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1940 Golden Gate International Exposition San Francisco California Color Home Movie Xd14474 (1939)

1939 · Short film · 15 min

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Synopsis

This silent 8mm home movie was shot in 1940 by San Francisco residents Edward and Mary Burns. The film begins with shots aboard the ferry Hayward and images of Treasure Island (:21). At (:50) excited visitors disembark and head to the entrance. The flag of the Expo flies at (:58). At (1:03) a policeman -- possibly a friend of the Burns' -- poses for the camera. At (1:13) a sweeping panorama with the Elephant Towers visible in the distance. At (1:30) paraders include a cowboy on horseback, drum majorettes and marching bands. At (2:21) Japanese American women pose in traditional kimonos. At (2:31) the Chinese Village attraction is visible. At (3:10) a paddleboat makes it way across one of the lakes. At (3:32) what appears to be a Chinese American girl and her mother watch the passing parade, which includes the Sequoia High School marching band. The Berkeley Municipal Legion Band marches at (3:37) followed at (3:51) by a cowboy troupe. At (4:17) a Chinese or Japanese American boy marches in the parade. At (4:27) a Chinese American woman marches in traditional clothes. At (4:42) Kabuki type actors walk in the parade. At (5:15) a lovely shot of a reflecting pool, followed by shots of the fountains. At (6:14) a shot of a statue of Father Junipero Serra is visible. At (7:05), shots of women in classy sunglasses, possibly including Mary Burns. At (8:49), a shot of the impressive Tower of the Sun. At (9:00) are rare shots of one of the performances at the Fair chronicling American…

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Details

Running time
15 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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