Frank Lloyd Wright Darwin Martin House
Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m very sensitive to the way my hometown of Buffalo, New York is portrayed in plays, movies and TV shows.
I lived in Buffalo for more than fifty years. I found it to be a friendly place populated by people who were always willing to lend a hand.
It’s also a beautiful city—with great parks designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead ( the same landscaper who planned Central Park in New York and other famous green spaces) remarkable buildings designed by some of the greats of American architecture like Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan H.H. Richardson, Eliel and Eero Saarinen and Louise Blanchard Bethune, among others. The New York Times recently described Buffalo as “home to some of the greatest American architecture” and a “course in modern American buildings.”
Does Buffalo have run down neighborhoods? Of course—do Paris and London and New York City? Again—affirmative.
If you see Paris portrayed in a movie, at some point you will probably see a view of the Eiffel Tower or some other stunning sight.
If you see a play or movie set in Buffalo, chances are the setting will be a run-down area that is grim, dirty and ugly.
A case in point: I went to a local theater this past weekend to see “The Full Monty” (the play, not the real thing). The playwright who rewrote the movie score set it in Buffalo.
The set designer (for reasons known only to him or herself) portrayed Buffalo as an extremely unattractive place. The main set was fashioned from corrugated tin set on edge surrounded by red brick walls. I was annoyed to say the least. There are no performance venues in Buffalo that I am familiar with that look like an industrial warehouse in a rundown harbor. In fact, the theater district is housed in several historic buildings downtown or on college campuses. The club district is also (for the most part) housed in another historic district.
The only place where I’ve ever seen the widespread use of corrugated metal for buildings is Florida.
This makes me wonder why the set designer didn’t just search for images of Buffalo on his/her computer.
I see this pattern repeated again and again in movies and TV shows: in “Hide in Plain Sight” a move from several years ago, the action was set mostly in a derelict waterfront location which I think the movie producers designed.
So, why am I upset by this trend? Because it perpetrates an untruth about a beautiful, historically significant city. The image of Buffalo that is portrayed is negative—and just not true. I can’t imagine that Parisians would be complacent if their city was subjected to the same treatment—or New York City residents, either.
I think it’s time for Buffalo to receive better treatment and have a more correct image presented in movies, TV and plays.
View of the Buffalo Marina
Hi Kathy,
I’m sorry if you were offended. People are always making jokes about New Jersey and I lived there for 60+ years. It used to bother me too, but now I think it’s a good thing. That way no one wants to move there and ruin it. It was unfortunate for you the play-write picked Buffalo. It could have been any city or town in the country. I think the idea was to portray how desperate these men were because they could not provide for their loved ones. Also, they were not practicing in a theatre, it was the abandoned building which they worked. I think the point there was to make it even more humiliating. All places in the world have beauty. We just have to open our eyes to see it. I’m sure Buffalo is a beautiful place. I know a woman from there and she is beautiful.
Love and Peace,
Carm
I wasn’t offended as much as annoyed. And Carm, I’ve been to New Jersey and never get why it’s the butt of jokes either.I have a lovely friend from New Jersey and know that she reflects a great state, too!
Love this piece and love good old Buffalo.
I knew you’d like it!
Why am I not surprised that you are supporting Buffalo! You and I never got to do our “Summer Series of Little Known Cities” (Kansas City & Buffalo) did we??
No, but I still think it’s a good idea.
I would love to visit Buffalo one day. My dad’s childhood family farm was near there. By the way, Chicago has many buildings designed by Olmstead
I’ll be there this summer–stop by!
I think this is a problem of long standing. Back in 1962 to 69, when I lived there, there was a radio campaign urging listeners to “Boost Buffalo–it’s good for you-u-u.” Even then, Buffalo was criticized as an ugly place. I think people have always confused the climate with other aspects of the city. Ya gotta admit that winter there is a challenge! But I loved the city and its architecture and neighborhoods and even its factories. And the names: Cheektowaga and Tonawanda. I promise I never bad-mouth your city or even its frigid winters. It’s a great place.
Great points, J.J. There are so many levels on which Buffalo can be appreciated. Just a note, my uncle, Chuck Poth was the originator of that motto! He worked for an ad agency in Buffalo.
Yes Kathy,
Stand up for Buffalo. That is where I met my husband, Al at Buff State.
You are right about the great architecture and beautiful parks.
A book is coming out about the Olmstead Parks in the Buffalo Area.
Mark Weber has decorated pianos outdoors all around Buffalo.
Buffalo is alive and should be appreciated.
Thanks, Bobbi, I actually thought of you and AL when I was writing this piece.
I don’t think you knew it, but I went to junior high school in Kenmore just outside Buffalo. I remember going to see the Buffalo Bisons there.
That’s great, Nancy. I didn’t know that you had a Buffalo connection!