(reprinted from another blog with permission)
When the Apollo 11 astronauts were hurtling back to earth in 1969 after the first moon walk, ground control picked up some unusual sounds. It turned out one of the astronauts had on his early version of a “Walkman” some music – the track was “Mother Country” by John Stewart. In another life (and definitely under another name) I have recorded some of Stewart’s work and gained radio airplay, but not this track.
A key line in the song is: “Whatever happened to those faces in the old photographs?” I always find this fascinating to consider. And the photograph below from a Photodrama of Creation showing in Toledo, Ohio from the end of January, beginning of February 1914 is in such good definition in the original that you can make out many of the faces.
Here is the photograph along with some selective
enlargements. With thanks to Brian for sending it.
Then selective enlargements. Click on them to make
them larger.
The Photodrama may have made a big impression on all those young people standing there. So, whatever happened to those faces in the old photographs?
3 comments:
I do love this picture for the same reasons and also for the historical value. As per my knowledge, this is the oldest photo known about early Photo-Drama of Creation exhibitions.
Photo was taken at the American Theatre in Toledo, Ohio most probably on Sunday 1st of February 1914. Here is what has been written in Pastor Russell's Sermons published in the press the next day :
Pastor Russell's Creation Drama
Opened in Toledo Sunday
Toledo. O., Feb 1. - Pastor Russell presented his Photo-Drama of Creation to crowds at the American Theatre here today afternoon and evening. Parts I. and II. were exhibited. Parts II. and IV. will be shown tomorrow. The exhibitions are given daily and free, and collections are conspicuous by their absence.
Since the International Bible Students Association, of which Pastor Russell is President, successfully launched its wordwide program, in introducing motion pictures - scintific, philosophic, historic, Biblic - in The Temple in New York City three weeks ago, where crowds are the daily order, it has had a series of remarkable successes (The Sheboygan Press, Monday Feb 2, 1914).
Another newspapers wrote :
The Photo-Drama "Creation" in Toldeo
It is being produced at American Theater Daily
The International Bible Students association is putting on the photo-drama of 3Creation" in Toledo at the American theater on Jefferson and Ontario streets daily and Sundays, afternoons at 3 o'clock and evenings at 8 o'clock. The drama is given in four parts, the first two parts depicting Old Testament incidents relative to the creation of the world and ts early habitation. Part one traces the creation from the star nebula to the deluge and its caues, on to Abraham's time. PArt two begins with Melchisedec, leading through Israel's experience to the Babylonian captivity. PArt three extends from Daniel's time to JEsus' advent; His suffering and axaltation. Part four extends through the dark ages and onward into the millenium (The Marion Star, Friday Feb 27, 1914).
Notice there is an important historic change regarding the Photo-Drama format from this date 1st of February 1914 : from that date the exhibition will always be given in FOUR PARTS.
Charles Russell and his friends probably took that decision based on their experience during the two first weeks of exhibitions in January in New-York, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Cleveland.
Sam.
I enjoyed your article Jerome and your comment Sam.
Much as I admire it, to have taken in the Photo-Drama in one all day session likely would be too for the best of minds. Far better to space it out over four parts and create the buzz of people talking about it in a community and attracting further interest to later sessions.
The much later arrival of TV appears to have coincided with (or did it cause?) the public having a diminished attention span. Today I struggle with even the best of public talks, yet how I enjoy the recent short 8-part symposiums! Am I getting old?
Thanks both for your comments and for the extra background information from Sam
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