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ASBESTOS, THE STORY OF - 1921
Documents the mining, industrial processing and uses for the then considered "miracle" mineral Asbestos and its fire retardant properties.
(public domain films) 1921 BW 32 min |
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| keywords: asbestos, mining, industrial manufacturing, roofing tiles |
EARLY AMERICA: 1607 - 1940
The story of early America and progress with scenes of National landmarks, historical re-enactments of Colonial life, building of Jamestown, Revolutionary War Valley Forge, U.S. Flag with 13 stars waving, Industrial Revolution, Westward Migration, Inventions, 1940's U.S. lifestyle and more.
(public domain films) 1945 BW 17min |
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| keywords: jamestown, plymouth rock, valley forge, westward expansion, gold rush, prohibition, lifestyle, leisure time |
ADMIRAL BYRD'S ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION
Admiral Byrd's Antarctic expedition. Motor ship North Star at the Army Base in Boston Harbor is loaded. The snow cruiser is shown arriving. The North Star steams out of Boston Harbor on Nov. 15, 1939.
(public domain films) 1939-1941 COL 54 min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: admiral byrd, antarctica, motor ship north star, line-crossing ceremony, shellback initiation |
AFRICAN-AMERICAN EDUCATION
COLLEGES DURING WARTIME
All across the country college curriculum is adjusted to war needs by preparing students for military and war-effort occupations.
(public domain films) 1943 BW 9min |
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| keywords: education, college, laboratory, machine shop, dr. carver, tuskegee institute, howard university, hampton institute |
AFRICAN-AMERICAN EDUCATION
LOOKING TOWARD THE HORIZON
The struggle to improve education for Black-Americans in the South, detailing poverty conditions and the importance of church.
(public domain films) 1930's 25 min BW (SILENT) |
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| keywords: poverty, farm field house, education, college, manual royal typewriter, marchant manual adding machine |
AFRICAN-AMERICANS - WE WILL WORK AGAIN
African Americans during the Depression Era with contrast of scenes from breadlines to employment in Federal Work Projects.
(public domain films) 1937 16 min BW |
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| keywords: african americans, depression era, wpa, works progress administration, breadline, soup line |
BERLIN - SYMPHONY OF A GREAT CITY
The day in the life of the city of Berlin, Germany from morning to night weaving scenes of architecture, streets, industry and citizens into a day in the life montage of a historic European city.
(public domain films) 1927 BW 62 min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: berlin germany, architecture, industrial machines, stores, factories, german citizens, boxing, fireworks |
THE BEST FED BABY IS THE BREAST FED BABY
Health film advocating the benefits of breast feeding over bottle feeding with tips on producing enough breast milk, nutrition for mother and child the importance of scheduled feedings.
(public domain films) 1925 BW 10min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: health and medical, child development, breast feeding |
BETTER HOUSING NEWSFLASH 1936
Innovative Home Ideas And Projects, National Housing Act Spurs Residential Construction, The Model Home Is A Perfect Way To See The Latest In Home Improvements.
(public domain films) 1936 BW 6 min |
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| keywords: home improvements, residential construction, model homes, national housing act |
A BETTER MISSOURI - WPA WORK PROJECTS
The effects of the Great Depression in Missouri and its brighter future as President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiates WPA Projects around the country that also puts the men of Missouri back to work under the New Deal.
(public domain films) 1937 BW 9min |
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| keywords: great depression era, missouri, wpa work projects |
BOULDER DAM - FROM START TO FINISH
With a height of 726 feet and a crest length of 1244 feet, Boulder Dam (renamed Hoover Dam in 1947) is an engineering marvel.
(public domain films) 1930's 15 min BW (SILENT) |
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| keywords: nevada, construction, engineering, concrete, boulder dam, hoover dam, lake mead |
BLUE ANGELS - AIRSHOW 1948
Navy airshow featuring the Blue Angels Precision Flying Team at a time when the military was transitioning from prop to jet power.
(public domain films) 1948 12 min COL (SILENT) |
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| keywords: navy, military airshow, blue angels precision flying team, nas, grosse lie, michigan |
BODYBUILDER CHARLES ATLAS
Pioneer bodybuilder Charles Atlas and inside Charles Altlas LTD., as dozens of women prepare marketing material and envelopes for mailing to those who want to become muscle men after answering an iconic Charles Atlas ad.
(public domain films) 1940's BW 8min |
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| keywords: health and fitness, bodybuilder charles atlas, fitness industry |
CAMERA THRILLS IN WILDEST AFRICA
Take a retro journey to wildest africa to film dangerous wild animals and then at the end of a long day, shoot them.
(public domain films) 12 min BW (SILENT) |
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| keywords: crocodiles, zebras, hippos, cheetah, rhinos, rhinoceros, vultures, elephants, lions, giraffe, antelope, wildebeests |
CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY
Highlighting the recreational facilities in New York Citys' Central Park and its citizens and visitors enjoying them to the fullest.
(public domain films) 1949 10 min BW |
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| keywords: place, new york state, city, new york city, place, central park |
CHAIN GANGS AND PRISONS
Prison lifestyle of the 1930's documenting life on a chain gang as well as a facilities in Georgia and Alcatraz Island in California.
(public domain films) 1938 29 min BW (SILENT) |
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| keywords: prison, prisoners, chain gang, shackles, prison license plate shop, alcatraz island, turpentine production |
THE CITY - A PORTRAIT OF AMERICA: 1930's - 1940's
American lifestyle in the rural country is contrasted with the lifestyles in a major city with factories and traffic congestion.
(public domain films) 1930's 21 min BW (SILENT) |
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| keywords: american lifestyles, country life, rural life, city, cities, factories, manufacturing, traffic congestion, air pollution |
THE CITY - A PORTRAIT OF AMERICA: 1930's - 1940's
SELECTED SCENES IN HD
American lifestyle in the rural country is contrasted with the lifestyles in a major city with factories and traffic congestion.
(public domain films) 1930's - 1940's BW 14 min |
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| keywords: american lifestyles, country life, rural life, city, cities, factories, manufacturing, traffic congestion, air pollution |
CONDUCTOR ARTURO TOSCANINI
HYMN OF THE NATIONS
Making his home in America, Italian Conductor Arturo Toscanini is shown at home in New York and his preparations for conducting Verdi's Hymn Of Nations.
(public domain films) 1940's BW 5min |
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| keywords: new york, conductor arturo toscanini, hymn of nations by verdi |
CORRUPTION OF AMERICA
1930's GERMAN PROPAGANDA FILM
Propaganda film describing the cultural decadence of America. Topic aside, outstanding footage of worker strikes, riots, etc.
(public domain films) 1930s 15 min BW (GERMAN LANGUAGE) |
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| keywords: america, american lifestyle, worker strikes, riots, gangsters, john dillinger, depression, slums, german propaganda |
COUNTRY STORE
Scenes from the iconic Country Store in the 1940's where the store not only sold groceries and fresh produce but doubled as the Post Office, Gas Station and social circle for the town.
(public domain films) 1940's BW 16min |
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| keywords: country store, rural america, small town, farmers, tractors, post office |
DANGER IN THE STREETS
Early safety film addresses the ever-growing problem of traffic fatalities involving pedestrians (mostly kids) in Los Angeles, CA.
(public domain films) 1936 8 min BW (SILENT) |
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| keywords: driver education, driver training, driver safety, pedestrians, california, los angeles |
DAY AT CHILDREN'S HOUSE 1937
The Children's House in 1937 Detroit is place for creative children to play, work with textiles and learn various arts.
(public domain films) 1937 BW 11min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: detroit, children's house, day care, school children |
DECISION - THE CONSTITUTION IN ACTION
President Franklin D. Roosevelt Signs and defends a slate of New Deal Laws - which brings him in direct conflict with the United States Supreme Court.
(public domain films) 1950's BW 18min |
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| keywords: president franklin d. roosevelt, united states supreme court, social security act, minimum wage law |
DETROIT BUSINESS DISTRICT 1920's
Street scenes of Detroit Michigan in the early 1920's with the Michigan Business District, Ford Automobiles, Ford Trucks, Ford Motor Company Highland Park Auto Plant.
(public domain films) 1920's BW 9min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: detroit michigan, detroit business district, ford cars, ford truck, highland ford auto plant |
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION OF AN AMERICAN ICON
Documenting the construction of the Empire State Building from concrete foundation to beacon tower installation.
(public domain films) 1930 BW 40 min |
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| keywords: new york city, empire state building construction, former astoria hotel, american bridge company |
ETHNIC NEIGHBORHOODS - NYC
CHINESE, JEWISH AND ITALIAN
Unedited footage of three ethnic neighborhoods in 1939 New York City with street scenes of Chinatown, the Jewish section and Little Italy.
(public domain films) 1939 BW 11min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: new york city, ethnic neighborhoods, street scenes, chinatown, jewish section, little italy |
EVOLUTION OF THE OIL INDUSTRY
Evolution of oil from an ingredient in early medicine to lamp oil for lighting to the invention of the combustion engine making oil the main source of energy for the Industrialized World.
(public domain films) 30 min COL |
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| keywords: oil drilling, oil wells, early automobiles, gasoline refinery, refining crude oil, oil pipeline construction |
FESTSPIELE IN OSTIREICH - THE ARTS IN SALZBURG
A grand view of the Arts in Salzburg Germany with various Musical, Theatrical and Opera Productions during a Summer festival in the 1940's.
(public domain films) 1945 BW 15min |
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| keywords: salzburg germany, summer arts festival |
THE FIGHT FOR LIFE - CHILDBIRTH IN CHICAGO
This film is a dramatization of a young doctor's training in obstetrics at the Maternity Center in Chicago in the 1940's.
(public domain films) 1940s BW 70 min |
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| keywords: obstetrics, maternity hospital, baby delivery, chicago slums, blood transfusion |
FIORELLO HENRY LAGUARDIA
MAYOR NEW YORK CITY
Unedited footage of Fiorello Henry LaGuardia, who served as New York City Mayor for three terms from 1934 to 1945.
(public domain films) 1940's BW 12min |
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| keywords: mayor laguardia, new york city, union protest, navy ship launch |
FIREMAN, THE
Firefighters of 1948 from equipment demonstrations and firefighting techniques to in action at a simulated house fire.
(public domain films) 1948 11 min BW |
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| keywords: firefighter, fireman, firemen, firepoeple, fighting fires, house fire, fire department, fire equipment, firehose |
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
FORDLANDIA BRAZIL - 1934 WORLD SERIES
Unedited footage of the area in Brazil where the Ford Motor Company Boa Vista complex know as Fordlandia with various support staff and services.
(public domain films) 1930's BW 8min (PARTIAL SOUND) |
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| keywords: brazil, ford motor company boa vista, fordlandia, pro baseball, 1934 world series, detroit tigers, st. louis cardinals |
GANDHI AND INDIA
Mahatma Gandhi appears in public with his followers who clash with British and Indian police in protest to British rule.
(public domain films) 7 min BW (SILENT/SOUND) |
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| keywords: mahatma gandhi, india, riot, demonstrations, demonstrating, protests, protesting, british rule |
GANDHI AND INDIA - HD CLIP
Unedited footage of a Hindu festival procession, clash with colonial police against British rule and various scenes of Mahatma Gandhi.
(public domain films) 1930's BW 5min (SILENT/SOUND) |
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| keywords: india, hindu festival procession, protest against british rule, mahatma gandhi |
GASOLINE PRODUCTION
Documenting the crude oil-gasoline refinery industry and distribution of refined crude oil products in the 1920's.
(public domain films) 1924 BW 43 min (SILENT with title cards) |
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| keywords: crude oil industry, gasoline refinery, crude oil products, oil refining process, gasoline tank farm |
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK- CIRCA 1940's
Known as the "Crown Jewel" of the National Park System, go back in time to visit its treasures of mountain peaks and alpine lakes.
(public domain films) 1940's 60 min COL |
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| place, montana, park, glacier national park, camping, hiking, touring |
GOLD 1930: PROCESS TO PRODUCT
Gold mining and the processing of the raw ore into different products such as wire for industry, jewelry and gold coins.
(public domain films) 1930 BW 11min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: gold mining, gold miner, hydraulic mining, dredging, prospector, gold coins |
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
CONSTRUCTION OF A LANDMARK
Certainly the most photographed bridge in the World, this title documents the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1933 and held the title as the longest suspension bridge main span in the World until 1964.
(public domain films) 1933 BW 40min |
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| keywords: san francisco, golden gate bridge construction, wire suspension bridge, john a. roebling company |
HINDENBURG DISASTER
While attempting to dock, the titanic German Zeppelin Hindenburg mysteriously catches fire and is utterly destroyed within minutes.
(public domain films) 1937 14 min BW |
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| keywords: new york state, new jersey, lakehurst naval air station, zeppelin, airship, dirigible, blimp, hindenburg, hydrogen |
INTERNATIONAL NEWS - 1921
Quick snapshots of news stories and events happening in 1921.
(public domain films) 1921 BW 20 min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: president warren g. harding, first lady florence harding, baseball new york giants, general john j. pershing |
INVENTION OF MECHANICAL COTTON PICKER
The Rust Brothers demonstrate a cotton picking machine in a cotton field in Stonewall, Mississippi September 2, 1936.
(public domain films) 1936 BW 4min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: cotton field, cotton picker, mechanical cotton picker |
IT ALL DEPENDS
AMERICAN LIFESTYLE LATE 1940's
Classic retro of the American lifestyle in the late 1940's with scenes of kids playing, skipping rope, family at breakfast table, milkman in his truck making his morning deliveries, automobile service garage and more.
(public domain films) 1940's BW 10min |
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| keywords: Retro Americana, American Lifestyle, Skipping Rope, Family Breakfast, Milk Delivery, Auto Service Garage |
KNOW YOUR MONEY
COUNTERFEIT BILLS AND FORGED CHECKS
Methods for detecting counterfeit money and forged checks as well as common errors found in examples of counterfeit bills.
(public domain films) 1939 BW 17min |
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| keywords: counterfeiting, counterfeiters, counterfeit money, forged checks, funny money, bogus bills |
LOS ANGELES - CITY OF DESTINY
1940's Los Angeles is captured from its orchards and vineyards to vibrant city life and landmarks unique to the City Of Angels.
(public domain films) 1949 32 min COL |
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| keywords: california, los angeles, l.a., city of angels, freeways, farmer's market, santa anita park, beaches, swimming pool |
MINING AND FARMING 1920's
Mining and processing plant possibly for phosphate as well as scenes of farming with cotton plants and dairy cattle.
(public domain films) 1920s 12 min BW (SILENT) |
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| keywords: mining, mine processing, steam locomotive, model t ford, cotton farming, dairy cattle, farm house |
A NEW LIFE FOR WAR REFUGEES
THE CUMMINGTON, MA STORY
Re-enactment of the integration of a group of World War II refugees into the life of the small town of Cummington, MA.
(public domain films) 1945 BW 20 min |
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| keywords: re-enactment, war refugees, integration, new england lifestyle, country fair |
NYA BUILDS NANSEN SKI JUMP 1939
Home to one of the premier ski jumps in America at its time the Berlin Ski Jump built by the NYA includes scenes of the Snow Train with arriving skiers, preparations for opening day, skiers showing off their tricks, skiers making jumps and more.
(public domain films) 1939 COL 15 min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: 1939, Berlin New Hampshire, NYA, Nansen Ski Club Jump, Berlin Ski Jump, Ski Jumping |
NYC STREET SCENES: 1930's - 1940's
NEW ULM, MINNESOTA
New York City street scenes in the 1930's, Jewish neighborhood plus street, lifestyle and business scenes in New Ulm MN.
(public domain films) 1930's - 1940's BW 12min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: new york city, jewish neighborhood, kosciuszko bridge, minnesota, new ulm, watch maker, bakery |
OIL TYCOON CHARLES URSCHEL KIDNAPPING
Infamous criminal "Machine Gun Kelly" and his gang kidnaps Oil Tycoon Charles Urschel for ransom culminating in a trial with evidence and time line presented as well as crime scene locations and depictions of important events during the crime.
(public domain films) 1930's BW 19min |
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| keywords: criminal gangs, machine gun kelly, f.b.i., oil tycoon charles urshel, kidnapping, trial by jury, crime scenes |
ON THE TRAIL
The cowboy lifestyle from ranching and herding cattle to rodeos and bull riding to a relaxing bobcat hunt and fishing.
(public domain films) 10 min BW (SILENT) |
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| keywords: cowboy, ranch, rancher, ranching, cattle drive, rodeo, bull riding, bobcat hunting, bob cat hunting, fishing |
PEACE MISSION MOVEMENT - FATHER DIVINE
Unedited footage of the Peace Mission Movement founded by Father Divine, an African American spiritual leader, in the depression-era of the 1930's.
(public domain films) 1930's BW 14min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: depression era, harlem nyc, peace mission movement, father divine, heavens |
PENNSYLVANIA COAL - THE DRIVE FOR ANTHRACITE
During WWII coal production was increased in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania by raising the morale of the miners.
(public domain films) 1942 BW 5 min |
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| keywords: pennsylvania coal production, coal mines, miners, coal mining town, anthracite |
PLOW THAT BROKE THE PLAINS
DEPRESSION ERA DUST BOWL
Deep plowing of the topsoil of the Great Plains region of the United States from 1930 to 1936 coupled with severe drought conditions leads to the dust bow.
(public domain films) 1936 BW 25 min |
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| keywords: great plains, dust bowl, farmers, farmland, deserted farmhouse, depression era, homeless camp |
P.O.V. AMERICA - VOLUME 1
Variety of scenes from across America from the railroads to smalltown USA to the dust bowl and Drepresssion Era footage.
(public domain films) 1900 - 1940 8 min BW |
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| keywords: railroads, cattle ranch, chicago cattle yards, family dinner, slums and poverty, town meeting, dust bowl |
POWER AND THE LAND
SUPPLYING ENERGY TO RURAL AMERICA
Portrays a farm family from St. Clairsville, Ohio who are members of an REA co-operative, and contrasts their life before and after electrification.
(public domain films) 1940 BW 19 min |
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| keywords: 1940s, rural america, farm life, electricity, energy supplies |
PRISON SYSTEM, THE
PROTECTING THE PEOPLE
Scenes from the Federal Prison System with general interior prison footage and activities from such notable prison and penitentiaries as Alcatraz Prison and Leavenworth Penitentiary.
(public domain films) 1935 BW 10min |
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| keywords: federal prison system, federal penitentiary, alcatraz island, leavenworth prison, lewisburg penitentiary |
REPORT FROM LOUISIANA
Soldier flashbacks to scenes of Louisiana before World War II and returning home to see the changes in lifestyle and industry.
(public domain films) 1945 8 min BW |
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| keywords: louisiana, shrimp boat, louisiana bayou, sunday church services, new orleans, ship building yard, shipyard |
ROOTS OF THE NATION
The story of America, its resources, people and culture as it is traced from its infancy to its upcoming 200th birthday.
(public domain films) 29 min BW |
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| keywords: history of america, appalachian mountains, forests, streams, ducks, deer, turkey, buffalo, gold mine town, logging |
ROTC ACTIVITIES - ROCKWELL FIELD CA 1925
Unedited footage of college ROTC Cadets at Rockwell Field California as they are instructed in maintenance of aircraft, cadet in PT exercises as well as scenes of the SS Yale leaving San Diego Harbor.
(public domain films) 1925 BW 9min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: post-wwi, rotc cadets, rockwell field ca |
RURAL USA 1930 - 1939
DEPRESSION AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS
Slice of life activities and lifestyle of depression era families documenting housing, farming, hand made production of goods.
(public domain films) 1930 - 1939 12 min BW (SILENT) |
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| keywords: depression era, farming, field workers, field hands, unemployment, bartering |
STEEL TOWN - YOUNGSTOWN, OH 1944
Chronicles the production of steel at a steel mill in Youngstown, Ohio during WWII including the smelting process, slagging and blast furnace.
(public domain films) 1944 BW 16 min |
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| keywords: steel mill, youngstown ohio, world war II, wwII, steel workers, industry, smokestacks, smog |
STUDY OF EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITIES
SOUTH CAROLINA 1936
Documenting the educational inequalities and economic disparity between schools for white children and schools for black children in South Carolina 1936.
(public domain films) 1936 BW 33min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: south carolina, african americans, racial discrimination, education inequities, school houses, farms, rural south |
SUN BABIES - HOW SUNLIGHT AFFECTS GROWTH
Health film about the importance of sunlight in child development and the lack of leads to stunted growth, abnormal bone structure and other general physical abnormalities.
(public domain films) 1926 BW 10min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: health and medical, child development, sunlight, rickets, stunted growth |
THESE THIRTY YEARS - VOLUME 1
First half that weaves the development of the automobile and a Ford automobile dealership in a small town around a love story starting with the horseless carriage through 1928.
(public domain films) 1934 BW 36 min |
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| keywords: early transportation, eary automobile, ford cars, model t ford |
THESE THIRTY YEARS - VOLUME 2
Second half that weaves the development of the automobile and a Ford automobile dealership in a small town around a love story starting with the horseless carriage through 1928.
(public domain films) 1934 BW 35 min |
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| keywords: early transportation, eary automobile, ford cars, model t ford |
UNFINISHED REVOLUTION, THE
BUILDING THE GREAT SOCIETY
Documenting American society and the economy from the late 1920's, into the great depression, the election of Franklin D Roosevelt in 1932.
(public domain films) BW 27 min |
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| keywords: the great depression, bread lines, president franklin d roosevelt, wpa programs |
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - COLLEGE LIFE AT UCLA
Dramatization of student life, student government, athletics, social events, classroom activities in 1948.
(public domain films) 1948 BW 43 min |
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| keywords: university of california los angeles, ucla, higher education, college life, college activities |
U.S. MAIL TRANSPORTATION - 1923
Operation of United States Post Office Department in the 1920's. Scenes of an ocean vessel or steamship approaching New York Harbor, radio operator dispatches mail boat to meet ocean vessel, bags sorted and tranferred to railway cars.
(public domain films) 1923 BW 7 min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: u.s. mail, united states post office, chicago mail terminal, mail carriers, u.s. postmen, mail bags |
U.S. MAIL TERMINAL - CHICAGO 1930
Operation of the United States Post Office Chicago mail terminal in the 1930's. Shows the operation of various sections of the Chicago Mail Terminal, particularly in handling parcel post.
(public domain films) 1930 BW 6:30 min (SILENT) |
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| keywords: u.s. mail transportation, post office department, postmaster general, u.s. mail airplane |
U.S.A. DOCUMENTARY MAGAZINE - 1940's
News stories from the 1940's - John Garand The Man Behind The M-1 Garand Rifle, The Scientific Farm, Bert James Inventor.
(public domain films) 1940's 22 min BW |
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| keywords: john garand, m-1 garand military rifle, farming, mass farming, inventor bert james |
VOYAGE TO AMERICA - A STORY OF IMMIGRANTS
Documents the various groups of immigrants seeking political and religious freedom in the 19th and 20th centuries.
(public domain films) 1964 12 min BW |
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| keywords: immigrants, immigration, servitude, forced slavery, european americans, asian americans, black americans |
ZEIGT FILM: IT'S UP TO YOU - GERMANY 1929
Pre-WWII Germany Weimar Republic in its Depression Era that gave political rise to the Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler where he grabbed power and re-armed Germany culminating into WWII in Europe.
(public domain films) 1929 BW 6min |
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| keywords: 1929 germany, depression era, youth nazi farm corps, nazi book burning, sa brownshirts, jewish persecution |
