How does The Crowd portray life in New York City?

In King Vidor’s 1928 classic The Crowd, life in New York City is portrayed as a harsh, impersonal, and callous environment that actively works to diminish individual hope and stamina.1

Rather than presenting the upbeat, lively atmosphere common in many films of the era, Vidor depicts the modern urban metropolis as a place where a young couple struggles to cope with the crushing realities of city existence. The film utilizes innovative cinematography—much of which was captured on location using hidden cameras—to illustrate the overwhelming nature of the city. Ultimately, the "crowd" is depicted as a literal, oppressive force that threatens to break down the individual, reflecting a morbid view of society that aligns more closely with the later neorealism of European cinema.1

Are you interested in learning more about the specific filming techniques Vidor used to capture this urban atmosphere?