There are voices amidst the online chatter arguing that what the boy holds is more likely a mundane notebook, with one remarking: “Looks like a book to me.” Elaborating on historical cinema etiquette, another chimed in: “Back in the day of early film, ushers scanned the audience for pens and notepads as to prevent bootleg recreations of the film.”
Another user added: “If I can time travel, have an iPad and I’m black why in God’s name would I go to the South Side of Chicago in 1941 to watch a matinee of ‘The Aldrich Family’?!” Others took the moment to reflect nostalgically on the past, with one person commenting on the attire seen in the snapshot: “They all are dressed so nicely. To wear your Sunday best to see the movies, it must have been a fantastic treat.”
Another user said: “Part of me wishes we would all dress up like that for the little things, and then I debate if I am even going to shower today.” One more added their admiration saying: “Amazing how nicely dressed they all are. The little men’s hats are so adorable.”
However one brought attention to another girl in the photo and penned: “I don’t care about the notepad, as much as, what looks like a spare pair of legs, between the small girl with a purse and the taller girl looking away in the middle of the frame.”