This epic reel of beautifully shot, silent home movies, entitled “Adventures in Mexico and Central America”, were created by Sam Arner during the 1950s. The films show a trip from the border at El Paso, Texas and across the length of Mexico to Mexico City and then Central America, and include scenes that are a mix of culture, archaeology and vacation / tourism. This particular reel of the film begins with the San Francisco Convent of Huejotzingo, moving through Guatemala, and ancient Aztec and Mayan sites. One shot in the film may show Sam Arner (2:40). Unfortunately, we do not know much about filmmaker Arner, but presumably he presented and narrated this film in person on the lecture circuit. Recognize a location in this film that we didn’t identify? We’d love your help in making the description better — leave a comment!
The movie commences with scenes captured at The San Francisco Convent of Huejotzingo, featuring a glimpse of the plaque (0:20). The camera then presents an exterior view of the entire convent (46:14). Tombs and skeletons come into view (0:57-1:16). Subsequently, the camera shifts to portray glimpses of the city of Huejotzingo within the Puebla municipality and its environs (1:30). A man enters the frame, makes eye contact with the camera, offers a wave, and retreats behind it (2:40). Women are depicted enjoying a bath in the city, engaging playfully with flowers (3:13). The narrative transitions to scenes of men descending a hill in a minecart (3:20). People slide down the railroad track (3:50), followed by depictions of a city’s harbor — possibly Vera Cruz or San Blas ? (5:03). The camera then focuses on a woman vending roses (5:31). A jump cut reveals a gathering around a comedian or ventriloquist with a microphone, who showcases a hand puppet act on the ground (6:04). A panoramic view scans across the city’s commercial district (6:33). A city parade takes center stage (6:40-10:20). The film shifts to showcase remnants of an ancient city (12:16), and a golden statue of Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of the dead (12:51). Scenes unfold from the rural parts of the country (13:00), and wall paintings or murals come into focus (16:30). A statue, possibly representing the founder of the convent, garners attention (17:06). Chiapa de Corzo (18:34). The narrative leaps to a wedding event (22:26), accompanied by a time-lapse glimpse of a town square (22:39) and the local graveyard (24:01). Aerial views from an airplane encompass the surrounding landscapes (24:36), followed by a panoramic city shot (25:49). Park La Concordia in Tegucigalpa takes the spotlight (26:12), featuring a band performance (26:41). Catedral de Tegucigalpa in Honduras graces the screen (26:56), along with an artistic portrayal of a goddess (27:11). A city street showcases a movie theater and a banner advertising “El Transgressor” starring Stephen Murray and Patricia Plunkett (27:56). The Antigua Guatemala Cathedral emerges (28:24), along with the Church of La Merced (29:28). A group of children, dressed as Aztec warriors, engage in dance (33:19). The lens focuses on a woman in a wheelchair (34:32). A religious ceremony unfolds outside a cathedral, featuring a woman engaged in prayer before an icon (37:50). The movie highlights remnants of an ancient Mayan temple (38:55) and concludes with imagery of the Chichen Itza pyramid ruins (39:26). The film comes to a close (41:37).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
