Square, January 1, 1967.

#94 A mom and pop electronics store in Times Square prepares to go out of business, January 1, 1967.

#95 Times Square area with souvenir shops, movie theaters, and book stores, showing a marquee advertising erotic films.

#96 Times Square area with souvenir shops, movie theaters, and book stores, showing a marquee advertising a double bill.

#99 Two young women, wearing colorful, striped dresses, wait to cross the street in Times Square, June 1, 1967.

#100 Wet street and neon lights at night in Times Square, 1960s circa 1967.

#101 A young boy shines shoes as he reads the papers on Seventh avenue in front of the Sheraton hotel in Times Square, June 1, 1967.

#102 Two teenage girls dressed in 1960s fashion prepare to cross 42nd street in Times Square, June 1, 1967.

#103 A delicatessen owner taking a break, stands outside his store in Times Square, June 1, 1967.

#104 A man holding a passport photos sign advertising a local small business, stands on a street corner near Times Square, June 1, 1967.

#105 Street scene in Times Square, showing people crossing the street.

#106 An advertisement for Camel cigarettes featuring Roger Maris, in Times Square, circa 1962.

#107 Huge movie billboard for Irma La Douce hangs over Seventh Avenue in Times Square, June 1, 1963.

#109 Exterior night time view of the Hippodrome Theatre in London, converted to The Talk of the Town nightclub, 1965.

#110 The Allied Chemical building in Times Square, December 10, 1965.

#111 High-angle view of the Allied Chemicals building illuminated as evening falls over Times Square, December 10, 1965.

#113 Times Square at night on Broadway at 45th Street, 1966.

#114 Billboard for the John Huston movie “The Bible” in Times Square, September 1966.

#115 Pedestrians walk past the Criterion Theater on Broadway in Times Square, where ‘My Fair Lady’ is advertised, March 1966.

#116 View, from behind, of the Statue of George M Cohan in Duffy Square at the intersection of Broadway and West 46th Street, March 1966.

#117 Pedestrians cross Seventh avenue and 47th street near the Edison hotel and Forum movie theater in Times Square, June 1, 1967.

#118 View looking down 47th street near Broadway in Times Square of the Steuben Tavern, and local mom and pop small businesses, June 1, 1967.

#119 A man stares intensely as he follows a young woman walking a few steps ahead of him in Times Square, June 1, 1967.

#120 A man wearing a billboard advertisement reads the news paper on 42nd street in Times Square, June 1, 1967.

#122 Three construction workers take a cigarette break on Broadway in Times Square, July 1967.

#123 View, looking south, of pedestrians on Broadway (near West 46th Street) in Times Square, July 1967.

#124 Night time view of neon signs illuminating Times Square as cars and pedestrians cross the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue, August 1967.

#125 A female newspaper vendor stands in front of a news stand in Times Square, September 1, 1967.

#126 View of a young man looking at the camera as he stands next to his bicycle at the southwest corner of 7th Avenue (at West 42nd Street) in Times Square, October 1967.

#127 View of businesses on the corner of Broadway (at West 42nd Street) in Times Square, October 1967.

#128 High angle view of illuminated buildings near Times Square, November 24, 1967.

#129 View of businesses on the Northwest corner of 7th Avenue and 42nd Street in Times Square, December 1, 1967.

#130 Cinema-goers line up outside the Victoria Theatre on Broadway in Times Square, December 1, 1967.

#132 Crowd waiting for the Times Square, New Year’s Eve Celebration.

#133 Nighttime view of 42nd Street in the rain with illuminated theater marquees and neon signs, Time Square.

#134 Actress Linda Hayden on a bench in Times Square, 1969.

#136 Pedestrians traffic Times Square West 45th Street and Broadway, 1960s.

#137 Intersection of Broadway and 45th Streets at Times Square with pedestrians, cars, taxis, 1962.

#138 Evening time at Times Square, showing neon lights of cinemas and theatres, 1963.

#139 Street scene with cars and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, showing the Metropole cafe, 1964.

#140 Street scene in front of a church entrance with cars, taxis and a bus in Times Square, 1964.

#141 Street scene with cars and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, showing the movie theatre promoting ‘Stolen Hours’, 1964.

#142 Street scene with cars and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, showing movie theatres and an elderly man feeding pigeons, 1964.

#143 Street scene with cars, buses and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, showing movie theatres, 1964.

#144 Street scene with a man sitting in front smoking, 1964.

#145 Street scene with cars, buses and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, 1964.

#146 Street scene on Broadway in Times Square, showing the sign outside the movie theatre promoting ‘Stolen Hours’, 1964.

#148 Street scene with cars, buses and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, 1964.

#149 Street scene with cars, buses and taxis driving on Broadway in Times Square, showing movie theatres and a woman with a paper bag, 1964.

#150 Evening time at Broadway, mid-town Manhattan, showing the neon lights of cinemas, theatres, shops and bars in Times Square, 1965.

#151 Times Square at night on Broadway at 45th Street, 1966.

#155 Two older women with pearl necklaces on the New York Times Square.

Written by Frederick Victor

I've been a history writer for a while. I love to explore historical sites because they connect us to our past. They make us feel like we are part of something much bigger.

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