Spencer Tracy on the set of “The Old Man and the Sea” at Warner Bros in August 1957. The film took two years to make and was considered a “jinxed production.” 📷: Ralph Crane / LIFE Full story: instagram.com/p/C5W5YwrPUXg/…

Griffith Observatory staff debuts a new solar eclipse exhibit, year unknown. Photo via L.A. Public Library instagram.com/p/C5hOv1Dverw/…

Santa Monica circa 1977. More: instagram.com/reel/C5tz8LHyx…

LA’s New Chinatown, as filmed in color by Hong You Chow in 1942. More: instagram.com/reel/C7p34rdpT…

56 years ago. instagram.com/reel/C72AjKKP_…

When you take a drive through the Hollywood Hills before they’ve finished rendering… Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt for LIFE Magazine, 1936 instagram.com/p/C-v4KJVSNyq/…

Opening Night at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, July 11, 1960 instagram.com/reel/C-4EB54pO…

The Hill Street Tunnels on a foggy night, taken October 11, 1954. We’re at Temple here, looking down Hill Street toward 1st. 📷: Howard Maxwell / LA Times More info: instagram.com/p/C_PUqccJxcS/…

Vine at night, looking north toward Hollywood in 1936. Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt for LIFE Magazine. instagram.com/p/C_heC79Rpsr/…

Los Angeles, as seen through the lens of 1920s VFX instagram.com/reel/DCu9HNNyf…