[HOME MOVIE TRIP TO ORANGEVILLE, NEW YORK STATE]

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1939

Description: Shot by an unknown cameraman, this is a silent home movie. While it is hard to discern exactly what is being depicted due to the lack of text, color, sound and credits, however, the viewer is likely watching events from the 1939 National Air Race such as aerobatics and parachuting, a family gathering at a private home, a military parade in what is likely the small town of Orangeville in New York, the industrialized city of Pittsburgh, and finally a trip to a convent. Film opens, parachutes dot sky (0:08). Close-up of parachutists reaching land (0:15). Crowd looks on from sitting area to field in front of them, planes speed along grass preparing for take off (0:25). Wedell-Williams Model 44 (0:33). Douglas DC-3 (0:38). Three other race planes take to sky (0:42). What appears to be Sikorsky VS-300 (early helicopter) takes off, flies over other race planes lined up in field facing spectators (0:51). Camera pans field from POV of spectators, race planes of various sizes and shapes (1:02). Aerobatics portion of air races commence, biplanes fly in formation, do flips and tricks in sky (1:22). Flag pole with American flag, race flag for 1939 National Air Race; Various shots of crowd likely gathered for Air Race opening ceremony (2:04). U.S. Army Air Corps Curtiss P-36 Hawks fly in formation (2:15). Another shot of Flag pole with American flag, race flag for 1939 National Air Race (2:46). Parachute jumping exhibition; White parachutes dot the sky as they slowly fall to ground (3:04). Portion of air show perhaps for experimental planes (3:27). Configuration of biplanes takes off from airfield, portion of aerobatics, pilot ejects from plane (3:56). Another segment of parachute jumping (6:23). Two young men get into vehicle parked behind 1932 Ford Model B on city street, billboard advertisement for men’s retail chain Richman Brothers plastered onto building in background (6:43). American flag hangs from porch of single-family home (7:00). Spectators gather on roof of building to watch military parade below, floats and marching band march through streets (7:05). Promotional float for Westinghouse Electric followed by 1937 Cadillac Series 60 Sedan (7:48). Various vehicles decorated as floats for parade such as 1939 Seagrave fire truck, pick up truck (8:26). Shot of same family home from earlier, this time snow covers the ground, other shots of surrounding neighborhood and homes (9:06). Members of family pose for camera, woman shows off outfit for fur-lined jacket, husband and young sons pose together (9:48). Family members clamber into family vehicle (10:35). Ford Model A gets stuck amid mud and logs while being parked in front of marsh or lake front (10:50). Camera pans serene, calm body of water; Various birds swim in waters and fly above (10:58). Ducks swim in enclosed pen (11:24). Camera pans scene of industrialized waterfront of unknown city with smoke stacks for factories and bridges, perhaps Pittsburgh and bridge is Herr's Island Bridge (11:38). Nuns in “habit” uniform, holding bibles smile for camera in garden of local convent; Perhaps one of the sisters is relative of family shown previously (12:21). Toddler aged boys run around property chasing after white chickens, boys startled by farm dog (13:52). Camera pans facade of convent building, marble statue of religious figure holding cross in center courtyard; Man in suit stands in front of statue beside young monk in black robes (14:52). Film ends (15:20).

Complete Record: Shot by an unknown cameraman, this is a silent home movie. While it is hard to discern exactly what is being depicted due to the lack of text, color, sound and credits, however, the viewer is likely watching events from the 1939 National Air Race such as aerobatics and parachuting, a family gathering at a private home, a military parade in what is likely the small town of Orangeville in New York, the industrialized city of Pittsburgh, and finally a trip to a convent. Film opens, parachutes dot sky (0:08). Close-up of parachutists reaching land (0:15). Crowd looks on from sitting area to field in front of them, planes speed along grass preparing for take off (0:25). Wedell-Williams Model 44 (0:33). Douglas DC-3 (0:38). Three other race planes take to sky (0:42). What appears to be Sikorsky VS-300 (early helicopter) takes off, flies over other race planes lined up in field facing spectators (0:51). Camera pans field from POV of spectators, race planes of various sizes and shapes (1:02). Aerobatics portion of air races commence, biplanes fly in formation, do flips and tricks in sky (1:22). Flag pole with American flag, race flag for 1939 National Air Race; Various shots of crowd likely gathered for Air Race opening ceremony (2:04). U.S. Army Air Corps Curtiss P-36 Hawks fly in formation (2:15). Another shot of Flag pole with American flag, race flag for 1939 National Air Race (2:46). Parachute jumping exhibition; White parachutes dot the sky as they slowly fall to ground (3:04). Portion of air show perhaps for experimental planes (3:27). Configuration of biplanes takes off from airfield, portion of aerobatics, pilot ejects from plane (3:56). Another segment of parachute jumping (6:23). Two young men get into vehicle parked behind 1932 Ford Model B on city street, billboard advertisement for men’s retail chain Richman Brothers plastered onto building in background (6:43). American flag hangs from porch of single-family home (7:00). Spectators gather on roof of building to watch military parade below, floats and marching band march through streets (7:05). Promotional float for Westinghouse Electric followed by 1937 Cadillac Series 60 Sedan (7:48). Various vehicles decorated as floats for parade such as 1939 Seagrave fire truck, pick up truck (8:26). Shot of same family home from earlier, this time snow covers the ground, other shots of surrounding neighborhood and homes (9:06). Members of family pose for camera, woman shows off outfit for fur-lined jacket, husband and young sons pose together (9:48). Family members clamber into family vehicle (10:35). Ford Model A gets stuck amid mud and logs while being parked in front of marsh or lake front (10:50). Camera pans serene, calm body of water; Various birds swim in waters and fly above (10:58). Ducks swim in enclosed pen (11:24). Camera pans scene of industrialized waterfront of unknown city with smoke stacks for factories and bridges, perhaps Pittsburgh and bridge is Herr's Island Bridge (11:38). Nuns in “habit” uniform, holding bibles smile for camera in garden of local convent; Perhaps one of the sisters is relative of family shown previously (12:21). Toddler aged boys run around property chasing after white chickens, boys startled by farm dog (13:52). Camera pans facade of convent building, marble statue of religious figure holding cross in center courtyard; Man in suit stands in front of statue beside young monk in black robes (14:52). Film ends (15:20).