1930 ca: Big Don, Little Don, Florida
Identifier
F.2017-02-0014
Date Of Production
1931
Abstract
A series of brief shots capturing a family on vacation in Florida, with particular attention paid to Little Don, a baby. Little Don is seen being spoon-fed, in a playpen, in a carriage, being the subject of older childrens' amusement, and in close-up. One sequence depicts a parade of 1930s automobiles on a scenic beach, shot from the sidelines.
Description
Close-up of a man's face (big Don?), followed by a shot of the same man wearing a suit walking in a garden, toward the camera. Then, we see several close-ups and medium shots of a baby (Little Don?) in a carriage. We then see some people landscaping and gardening on a large lawn -- an older man raking leaves, and a middle-aged woman appearing to trim a bush while laughing -- and a large building in the background. Next, there is an underexposed shot of an arm spooning food into the baby's mouth. In the next shot, two older children begin pushing the baby carriage down a path, appearing to have fun doing so. We then see them flanking the baby, smiling and mugging for the camera.
The next sequence documents scenes on a beach in Florida. First, we see a procession of automobiles driving on the beach, shot with the sea and horizon in the background. Next, a wider shot of the beach with only a few parked cars and several distant human figures, some sandy dunes in the foreground, and the slightly rough surf in the background. The final shots briefly capture the motion of the surf and a ship on the horizon, taken from the same or a similar vantage point as the second shot in this sequence.
We then return to the baby, taking faltering steps inside a playpen, using the playpen as a rail with which to balance. He is with several family members (multiple generations of women and children of various ages) who appear to be relaxing on a porch on a sunny day.
The next sequence documents scenes on a beach in Florida. First, we see a procession of automobiles driving on the beach, shot with the sea and horizon in the background. Next, a wider shot of the beach with only a few parked cars and several distant human figures, some sandy dunes in the foreground, and the slightly rough surf in the background. The final shots briefly capture the motion of the surf and a ship on the horizon, taken from the same or a similar vantage point as the second shot in this sequence.
We then return to the baby, taking faltering steps inside a playpen, using the playpen as a rail with which to balance. He is with several family members (multiple generations of women and children of various ages) who appear to be relaxing on a porch on a sunny day.
Run Time
3 min 44 sec
Format
16mm
Extent
100 feet
Color
B&W
Sound
Silent
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Language Of Materials
English
Element
Reversal Positives
Genre
Form
Subject
Related Collections
Related Places
Main Credits
Armstrong, John O. (is filmmaker)
Participants And Performers
Armstrong, Donald L. (is participant)
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