Balfour Morrison Home Movies, circa 1936
Identifier
F.MS-0147
Date Of Production
1936
Abstract
Helen Balfour Morrison (1901-1984) started as a commercial photographer in Evanston, Illinois but took up her camera as a serious artist in the 1930s. In the 1950s she set aside her portrait work and primarily photographed/recorded modern dancer Sybil Shearer, with whom she had developed a collaborative artistic partnership.
These reels are early examples of Helen’s fascination and expertise with the growing field of motion picture technologies, a tinkering hobby often reserved for men of her generation. The reels document her early family life, Chicago’s North Shore in the early part of the twentieth century, and a personal interest in capturing moving bodies on screen.
These reels are early examples of Helen’s fascination and expertise with the growing field of motion picture technologies, a tinkering hobby often reserved for men of her generation. The reels document her early family life, Chicago’s North Shore in the early part of the twentieth century, and a personal interest in capturing moving bodies on screen.
Description
This reel includes footage of Bob Morrison playing with a Collie dog in the yard. The film pans the landscape, as to survey the property. There is a brief clip of Bob hanging to a large branch in the water (likely Lake Michigan).
Harriet and Mac Balfour appear loading items in their convertible car and driving off. Harriet can be seen holding up a newspaper, but the headline is obscured. After a short clip of the car driving down a wooded road, Helen is seen playing around in the car. Finally, there are shots of Nancy Kling and a pasture of cows.
Harriet and Mac Balfour appear loading items in their convertible car and driving off. Harriet can be seen holding up a newspaper, but the headline is obscured. After a short clip of the car driving down a wooded road, Helen is seen playing around in the car. Finally, there are shots of Nancy Kling and a pasture of cows.
Format
16mm
Extent
350 feet
Color
B&W
Sound
Silent
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Language Of Materials
English
Element
Reversal Positives
Form
Related Collections
Related Places
Main Credits
Morrison, Helen Balfour (is filmmaker)
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