Here is a reel of short films, including one about the Chicago World’s Fair made by Burton Holmes, and travelogues of Spain and Cuba from the same era. Known as “A Century of Progress”, the 1933-34 World’s Fair was hosted in Chicago, Illinois. The theme was ‘Science finds, industry applies and man conforms’. The short film shown here was made by Burton Holmes, the producer generally accredited with the invention of the travelogue. The film starts with views of the modern buildings of the Exposition which were crafted with materials such as Douglas fir plywood, ribbed-metal siding and prefabricated boards. Two travelogues by Kodak are shown, with views of Cuba and Spain.
00:00 Main titles. Pedestrians enter the Expo’s grounds (:11). Straw hatted tourists pass the Greyhound tour bus (:15). American flags wave at the Federal Building and Court of States (:24) designed by architects Bennet, Burnham and Holabird. Aerial shots pass over the fairgrounds (:36). An advertisement boasts “Supreme Thrills” on the Skyride (:41). Close shots watch the capsule take riders on a sightseeing joy ride (:47). The Hall of Science appears from the northern approach (:57). It was the predominant note of the Exposition housing exhibits of industries with sections dedicated to biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics and medicine designed by Paul Cret. Stone pillars stand outside the Electrical Group (1:07). The Hall of Social Science (1:24) exhibited a variety of topics including capital redistribution and monetary systems. It connected to the Science Palace via a bridge over the lagoon enabling access from nature to science exhibits. The Golden Pavilion of Jehol (1:35) was a replica of the 18th century Buddhist temple known as the Lama Temple of Jehol (1:38). A strange exhibit featured prematurely born babies put on display at the Live Incubator Babies Show (1:43). Admiral Byrd’s Polar Ship, “The City of New York” appears in the harbor (1:55). A replica of Old Fort Dearborn was put on display (2:02). The stunning Travel and Transport (2:09) building was designed by John Holabitd, Edward Bennett and Hubert Burnham. It featured a “Breathing Dome” that pulsated with changing temperatures. The two-story Chrysler Building (2:14) housed Chryslers, Plymouths, De Soto’s and Fargo’s. The GM building by Lake Michigan (2:19). The Mexican pavilion showcasing various dancers (2:25). The Greyhound bus runs in front of the replica of the Mayan Temple of Uxmal (2:35). Native American Indian villages (2:39); teepees stand in front of the Maya temple. Feather headdress tribe members smack drum skins (2:52). Belgium was represented (3:09) through works by the architect Victor Bourgeois. The Oriental Village (3:26). “The World A Million Years Ago” (3:32) was built by the Sinclair Refinery. Next, a short film released by Kodak CInegraph (3:46) touring Havana via the Cunard Steam Ship Company. The Presidential Palace in Havana (4:01) and aerial shots of the Paseo del Prado (4:20). The Prado heading for the new capital (4:35). Central Park Square (4:48). 1927 Citroen B14’s (5:10) exit an alley. A view peers between columns of the Old Cathedral Plaza (5:29). The Monument to USS Maine (5:40). Dome structures appear in the Parque Rio Cristal (6:23). The courtyard (6:26) of the La Villa Teresa designed by Max Borges (6:33). The Gran Casino Nacional (6:53). Avenue of the Palms on route to the Market Nassau (7:14). Kodak Cinegraph of Granada (7:22) beginning with the Darro River (7:27). Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile burial site (7:53). The Alhambra (8:05). Narrow cacti lined roads outside the city (8:26). A woman and donkey pass (8:42). A small family feeds neighborhood chickens (8:52). Poor farmers hack at stones to pay off taxes (9:20). Gypsies dance to stringed instruments (9:48). Olive gardens in the Sierra Nevada (10:18).
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