Monday, April 1, 2013

The Fabulous Fox

Fabulous Fox 10

The Fox Theatre, which styles itself The Fabulous Fox, was opened in 1929 as one of America's great movie palaces. It's big, 4,500 seats, and its Egyptian-Babylonian-Arab-Indian-Rococo architecture and decor is beyond belief. The overall effect is less of a style than a hallucination.

As huge city-center cinemas gave way to suburban multiplexes, the Fox went dark in 1978. I do remember, though, hearing the Greatful Dead and Cream there in its declining days when I was a student at nearby St. Louis University. Some years later, with the aid of two visionary philanthropists,  the Fox reopened, restored in all its over-the-top glory. Now big name acts (Jerry Seinfeld is coming soon) and touring Broadway shows keep it busy.

The St. Louis Photography Meetup arranged for a photographers tour on Saturday. These pictures were taken from the stage, the second with a fisheye lens. More grand views and details over the coming days.

Sorry for being rather light on comments yesterday. I went out to shoot the orchid show and take some fisheye shots around the Arch. Then our daughter, son-in-law and grandchild-in-progress came over for Easter dinner. No rest.         

Fabulous Fox 11

11 comments:

Tamera said...

It's gorgeous. Great shots of this grand old dame.

Andy said...

The Fox deserves the term Fabulous.

You did a great job in expressing that in your photo.

brattcat said...

wow, that truly is fabulous!

Wayne said...

Great shots Bob. Too bad about all the photographers cluttering up the place. :-)

Virginia said...

We have a Fox in Atlanta you know. At first I thought you'd snuck over there without telling me. Wonderful shots.
V

TheChieftess said...

Fabulous Fox indeed!!! Love this theater!!!

Lynette said...

Oh, my goodness, Bob. I can't tell you how thankful I am that this beauty exists and that you got to go there to take photos. What an ever-lovin' treat! Glad your Easter Sunday went well.

Unknown said...

Photographers everywhere, obviously having a grand time given the spectacular subject.
My preference goes to the fisheye shot.

Nice to hear you had a familyget-together for Easter. I hope the grand-child in process and her mother are doing well. It must be an exciting time for all of you.

Stefan Jansson said...

Fantastic.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I remember seeing movies at the Fox in the 1960's when I was in high school.

Unknown said...

WOW! I'm amazed! What a place. Your photos are stunning, Bob.