1948: The Cooper Family
Date Of Production
1948
Abstract
A reel of compiled home movie camera rolls depicting Vera and Firman Cooper's life in Iola, Wisconsin and their visits with family and friends. Some portions were shot on visits to Manawa, Wisconsin, Iron Mountain, Michigan, and Madison, Wisconsin.
Description
This reel begins in Manawa, Wisconsin at the home of Vera Cooper's parents, Lillian Belle Quimby and Leslie Quimby. Various family members are present, including Fern and Jim Davidson and Ralph and Claire Quimby (Vera's siblings and their spouses). Bill, Lloyd, and Neil Cooper, wearing matching blue jackets, walk toward the camera. Lloyd is carrying Jane Cooper. They are followed by Vera.
In a new shot, back in Iola, Wisconsin, baby Jane is held by Ruthie, a young neighbor of the Coopers'. Jane appears again, standing next to her brother Bill, who is on a bicycle. In a subsequent shot, Bill rides his bicycle down Main St in downtown Iola, looking down the street toward Firman Cooper's print shop. A brief shot shows a group of youngsters hanging out outside of the Cooper family garage. The children include Bill Cooper and neighbor Bobby Gunderson, wearing a red shirt. In a second shot of downtown Iola, various neighbors greet the camera, likely held by Vera. The Corner Restaurant is visible in the background, with a Coca Cola sign.
A brief shot shows neighbors Edna and Ray Adams with their children Gloria and Jean. Neil and Jane Cooper play nearby. Neighbor Hank's airplane is shown landing in a large field.
Outside of the Coopers' house, Dr. Robert Hanson, who lived across the street, poses with a large number of neighborhood children, including Jane, Neil, and Lloyd Cooper. Two shots show neighbor Jeannie Thompson, once wearing a black headband and next in her band uniform, walking with Neil Cooper. Jane and Neil try on Jeannie's band uniform hat.
In a new section, shot in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Vera and Firman are visiting with Vera's half-sister Fern Davidson, Fern's daughter Delores Luba, and her daughter Sharon. Neil and his cousin Sharon wave to the camera and dance. Delores Luba and her husband Clarence get into a car on a country road.
A new section returns to Iola, where an "old car parade" is happening. It begins with old cars and continues with newer cars. The cars continue past the storefronts of downtown Iola. It is raining.
A new section begins with a shot of the capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin. The Cooper family is on a trip to the city. They visit the Henry Vilas Zoo and see the animals. Consecutive shots show Vera and Firman trading off the camera to show Firman carrying Jane and Vera walking with Jane.
In a new shot, back in Iola, Wisconsin, baby Jane is held by Ruthie, a young neighbor of the Coopers'. Jane appears again, standing next to her brother Bill, who is on a bicycle. In a subsequent shot, Bill rides his bicycle down Main St in downtown Iola, looking down the street toward Firman Cooper's print shop. A brief shot shows a group of youngsters hanging out outside of the Cooper family garage. The children include Bill Cooper and neighbor Bobby Gunderson, wearing a red shirt. In a second shot of downtown Iola, various neighbors greet the camera, likely held by Vera. The Corner Restaurant is visible in the background, with a Coca Cola sign.
A brief shot shows neighbors Edna and Ray Adams with their children Gloria and Jean. Neil and Jane Cooper play nearby. Neighbor Hank's airplane is shown landing in a large field.
Outside of the Coopers' house, Dr. Robert Hanson, who lived across the street, poses with a large number of neighborhood children, including Jane, Neil, and Lloyd Cooper. Two shots show neighbor Jeannie Thompson, once wearing a black headband and next in her band uniform, walking with Neil Cooper. Jane and Neil try on Jeannie's band uniform hat.
In a new section, shot in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Vera and Firman are visiting with Vera's half-sister Fern Davidson, Fern's daughter Delores Luba, and her daughter Sharon. Neil and his cousin Sharon wave to the camera and dance. Delores Luba and her husband Clarence get into a car on a country road.
A new section returns to Iola, where an "old car parade" is happening. It begins with old cars and continues with newer cars. The cars continue past the storefronts of downtown Iola. It is raining.
A new section begins with a shot of the capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin. The Cooper family is on a trip to the city. They visit the Henry Vilas Zoo and see the animals. Consecutive shots show Vera and Firman trading off the camera to show Firman carrying Jane and Vera walking with Jane.
Format
8mm
Extent
150 feet
Color
Color
Sound
Silent
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Element
Reversal Positives
Form
Subject
Related Collections
Related Places
Main Credits
Cooper, Vera (is filmmaker)
Cooper, Firman (is filmmaker)
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