I am stunned. The photo collection is a freaking masterpiece. Could be subtitled "Humanity." Ironic that the entire collection was shot on a low-tech camera (even for that era) using homely Tri-X film. Today people are using $3,000 digital cameras and not achieving anywhere near the brilliance and eloquence of this bartender.
I'm so glad to see people still discovering this great film +20 years later. I saw it in the movie theater at a film festival around 2002. I'm a filmmaker and an editor and was left in a puddle outside of my chair by the end of the experience. Mind you, up to then, I think, NOBODY had composited acrobatics of the imagery to that level. And the crazy thing was, if I remember correctly, it was achieved with a new web development software (now obsolete), Adobe Flash. The story is so good it could exist without all the acrobatics and still be a great film, but it was the perfect match with the perfect emerging tech of that time. This was well before "Ken Burns"-ing became a verb. Now people are making feature films in their garages with a green screen and the video game AI-assisted Unreal Engine. This film still makes my heart skip some beats.
I think this is the best short film I have ever seen. I first saw this about a year ago and I have been consumed by it. Brilliant film making on all accounts. It is a glimpse into the city I remember when I was growing up 20 miles north of it. It was a dangerous, mysterious and fascinatingly seductive place where only the thick skinned survived. A place where people who lived there truly have seen it all.
I used to stop in here around 1980 to get fucked up on a Saturday morning/afternoon. I remember one rainy day sitting at the bar BSing with the patrons, the rain was pouring down soaking 8th Av, all was right with the world.
Absolutely beautiful. One of the most well done documentaries I have ever seen. No nonsense. No bs. Raw facts and hard truths. Thank you for that stunning photography and careful editing!
We used to hit the Terminal Bar in the 1970's. The bartender told us as we are sitting at the bar not to turn around while we were there. And don't take your hands off the bar.
Blown away by this film and the history! From the gritty hip soundtrack to the transparency and brutal honesty of the narrative. Blown away! Thx for the history lesson.
I first saw this 10 years ago. Now I live in New York and work a short walk from there. It's really weird to see this now and the changes on that corner even from 10 years ago when this film was made.
Love the ending, NY Shity. I remember 42nd street back then when I lived in Williamsburg when it was a dump. Now Williamsburg is Millennial city and 42nd street is no longer is full of porn shops, peep shows and slimy theaters. The editing in this film is top notch.
Wow! This is beautiful! I grew up on that same street in the early 90's just as the last bit of the old Times Square was fading away, I miss all the people and the lights💫
Discovered through the NY Times article and instant fan. Fantastic stuff, really appreciate you making this, maybe some of the best viewing in years. Bravo!!
I used to get a drink there occasionally cause I like the seedy atmosphere , architecture and design . I was oblivious to what ever was going on in there
Bill Burr….thank you for leading me (all of us) here. The photographs here are STUNNING. Btw, people, a book with roughly 900+ of these art Masterpieces was published in 2014. Hardcover.
I remember the Blarney Stone across from the Port Authority. What a great place. Every 2 drinks you paid for they would give you 1 for free. And the brisket was unbelievable! We used to go there for lunch and get lost. Some good times.
Back in the 1950's and 1960's The " Swoppers " from Camp Lejeune, N C and Cherry Point, N C would meet at the Terminal Bar on Sunday Afternoon between 1 PM and 5 PM to make the " Swoop " back to Base !!! I'm talking about 100 Marines every Sunday !!!
I used to drink at the exchange bar right next to the terminal, I was an elevator mechanic and would leave my tools in the kitchen that wasn’t in service anymore. Show up at 6 the next morning have a beer and head over to 40 Wall Street or 1 New York Plaza to spin some wrenches. I was 18, it was glorious. Haven’t been back to the city in over twenty years, it would be like going to a wake for me now. There was still a lot of straight guys in the terminal from 2 to 6 in the evening. I can’t stand Manhattan today…
awesome documentary. I loved it. I watched all five parts plus I bought the book a while ago. Tells a great story about what the times square area used to be like before it was gentrified. I have a good idea if you ever want to continue the terminal bar series you could track down and interview customers that are still living and ask them what it was like drinking at the terminal bar plus hanging out with your Dad all day.
I used to buy weed from the shoeshine guys on 8th ave between 42 and 41st st. back when it was a parking lot and the news stand was on the corner. Crazy times.
This is my third time watching this since in premiered and I’m no less in awe than the first time. I love this documentary. Never noticed before that most men had moustaches.
Thoroughly enjoyed every video you posted about terminal bar. Would love to see more, or even tho all the videos are posted, maybe edited together into one. Keep up the good work.
Great article in NY Times, 26 November 2014 on this guy, his work, links to the full book and lots more. check it out. Title of article: A Dive Where Regulars Were Shot Regularly
It just shows, you how fucked up my empty life is that these short films cheer me up! Something about the hypnotic visuals married with the soundtrack and the sass of Mr Sheldon. I mean what a name! Sheldon. Ffs!
Why the hell can't filmmakers figure out that background music should be in the BACKGROUND! It should not compete with dialog. Use your volume sliders, rookies!
If you are going to brag about the actors that come their, get the names right. "Gene Tierney"? His name is Laurence Tierney. He was the lead in DILLINGER (1945), and tons of other films including Reservoir Dogs. He was a good friend of mine.
BEEN THERE.....ONCE. GOT WASTED AND MISSED THE LAST BUS BACK TO JERSEY. DON'T REMEMBER TOO MUCH. A LOT OF GENDER BENDERS. GLAD IT WAS OPEN THOUGH OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO SIT/SLEEP IN PORT AUTHORITY FOR THE FIRST BUS IN THE MORNING. ENTERED FACED AND LEFT FACED. NOBODY BOTHERED ME. IT'S PROBABLY OK IF YOU GO IN WITH A COUPLE OF FRIENDS AND HANG OUT CUZ EVERYTHING ELSE IS CLOSED IN THAT PART OF THE CITY.
some of this was a little difficult to understand so i turned on the 'cc' so i could also read what was being said, WTH was up with that, i mean the cc made it so much worse to follow..
I come back and re-watch this every few years. I can't believe it has so few views.
"If one person lies on the sidewalk, we ALL lie on the sidewalk". That's an amazing and sad quote.
'When one person's lying in the street, everyone's lying in the street.'
I am stunned. The photo collection is a freaking masterpiece. Could be subtitled "Humanity." Ironic that the entire collection was shot on a low-tech camera (even for that era) using homely Tri-X film. Today people are using $3,000 digital cameras and not achieving anywhere near the brilliance and eloquence of this bartender.
I said the same thing the other day looking at my grandma's photos from (coincidentally) NYC circa 40s -50s...stunning clarity.
Ps the future sucks
I'm so glad to see people still discovering this great film +20 years later. I saw it in the movie theater at a film festival around 2002. I'm a filmmaker and an editor and was left in a puddle outside of my chair by the end of the experience. Mind you, up to then, I think, NOBODY had composited acrobatics of the imagery to that level. And the crazy thing was, if I remember correctly, it was achieved with a new web development software (now obsolete), Adobe Flash. The story is so good it could exist without all the acrobatics and still be a great film, but it was the perfect match with the perfect emerging tech of that time. This was well before "Ken Burns"-ing became a verb. Now people are making feature films in their garages with a green screen and the video game AI-assisted Unreal Engine. This film still makes my heart skip some beats.
Incredible short doc. I didn’t want it to end.
I think this is the best short film I have ever seen. I first saw this about a year ago and I have been consumed by it. Brilliant film making on all accounts. It is a glimpse into the city I remember when I was growing up 20 miles north of it. It was a dangerous, mysterious and fascinatingly seductive place where only the thick skinned survived. A place where people who lived there truly have seen it all.
I used to stop in here around 1980 to get fucked up on a Saturday morning/afternoon. I remember one rainy day sitting at the bar BSing with the patrons, the rain was pouring down soaking 8th Av, all was right with the world.
Absolutely beautiful. One of the most well done documentaries I have ever seen. No nonsense. No bs. Raw facts and hard truths. Thank you for that stunning photography and careful editing!
Shoutout to Bill Burr for bringing me here
Watched on a recommend’ from Bill Burr’s latest podcast. Incredible video editing… badass, short doc’…
We used to hit the Terminal Bar in the 1970's. The bartender told us as we are sitting at the bar not to turn around while we were there. And don't take your hands off the bar.
Why did he say that?
Blown away by this film and the history! From the gritty hip soundtrack to the transparency and brutal honesty of the narrative. Blown away! Thx for the history lesson.
Thanks alot ....lol #Rock&Rule
I went into the Terminal bar once when I was a kid after a concert at MSG and I'll never forget it
Fantastic!!
It wasn't that long ago that the Terminal Bar was alive and thriving.
And then, one day, gone for good.
All the Terminal Bar series of films should be edited together as one feature length documentary along with new footage. I'd pay to see it!
Went there a couple times in the mid 70's.Used to ride the Trailways up to Worcseter.
MY HOME being raised on 43rd between ninth and tenth this really gives me the chills you don"t need one hour just fifteen minutes
So cool that he took all those pics. Amazing.
I’m watching this documentary due to Bill Burr Podcast, who is here because of Bill?
Love this picture - the music is pure genius, as are Sheldon's photos.
I watch this religiously a masterpiece.
Bill Burr's Monday Morning Podcast brought me here
I first saw this 10 years ago. Now I live in New York and work a short walk from there. It's really weird to see this now and the changes on that corner even from 10 years ago when this film was made.
Saw this is 2002 in Cape Town, South Africa - still as amazing as I remembered it!
Love the ending, NY Shity. I remember 42nd street back then when I lived in Williamsburg when it was a dump. Now Williamsburg is Millennial city and 42nd street is no longer is full of porn shops, peep shows and slimy theaters. The editing in this film is top notch.
Awesome! For years I've been trying to find this to experience online. You are the best!
Wow! This is beautiful! I grew up on that same street in the early 90's just as the last bit of the old Times Square was fading away, I miss all the people and the lights💫
As I recall the bar was still there in the early 90's
Thanks Freckles. This is amazing.
Discovered through the NY Times article and instant fan. Fantastic stuff, really appreciate you making this, maybe some of the best viewing in years. Bravo!!
I used to get a drink there occasionally cause I like the seedy atmosphere , architecture and design . I was oblivious to what ever was going on in there
Amazing photos. More amazing, the people let themselves be photographed. Great vid.
Thanks Bill, doc was more than worth it.
Bill Burr….thank you for leading me (all of us) here. The photographs here are STUNNING. Btw, people, a book with roughly 900+ of these art Masterpieces was published in 2014. Hardcover.
This is fantastic.
lol
I remember the Blarney Stone across from the Port Authority. What a great place. Every 2 drinks you paid for they would give you 1 for free. And the brisket was unbelievable! We used to go there for lunch and get lost. Some good times.
Bill Burr’s Monday Morning podcast brought me here.
I love this so much. Unexpectedly good and genuine
I love this film.
Back in the 1950's and 1960's The " Swoppers " from Camp Lejeune, N C and Cherry Point, N C would meet at the Terminal Bar on Sunday Afternoon between 1 PM and 5 PM to make the " Swoop " back to Base !!! I'm talking about 100 Marines every Sunday !!!
I used to drink at the exchange bar right next to the terminal, I was an elevator mechanic and would leave my tools in the kitchen that wasn’t in service anymore. Show up at 6 the next morning have a beer and head over to 40 Wall Street or 1 New York Plaza to spin some wrenches. I was 18, it was glorious. Haven’t been back to the city in over twenty years, it would be like going to a wake for me now. There was still a lot of straight guys in the terminal from 2 to 6 in the evening. I can’t stand Manhattan today…
Thank you for making that.
awesome documentary. I loved it. I watched all five parts plus I bought the book a while ago. Tells a great story about what the times square area used to be like before it was gentrified. I have a good idea if you ever want to continue the terminal bar series you could track down and interview customers that are still living and ask them what it was like drinking at the terminal bar plus hanging out with your Dad all day.
I used to buy weed from the shoeshine guys on 8th ave between 42 and 41st st. back when it was a parking lot and the news stand was on the corner. Crazy times.
You could've just gone into the bar and bought a nickelbag from my dad...as he was a weed-dealing bartender.
@@touristpictures If I only would have known. lol
@@touristpictures They say it closed in 1982 but I sure it was still there into the early 90's.
Great doc, great soundtrack. BTW Bill Burr mentions this on his podcast ... that's how i heard about it. FWIW
This is my third time watching this since in premiered and I’m no less in awe than the first time. I love this documentary. Never noticed before that most men had moustaches.
Who's here because of the Monday Morning Podcast?
"Last call," had a different meaning at the Terminal Bar.
THANK YOU for posting. Your film is delicious. I went to school around the corner 82-84. I wonder if some smart person bought the neon sign...
Music and style is bangin'
wow the photo animation in this film was way ahead of its time now that we have parallax effects
His memory is so sharp!
Greatest short film I know of.
You definitely have an artists mind.. Well done.
Thoroughly enjoyed every video you posted about terminal bar. Would love to see more, or even tho all the videos are posted, maybe edited together into one. Keep up the good work.
Your avatar is awesome. My father was a NYT installer and the bell is forever etched in my brain. He lived and breathed NYT.
Bill Burr recommended watching this on one of his podcasts. Glad I did! Brilliantly done!
Great article in NY Times, 26 November 2014 on this guy, his work, links to the full book and lots more. check it out.
Title of article:
A Dive Where Regulars Were Shot Regularly
Thanks for the tip, great article
amazing pics and film! thanks !!
It just shows, you how fucked up my empty life is that these short films cheer me up! Something about the hypnotic visuals married with the soundtrack and the sass of Mr Sheldon. I mean what a name! Sheldon. Ffs!
I watch this from time to time. I saw it on HBO about 15 years ago, and it is mesmerizing. The music ties it all together too.
Bill Burr sent me
Princess aka George Blackwell pasted away years ago and Sandy Owens also died years ago
I lived in Hells Kitchen (50th & 10th)in the late 80's and would pass through there every day to work. This film brought back some old memories.
Bill Burr brought me here!
That was friggin awesome man. What a window into world few people have seen. I tell you I am so glad I quit drinking!😮 well done Thank you!
Bill Burr brought me here great footage
i walk that corner every single day
Thanks ole Billy Burr
Music is way too loud , can't hear the narration
For the life of me, it seems like it gets worse every year, I can never hear a thing that saying, only the terrible music,
excellent
just fantastic
Amazing!!!
Love the dampkring shirt in the end
This rocked!
Nice snapshot of life for the less fortunate!
Phenomenal Work
Why the hell can't filmmakers figure out that background music should be in the BACKGROUND! It should not compete with dialog. Use your volume sliders, rookies!
And now in 2021 I think it is even worse.
superb!
Brilliant.....
If you are going to brag about the actors that come their, get the names right. "Gene Tierney"? His name is Laurence Tierney. He was the lead in DILLINGER (1945), and tons of other films including Reservoir Dogs. He was a good friend of mine.
Mind blown.
The baaaaaa! Bill Burr brought me here.
well...at least those skels were remembered. immortalized even. most are not.
AMAZING !
5:09 Robert De Niro on the left
I bet he went there to get tips on some pretty amazing characters.
i was born in that bar
Bill Burr brought me here..
Bill burr brought me here
Thanks, Bill Burr for recommending this :)
Incredible sound track.
what is the song from 13.30?
Bill Burr brought me here
What 10 year period is this documentary showing..? I worked in the Port Authority 1976 thru ‘79.
The soundtrack is amazing
NY Times building is so ugly compared to this.
BEEN THERE.....ONCE. GOT WASTED AND MISSED THE LAST BUS BACK TO JERSEY. DON'T REMEMBER TOO MUCH. A LOT OF GENDER BENDERS. GLAD IT WAS OPEN THOUGH OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO SIT/SLEEP IN PORT AUTHORITY FOR THE FIRST BUS IN THE MORNING. ENTERED FACED AND LEFT FACED. NOBODY BOTHERED ME. IT'S PROBABLY OK IF YOU GO IN WITH A COUPLE OF FRIENDS AND HANG OUT CUZ EVERYTHING ELSE IS CLOSED IN THAT PART OF THE CITY.
Excellent- thanks! What was the opening hours?
8am M-F, 12pm on Sunday
I think the reason it closed down is because he 86'd half the people who wanted to drink there, lol.
Please guys, the track id at 13.00?
would give this place a wide birth,not even a quick beer fuck that
Bill burr podcast brought me here
some of this was a little difficult to understand so i turned on the 'cc' so i could also read what was being said, WTH was up with that, i mean the cc made it so much worse to follow..