[Cameron Bradley--home movies] Reel V

Date1940

Can DescriptionsAmateur footage. Family's viewing notes as follows (reel titles in quotes are based on can/box notes, reel letters are NHF-assigned.) V. 'CB, Old Cars 1940.' Scenes of antique cars at Raceland, Framingham, MA. NHF cataloguing notes for Reel V: Crowds. Pan across line of old cars. Individual shots including Model T Ford, Mercedes, Renault, Rolls-Royce. Women in period costume. Shot of commentary box and cars running past camera including Stanley Steamer and Mercer which pulls up and moves off again. Crane shot cars driving over obstacle course of logs. Driving test where cars are driven over humps in track and passenger must hold tray with glasses on it, cars include Buick. One car approaches and passenger is holding two glasses of champagne on tray. Eight cars through obstacle course. Judges watch on sidelines. Another driving test involves reversing into a ìgarageî marked by wooden crates. Man dressed as policeman in period costume rides past on a Penny Farthing bicycle. Shot of marshals. Next driving test: Game where passenger spears ring hung on side of racetrack. Now driver must change sparking plug and restart car. Starting car with crank at front. Shot of Mercer with driver pumping fuel. Real race with four early Grand Prix cars, including 1908 Mercedes, FIAT, Locomobile (?) no.16, and red car. No. 16 wins. Ancient Benz 'buggy', pre 1900. Shots of cars and 'policemen'. Driver of Panhard et Levassor tourer with canopy stops and removes hat boxes from roof. Westbury printed over a doorway. Mercer comes to stop then moves off with 'cops' running after it comicly. Reminiscent of 'Keystone Kops'. Cars parade around track. Fade out.

Creator

• Cameron Bradley

• Cameron Bradley