Sometimes I look at pictures I take of Victoria and I feel like I'm in some kind of time warp. Here we are in the throbbing heart of Victoria's downtown and, if it weren't for the new model cars, the photo might have been taken in the 1950's. Anyway, here's a treat for all the red neon and classic movie marquee fans out there, Victoria's Odeon Cinema, built in 1946. Inside, of course, it's been transformed into seven little mini-theatres but outside it still looks just like movie houses all used to look. The Odeon Cinema is on Yates Street, between Douglas and Blanshard Streets. Odeon, for those interested in etymology, means "music hall."
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Town That Time Forgot
Sometimes I look at pictures I take of Victoria and I feel like I'm in some kind of time warp. Here we are in the throbbing heart of Victoria's downtown and, if it weren't for the new model cars, the photo might have been taken in the 1950's. Anyway, here's a treat for all the red neon and classic movie marquee fans out there, Victoria's Odeon Cinema, built in 1946. Inside, of course, it's been transformed into seven little mini-theatres but outside it still looks just like movie houses all used to look. The Odeon Cinema is on Yates Street, between Douglas and Blanshard Streets. Odeon, for those interested in etymology, means "music hall."
15 comments:
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I'm glad neon stayed with us long enough to become fashionable again. This looks like a nice refuge from the cold of winter.
ReplyDeletecinema a place where i like to be ;) nice shot !
ReplyDeleteThrobbing heart?
ReplyDeleteI've been to the Odeon a couple of times, I like it.
What a great downtown shot. Yep, right out of the 50's. There I am going to the movies with my girlfriends, giggling over the silly boys. Hey Wayne!!
ReplyDeleteV
Throbbing heart? Just my feeble attempt at irony. Throbbing gall bladder would probably be more appropriate for Victoria.
ReplyDeleteBoy, when it hits you, it hits you hard. I'm looking forward to seeing the patterns of chewing gum stuck to the sidewalk, overflowing dumpsters, maybe some roadkill. Then, in a couple of weeks, the days will start to grow longer again.
ReplyDeleteYou know, we're expecting a snowstorm this weekend. Why don't you come down for a visit, and cheer up?
ReplyDeleteStreets like this remind me of what Vancouver used to look like before the 1980's. We owe our gratitude to preservation societies such as the Hallmark Society http://www.hallmarksociety.ca/ who are a tireless voice for urban conservation in our community.
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteThis is a cinematic image and the film I'm thinking of is The Last Picture Show. Very eveocative shot.
ReplyDeleteThanks all for your kind remarks.
ReplyDeleteElaine, the gall bladder comment was just a reference to Victoria's aged population, generally long past the age of heart-throbbing and more likely to be suffering the vicissitudes of other organs. Just because I refuse to revel in the joys of frostbite and hypothermia doesn't mean I'm not my usual jolly self. It's quite natural to hide away from winter - bears, for example, very sensibly hibernate and nobody quizzes them over their lack of fortitude.
Just checking in. My ears were burning and I didn't think it was frostbite.
ReplyDeletePerfect shutter speed. Open just enough to show the walkers moving.
ReplyDeleteStop all this talk about old people right this minute!
ReplyDeleteV
Victoria does indeed have that out-of-time look about it and you've captured it perfectly here. Stay warm!
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