The Mothers of Revelations

 

I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist the pun.  Written on the back, "This was Taken Mother's Day." 

More Good Communists

 

More East German actors serving the state with portrayals of western decadence.  Dig the greaser beatnik in the background.  The stamp on the back, "Reproduktion u. Anderungen verboten.  Aenny Jungermann Photoarelier  Rudolstadt, Registr.  Nr. 8"  Rudolstadt is a city in Thuringia, a German state that was onc epart of the East.  

Good Communists

 

There is a stamp on the back, most of which can still be read despite a certain amount of fading.  "Wolfgang Swietek Theaterfotograft, 7033 Leipzig 33, Wilhelm Liebknecht Platz 14"  And the rest has faded into oblivion though at least some of it is a phone number of some kind.  

So, Leipzig was the second largest city in the former East Germany, and Wilhelm Liebknecht was a German revolutionary and one of the founders of the German socialist party so pretty much a hero to East German communists.  I'd love to know what play these two actors are appearing in.  Something revolutionary I'd bet.  Either that or a silly, meaningless comedy.  Even communists love a good laugh now and again. 

On the Stage With That Weird Thing In the Background

I can make out the guys Afro when I blow it up, so no, that big thing in the background isn't a hat.  I have no idea what it is.  Dated "MAY  72." 

On the Stage With A Whip

This one's dated "MAY 69."  I've been assuming all these photos are from  amateur theatrical productions, but that guy on the left looks a lot like Adam West from Batman.  I just don't think he'd be in some low rent stage play unless he was really strapped for cash. 

On the Stage In Blackface

Not too long a go I bought an envelope of random photographs.  There were three, square formatted photos of stage plays.  If they were all dated in the same year I'd say they were related, but they run from the fifties to the seventies.  This one, "JUN 58."  With all that's going on now a days it's a bit jarring to find a picture of a woman in blackface spanking a white guy, and I have to wonder who wrote this show.  Even in the late fifties, while it wouldn't be scandalous, it would be considered in bad taste. 

Graduating In Peace

I'm not quite sure what this picture represents.  Maybe a prom photo or homecoming.  It's a bit out of focus, but once I blew it up, it looks like the sign above the stage reads Classes with some dates.  I'm not 100% sure, but I'd say 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941.  Perhaps it means that those four classes raised money to pay for the auditorium.  In any case, there is a photographer's stamp on the back, "ARTHUR W. F. LOWENSTEIN, MORO, ILL. OCT 22 1945"  If I'm reading it correctly, the class of 1941, the last one listed on the sign would have been the last graduating class before World War 2, and the Class of 1946 would be the first to graduate after VJ-Day. 

I couldn't find anything about the photographer, but Moro is near St. Louis, Missouri. 

The Theater, The Theater

"Marilee" is the only thing written on the back of this print.  I did a search for any plays with that title and came up empty.  So, which of the three women in this photo is Marilee?  Obviously, I haven't a clue. 

Ladies On Stage

Before I forget, the white line in the foreground is a crease in the print, not a step.

So what are these ladies doing?  Is it a play, Christmas Pageant, something to do with church?  Got me, but something's going on.  Because of the wreath in the background, I'm going with Christmas.