This untitled, silent, home movie chronicles an American family’s trip around the Mediterranean. It was likely made during the early 1930s due to the fashion and automobiles that are seen in the footage. The film includes footage from France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany, specifically scenes from Paris, Brussels, and a Rhine River cruise. While the family is unknown, it appears this film is one of many travelogs made by this couple as they appear in other travelog films through Europe.
The other films in this series include: XD65474, XD65454, XD65424, XD65414, XD65434, XD65404, XD65504
Men and women dressed in typical 1930s dress crowd upper decks of cruise ship and watch boxing match (0:10). View from hotel window of cars, busses driving along avenue in Paris (0:52). Roof of Grand Palais seen in distance (1:07). Top of Eiffel Tower above other rooftops (1:10). Palace of Fontainebleau (1:12). Woman poses in front of entryway to Hôtel Claridge/ Astoria Hotel (part of Les Grands Hôtels Européens across Belgium, France, Spain, Italy) (1:46). Perhaps 1928 OldsMobile F Series drives along cobblestone street (1:56). Pristine manicured garden with marble sculptures dispersed throughout; Hard to identify/ place but likely in Brussels (2:05). Montage clips of pedestrians walking along sidewalk (2:35). Cars, trolley cars zoom down city street; Business names appear a combination of French/German “Imprimerie J. Verschueren” (2:54). Perhaps view down Rue Royale/ Koningsstraat facing Saint Mary’s Royal Church (3:02). Facade of Noord-Zuid Hollandsch Koffiehuis (c.1911) across from Amsterdam’s Central Station (3:08). Camera pans buildings in traditional Dutch architectural style; Bikers and horse drawn carriage share cobblestone street (3:11). Windmill De Arend in Terheijden (later became strategic holding of Polish Army during North-West Europe Campaign 1944-1945) (3:20). Woman and hired driver pose beside car which appears similar to 1917 Hudson Super Six Town Car (3:31). Windmill towers above rooftops (3:43). River cruise along Rhine: Views of castles, farms (3:46). Perhaps Maus Castle above Wellmich and Catholic Church of St. Martin (4:12). Scenery along the banks of the river and other ferry boats (4:18). Small German town along the banks of the river; Lush forrest (4:47). Passengers on river cruise sit at dining tables on the upper deck (4:53). Perhaps ruins of 13th century Rheinfels Castle in Sankt Goar (5:02). Katz Castle (5:17). Cruise docks somewhere along Rhine Valley beside old castle; Passengers find picnic tables with coffee cups and saucers; Open-top 16 seater bus parked nearby (5:47). Husband and wife pose for camera around grounds of castle (6:11). Camera pans exterior of humble family home featuring half timber exterior typical of homes found in Rhine villages; Family stands in front of door (6:38). Wife walks through elaborate interior gardens of Heidelberg Castle; Grounds seem to be set up as a theater for some sort of performance; Ivy grows wildly through empty windows (7:06). Perhaps Church of the Holy Spirit in Heidelberg (7:54). Camera footage shakes as filmmaker films from aboard tourist vehicle driving through city streets; Footage captures military officer walking around city (8:10). Visit to another rural German town; Women wearing modest clothing and aprons pose beside men in front of homestead (8:44). Young children walk along cobblestone streets towards camera; Other children seen gathering outside of school in school uniforms and backpacks (9:00). Perhaps graduation celebration in courtyard (9:46). Patrons sit at tables at outdoor venue; Brass band performs and walks through garden courtyard (10:39). Town Hall Rathaus at Marktplatz in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany (11:38). Rothenburg Clock Tower Street Arch (12:27). Perhaps Royal Palace of Brussels (12:44). Brussels Town Hall (12:56). Perhaps the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie (12:59). POV footage driving around in roofless tourist vehicle (13:10). Unclear if travels now continuing in France; Perhaps group now touring Versailles (13:15). Woman walks along private balcony overlooking body of water; Perhaps somewhere in Nice (14:03).
