The first of prolific filmmaker DA Pennebaker's docs recording some of the final runs of the doomed 3rd Ave Elevated. Brief but tightly edited with the sleeping city awaking to some golden silhouettes as denizens begin the slow trod into the day ahead, the energy slowly beginning to percolate and the El picks up speed and passengers.
An excellent short, both as homage and display of the promising style that would carry Pennnebaker throughout his career as one of the foremost documentarians of the 60s and 70s and beyond. Wisely employing Duke Ellington's 1933 title song he breathes energy and life into some superbly composed imagery to make this trip a fun ride all the way.
An excellent short, both as homage and display of the promising style that would carry Pennnebaker throughout his career as one of the foremost documentarians of the 60s and 70s and beyond. Wisely employing Duke Ellington's 1933 title song he breathes energy and life into some superbly composed imagery to make this trip a fun ride all the way.