MovieChat Forums > Foxes (1980) Discussion > I miss the old late 1970's Hollywood as ...

I miss the old late 1970's Hollywood as Seen in this Film

posted 14 years ago by Hoohawnaynay
17 replies | jump to latest

I have to say, Hollywood back then was quaint, not yet overbuilt into the ugly tourist trap it is now.

I used to shop in all the bookstores along Hollywood Blvd from 1975 to 79 or so and it was soooo much fun.

Hollywood Blvd today is so UGLY, TACKY and just panders to tourists. Why any tourist wants to see this street now is beyond me. It saddens me when I see a movie like thi snow and remember how unassuming things were back then.

Yes even back then Hollywood Blvd had it's share of weirdos but that made it even more charming. The streets are now crammed with out of towners just gawking at nothing but street vendors dressed up like a really bad Elvis or Michael Jackson. Quite pathetic.

[–] saint-21 14 years ago

Yeah, i hear ya. i was only like 8 or 9 by 1979. but seeing what i do now . life in general everywhere was better in the late 70's for everything...

[–] okc_rn 8 years ago

Saint-21

You lament the era of the late 70's and early 80's. Specifically '79. I was 20 at the time, and just starting adult life then.

In that sense, it was a great time. The economy was not too good, look up "Stagflagation" prices were high and people did not have a lot of optomism at the time. Things like Jimmy Carter's NON reaction to the Iranian hostage crisis, The OPEC oil embargo of a few years before, *beep* cars out of Detroit. . .

But then too, remember we did not have Cell phones, the internet, Mp-3 players, Amazon.com, HD Televisions, CD's, DVD,s Video tape was still quite expensive, Microwaves were just coming into vogue. Cloths were a little funny as we were still recovering from leisure suits. and someone mentioned that tee shirts with stupid expressions were common, was correct.

BUT, It was a great time to be alive, and the last few years before California started to become a overly regulated state. (Think gun control, crackdowns on drag racing and many other things)

There were still drive-in theatres however.

On the whole, I do miss the that time.

[–] sunznc 14 years ago

I agree! Hollywood Blvd used to be interesting and fun. Now it is dull and lifeless and full of cheap lingerie shops. This is what happens when a city decides to pander to the chain stores. They have to "clean up".

[–] Hoohawnaynay 14 years ago

I was 18 in 1979 and roller skating was the big fad. So I go roller skating down Hollywood Blvd one evening and who do I run into? Mr. Fred Rogers from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. I looked like a teenage hustler with my bleached blond hair and micro shorts but I stopped and told him how much I liked his show when I was a kid. I wish I had the look on his face on tape now.

Hollywood was cool back then. I avoid that street now.

[–] sunznc 14 years ago

Back in the 70's and even the mid-80's Hollywood Blvd was considered a freak show. For people living in vapid small towns it was very entertaining.
There were parts of Berkeley that sort of had the same feel.
Now? Dull, depressing, nothing out of the ordinary. Blah.

[–] Miss_Sui_Generis 14 years ago

Yes,Hollywood Blvd has been cleaned up. Could say the same about the Upper Haight,although it is impossible to walk down Haight St. without someone offering... Berkeley is still freaky,if you know where to look.

[–] mamamiasweetpeaches 14 years ago

Now THATS classic!

I have been visiting California from the late 90s on and finally on my last trip there I went to Hollywood Blvd. I think one of the reasons I felt compelled to go was because Ive seen FOXES so many damn times. I didnt see Mary Weirdo- or anybody else cool for that matter.

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[–] Hoohawnaynay 14 years ago

I wish I could remember her real name, I think it was Linda but I am not sure. But she was just like this in real life. Wore alot of makeup, was tall, and I distinctly remember that see through raincoat.

[–] sunznc 14 years ago

Well no. They chased all of those people out in the late 80's, early 90's. All the freaks had to leave.

[–] Hoohawnaynay 14 years ago

Actually for the 1984 Olympics they cleaned up the streets. But these people were harmless and made Hollywood interesting. Unlike today.

[–] YankeeDood 13 years ago

Yeah, I like weirdos and most are safer than politicians are now :)

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[–] MsLadybird99 12 years ago

Same thing with Times Square. It was a playground when I was a kid. Now's it's some gaudy, corporate Disney world I avoid at all cost.

~~
Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing spirit-crushing game shows

[–] Prismark10 10 years ago

Both Times Square and Hollywood Boulevard were regarded as sleazy in the 1970s and 1980s. Its a good job both places have been smartened up and brings in tourist dollars.

Its that man again!!

[–] jondoe888 13 years ago

Mr Rogers was an incredible man, who would talk to and help anyone. A terrific soul! I'm sure he appreciated your words. You likely caught him off guard.

[–] JP2005 13 years ago

Yes, you always hear the most interesting stories about him. His car was once stolen, when the thieves realized it was his they retuned it with an apology on the windshield! "we wouldn't have stolen it if we knew it was yours".

-If you have a job an illegal could steal, it's time to get a better job.-

[–] Sandoz 14 years ago

The weirdos are still around...just wander down Hollywood Blvd closer to Vine and east of there and you'll see plenty of them. Or take a stroll down to Sunset or especially Santa Monica. Just gotta know where to look in Hollywood--the weirdos are still plentiful.

"Forget it, Jake....it's IMDb."

[–] YankeeDood 13 years ago

I fully agree with you. I never lived in 70's Hollywood (a kid from the Bay Area), but I do know it was an awesome time to be a teenager. Now just about every tourist destination is over-commercialized and indeed a tourist trap, especially Disneyland. Today it's just a waste of time and money to visit them.

Miss the old USA Network?
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