Welcome to the Roadscapes Wednesday segment! Each week here on Geek Alabama, Roadscapes Wednesday will feature roads and infrastructure related topics. Geek Alabama Editor / Publisher Nathan Young is often called the “road geek” for a good reason, Nathan loves roads and loves talking about roads!
“One Dollar”, a short film Paul Flinton made at UMBA featuring the Francis Scott Key Bridge and it’s Toll Collectors, in 1987.
Toll booth operators are a dwindling group, often unrecognized and under-appreciated. In 1987, he was able to interview several booth operators, recording their thoughts and impressions from the other side of the window.
The short film, shot in 16mm from the roll bar of his green Rabbit convertible, takes the viewer over the Francis Scott Key Bridge in 1987. The calm, single take is designed so the viewer’s focus unconsciously leans toward the audio as the visuals pass. Instead of featuring the faces of the operators, he wanted to viewer to listen to their stories while slowly driving over the Key Bridge, a landmark of the Baltimore Skyline for decades. She will be sorely missed.
