Pearmain, Pierce Collection

SummaryThe Pierce Pearmain Collection consists of two copies each of two short films shot on 35 mm. film in 1926. Sponsored by the Faneuil Hall Markets Century Celebration, both films were produced to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Faneuil Hall Markets, better known as Quincy Market. The first film gives an overview of the history of Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market before going on to show each of the Boston landmarks in 1926. It also includes some footage of the 100th anniversary celebration. The second film goes into greater detail about Quincy Market, showcasing several local industries surrounding the market, from farms to fisheries. It also addresses the various communities served by Quincy Market at the time.

Biographical/Historical NotesCreator Philip Davis founded the National Motion Picture Bureau around 1920 for the purpose of making educational, industrial and Americanization films, or films designed to educate recent immigrants, all with a New England focus. Born in 1876 in Motol, Russia (now Motal, Belarus), Davis had a strict Orthodox Jewish upbringing before immigrating to the United States in 1890. He became involved in the trade union movement while working in a sweatshop in New York City then moved to Chicago to live with his brother Frank, who was also a union activist. Davis went on to study at Hull House, the Lewis Institute, and the University of Chicago before transferring to Harvard University in 1902. Davis’ first foray into film came after World War I, when he became the New England representative of Community Pictures and then Pathé’s non-theatrical department. Davis died in 1951, shortly after writing an autobiography detailing his early life in the trade union and social welfare movements entitled "And Crown Thy Good." WorldCat Biographical information on Davis, his labor advocacy and sponsored film work in New England, including as director of the lost film "Jack Spruce or, Life in the Northern Woods," made for Great Northern Paper Co., appears in "The Educational Screen," January 1940, pp. 17-18. Archive.org

RepositoryNortheast Historic Film

AvailabilityThe Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and UseAuthorization to reuse and/or reproduce must be obtained from Northeast Historic Film. See http://www.oldfilm.org/research for more information.