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Historic Photos Reveal Times Square’s Transformation During the Great Depression Era, 1930s

The decade following the Stock Market Crash of 1929 was defined by the Great Depression, and Times Square’s character shifted dramatically. The lavish excess of the Roaring Twenties vanished, replaced by a grittier atmosphere where New Yorkers sought cheap distractions from their economic hardships.

Broadway on a Budget

The economic crisis devastated the live theater industry. Many of the grand, legitimate theaters that had thrived in the 1920s went bankrupt and were forced to close. Those that survived had to slash ticket prices to attract audiences. In place of extravagant musical comedies, people flocked to more affordable forms of entertainment.

Movie palaces like the Paramount, Roxy, and Radio City Music Hall (which opened in 1932) became the dominant attractions. For the price of a single ticket, a person could watch a double feature, a newsreel, and a cartoon, escaping into the world of Hollywood glamour for several hours. Penny arcades, cheap diners like the Automat, and grueling dance marathons—where desperate couples danced for days to win prize money—also became popular fixtures of the area.

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The End of Prohibition and the Rise of Burlesque

A major legal change occurred in 1933 with the repeal of Prohibition. Bars and taverns could now operate legally, bringing the sale of alcohol out of hidden speakeasies and into public view. This change contributed to a less exclusive, more raucous nightlife scene.

Many struggling Broadway theaters were converted into burlesque houses, which offered risqué variety shows featuring striptease dancers. The most famous of these was Minsky’s Republic Theatre on 42nd Street. Burlesque became one of the most popular and controversial forms of entertainment in 1930s Times Square, signaling a definitive shift from the high-society glamour of the previous decade to a more low-brow and sensational form of amusement.

A Hub for News and Advertising

Even in hard times, Times Square remained a center for advertising and public information. Enormous, technologically advanced billboards continued to loom over the streets. A famous sign for Camel cigarettes, installed in 1941 but representative of the era’s technology, featured a man who blew giant, perfect smoke rings over the crowd every four seconds.

The electric news zipper on the Times Tower was a crucial source of information for the public. Throughout the decade, crowds gathered to read headlines about the Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, and the rising political tensions in Europe. In September 1939, these crowds stood watching the zipper as it announced the beginning of World War II.

#1 Times Square and Sixth Avenue from Warwick Hotel, night, 1930.

Times Square And Sixth Avenue From Warwick Hotel, Night, 1930.

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#2 New York City, Times Square. Pepsodent sign, 1930.

New York City, Times Square. Pepsodent Sign, 1930.

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#3 Times Square at Dusk — looking South from 46th St., 1930.

Times Square At Dusk -- Looking South From 46Th St., 1930.

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#4 Times Square at night. Traffic, lighted signs and marquees visible, 1930.

Times Square At Night. Traffic, Lighted Signs And Marquees Visible, 1930.

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#7 Times Square looking north from Times Tower, 1935.

Times Square Looking North From Times Tower, 1935.

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#9 People Waiting in Times Square during the Depression.

People Waiting In Times Square During The Depression.

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#14 Street-level view of Times Square, New York City.

Street-Level View Of Times Square, New York City.

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#15 Nighttime view of traffic, vehicular and pedestrian, along with neon-illuminated theater and cinema signs in Times Square, 1920s or 1930s.

Nighttime View Of Traffic, Vehicular And Pedestrian, Along With Neon-Illuminated Theater And Cinema Signs In Times Square, 1920S Or 1930S.

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#16 Winter evening on Times Square and Broadway, early 1930s.

Winter Evening On Times Square And Broadway, Early 1930S.

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#19 Exterior view of the Paramount Building at 1501 Broadway in Times Square, early 1931.

Exterior View Of The Paramount Building At 1501 Broadway In Times Square, Early 1931.

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#20 Pedestrian and street traffic at Times Square, at the intersection of Broadway and 43rd Street, 1932.

Pedestrian And Street Traffic At Times Square, At The Intersection Of Broadway And 43Rd Street, 1932.

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#21 Crowd watches an eclipse of the sun in Times Square, 1932.

Crowd Watches An Eclipse Of The Sun In Times Square, 1932.

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#22 Street crowd at the Astor Theatre for the opening night of the movie Grand Hotel, 1932.

Street Crowd At The Astor Theatre For The Opening Night Of The Movie Grand Hotel, 1932.

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#23 Crowds gathering at Astor Theater for the movie premiere of Grand Hotel, 1932.

Crowds Gathering At Astor Theater For The Movie Premiere Of Grand Hotel, 1932.

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#26 Crowd at the opening night of the movie “Grand Hotel” on Times Square, 1932.

Crowd At The Opening Night Of The Movie &Amp;Quot;Grand Hotel&Amp;Quot; On Times Square, 1932.

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#27 Pedestrians and traffic on a rainy day in Times Square, 1932.

Pedestrians And Traffic On A Rainy Day In Times Square, 1932.

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#28 Times Square at dusk, looking south on Seventh Avenue, 1930s.

Times Square At Dusk, Looking South On Seventh Avenue, 1930S.

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#29 Traffic, including streetcars, in Times Square, July 1930s.

Traffic, Including Streetcars, In Times Square, July 1930S.

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#32 Crowd celebrates Franklin Roosevelt’s election in Times Square, November 1932.

Crowd Celebrates Franklin Roosevelt'S Election In Times Square, November 1932.

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#33 View of an enormous marquee depicting Greta Garbo in ‘Queen Christina’ at the Astor Theater in Times Square, 1933.

View Of An Enormous Marquee Depicting Greta Garbo In 'Queen Christina' At The Astor Theater In Times Square, 1933.

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#36 An empty Times Square during a taxi strike, February 1930s.

An Empty Times Square During A Taxi Strike, February 1930S.

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#37 Broadway looking towards Times Square, February 1934.

Broadway Looking Towards Times Square, February 1934.

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#38 General Outdoor Advertising Company employs jobless individuals in Times Square to create a reminder to write home, August 1930s.

General Outdoor Advertising Company Employs Jobless Individuals In Times Square To Create A Reminder To Write Home, August 1930S.

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#41 Crowd waits in Times Square for New Year’s Eve, 1934-1935.

Crowd Waits In Times Square For New Year'S Eve, 1934-1935.

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#42 Hansom cabs and cars drawn up outside the Alhambra theatre in Leicester Square, London, 1935.

Hansom Cabs And Cars Drawn Up Outside The Alhambra Theatre In Leicester Square, London, 1935.

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#43 View of Times Tower in Times Square, looking south towards 42nd Street, 1935.

View Of Times Tower In Times Square, Looking South Towards 42Nd Street, 1935.

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#45 View of Times Square from the north of Broadway, depicting old New York theater sites.

View Of Times Square From The North Of Broadway, Depicting Old New York Theater Sites.

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#46 Times Square covered in a white blanket during a snowstorm, January 1930s.

Times Square Covered In A White Blanket During A Snowstorm, January 1930S.

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#47 Marquee for the 1936 edition of the Ziegfeld Follies at the Winter Garden Theatre in Times Square, 1936.

Marquee For The 1936 Edition Of The Ziegfeld Follies At The Winter Garden Theatre In Times Square, 1936.

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#48 Streetcars stuck at W. 45th St. in Times Square due to a frozen switch during a snowstorm, January 1936.

Streetcars Stuck At W. 45Th St. In Times Square Due To A Frozen Switch During A Snowstorm, January 1936.

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#49 Two women playing chess in Trafalgar Square, London, during their lunch break, March 1936.

Two Women Playing Chess In Trafalgar Square, London, During Their Lunch Break, March 1936.

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#50 Times Square Broadway 47th Street full of neon signs and marquees at night, 1930s.

Times Square Broadway 47Th Street Full Of Neon Signs And Marquees At Night, 1930S.

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#51 Times Square 46th Street night bus coming down Broadway, 1936.

Times Square 46Th Street Night Bus Coming Down Broadway, 1936.

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#52 Crowds in Times Square celebrate Franklin Roosevelt’s campaign election, November 1936.

Crowds In Times Square Celebrate Franklin Roosevelt'S Campaign Election, November 1936.

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#53 Times Square filled with supporters of Franklin D. Roosevelt on election night, November 1936.

Times Square Filled With Supporters Of Franklin D. Roosevelt On Election Night, November 1936.

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#54 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons in Times Square, November 1936.

Macy'S Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons In Times Square, November 1936.

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#55 Times Square packed with people celebrating New Year’s Eve, December 1936.

Times Square Packed With People Celebrating New Year'S Eve, December 1936.

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#56 General scene looking north on Times Square as crowds welcome 1937.

General Scene Looking North On Times Square As Crowds Welcome 1937.

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#57 General scene looking north on Times Square as crowds welcome 1937.

General Scene Looking North On Times Square As Crowds Welcome 1937.

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#59 View of Times Square at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue, 1937.

View Of Times Square At The Intersection Of Broadway And 7Th Avenue, 1937.

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#60 Exterior view of Minsky’s Burlesque nightclub in Times Square, 1930s.

Exterior View Of Minsky'S Burlesque Nightclub In Times Square, 1930S.

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#62 Crowds attending the unveiling of the Father Duffy statue in Times Square, May 1938.

Crowds Attending The Unveiling Of The Father Duffy Statue In Times Square, May 1938.

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#63 American Legionnaires stall traffic in Times Square during the convention opening, September 1938.

American Legionnaires Stall Traffic In Times Square During The Convention Opening, September 1938.

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#64 Times Square at night is a vision of lights and traffic, November 1930s.

Times Square At Night Is A Vision Of Lights And Traffic, November 1930S.

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#65 View of Times Square at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue, 1938.

View Of Times Square At The Intersection Of Broadway And 7Th Avenue, 1938.

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#66 Overhead view of Times Square during the day, with blurred cars and the New York City skyline, 1938.

Overhead View Of Times Square During The Day, With Blurred Cars And The New York City Skyline, 1938.

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#67 Figures in the Nice Carnival passing through the main square, 1938.

Figures In The Nice Carnival Passing Through The Main Square, 1938.

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#68 High-angle view of Times Square looking north from Broadway and Seventh Avenue at 42nd Street, late 1930s.

High-Angle View Of Times Square Looking North From Broadway And Seventh Avenue At 42Nd Street, Late 1930S.

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#69 Neon signs in Times Square, looking uptown along Broadway and 7th Avenue, 1938.

Neon Signs In Times Square, Looking Uptown Along Broadway And 7Th Avenue, 1938.

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#72 Aerial view of a New Year’s Eve jam in Times Square, 1938.

Aerial View Of A New Year'S Eve Jam In Times Square, 1938.

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#73 Broadway looking north from 44th Street at night, Times Square, 1930s.

Broadway Looking North From 44Th Street At Night, Times Square, 1930S.

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#74 Times Square covered in a white blanket during a snowstorm, November 1930s.

Times Square Covered In A White Blanket During A Snowstorm, November 1930S.

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#75 A police officer uses an emergency telephone in Times Square, 1939.

A Police Officer Uses An Emergency Telephone In Times Square, 1939.

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#77 Celebrators fill Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

Celebrators Fill Times Square On New Year'S Eve.

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#78 Neon lights brighten the Times Square Theater District, 1939.

Neon Lights Brighten The Times Square Theater District, 1939.

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#80 Billboards on Times Square, including an advertisement for Camels cigarettes, 1939.

Billboards On Times Square, Including An Advertisement For Camels Cigarettes, 1939.

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#81 Newsboy holds an extra paper with war declaration news, September 1939.

Newsboy Holds An Extra Paper With War Declaration News, September 1939.

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#82 Times Square with gaudy signs for beverages and movies, 1930s-1940s.

Times Square With Gaudy Signs For Beverages And Movies, 1930S-1940S.

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#83 Crowd in Times Square for New Year’s Eve celebration, December 1939.

Crowd In Times Square For New Year'S Eve Celebration, December 1939.

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#84 Women wave from the marquee of the International Casino at Times Square, December 1939.

Women Wave From The Marquee Of The International Casino At Times Square, December 1939.

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#85 Fiesta “self service” Night Club in Times Square.

Fiesta &Amp;Quot;Self Service&Amp;Quot; Night Club In Times Square.

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#86 Crowd in Times Square for New Year’s Eve celebration, December 1939.

Crowd In Times Square For New Year'S Eve Celebration, December 1939.

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#87 People gather in Times Square to celebrate New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1939.

People Gather In Times Square To Celebrate New Year'S Eve, December 31, 1939.

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#91 Times Square NYC looking north from 46th Street, 1936.

Times Square Nyc Looking North From 46Th Street, 1936.

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#92 Times Square 46th Street night bus coming down Broadway, 1936.

Times Square 46Th Street Night Bus Coming Down Broadway, 1936.

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#93 Times Square Broadway 47th Street full of neon signs and marquees at night, 1936.

Times Square Broadway 47Th Street Full Of Neon Signs And Marquees At Night, 1936.

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#94 Duffy Square part of Times Square with gaudy signs, 1930s

Duffy Square Part Of Times Square With Gaudy Signs, 1930S

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#95 Movie marquee for the 1936 edition of the Ziegfeld Follies at the Winter Garden Theatre in Times Square, 1936.

Movie Marquee For The 1936 Edition Of The Ziegfeld Follies At The Winter Garden Theatre In Times Square, 1936.

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#96 Times Square looking north from Times Tower, 1935.

Times Square Looking North From Times Tower, 1935.

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#97 Overhead view of Times Square lit up at night with cars lining curbs, 1930.

Overhead View Of Times Square Lit Up At Night With Cars Lining Curbs, 1930.

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#98 View of Times Square in New York City at night, 1932.

View Of Times Square In New York City At Night, 1932.

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Written by Adriana Palmer

Blogger, Editor and Environmentalist. A writer by day and an enthusiastic reader by night. Following the Jim Roh's prophecy “Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.”

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