A Session With My Favorite Photographer - A Teaser

I had a session with my favorite photographer, Jonathan Fleming, on Sunday afternoon. Like my last session, it was a chance for him to try some new cameras and to experiment with new techniques, which is always fun to be a part of. We had planned this a little while ago, and I desperately tried to find an outfit that would photograph well, but it was in vain. I had to end up with something from my closet. I was afraid that my outfit would be too dark, and to make matters worse, the day started off overcast (after a week of warm sunny weather). By the time we started shooting, the sun decided to peek it's head through the clouds.

I wasn't sure how my hair was going to turn out. I used different curlers that I haven't used since I cut several inches off of my hair. I also put a lot bigger sections in each curler than I usually do. But, I was tired and lazy, and didn't feel like doing a precise job. To my surprise, my hair ended up into a pageboy with very little brushing or coaxing - something I've never been able to do before. It was a very happy accident.

We took photos at Golden Gate Park. I never go as often as I'd like to go, and there are still many parts of the park I have to discover. One such area I always meant to check out was Stow Lake. It was very peaceful and pretty. As we walked along the lake, there were all kinds of ducks and Canadian geese. As we got a little farther, we noticed there were several people standing around with big lenses on their cameras. Upon closer inspection, we found what they were taking photos of - goslings! 

Walking along the lake made me want to be in a boat and just row along the beautiful scenery, especially when we came across a stone bridge built in the late 1800s.

Jonathan used several different cameras including an early 60s Polaroid camera. He gave me a couple of the Polaroid prints, which I am posting here as a teaser to what is to come.

As always, I had fun. Jonathan and his wife, Bridget, are both super talent and super sweet people. I also got to meet their dog, Suki, for the first time. I look forward to working with them again.

St. Francisco Fountain, an Old Time Soda Shop

I love living in San Francisco. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. But, even though I've been here for six years, I don't get out much. Without a car, I basically stay within a square mile of my apartment. I tell myself that I should get out more, but I never do. I even have a list of things I want to do. Chalk it up to laziness, because I really don't have another valid excuse. Well tonight I changed a bit of that. I visited a place on my list.

About a year ago, I was walking the streets near the Mission one early morning, when I discovered something my friends already knew. It was an old time dinner/soda fountain. I was quite excited, and told myself that I would come back when they were open. I finally made it. I made arrangements with these same friends to have late lunch there today. I wasn't disappointed.

The St. Francis Fountain has been in continuous operation since opening in 1918. It has changed a bit, but is still reminiscent of the soda fountains of the 40s and 50s. They have an expanded menu that has a lot of options, mostly breakfast foods. I had the "Nebulous Potato Things" with bacon that was quite delicious and quite filling. I also got to experience my first chocolate soda. This experience was a long time coming. I had always seen people order these on classic movies and television programs, usually being teenagers in soda fountains. I wondered what they tasted like, figuring that they had to be yummy since it was a common thing in these moving images. Since I have not been a teenager in a couple of decades, I figured it was about time I tried one. So, I ordered one. I sucked it down very quickly. It was an interesting flavor. It had, what you might expect, the taste of chocolate syrup with the sparkling sensation of soda. I am not sure I will order another one, but at least I was finally able to try it. 

If you the opportunity to visit this fair city, please take the time to have at least one meal or dessert at the St. Francis Fountain.

Noir City in 3D!

Last night was the best night of the three that I attended Noir City this year. Prior to this night, the only 3D movie I had ever seen was in IMax,  and I've only done that once. It was such a treat to see two noir films in 3D. The night wasn't quite as crowded. So, we did not have to sit in the balcony, which would have been disappointing for this type of film. Before the films started, we were entertained by Laura Ellis singing her rendition of Blues in the Night. She will be performing at the Noir City Nightclub tonight, which I am disappointed I cannot attend. I hope to do so next year.

The first film was Man in the Dark from 1953. It starred Edmond O'Brien (DOA) and Audrey Totter (The Set-up). It is about a man who was a criminal, but underwent an experimental brain surgery to remove the criminal element - and his memory. Unfortunately, his fellow gangsters don't believe that he can't remember where he hid the money from the job they did prior to his incarceration. I thoroughly enjoyed this film with all the needles, scalpels, birds, and bullets coming at me in 3D.

It was a great honor to have both Dana Andrew's and Robert Ryan's daughters attending the festival. Which leads into the second film, Inferno starring Robert Ryan and Rhonda Flemming. This noir was in color. It was also released in 1953. In the film, Robert Ryan's wife has taken with another man behind his back. The two lovers plot to kill the husband in what they consider a foolproof plan. But, the plan doesn't go as well as they had hoped.

I am sad that this week has come to an end, for me at least. There are still two more days of films. I look forward to the smaller festival held at the Roxie Theater coming up soon. I even have thoughts of possibly heading down to the Noir City festival in Los Angeles in April.

I sucked up my self consciousness of being stared at while taking photos, and had quite a few taken this time. Hope it's not an overload! I also tried to work on my femme fatale smile. I don't think it is quite there yet, but I'll get it one of these days.

My Second Day at Noir City

I went to my second day of the Noir City festival on Wednesday night. Despite getting there a half an hour early, we still had to sit in the balcony. I am really surprised at how crowded it has been this year. I have never seen it so full, and have never had to sit in the balcony. I have mixed feelings. Party of me wants to be selfish and not have so many people come. But, it really is a good thing. It is good that more and more people are becoming noir fans. It is good that this festival is drawing such a crowd, because with more money going to the Film Noir Foundation, the more they can restore films. So, I shouldn't feel so selfish. 

Last night I did stay to see both films. The second one I had seen once before, but not on the screen. The theme for the night was San Francisco. The first film was The Sniper. It came out in 1952. The film is about a serial killer, which at the time there were very few. The main character, Eddie Miller, knows what he is doing is wrong, but cannot stop himself - though he wants to get caught. I enjoyed the film for the most part. I thought the ending was not quite up to par with many noirs, though. Afterward, there was a short from Reel SF (in the links to the right) showing what the spots in the film look like now. I always enjoy the hard work and sleuthing that is done for this site. 

The second film was Experiment in Terror from 1962 starring Glenn Ford, Lee Remick, Stephanie Powers, and Ross Martin. Though not technically a noir, it was a highly enjoyable film when I saw it the first time. This time, however, there were so many people making so much noise in response to the film that I could not hear some of the lines. Despite that, it was still great to see it on the screen. This film is about a man who threatens to kill the woman he is psychologically terrorizing and her sister, in order to get $100,000 from the bank which she works. There were a ton of great scenes including the final scene shot at Candlestick Park. Again, Reel SF provided a short film with many of the locations in modern time. 

I tried to take photos of the theater, but it was so dark. They just didn't turn out. I also didn't smile for any of the photos I had taken of me to show my outfit. I think it is because I had the event photographer stop me to take some photos. The first photo he took, I smiled. He asked me not to in subsequent photos. He said it would keep with the noir vibe. I guess I got a little paranoid, and stop smiling in the photos that my friend took. Actually, the honest truth, is I've been feeling rather self conscious lately. I want to find different ways to pose, but with so many people around, it is hard to relax. Someday I will practice that. But, in the meantime, here are the non smiling photos.

This was the only shot of the theater that didn't turn out too dark.

My First Noir City Night

It is that time of year that I look forward to each year.  That is the Noir City film noir festival at the Castro Theater. This year's festival started on Friday with Gun Crazy. I didn't get to make it, but a friend of mine did. She sent me photos of the guest appearance of Peggy Cummins who starred in Gun Crazy. I was sad I was unable to attend, but really appreciated the photos.

Tonight was the first night that I was able to attend. As usual, the showing was a double bill - Repeat Performance and Sunset Boulevard. However, I only went to see one show. I know many will think I'm crazy for not staying to watch Sunset Boulevard. Even though I do enjoy the film, I actually watched it just a couple months ago, and didn't really feel like seeing it again so soon. If you may recall in a previous post, Sunset Boulevard was the very first noir I saw as a child, before I knew what noir was. Though it would have been nice to see it on the big screen, I chose to go just for Repeat Performance.

Repeat Performance was released in 1947. It stars Louise Hayward and Joan Leslie. Joan plays a woman who makes a terrible mistake on New Years Eve. She wishes she could relive her year over, and that wish comes true. But, things don't go quite as well as she plans them to. As Eddie Muller put it, it is a noir It's a Wonderful Life. I really enjoyed the film. The costumes that Ms. Leslie wears are stunning. Sadly, it is not yet on dvd.

I was accompanied by two fellow noir fans. Prior to the show one of the friends and I went to a little restaurant down the street. I always love going to this side of town, because I get a ton of compliments on my clothes. It always makes me stand a little taller. I plan on going to two more shows. I debated on whether I should just do one post, or three separate posts. I decided to do each night separate. So, stay tuned for more Noir City highlights.

A Sunday Afternoon With the Girls

Sunday taught me that I should be prepared with a camera at all times, and not just my phone camera. The day started meeting up with two of my girl friends to go jogging. Well, after we opened a bottle of wine, that didn't quite happen.

It was a gorgeous warm fall day. Who would really want to spend that kind of day jogging? I decided that I wanted pizza. There is a pizza place in North Beach that makes gluten free dough. I'm on a mission to find the best gluten free pizza, and had been wanting to check out Tony's. So, my friends and I headed out to get pizza. On the way I saw a 1956 Dodge Custom Royal in pink with metal eyelashes on the headlights. It was so cute! I had to have a picture in front of it. As I got closer, I saw that there was a gentleman sitting in the passenger's seat. I asked him if I could take a photo in front of his car. I should have known that it wasn't his car, though. It was his girlfriend's car.

She suggested I get in the car to have photos taken. Well, that just made my day. I was also excited to meet another girl who loved classic cars too. The owner was friendly, and we chatted a little about her car. I walked away with a little skip in my step. It just takes one drool worthy old car to make me happy.

That wasn't the end of the day, though. We went to Tony's and put our name down for a table. While we were waiting, we went into the by-the-slice shop next door. Inside they had an old Coca Cola machine. So, naturally I had to have my picture taken in front of it.

We had so much fun, that we decided to get together on Sunday afternoons once a month. I can't wait until our next adventure.

San Francisco Giants

I'm not a big sports fan. I do enjoy going to games, though the only types of professional sports I've seen are basketball and baseball. I just cannot get into the watching a game on tv, or knowing facts or stats about players. But, with the Giants in the World Series, it is kind of hard not to get swept up in the fervor. Yes, I do have Giants gear, but I have yet to put it on outside a game. I have thought about it though. I should show my support.

In 2010, the Giants won the World Series. Working close to the parade route, I was able to get an up close view as the players went by. If they win again this year, I plan on doing the same. This has typically been as much support as I have outwardly show. I do want them to win. I do expect them to win. After all, I am a San Francisco resident.

In 1883 the New York Gothams were formed. Their named changed to the New York Giants during the 1885 season. In 1888, they won the first championship against the St. Louis Browns.  They would go on to win several World Series games in 1905, 1921, 1922, 1933, and 1954 (and not winning 11 times). In 1958, the Giants move to San Francisco.

One of the most notable players was Willie Mays (who was in the 2010 parade). Mays started his baseball career in 1947 with in the Negro leagues while he was still in high school. Both the Boston Braves and the Brooklyn Dodgers tried to recruit Mays, but due to circumstances it was the New York Giants who got him in 1951.   He played with the Giants until 1972, when he was traded to the New York Mets. But, despite retiring from the Mets, he will always be loved by San Francisco. 

January 3, 1953

We have been rehearsing so much, I have hardly had time to think about anything else. I'm back in my own apartment. Nothing happened while Eddie was staying here. It is nice to be home again, but I'm still nervous about all the happenings lately.

Eddie still doesn't know where I have been spending my time. Peter has been keeping up the excuses for me. Although, I'm not sure if Eddie even notices. He's been so busy at work lately. He works late, and is back in the office first thing in the morning. Poor guy. I wish he wouldn't work so hard.

I got my first letter from Bev. They are settling quickly into their new home. Her boyfriend is enjoying his new job. They plan on getting married in the spring. She really loves California, and hopes that I will be able to visit soon. She also enclosed a ton of photographs of her new city.

November 17, 1952

I got a post card from Bev! She is coming home soon. She said that she is having a swell time. She is getting spoiled with all the things to do in San Francisco. She said that the city is so much fun. They drove down a the coast a little. She said that it was so pretty. She is very excited to move there.

November 12, 1952

Bev went to San Francisco. She won't be back for a week. Oh how I envy her. It would be so much fun to visit a city you only get to see in pictures. Her dad is thinking about moving the family there. He got an offer from his company to transfer to California. Oh to think of it, Diary! The beaches. The nightlife. The scenery. How wonderful would it be to travel? I have never left this city. I always imagine what other places are like. It would be so much fun going to different places; maybe even someday leaving the country. I do hope she doesn't move, though. I would be so lost without my best friend.

Photo from San Francisco Public Library Historical Photos