“Alas, alack, and Alaska”

I used that expression a few posts back. The first time, and probably the only time I’ve heard that used, is the bus scene in the film ‘It Happened One Night’ when the travelers are singing the song ‘The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze’. It’s more like Edward Lear “nonsense”,  and I love that movie….. Now, where was I going with this? Oh, yeah; “Alas, alack and Alaska”, the San Francisco Chronicle announced that San Francisco officials have formerly requested the removal of the 1971 structure, the Vaillancourt Fountain. Actually, although I didn’t mind it, I won’t necessarily be sorry to see it go. It resembled the entrails of a giant concrete monster, but it kind of looked pretty when they changed the colors of the water flowing from it. I looked back over my blog to see how many times I posted pictures of the fountain. (Thumbnail images)

  

The 1971 ceremony at the opening of the fountain: (San Francisco Public Library Archives)

  

In case you’ve ever wondered what the back of the Vaillancourt Fountain looks like, and who hasn’t. (San Francisco Public Library Archives)

  

1970s and 2023 people in front of the fountain:

  

1970s and 2017 kids playing at the Vaillancourt Fountain:

  

“The Streets of San Francisco, the television show that dares to use the Vaillancourt Fountain for a backdrop.” That might have been a good promo for this episode of the TV show.

  

And as an added bonus, you get a view from the top of Vaillancourt Fountain in the ‘The Streets of San Francisco’ episode. Hmm, now that I think about it, I’m going to miss that ugly thing.