#West 42nd Street

[rabbitcruiser]

McDonald’s Day 

McDonald’s Day falls on April 15, the anniversary day of when Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1955. Most, if not all, people around the world know this name, we believe. It’s one of the world’s largest fast-food restaurant chains. Did you know that Ray Kroc was not the founder of McDonald’s? The founders were the McDonald brothers. The current corporation credits its founding to Ray Kroc. So, let’s celebrate this McDonald’s Day in honor of Kroc as well as the restaurant founders, the McDonald brothers.

HISTORY OF MCDONALD'S DAY

The very first McDonald’s restaurant was opened by New Hampshire brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald on May 15, 1940, in San Bernardino, California. The McDonald brothers started by serving slow-cooked barbecue, and the business took off quickly. They later found out that 80% of their sales were from hamburgers, so they closed it for three months. They then remodeled it as a self-service restaurant, where customers placed their orders at the windows. It is said that they simplified their menu to just nine: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, three flavors of soft drink, milk, coffee, potato chips, and pie.

The McDonald’s brothers developed the “Speedee Service System,” allowing them to prepare the food quickly. All their hamburgers contained ketchup, mustard, onions, and two pickles. Although this newly remodeled McDonald’s struggled at first, once the brothers replaced potato chips with french fries and introduced triple thick milkshakes, the business started to grow again. In the early 1950s, they saw their profits double. They then established several franchises in California and Arizona. Ray Kroc, a milkshake mixer salesman, visited them in 1954, wondering why McDonald’s would order eight of his multimixers.

Once Kroc knew about McDonald’s restaurant operation, he saw potential in it. He then bought the rights to franchise the brothers’ restaurant across the country. He opened his first McDonald’s franchised restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1955. But, their relationship was contentious due to philosophies that differ on how to run the business. Kroc later purchased the company from the McDonald brothers in 1961. The brothers who lent their name to the business and were pioneers of the business concept gradually faded to the background. They kept their original San Bernardino restaurant until they were out of business eventually.

MCDONALD'S DAY TIMELINE

1940

The First McDonald’s

The first McDonald’s restaurant is opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California.

Early 1950s

Doubled Business Profits

McDonald’s profits double, and the brothers establish several franchises.

1955

The First Ray Kroc’s McDonald’s

Kroc opens his first McDonald’s franchised restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois.

1961

The Business is Sold

Kroc purchases the McDonald’s company.

MCDONALD'S DAY FAQS

How much is McDonald's worth in 2021?

Reportedly, McDonald’s has a net worth of 36.53 billion U.S.D.

What nationality is McDonald?

It’s Scottish, and McDonald is probably the most famous Scottish clan surname.

How rich is the owner of McDonald's?

Chris Kempczinski is reportedly paid 5.22 million U.S.D. annually as the C.E.O. of McDonald’s, with a net worth of 17.9 million U.S.D.

MCDONALD'S DAY ACTIVITIES

Go to McDonald’s: There’s nothing better than going to its restaurant on its day. Order some Chicken McNuggets for a starter. Then continue with the well-known Big Mac along with the World Famous Fries. To finish up, get Coca-Cola and a Vanilla Cone, or McFlurry, or Hot Fudge Sundae.

Spread the word: Tell your family and friends about this fun day in case you want some company. You can order through McDelivery and enjoy the food and drinks together at home. Or, you may want to bring them to McDonald’s and dine in.

Watch “The Founder”: If you’re home alone, you may want to watch the movie “The Founder.” Watch the story about the famous McDonald’s while you’re munching your Double Cheeseburger and McChicken along with the World Famous Fries.

5 FACTS ABOUT MCDONALD’S HAMBURGERS YOU NEED TO KNOW

The burger cost only 15 cents: In the beginning, a McDonald’s burger cost only 15 cents.

Billions of burgers have been sold: It is estimated that billions and billions of McDonald’s burgers have been sold.

A Big Mac was once 45 cents: The first Big Mac was created in 1967 and cost only 45 cents.

It can be a source of protein: It is said that a McDonald’s hamburger contains 25% of your daily value of protein.

Happy Meals were first introduced in 1979: McDonald’s launched its first Happy Meal worldwide in 1979, and in 2021, McDonald’s announced that Happy Meal’s plastic toys would be phased out.

WHY WE LOVE MCDONALD'S DAY

It’s convenient: McDonald’s can always be an option when you don’t have any idea where to go to eat. They’re everywhere, you know.

It’s affordable: McDonald’s food and drinks are affordable. Not only that, but they are also delicious. They’re worth buying.

It can be a nice place to hang out: If you’re going to hang out with your friends for hours, McDonald’s has got you covered. Sure, they have many selections of food and drinks. Besides that, most of them have spacious dining-in.

Source

[wanderingnewyork]

Looking eastward along West 42nd Street from 10th Avenue, #Manhattan.

[princesscatherineblog]

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attending the opening night of '42nd Street' at the Theatre Royal on April 4, 2017 in London, England. 

[oldnewyorklandia]

Hans-Peter Bärtschi. New York, Bus Station, rush hours 8:00h, 42nd Street West, 7/1984.

[nickdewolfarchive]

new york city summer 1978

street life corner of 5th avenue & west 42nd street

photograph by nick dewolf https://www.flickr.com/photos/dboo/50563901932

[newyorkthegoldenage]

42nd Street looking west, 1925.

Photo: NY Daily News

[more-than-tender-curiosity]

bear with me here.

The day 'late in July' that Nick and Jay go to lunch together, they don't drive straight to lunch. Nick says he MEETS Jay at the speakeasy at noon.

They left the house at nine. It would've taken them about an hour and a half or so to get to 42nd street from king's point (the real west egg), accounting for the lower speed of gatsby's car BUT the lesser traffic.

So like....if there's three hours between leaving west egg and meeting jay for lunch, and nick really IS meeting jay for lunch instead of driving straight up to the speakeasy with him, what the fuck was he doing for that extra hour and a half?

bear with me.

so, if nick works in the financial district, he's about a 20 minute taxi ride away from 42nd street in Brooklyn. likely a little more given the speed of the cars and the traffic. about half an hour. so, hypothetically this would mean that nick left the house at nine with jay, had jay drop him off around 10:30, worked for MAYBE an hour, then said

"actually.........i think it's time for lunch." my brother in christ is it any fucking wonder your job is going nowhere??? all this to say that nick is a useless man relying on his dad's money to get by and,, in my humble opinion,,, would be better served as the stay at home trophy husband/author of a very rich west egger with an address one number off from his

[vintage-every-day]

Berenice Abbott, 1930s. 40th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, from Salmon Tower 11 West 42nd Street, Manhattan.

[mrmousetolliver]

40th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, from Salmon Tower 11 West 42nd Street, Manhattan (1938) by Berenice Abbott

[broadwaydivastournament]

Movie Musical Divas Tournament: Round 3

Ginger Rogers (1911-1995): Top Hat (1935 - Dale) | 42nd Street (1933 - Annie) | Swing Time (1936 - Penny)

"Best known as Fred Astaire's dance partner, but she was also a skilled comedic and dramatic actress (she won an Oscar in 1940!)." - anonymous

Rita Moreno (1931- ): West Side Story (1961 - Anita)* | Singin' in the Rain (1952 - Zelda Zanders) | The Vagabond King (1956 - Huguette) | The King and I (1956 - Tuptim)** *Dubbed by Marni Nixon for "Tonight Quintet" and Betty Wand for "A Boy Like That" **Dubbed by Leona Gordon

"I hope someone else sends in some good words about her, because I don't think I could do her justice myself. She's RITA MORENO for god's sake!!!" - anonymous

This is Round 3 of the Movie Musical Divas tournament. Additional polls in this round may be found by searching #mmround3, or by clicking the link below. Add your propaganda and support by reblogging this post.

ADDITIONAL PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT: ALL POLLS HERE

Ginger Rogers:

Photo and video submitted by: anonymous | Photos submitted by: @mygreatadventurehasbegun

Rita Moreno:

Photos and video submitted by: anonymous

[wizardiest-wizard-of-oz]

I FOUND ALL (OR ALMOST ALL) OF THE REFERENCES IN SOMETHING ROTTEN HOLY SHIT

I FOUND 78 AND I THINK IT WAS KAREY KIRKPATRICK THAT SAID IT WAS A LITTLE UNDER 80 REFERENCES

42nd Street

Alice in Wonderland

An American in ParisAnnie

Annie Get Your Gun

Anything Goes

Avenue Q

Billy Elliot

Cabaret

Cats

Chess

Chicago

A Chorus Line

Cinderella

Curtains

Dames At Sea

Dreamgirls

The Drowsy Chaperone

Evita

The Fairie Queen

Falsettos

The Fantasticks

Fascinating Rhythm

Fiddler on the Roof

Footloose

Funny Girl

Guys and Dolls

GypsyHair

Hairspray

Hamlet

Hello, Dolly!

Henry IV

Henry V

Henry VI

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Jesus Christ Superstar

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

The King and I

Kiss Me, Kate

Lady, Be Good

Les Miserables

The Lion King

Little Shop of Horrors

Little Women

Macbeth

Mary Poppins

The Merchant in Venice

The Merry Wives of Windsor

A Midsummer Night's Dream

The Music Man

My Fair Lady

Oedipus Rex

Oklahoma!

Oliver!

Out on the Town

Phantom of the Opera

Pippin

The Producers

Rent

Richard II

Richard III

Richard IV

The Rocky Horror Picture show

Romeo and Juliet

Seussical

Sister Act

The Sound of Music

South Pacific

Sunday in the Park with George

Sweet Charity

Sweeney Todd

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Titus Andronicus

Twelfth Night

West Side Story

Wicked

Wizard of Oz

[rabbitcruiser]

McDonald’s Day 

McDonald’s Day takes place on the anniversary of the day in 1955 when Ray Kroc opened a McDonald’s in Des Plaines, Illinois. This was the first restaurant of his franchise, but the ninth McDonald’s restaurant overall. Kroc helped make McDonald’s the most known fast food restaurant in the world, but the story doesn’t start with him.

Brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened a barbeque restaurant in 1940 in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, they changed up their restaurant and introduced the “Speedee Service System.” Instead of having waiters bring food to tables, their restaurant had self-service counters. They used an assembly line format in the kitchen. Prepared food was wrapped and placed under heat lamps. They also simplified their menu to include only hamburgers, cheeseburgers, french fries, potato chips, sodas, milkshakes, and apple pies. All of these changes helped make food preparation and service quick and efficient, and kept their prices lower than competing diners. They sold their hamburgers for just 15 cents apiece.

Ray Kroc was a salesman who had sold malt and shake mixers to the McDonald brothers. He stopped at one of their locations in 1954 and convinced them to let him open a franchise for them, which he did on today’s date in 1955. At that time, Richard and Maurice McDonald claimed they had already served 15 million hamburgers over the previous seven years. In 1961, Kroc bought out of the McDonald brothers for 2.7 million dollars. By 1970 there were 1,000 McDonald’s restaurants, and by 1988 there were 10,000. By 2017 there were more than 37,000.

Over the years, McDonald’s has expanded to other countries, while also expanding their menu. They set up shop in Canada in 1967, and are now in over 120 countries. Their menu is often reflective of local tastes. For example, poutine is on the menu in Canada, and the McLobster sandwich is sometimes available in the New England area. Hamburgers and fries have remained a staple at McDonald’s, but there are many other foods that can be found at most McDonald’s as well. The Filet-O-Fish was created by a Cincinnati franchise owner in 1962 so that Catholic customers had something to eat during Lent. The Big Mac was created by a Pittsburgh franchise owner who wanted a sandwich geared for adults. He used ingredients that were already available at the restaurant. It debuted nationwide in 1968. The Egg McMuffin debuted in 1973, and Chicken McNuggets came out across the country in 1983.

Ronald McDonald has been the face of the restaurant since 1963, and for a time other characters of McDonaldland, such as Grimace and the Hamburglar, were part of the company’s marketing strategy as well. Happy Meals were introduced in 1979, in which a toy is included with a child’s meal. Yellow arches adorned the rooftops of early locations, but “M’s” started appearing outside of the restaurant in 1962, and have since been its most popular symbol.

McDonald’s has been criticized for its role in spreading obesity, although in recent years it began adding healthy items and getting rid of trans fats. It also discontinued its “supersized” portions offering. The company has also been criticized for paying its workers low wages. On the other hand, the company has been praised for its charitable work. The Ronald McDonald House was founded in 1974. It gives families of children in hospitals a place to stay. Today there are more than 360 Ronald McDonald Houses. The Ronald McDonald House Charities was founded in 1987 and has been involved in various charitable efforts that are focused on children.

How to Observe

Celebrate the day by eating at a McDonald’s! You could visit the spot where Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald’s in 1955. The restaurant was demolished in the 1980s and rebuilt as a museum. Sadly, the museum has since been demolished as well. There is a McDonald’s across the street you could eat at though! The first restaurant the McDonald’s brothers had, located in San Bernardino, has long since been closed. You could still visit the location, though, as there is a museum there, and part of the original McDonald’s sign remains. The oldest McDonald’s still in operation has been serving burgers since 1953 and can be visited in Downey, California. You could also watch Super Size Me, or The Founder, a biopic about Ray Kroc.

Source

[chronivore]

West 42nd Street in NYC in 1972

[srencbey]

A vivid tour of Manhattan's 1960s: sharp pictures provided by Wendy Robert and taken by Walter Leporati.

The Manhattan of the 1960s was more than just a place; it was a pulsating entity, alive with artistry, ambition and audacity. Culturally, a ton of stuff was unfolding and changing young people's lives. There was an explosion in expression: music, art, fashion and social norms. The movie culture was also booming! Vintage theaters like Victoria Theatre showcased Hollywood's golden era films, while avant-garde cinemas brought foreign films and indie projects to masses. Big movie stars like Katherine Hepburn and Paul Newman graced big screens, while Manhattan itself played a starring role in countless films like "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

1: Girls wearing stripped dresses in Times Square, 1967.

2: Vehicle traffic along Fifth Avenue at West 43rd Street, 1963.

3: Cinema-goers line up outside the Victoria Theatre in Times Square, 1967.

4: View of traffic on Broadway in Times Square, 1966.

5: View of businesses at the corner of 7th Avenue & 42nd Street in Times Square, 1967.

6: Construction of North Tower of the original World Trade Center, 1969.

7: Pedestrians at the intersection of Liberty & Greenwich Streets, 1969.

8: People outside Trinity Church at Broadway & Wall Street, 1969.

9: Fans gather at Sheep Meadow in Central Park for Barbara Streisand concert, 1967.

10: Pedestrians on Wall Street during lunch hour, 1969.

[yestergaze]

John Barrymore starred in Hamlet at the Sam H. Harris Theatre on West 42nd Street in New York City in 1922. The production ran for 101 performances and earned him glowing reviews. The theater no longer exists today. In its place, stands Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Which do you prefer? John Taylor Arms made several versions of this scene in different colors. It shows West 42nd Street at night in 1922. Color aquatint and etching.

(Click/tap each pic to enlarge.)

Photos: LotSearch