Home Movies: Kansas City to Natchez (1940)

Synopsis

Interesting reel. Shot from moving train: traveling through area with damaged buildings (hurricane?) and very large groups standing around, possibly African Americans. Overexposed. Another shot, more balanced exposure, rural area, storm damage visible Above may be the Tupelo or Gainesville tornadoes of 1936 Static shot, unpainted wooden shacks, unpaved street Another shot, unpainted wooden shacks, Federal government slum clearance sign visible on right but too small to read, tower of courthouse or capitol-type building in background little boy standing on steps of railroad car, hanging onto grip handles, leaning out over platform Black Pullman porter in white jacket standing below train car steps, looking up at camera (shot from platform of car) Mother and two children: she is reading book to them "Broad Stripes and Bright Stars" with American flag on cover Brief view out train window showing a state capitol building and hotel Another view showing hotel and another high-rise building Railroad station platform, train pulling away Bus driver standing in front of red and white "Tri-State Trailways" bus sign over street: "Brookhaven Home Seekers Paradise" (Brookhaven, Mississippi) Two young children, boy and girl, standing on front bumper of Trailways bus with destination sign "Natchez" (good) children squinting in bright sun 2 Black women, one holding child, posed for camera Natchez: interior of pageant, visiting old house with balconies, women dressed in old-fashioned outfits…

Uploader's description on archive.org

Details

Running time

12 minutes

Collection

Prelinger Archives