Uptown Theater 2

finally back I hope? What I like here is not only the seemingly decline of the place which is enhanced by that guy on the right and that car which is driving out of the image but your use of space here as well which I think works very good. Coming to think of it Doug this would also be a great cover for a photobook. Still, what you did as well is getting Petula Clark's most famous song in my head (you know, "Downtown")

Thanks, Ton. Great to hear from you after a long time. Yes, I am back.

I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

So that's what it looks like today. I used to go there in the 40's on Saturdays, for eleven cents, (ten cents plus tax) to see the serials -- Tom Mix and all that. Ice cream afterwords at Bridgeman's. I can't comment too well on the photo itself because it is all mixed up with my memories, but the rear of the car and the person walking out of the picture seem to be saying that no one cares about the dilapidated state of what once was a very fine and vibrant theater. I don't remember the posts being there. I suppose they were added to keep the marquee from collapsing.

 

I don't mean to ramble, but where I live there was an old A&P store which was photographed by Walker Evans in 1931. Recently, the 5 1/4 inch square print was auctioned at Sotheby's for $38,000 and is now on display at the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art. The point is, that sometimes very ordinary photographs achieve prominence for telling a story. I think sometimes we place too much emphasis on technical aspects of a photo, and not enough emphasis on what the photo is saying. At least for me, you are telling a story here. Also, you might check out a George Tice photo of the Strand Theater.

Wrong City. I was thinking of the Uptown Theater in Minneapolis, which, upon checking in Google, seems to be still in operation. This is apparently in Chicago, yes? What difference? It is still an excellent photo.

Thanks, Richard. This is in Chicago. My wife is from the Twin Cities and I look forward to photographing Minneapolis at some point. You've given me some interesting things to look up, which I appreciate.

I have a book of photos of downtown areas of cities that were once thriving and are now depressed. One of my favorite photo books. This reminds me of that, although Chicago is not a depressed city, but some areas are.

Thanks, Steve. Although this theater is a shadow of its former glory and the neighborhood is a little seedy, the area is on its way up, and I'm hoping someone will refurbish this theater and find some purpose for it.