This black-and-white street photograph captures a vivid slice of Times Square in 1978, looking up at a massive “Follies Burlesk” sign looming over the busy corner of 46th Street and Broadway in New York City. Below, the bright marquee for “Howard Johnson’s” anchors the storefront, with “Cocktails” and “Restaurant” lettering framing the entrance as pedestrians move through the scene.
Along the facade, posters advertise the “Gaiety Male Theater,” adding to the layered collage of theater promotions, neon-style signage, and street infrastructure. Traffic lights, street signs, and the dense overlap of ads and architecture emphasize the classic midtown Manhattan streetscape and the era’s unmistakable visual noise.
Ideal for readers interested in New York City history, vintage Times Square, and Broadway’s evolving entertainment district, this image documents the look and feel of 1970s Midtown. It’s a compelling historical photo for exploring the intersection of theater culture, nightlife advertising, and everyday street life at one of NYC’s most iconic crossroads.