A trip back in time - the first 35 mm film ever - San Fancisco street scenes of 1906

[Mira]

Someone sent this to me this morning. I find it fascinating and an unexpected jewel of a find. Real, not a scene from a movie :))

THIS IS REALLY UNBELIEVABLE! NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS, NO RULES.

This is a fascinating movie. A camera was mounted on the front of a street car in San Francisco 104 years ago (1906).
Perhaps the oldest "home movie" that you will ever see! Look at the hats the ladies were wearing and the long dresses.

Some of the cars had the steering wheels on the right side. I wonder when they standardized on the left?

Sure were still a lot of horse drawn vehicles in use. Mass transit looked like the way to get around. Looks like everybody had the right of way.

Watch the beginning carefully. At the 33 second mark and immediately after an oncoming trolley clears the screen, a well dressed
policeman walks across the street from left to right. Notice his right hand that he's carrying a truncheon (26 inch police baton) and
although he appears walking his beat, he looks ready to use it. Imagine the police of today walking down the street carrying a 26 inch club in their hand...??? also notice every man is wearing a suit

This film was "lost" for many years. It was the first 35mm film ever. The number of automobiles is staggering for 1906. The clock tower at the end of Market Street at the Embarcadero wharf is still there.

How many "street cleaning" people were employed to pick up after the horses? Talk about going green!

This film was originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum figured out
exactly when it was shot. From New York trade papers announcing the film showing to the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall & shadows indicating time of year & actual weather and conditions on historical record, even when the cars were registered (he even knows who owned them and when the plates were issued!). It was filmed only four days before the Great California Earthquake of April 18th 1906 and shipped by train to NY for processing.



http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=NINOxRxze9k

[bluedigger]

1. Very good!

Two things struck me - the total lack of traffic laws :scared: ; and the overall health of the populace - they all looked fit and trim :shrug: .

[madmax]

4. What you said,

it was a free for all.

The tall building in the distance looked like the Empire State Building - then remembered it was SFO. Not going to google to find out if the Empire State building was even built in 1906. :P

The wagons, cars, everyone just did whatever. :rofl: People cutting in here and there. A lot of Jay Walking ;)

Thanks for posting this, very cool.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Fascinating. Also I notice how crowded it was. THAT has not changed.

Edited to add:
AND notice how many cable cars there were, one right after another.

[alfredo]

3. Thanks. Loved that. It was such a trip.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I was enthralled!

And the music was perfect.

I loved the gentle pace, the fluid motion of all the vehicles and people walking, running or strolling...

What a great clip!

[northoftheborder]

6. I have seen that film somewhere, online, but cannot remember...

....where I saw it. I thought it interesting and hilarious. Bicycles, people, cars, horses & carriages, trucks, all going anywhere they wanted any time!!!

[Alameda]

7. Actually the thing that struck me is how much it still looks like that.

At the end is the Ferry Building. I take pass through there pretty regularly, as I take the ferry and walk down Market street to and from the Ferry Building.

[hunter]

8. My dad's family lived in San Francisco then.

My great aunt told us stories about her childhood in the aftermath of the earthquake.

I was thinking about the young children in Japan. Even as much as their families are able to shield them from the chaos, that wreckage and reconstruction of cities becomes their norm.

It's not hard for me to imagine some of my great aunt's personality quirks arose from that early childhood experience.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. My dear Mira...

I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed your clip to show the folks in GD...

It was a hit!

Thanks for bringing this to our attention!


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x702747

:hi:

[Mira]

10. Great! I kindof hoped someone would. I did not have the courage -

it not being "political" and I hate it if the mods slap me when I'm on pain pills.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Oh, I don't think they would have done that...

And I'm sorry you're in pain...

I see non-political stuff over there all the time...

Feel better, sweetie...:hug:

[Mira]

12. I first weighed posting it for all to see, and then decided I was safe with my

photographer family and that someone like yourself would possibly liberate it to the whole board.

I'm getting better, but don't trust my judgment too much right now.
Warning: this will pass.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. I'm glad you trusted me...

And I know your courage and judgment will return!

:hug:

[chillspike]

14. I think I see someone talking on a cell phone in it.

;-)