An Actor Prepares-2

No, I didn't make a mistake this time.  Two of these are almost identical.  The slight difference is a slight tilt of the head.  Also, one photo in male mode.  It's the Tyrol/girl scout look in the first picture in the column that I really like.

An Actor Prepares-1, Oops

Hey, when I did the last post it was 1:00 A.M., I was tired, and put up one image twice and missed this one.

An Actor Prepares 1

I swear, if I ever get enough money to buy a really good scanner,  I'll redo this post.  The one I've got know seems intent on correcting photographs even when it's not necessary.  The fact is, the better the quality print, the harder it tries to dig out detail in shadow areas which were printed in a way to plug up those ares and give a nice solid black. Well, now that that's over....

There are two possible explanations for this gentleman posing as a woman.  Either he was what is now referred to as trans-gendered, or he's a male actor playing a female role.  Considering these photos were shot in a studio, printed on a heavy double weight paper, I'm betting on the latter.  I've spent the last hour or so searching cross-dressed actors trying to get an identification, but so far, no luck.

Swollen Legs

There used to be this guy who lived in my neighborhood.  He had swollen legs, far worse than this lady's.  He wore shorts, and wandered up and down the street, pushing his walker before him.  I always figured he was trying to keep the circulation in his legs going, trying to avoid an amputation, and trying to save his life.  Then one day, he disappeared.   I've always wondered what happened to that guy. I wonder what happened to this lady?

The Pied Piper

I bought this one here, in Los Angeles.  Maybe Echo Park, or Lincoln Park.

Sailing, 28G359, She

Once again, it's time to take sail on the good ship 28G359.  The top photo, like yesterday's is labeled 1936.  The second one in the column has the rather intriguing notation, "Doris & Harry's first boat (Date)"  I have to confess, before I read what was written on the back I assumed that both of the people in the photo were women, and I'm still leaning that way.  Harry can be short for Harriet.  Harry does, however, seem to lack feminine curves.  But that hair says woman.  At least it does in 1936. 

Sailing, 28G359, He

I bought these four prints, and the four that will be the next post, off of EBay.  One of the reasons I put in a bid was the near certainty that they were taken off the coast of southern California.  The top picture is dated 1936.

On Pass

One of the first people I worked for after arriving in Los Angeles loved to tell stories about his less than stellar past.  One of my favorites was about a weekend trip he took to Tijuana.  He had rode down on his motorcycle and was wandering around back streets looking for a good place to have a drink.  Suddenly, a door flew open;  one of those doors that's below street level.  There stood an American sailor.  "Help me," he cried.  My boss looked down and saw that the young American was being chased by half a dozen Mexicans.  So, my boss put his foot on the guy's chest and pushed him back into the bar.  "Weren't you worried those guys were going to kill him?" I asked.  "No, I worried they were going to kill me." 

So, a few Americans on a pass, having a drink or two and not being chased by the locals. 

The Great Outdoors

I found these very faded prints in the same box in the same store as yesterday's post.  Considering the similarities in theme it's about 99.99% certain they were taken by the same person at the same location, or some place very close.  The black dot is a light leak in the camera. 

There's Snow On the Ground

It's incredibly hot, so I'm reminding myself that sooner or latter there will be snow on the ground.  I live in L.A., so I might have to drive to the mountains above the city or the high Sierra to find it, but it will be there. 

No ICE in Sight

Yes, I know.  The world is very different now from when the original photograph, the basis of this card, was taken.  Still, it's nice to remember that there was once a trolley that connected El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico.  People used it to shop, eat, work, and visit family.  Not a bad way for two neighboring countries to get along.

Crazy Drunk Guys

My favorite is the guy, dead center, with the great sun glasses, so wasted that he can't tell that his head is being used as a table.  Is it just me or do some of these drunks look like they're wearing wigs.