Malt Shop After School - Mel's Drive-In, Hollywood Boulevard, California Time: Golden Afternoon, 3:45-4:15 PM, Spring 1950 18-Year-Olds: Susan in yellow sweater set and plaid skirt sharing chocolate malt with steady boyfriend David, who wears varsity jacket over white shirt and narrow tie. Three cheerleaders in identical white blouses and navy blue jumpers celebrating basketball team victory with banana splits. James Dean lookalike (before James Dean was famous) in leather jacket and white t-shirt feeding nickel into Wurlitzer jukebox, trying to impress Patricia in her pink cashmere cardigan. Scene: Classic California drive-in with red vinyl booths and checkerboard linoleum floor, carhops on roller skates serving customers in both dining room and parking lot. Teenagers wearing typical 1950 West Coast casual attire, young women in cardigans and full skirts, men in casual slacks and sport shirts. Chrome soda fountain with red padded stools, milkshake mixers whirring constantly. Through large windows, 1949 Mercuries and 1950 Chevrolets visible in parking lot, palm trees swaying against clear blue California sky. Photography: Eye-level medium shot from adjacent booth, 85mm lens creating intimate portrait while maintaining diner context, afternoon light streaming through venetian blinds Photographer Style: Julius Shulman's architectural photography approach emphasizing California lifestyle and design