2nd Street Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Street Tunnel is a widely filmed and photographed tunnel on 2nd Street
under Bunker Hill in Downtown Los Angeles
, California
. It has been described as "the most recognizable city landmark most Americans have never heard of". It is 1,500 feet long, and lined with glossy white-glazed tiles that bathe the tunnel in a unique and desirable light – described as "one big light box" – which creates unusual textures.
The tunnel was built to relieve congestion on the earlier 3rd Street Tunnel. Construction began in 1916, and was completed in 1924, with its formal opening on July 25th of that year. The distinctive white tiles, which give the tunnel its glow, came from Germany, which caused controversy at the time due to the legacy of World War I
and protectionist feelings.
– and even more frequently in car advertisements, with 73 car ads filmed in the tunnel in 2006–2008, over 2 per month. It has also been used for a fashion show, the 2004 LA Fashion Week show by designer Michelle Mason.
The short length of the tunnel means that in shots directly down the tunnel, both entrances are in sight, and the two entrances are very different in character – the eastern entrance being gritty, while the western entrance is more ornate and majestic – which increases the flexibility and visual variety in using the tunnel. The surface of the tunnel is in poor condition, with large sections of tile having flaked off and covered in extensive graffiti; accordingly footage of the tunnel is generally digitally cleaned-up in post-production.
Other films in which the tunnel has appeared include: The Driver
(1978), Terminator
(1984), Sneakers (1992), Money Talks
(1997), and Gattaca
(1997). It was also featured in the music videos "We R Who We R
" by Kesha
, "It's My Life
" by Bon Jovi
and "Grenade" by Bruno Mars
.
Los Angeles streets, 1-10
This article covers streets in Los Angeles between and including 1st Street and 10th Street. Major streets have their own linked articles; minor streets are discussed here.These streets run parallel to each other, roughly east-west....
under Bunker Hill in Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, United States, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It has been described as "the most recognizable city landmark most Americans have never heard of". It is 1,500 feet long, and lined with glossy white-glazed tiles that bathe the tunnel in a unique and desirable light – described as "one big light box" – which creates unusual textures.
The tunnel was built to relieve congestion on the earlier 3rd Street Tunnel. Construction began in 1916, and was completed in 1924, with its formal opening on July 25th of that year. The distinctive white tiles, which give the tunnel its glow, came from Germany, which caused controversy at the time due to the legacy of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and protectionist feelings.
Use in films, television and commercials
The tunnel is frequently used in movies – notably Blade RunnerBlade Runner
Blade Runner is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K...
– and even more frequently in car advertisements, with 73 car ads filmed in the tunnel in 2006–2008, over 2 per month. It has also been used for a fashion show, the 2004 LA Fashion Week show by designer Michelle Mason.
The short length of the tunnel means that in shots directly down the tunnel, both entrances are in sight, and the two entrances are very different in character – the eastern entrance being gritty, while the western entrance is more ornate and majestic – which increases the flexibility and visual variety in using the tunnel. The surface of the tunnel is in poor condition, with large sections of tile having flaked off and covered in extensive graffiti; accordingly footage of the tunnel is generally digitally cleaned-up in post-production.
Other films in which the tunnel has appeared include: The Driver
The Driver
The Driver is a 1978 crime film directed by Walter Hill and starring Ryan O'Neal, Bruce Dern, and Isabelle Adjani. Based upon similarities in plot elements, it is heavily influenced by Jean-Pierre Melville's film Le Samouraï...
(1978), Terminator
Terminator
-Science:*Terminator , the line between the day and night sides of a planetary body*Terminator , the end of a gene for transcription-Technology:*Terminator , a resistor at the end of a transmission line to prevent signal reflection...
(1984), Sneakers (1992), Money Talks
Money Talks
Money Talks is a 1997 American comedy film directed by Brett Ratner, starring Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen.- Plot :Franklin Hatchett is a car wash hustler, who gets dimed out to the police by an investigating news reporter named James Russell When placed on a prison transport unit, he is...
(1997), and Gattaca
Gattaca
Gattaca is a 1997 science fiction film written and directed by Andrew Niccol. It stars Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Jude Law with supporting roles played by Loren Dean, Ernest Borgnine, Gore Vidal and Alan Arkin....
(1997). It was also featured in the music videos "We R Who We R
We R Who We R
"We R Who We R" is a song by American recording artist and songwriter Kesha from her first extended play , Cannibal . The song was released as the EP's lead single on October 22, 2010. It was written by Kesha, with Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco and Ammo. Production of the song was...
" by Kesha
Kesha
Kesha village is a small village nestled in the mountains of Yongshun County, northwestern Hunan province, China, located at latitude 29 05' 50", longitude 109 57' 9". The name is pronounced in Standard Chinese. The official language is Manderin Chinese....
, "It's My Life
It's My Life (Bon Jovi song)
"It's My Life" is Bon Jovi's first single from the album Crush. It was released on May 23, 2000. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Max Martin. The song hit #1 across several countries...
" by Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
and "Grenade" by Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars
Peter Gene Hernandez , better known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an Filipino-American singer-songwriter and record producer. Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age...
.
See also
- J. Win Austin, Los Angeles, California, City Council member, 1941–43, condemned auto-horn noise in tunnel
- Charles E. DownsCharles E. DownsCharles E. Downs was the first Los Angeles City Council member representing the 10th District after a new city charter went into effect in 1925...
, City Council member convicted in a bribery scheme involving a "moving sidewalk" in the tunnel