HOME MOVIES: 1940s

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1940s

Format: 16mm

Description: This short film, a silent home movie from the 1940s, was shot by an unknown filmmaker. It contains family images as well as an intriguing segment featuring African-American / Black musicians and performers. It's a mystery as to who these performers are -- if you have any insight please leave notes in the comments. The film begins with shots of a white family posing in nice outfits, with the father wearing a suit and tie. At :32 are images inside a family home, of a well-dressed woman sitting in a chair. At :53 are shots of a painting or portrait of a woman (possibly the same woman shown in the chair previously?) At 1:43, close up image of the painting. At 2:00 are shots in the desert, possibly in Southern Arizona but actual location unknown. At 2:35, a group of African American / Black musicians and singers perform at an outdoor stage. A sign on the stage says "Mill's Cigarettes" -- that's a brand popular overseas but relatively unknown in the USA. It's unclear what the location of the performance was, or who was performing. We'd love to know who, what and when!

Complete Record: This short film, a silent home movie from the 1940s, was shot by an unknown filmmaker. It contains family images as well as an intriguing segment featuring African-American / Black musicians and performers. It's a mystery as to who these performers are -- if you have any insight please leave notes in the comments. The film begins with shots of a white family posing in nice outfits, with the father wearing a suit and tie. At :32 are images inside a family home, of a well-dressed woman sitting in a chair. At :53 are shots of a painting or portrait of a woman (possibly the same woman shown in the chair previously?) At 1:43, close up image of the painting. At 2:00 are shots in the desert, possibly in Southern Arizona but actual location unknown. At 2:35, a group of African American / Black musicians and singers perform at an outdoor stage. A sign on the stage says "Mill's Cigarettes" -- that's a brand popular overseas but relatively unknown in the USA. It's unclear what the location of the performance was, or who was performing. We'd love to know who, what and when!