News Magazine of the Screen motion picture film, 1950-1960

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Summary

Title:
News Magazine of the Screen motion picture film
Dates:
1950-1960
Creators:
Pathe News
Abstract:
The News Magazine of the Screen motion picture film, 1950-1960, (SAFR 24256, P11-005) is comprised of two newsreel segments titled "The Call of the Sea," about the Mystic Seaport Museum, and "Last of Our Full Riggers" about the San Francisco Maritime Museum's 1954-1955 restoration of BALCLUTHA (built 1886; ship, 3m). The collection has been processed to the Collection level and is open for use.
Extent:
1 item
Language:
In English.
Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], P11-005 (SAFR 24256), News Magazine of the Screen motion picture film, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Background

Scope and content:

The News Magazine of the Screen motion picture film, 1950-1960, (SAFR 24256, P11-005) is comprised of two newsreel segments titled "The Call of the Sea," about the Mystic Seaport Museum, and "Last of Our Full Riggers" about the San Francisco Maritime Museum's 1954-1955 restoration of BALCLUTHA (built 1886; ship, 3m). The collection has been processed to the Collection level and is open for use.

Contains News Magazine of the Screen newsreel segments about two museums: the San Francisco Maritime Museum and the Mystic Seaport Museum, 1950-1960. There is 1 reel (400 ft.) of 16 mm black-and-white film with optical sound. Kodak safety positive projection print. Produced by Pathe Pictures, Inc. Running time is approximately 13 minutes total. "News Magazine of the Screen Vol. 5 & 8 Issue 1 & 9" was handwritten on a sticker on the film canister (now discarded).

The first segment is titled "The Call of the Sea" and features footage at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut. The running time is approximately 6 minutes long. Girl Scout mariners are shown working and living aboard JOSEPH CONRAD (built 1882; ship, 3m). There are views of buildings from the museum's 19th-century seafaring village, including exterior and interior shots of the Charles Mallory sail loft, A. J. Peters shipsmith and whalecraft manufacturer shop, and the Plymouth Cordage Company ropewalk. The footage also shows figureheads and ship models on display in the museum followed by views of CHARLES W. MORGAN (built 1841; bark, 3m: whaler).

The second segment is titled "Last of Our Full Riggers" and features footage of the San Francisco Maritime Museum's restoration of BALCLUTHA (built 1886; ship, 3m) in 1954-1955. The running time is approximately 7 minutes long. The segment begins with footage of decaying ship hulks followed by views of BALCLUTHA in disrepair. Karl Kortum, Director of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, purchased the vessel in 1954. He is shown examining plans with William Dodge, Jack Rankine, and Max Lembke in the captain's quarters of the vessel. John Rankin, former ship's carpenter during the vessel's sailing days, is shown examining blocks stored below deck. While the narrator describes the history of BALCLUTHA and the volunteer efforts required to restore her, the footage documents volunteers at work doing rigging activities, cleaning, and painting. When the restoration is complete, Inda Francis Durkee, who had been born aboard the vessel in 1899, is shown re-christening the vessel BALCLUTHA in 1955. Next, the footage shows BALCLUTHA leaving the Oakland shipyard under tow to San Francisco. There is a brief view of the exterior of the museum building followed by shots of people touring BALCLUTHA as well as exhibits on board.

The film reel ends with the text, "This film is one of a series on current events made available as a public service to educational groups by The Arizona Republic and The Phoenix Gazette." This film documents the national importance of maritime preservation, particularly the preservation of BALCLUTHA, in the 1950s.

Biographical / historical:

This collection does not include a historical or biographical note.

Acquisition information:

SAFR-02170

The film was a gift from Steve Lawson in 2011. The Park originally received the film in April 2009. Mr. Lawson purchased the film from eBay.

Processing information:

A digital copy of the film is available.

The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.

Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.

Arrangement:

No arrangement due to the small size of the collection.

Physical location:
San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Physical description:
.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard .

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by: L. Bianchi, September 2014.
Date Prepared:
2015
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from ICMS database and converted into xml from a template revised and updated by San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department. 4/14/2015 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Terms of access:

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], P11-005 (SAFR 24256), News Magazine of the Screen motion picture film, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Location of this collection:
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123, US
Contact:
415-561-7030
Website