Phone Booths | Nostalgia in a Cell Phone World

Faye Dunaway and George Maharis (both looking extremely cool) making an important call on the set of “The Happening. (photo via Corbis)

With the proliferation of cell phones, we loose out on those private moments our parents had during their public phone calls.  Nowadays, we’re all out-and-about, with the world sharing in on our conversations.

Although it’s not wise being nostalgic for a past while looking through rose-colored glasses, the disappearing phone booths and kiosks seem to have provided a nice place to take a moment for yourself (or at the very least, a great movie prop or convenient iconic social backdrop).  Nonetheless, time moves on… And who doesn’t love their smart phones, WiFi, GPS, etc…?

Vivienne Westwood (in plaid) and friends, London 1977 (Corbis)

1950′s fun and games for those crazy college boys and girls.

Would Audrey’s or Clint’s phone calls, made in Charade and The Bridges of Madison County, be as memorable if made on cell phones?

Where would we be without this most excellent use of a phone booth?

I assume Banksy lost one too many coins in this pay phone?

The Beatles, making use of an open bank of phone booths in A Hard Day’s Night

And a couple other takes on the phone booth:

“The Aquarium”, street art installation as part of the 2009 Lyon Light Festival in Lyon, France.

Nick Rodrigues

Boston artist, Nick Rodrigues is doing what he can to improve on the modern day cell phone experience by developing his Personal Cell Phone Booth.  More power to you there, Nick!