Very weird photo

[jtw1313]

What in the world is going on here

 

[Keith Jackson]

Definitely weird. I would guess the time frame to be in the '20s. As for what is going on, I have no clue.

 

[Kiros32]

Could be a post-mortem photo of the man in center with family members around him. Common during the Victorian era.

 

[rginn]

Well, I would say a pic of some type of lodge members, but there wouldn't be women present. Maybe the cast of some sort of play, maybe a Chatauqua production.

 

[releventchair]

No mourning black bands ,or veils.
The one guy looks paper mache faced though.
A deceased celebrity good or bad in character could make for a photo op.
As mentioned ,same with a relative photo.

My next guess , if guy not dead ,would be members of a play.

 

[taz42o]

I agree with play. Appears they are on a stage.

 

[jtw1313]

Closer pic

........

 

[rginn]

It reminds me of that Jeremy Bentham character. It's not a post mortem pic, as the people are more somber in those. On the two guys, that's face paint or fake whiskers. So I think it's the cast of some sort of play.

 

[Mackaydon]

The 'cast' does appear to be on an elevated (theater or play) 'stage'.
Don....

 

[releventchair]

Well, I would say a pic of some type of lodge members, but there wouldn't be women present. Maybe the cast of some sort of play, maybe a Chatauqua production.

Geez I type/ peck keys slow. You beat me to suggesting a play....!

 

[Icewing]

The strange looking fellow almost looks more like a prop than a guy in a mask IMO, notice the square shoulders, thin arms, and non realistic posturing.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

It's an odd one for sure, I wonder if it's not related to the Temperance Movement somehow, maybe a play about The Demon Alcohol, and the one in the middle is the demon? I take it there's nothing on the back at all?

 

[DCMatt]

He looks like "The Shadow".

Also there is Freud and Groucho. A girl in lederhosen. A couple of Suffragettes...

Costume party?

 

[jtw1313]

Nope nothing on the back

 

[jtw1313]

The one lady in black is huge

 

[jtw1313]

.......

.......

 

[DCMatt]

It occurred to me that the "men" in the picture could also be women dressed as men.

(Aside: I suspect THEY knew which bathroom to use...)

 

[jtw1313]

Lol any expert photo people I could email this photo to

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

The 48 star flag flew from 1912 until 1959 so thats the range of the picture.And the woman that looks to be wearing lederhosen, actually is wearing a nurses uniform or some type of servant uniform (notice her hat)

 

[Keith Jackson]

One option may be looking at the "logo" from the banner hanging between the rows or people. Here is a closeup: