Pulp Pix: The Bizarre Case of Photography Noir – American Museum of Photography
Chapter Five: “A Rude Awakening”
Judging from the prominent billboard and the tall buildings seen through the window, this disturbing scene could easily be the work of the Fawcett Studio. The firm’s address cross-checks with the Studebaker Building, erected in 1902 at the north end of Times Square. Studebaker Brothers originally used the ground floor to display luxury carriages and early automobiles, but moved out a few years later. Over the next century, the ten-story building was the home to the animation studio that created Betty Boop and Popeye, to movie distributors, casting directors and talent agents. At various times, the Studebaker Building also housed the hot jazz landmark Cinderella Ballroom and “Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium.” It was torn down in 2005 to make way for a 25-story condominium tower.
So the billboard outside the window may be a clue to the location of the photograph, but it tells us little about what is about to happen to the young lady– who is clearly having a VERY bad night.
And she’s not the only one…
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