Review of Demolishing and Building Up the Star Theatre

A fascinating example of timelapse photography, and quite

possible the first. Shot from one angle, the movie begins with a

real time shot of a building across the street, the Star Theater.

Vehicles of all kinds crowd the street below, and the sidewalk is

bustling with people.

Then time flashes forward. As though watching somebody

dressed in layers of clothes start to strip, we watch as Star

disappears, pealed away layer by layer by an ant-like demolition

crew. The final shot, still from the same angle, is again in real

time, showing people and vehicles passing through the street,

past what is now a vacant lot.

We're so used to seeing examples of this same sort of scene

now, it's strangely unnerving to see it happen 102 years ago. The

picture quality of the print I saw was extremely crisp, and fine

details (even the faces of passersby on the street) were visible.

The only thing I didn't like so much was seeing a beautiful building

get torn down. Still, at least it was all captured on film for us to see

now. A fascinating document.