1956 New York Theatre | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

1956 New York Theatre

1956 New York Theatre
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Date picture taken (may be approximate): 
Friday, April 13, 1956
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Hi there,

This has to be early 1960's as the former China Products Store was not there yet.  The ricksaws and the goods tricicles (those red ones behind the ricksaws) began to fade away in the late 1960's.

At least one of those older houses along east bound Hennesy Road survived today and is now occupied by the Korean Cosmetic chain Mioggi.

Best Regards,

T

 

A similar scene from the mid-1960s with the China Products Store and the traffic lights at the junction in operation. I recall the single-decker CMB Buses would turn northbound onto Percival St for the Wanchai Ferry Pier. Daimaru (Dai Yuen), the first Japanese deparment store in Hong Kong, was a well-known landmark in Causeway Bay and established its first store on 4 November, 1960.

1960s Hennessy Rd/Percival Street & New York Cinema

Without the Daimaru sign being visible, perhaps this photo postcard was taken in the late 1950s.  Any suggestions?

Mid-1950s scene near the junction with Percival St prior to the construction of the China Products Store. The No. 11 CMB Bus from Tai Hang Road is waiting to right onto Percival St for the Wanchai Ferry Pier.

1950s Hennessy Rd towards Yee Wo St

Hi there,

If you zoom in, you should be able to see a tall chimney in the place of the Paterson Street residential development.  In the other photo we already see the Diamaru logo there.  So I guess the first photo in this thread should be earlier than 1960.  The same chimney also showed up in the last photo.

Best Regards,

T

The red tricycle in the picture was usually peddled by street hawkers selling ice cream and popsicles. The red compartment in front was packed full of dry ice and used as a fridge to keep the treats ice cold under the hot summer sun.

Hi there,

As far as I could recall those tricycles are basically cargo tricycles.  Ice Cream venders are just one of the common users.  I remember there were also Ice Cream venders on bycycles with a smaller box.  In the 1960's onwards there were also Ice Cream venders on Vespa scooters with a side car storage.  Back in those days local Ice Cream venders seemed to be primarily from Dairy Farm.

Best Regards,

T

You are right. Perhaps as a kid, ice cream vendors on tricycle left the most lasting impression in my mind.

I also remember the entrance of those 4 story prewar buildings on the right of the picture all had some kind of small businesses operating right next to the narrow staircase going upstairs. Vendors selling toys, stationaries, household goods and supplies were common. They would put their merchandise in cargo nettings and hang them above the head level along the pedestrian sidewalk. Others would offer some type of services like letter writing, ironing clothes and so on. Thinking back, it was quite an interesting part of HK history one will never see again.

A recently added duplicate of this was bought by Bruce Deadman while he was in Hong Kong (see https://gwulo.com/atom/31563). He was here in 1957 & 1958, so the photo can't have been taken after then.

I'll keep both copies, as the new one is a little bit sharper, but there are lots of interesting comments here.

I have amended the date. The film "The Ladykillers" was screened at the New York between 13 and 19 April 1956. Some consolidation may be required for the 3 postings of the original postcard. Thanks.