Looking for History on Film Row
A rare old photo of Film Row - the Film Exchange Building.
Bradley Wynn is hoping to get some assistance from the public in capturing the history of old Film Row on, go figure, film (photos will suffice).
This area has an incredible history as one of the country’s regional film distribution hubs in the days when film cannisters had to be transported by train for screenings at theaters. Most of the major studios had Art Deco branches along W Sheridan (then Grand Avenue). The big names included Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros. and RKO. The advent of jet travel, television, changes in film distribution spelled an end to these districts. Oklahoma City, I’m told, has the the last surviving example of what was once a circuit of 36 film districts.
For the past 40 years the area has been known as skid row, but it’s changing with increasing speed as homeless missions move further west of downtown and owners are renovating their buildings and creative firms are moving in. To get a summary of what’s going on, go here.
If you can help Bradley, email him at bradley@scriptfolio.net.
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Comments
just to clarify – the homeless are not being pushed from the area. in fact we have been talking at length with he shelters and alliance since 2004 to see how we can help. there are many opportunities and options now or son becoming available toward shelter needs, etc. the film row development has helped bring much needed awareness to the area and hopefully will bring much needed help to its area homeless as well.
First – let me correct the link to the Film Exchange website:
http://www.scriptfolio.net/Film.html
Kris,
Be assured that at no time since 2003 have we made any efforts to push the poor or homeless out of the area just so we could have a new district. From early on we have worked to INCLUDE the plight of the homeless in our planning and strategy. First, they are human beings that deserve to be treated as such. They are not property to simply relocate on a whim. We stated in our very first meetings that we would do something totally different and EMBRACE the problems in our area and not just push them to future generations.
The new development for the Oklahoma City Film Exchange District gives Oklahomans a rare opportunity. For the first time we could really make a difference and set an example for cities across this nation. Here we have a chance to tackle an entire portion of our downtown cityscape. It would make sense – why we have the materials, resources, and state & local support – to sit down and seriously discuss, create, and initiate positive change to our homeless community.
When we discovered the rich history of the area we have formed into a new district, we realized that its plight was what saved it and what could have ultimately destroyed it. People drove through the area with blinders on. If they didn’t look – didn’t see it – then it would just go away. As for the buildings – yes – that could have been a real possibility. But now these are registered on the the National Register of Historic Places. But those same blinders were used to ignore the homeless plight along the same streets.
This ‘problem’ won’t just go away. It needs the support and efforts of all of us. To ignore and allow such misery to continue on its current path is ludicrous and just as unresponsible as moments from the Katrina devestation.
It won’t be easy. And it certainly won’t happen quickly. Maybe not even for years. But I challenge those who would see change to MAKE change. Contact your representatives and offer your support. Offer your ideas. Seek a public ‘town hall’ meeting and encourage discussion with one another toward change. Get your representatives and the local city government to attend.
Together we can do this and with the increased focus on the new District – it can help by bringing the area issues into a spotlight.
I have mixed feelings about the gentrification of Film Row as it relates to the homeless population downtown. I know their presence makes people uncomfortable (and sometimes with good reason), but the reality is this is their downtown too. Gentrification pushes poor people further to the outskirts (physically and metaphorically).
I am glad for the developments along Film Row, and other parts of downtown. I just don’t want to celebrate it as due to “those homeless people moving further away from us.”