A Night Out

1900: Rented “hack,” or carriage, with driver for two: $3. Dinner for two at the Alhambra in downtown L.A. ( salad, soup, potatoes, steak, vegetables, Burgundy wine and dessert ): 70 cents. Two seats at the Orpheum Theatre’s “Highball Family” vaudeville show, featuring acrobats, singers and ventriloquists: 50 cents. Total: $4.20

1950: Pacific Electric streetcar tickets for two from downtown L.A. to Hollywood: 20 cents. Dinner for two at Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood, including steak, French fries, a bottle of wine, coffee and apple pie: $20.60. Two movie tickets to “The Sands of Iwo Jima” at Mann’s Chinese Theatre: $1. Total: $21.80

1999: Limousine rental for four hours: $200. Dinner for two at Spago Beverly Hills, with steak, potatoes whipped with cheese and garlic, grilled celery, sweet onions, a bottle of wine, coffee and dessert: $135. Two orchestra seats to “Rent” at the Shubert Theatre in Century City: $140. Total: $475