Dispatch Press Images Blog - Photo Essays, Spot News and Stock Photography

See the movie starring Denzel Washington. New Orleans, c.1950

Déjà Vu: The Canal Street Ferry

If you enjoy watching science fiction films as I do, and you enjoy watching Denzel Washington acting as I do, you should catch the film “Déjà Vu” (2006). I have seen the movie countless times for these two reasons even though the film gets a bit carried away at the end. If you buy into the plot stay with it until the end. If you are unfamiliar with the film you can get all the background here.

When we became aware of this photo there was no question that we had to acquire it. Art does truly imitate life. Pictured here is the Canal Street Ferry “Westside” in New Orleans as it is loading for a trip across the Mississippi River to Algiers c.1950. The ferry service plays a critical part in the film. In fact, if you have seen or intend to watch this film viewing this photo is a must.

Featuring the Starr Hotel located at 617 W. Madison St. (1956).

SKID ROW

The street scene on skid row featuring the Starr Hotel at 617 W. Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois (1956). One photo from a small collection of down and out men in front of several flop houses. Note the Freemont Hotel.

Assessment is Jimmy DeShong (No. 16) New York Yankees c.1934

THE BASEBALL PLAYER

Time for DPI to make our contribution to the national pastime. There was a time when baseball was pure before the DH and much of the hype surrounding the sport today. Still, some things never change such as the All Star Game. With respect to the game that we love we present “The Baseball Player“; U. S. c.1934.

LIFE ALONG THE BORDER

When I was a student I took courses in two foreign languages, French and German, in addition to my major field of study which was International Relations with a minor in Economics. As it came to pass the correct choice with respect to the language study should have been Spanish. Certainly more useful in today’s society.

North Carolina c.1936. Passing time during the Great Depression. Resembles a Norman Rockwell painting.

A GAME OF CHECKERS

Sometimes we see a photo that looks like a painting. So it is with “A Game of Checkers“, North Carolina c.1936. All of the elements in the composition and the lighting call to mind paintings by Norman Rockwell.

Moonshiners protecting their still operation somewhere in Appalachia.

CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY

Please. As we celebrate Independence Day if you drink don’t drive. Drink responsibly. Last time I looked this was still a free country, so if you do drink I hope that you will take a moment to reflect on the two fellows in this photo that we simply call “Moonshiners“. Photo was taken somewhere in Appalachia c.1926. Maybe the exact location is better left unknown so as to protect their operation. Note the pistol in the waistband of the fellow on the right. Required film on the subject of moonshine is “Lawless” (2012). Art imitating life to be sure.

RAILROADS

There appears to be a fascination with railroads and all things connected. What is known by the term railroadiana is almost sacred to collectors of the subject. DPI has numerous images of civilians perched on railroad tracks and even on top of boxcars. Maybe it is the sense of freedom that the railroad represents, especially in the days when the average individual did not have access to an automobile.

THE BIG SHOT

Our assessment is that the gentleman whom we call “The Big Shot” in this photo is not HIM. Wishing that it was HIM doesn’t make it so. It would be a very significant photo if it was HIM. We assess that the photo was taken around 1921. The car appears to be a Cadillac. We further assess that the location is probably San Francisco. Any help in identifying the individual whom we call “The Big Shot” would be greatly appreciated.

A homeless Muslim man begs on the streets of Paris c.1950.

THE NO-GO ZONES

A “no-go” zone is defined as an area within a city where law enforcement authorities fear to tread creating an enclave which differs from the general society as a whole. This might include an enclave in which crime cannot be controlled. In the current conversation we a referring to sections of European cities which house large immigrant populations, predominantly Muslim, who have failed to assimilate into the host country’s society. This is not all that unusual as immigrant populations tend to isolate themselves in the first generation only to assimilate more easily in future generations.

Taken on the Mississippi River at New Orleans (1935).

ROLLIN’ ON THE RIVER

Big wheel keep on turning. Well, you know the rest of the song. This is a photo taken in 1935 of the sternwheel steamship “Columbia” on the Mississippi River at New Orleans.