Celluloid Skyline Dot Com

Click here to see a very nice site on the subject of architecture and urbanism in New York City (mainly Manhattan). For example, there are panoramic photos from the first half of the 20th century that were taken by Hollywood movie studios for use as backdrops. The studios needed the scenery for both day and night scenes, so the views were taken in full sunlight and at night, showing the city lights. On this interactive, Flash-based website, you can click on the day scenes and see them fade to night views.

Similarly, "rollovers" give information about buildings in the photos as you move your cursor around the screen.

The site was made by James Sanders, who wrote the interesting book Celluloid Skyline, about New York in the movies. He also collaborated with Ric Burns on the excellent PBS series New York, and the follow-up book New York, An Illustrated History.