This film is a silent travelogue showing a trip from the cold winter of Wisconsin to the sunny beaches of Florida. It was created by Norman Schley, a gifted filmmaker who had a series of what he called “Picturelogues”, some of which aired on television. This particular film, which is more like a well done home movie, takes viewers on a winter road trip from Wisconsin to Florida. If you’d seen the film back in the day, Schley would likely have narrated it live. This version is silent.
The film begins with shots of winter homes enclosed in snow (:16), possibly in Waukesha, Wisconsin where Norm lived. A small boy, probably Norm’s son Bill, hurls snowballs at the camera’s direction (:39). Within the home, the boy’s parents (presumably) flip through the newspaper (1:09). The man points to an entry in a magazine about sand sailing in Florida (1:39). He then sets down to spark up a cigar (2:10). His wife brings him a map of the US (2:47) as they plot their route to Florida. Over the map, the man tosses out other brochures from trips previously enjoyed (3:38). As the sun sets, the boy and father move luggage to their vehicle for the trip (4:10) including Roxo bottled water. The car moves down the highway as the road trip begins (4:50). A narrow creek is captured running through a wooded forest (5:22). The red car is pictured sitting outside the entryway to West Baden College (6:21) in Indiana (now West Baden Springs Hotel). Tall teepees are viewed at Wigwam Village in Cave City, Kentucky (6:45). A colonial style two story plantation home is viewed within the woods of Michigan (7:24). The Wheeler Dam appears (8:11) notifying viewers the film is now on the Tennessee river in Alabama between two counties (Lawrence and Lauderdale) as the road trip continues (8:11). Daffodils are viewed in a row planted in front of another colonial style house with tall white pillars (9:49). An African American man on horseback rides out of camera view next to the highway as the road trip carries on (10:30). The film then shows a pyramid of sawdust at a lumber mill (10:34). Cattle graze along the side of the highway (11:26). Spanish moss hang over a narrow river (11:41). Fish splash up in the cool blue waters (11:56). Palm tree leaves are seen in the corner screen as the vacationers have arrived in Florida (12:19). The tourists take a scenic trip through the sub-tropical foliage (13:38). An orange tree hangs over paisley blossoms (13:51).
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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
