The Stroud Collection - Texan Theatre, no. 1 - Schoolyard

Duration: 0:06:49

Year Published: c. 1930s

Format: 16mm

Sound: silent

Description: This film from the Stroud collection captures children and teachers in the schoolyard in what may be Shive, Texas. Girls in dresses and bonnets jump rope while boys in overalls play baseball, and all of the children pose and ham for the camera. Scenes of note include a friendly boxing match and the boys practicing their lassoing technique on one another. Donor Suzanne Stroud Santo tells the story of the films in this collection: "My family owned the Texan Theatre in Hamilton, Texas. During the Depression, a fellow from Hollywood, down on his luck, sold my grandfather his film equipment. Grandpa would go to community events in Hamilton County and film them, then develop them and have a "showing" to promote business." The family also owned the 281 Drive-In Theatre, the first Drive-In in Texas to install a swimming pool.