Pega's photography Blog

Robert Frank

Avere qualche difficoltà perché si sta fotografando, o anche solo si ha in mano una fotocamera, non è un problema solo dei nostri (paranoici) tempi.
Nel 1955 il famoso fotografo Robert Frank stava viaggiando in auto nell’Arkansas, lavorando a quella che sarebbe poi divenuta la sua grande e storica opera: il libro “The Americans”.
Non aveva violato alcuna legge ma fu fermato da una pattuglia della polizia che lo considerò sospetto, anzi particolarmente sospetto, dopo aver notato nella sua auto un certo numero di “macchine fotografiche”.
Gli agenti decisero così di arrestarlo e detenerlo per un interrogatorio.
La disavventura in cella non fu di lunga durata e fortunatamente  non impedì a Robert Frank di continuare il suo magnifico lavoro che uscì circa tre anni dopo.

Per chi fosse interessato ai dettagli, ecco il testo del rapporto dell’agente che effettuò l’arresto. Curioso notare come il fatto che il bagagliaio fosse pieno di macchine fotografiche sia stato considerato dall’agente come fattore sospetto.

Department of
ARKANSAS STATE POLICE
Little Rock, Arkansas

December 19, 1955

Alan R. Templeton, Captain
Criminal Investigations Division
Arkansas State Police
Little Rock, Arkansas

Dear Captain Templeton:

On or about November 7, I was enroute to Dermott to attend to some business and about 2 o’clock I observed a 1950 or 1951 Ford with New York license, driven by a subject later identified as Robert Frank of New York City.

After stopping the car I noticed that he was shabbily dressed, needed a shave and a haircut, also a bath. Subject talked with a foreign accent. I talked to the subject a few minutes and looked into the car where I noticed it was heavily loaded with suitcases, trunks and a number of cameras.

Due to the fact that it was necessary for me to report to Dermott immediately, I placed the subject in the City Jail in McGehee until such time that I could return and check him out.

After returning from Dermott I questioned this subject. He was very uncooperative and had a tendency to be “smart-elecky” in answering questions. Present during the questioning was Trooper Buren Jackson and Officer Ernest Crook of the McGehee Police Department.

We were advised that a Mr. Mercer Woolf of McGehee, who had some experience in counter-intelligence work during World War II and could read and speak several foreign languages, would be available to assist us in checking out this subject. Subject had numerous papers in foreign langauges, including a passport that did not include his picture.

This officer investigated this subject due to the man’s appearance, the fact that he was a foreigner and had in his possession cameras and felt that the subject should be checked out as we are continually being advised to watch out for any persons illegally in this country possibly in the emply of some unfriendly foreign power and the possibility of Communist affiliations.

Subject was fingerprinted in the normal routine of police investigation; one card being sent to Arkansas State Police Headquarters and one card to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington.

Respectfully submitted,
Lieutenant R.E. Brown, Lieutenant
Comanding
Troop #5
ARKANSAS STATE POLICE
Warren, Arkansas

REB:dlg

[fonte: Thomas Hawk]