It’s the most wonderful tour of the year

Posted on November 21, 2011 by skyvuesbl

We have big news here at Avenues and Alleys: We’re pleased to announce that we’re launching a new walking tour, the Christmas Tour.

On this 90-minute walk, we’ll visit the sites and share the stories that have made New York the Christmas Capitol of America. This tour includes a look at Rockefeller Center’s legendary Christmas tree, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and a string of gorgeous holiday window displays. We’ll also discuss New York’s iconic contributions to the holidays as they’re celebrated today, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, and even Santa Claus himself.

This is a tour that will definitely give you that holiday spirit. But hurry—this seasonal tour is only running through Dec. 22, so book now!

A don’t-miss classic from Blighty

Posted on November 18, 2011 by skyvuesbl

A scene from The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp If you live in NYC or have plans to be here in the next two weeks, you owe it to yourself to pay a visit to Film Forum for a screening of the fully restored Technicolor marvel The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp.

Blimp, which stars Deborah Kerr and Roger Livesey, ranks as one of the best pictures ever turned out by the team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and given the stellar lineup of movies they were responsible for—The Red Shoes, Black Narcissus, A Matter of Life and Death, among many others—that’s saying something.

In fact, it’s one of the greatest pictures ever made in Great Britain. Film critic Andrew Sarris wrote of the picture, “When I first saw the badly butchered American release version of Colonel Blimp more than 40 years ago, I never imagined I’d live to see the day when I would have the effrontery to write that I preferred it to Citizen Kane.”

We’d hate to have to choose between Blimp and Kane, but you get the point. Blimp is a must-see.

Long time passing

Posted on November 17, 2011 by skyvuesbl

We thought you might enjoy Edible Manhattan‘s look back at the Automat; we did.

One of our great regrets is that we can’t take our tour guests for a spin through an Automat.

Alas, the last one closed in 1991.

But they remain alive in our memory. There were two or three remaining when we arrived in New York in 1982, and we managed to grab lunch at one (though just once, to our undying regret).

By the time of our visit, the Automats were pretty dismal spots, attracting more destitute unfortunates than working Joes and Jills. We don’t recall much about the food we ate that day, which leads us to believe it must have been fine, if unexceptionable (surely we’d recall if it had been truly objectionable).

Still, we can proudly state that we once ate at an Automat, something that many tens of thousands of newer New Yorkers, not to mention the tourists who flock to our great city by the millions, are unable to claim, so that’s of small comfort.

Silents are golden

Posted on November 14, 2011 by skyvuesbl

If you’re going to be in NYC anytime over the next thirteen weeks, be sure to set your Monday evenings aside for a special treat.

Every Monday evening through February 6, Film Forum, NYC’s terrific repertory theatre, is featuring an acclaimed silent movie from the MGM vaults. The festival opens tonight with the King Vidor classic The Crowd, to be followed by Ben-Hur, Greta Garbo in Flesh and the Devil, Lillian Gish in The Wind, and other not-to-be-missed classics.

If you’ve never seen a silent picture in a theatre with live musical accompaniment, well, take it from us—you’ve never seen a silent picture.

Visit the Film Forum website for the complete schedule.

A Day of Gratitude

Posted on November 11, 2011 by skyvuesbl

On a stroll up Fifth Avenue this morning, as the preparations were underway for today’s Veterans Day parade, we came across this beaut of a 1938 Packard. The kind gentleman who owns this beautiful car, a proud veteran of the Vietnam War, admired our vintage garb and insisted on taking a picture of us standing by his car.

After chatting a bit about the car (he’s had it 32 years and has done all the restoring of the car himself), we thanked him for his service and for sharing that lovely auto with us and continued on our way.

Here’s to all those who have served in our nation’s armed forces over the years; we truly appreciate your sacrifice and your service.

Pass the stuffing, please

Posted on November 9, 2011 by skyvuesbl

Planning a trip to NYC for Thanksgiving? Man cannot live on floats and giant balloons alone. You’re going to want some turkey and perhaps even some pumpkin pie, no? Don’t fret—the indispensable Manhattan’s User Guide has compiled an extensive list of eateries that will be serving on Thanksgiving; there’s bound to be one near you.

Time flies when you’re having fun

Posted on November 8, 2011 by skyvuesbl

We very much enjoyed this time-lapsed video of our favorite town, and we think you will, too.

Metropolis – A New York City Timelapse from Will Boisture on Vimeo.