This untitled, silent, home movie chronicles an American family’s trip around the Mediterranean. While the film has no credits, it was likely made during the early 1930s due to the fashion and automobiles that are seen in the footage. The film includes footage of British ruled Mandatory Palestine, Istanbul, Turkey and ends in Rome, Italy. 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 and other parts of Europe and North African countries/ territories like Gibraltar and Egypt.
The other films in this series include: XD65474, XD65454, XD65424, XD65414, XD65434, XD65404, XD65504
Palm tree-lined ruins of Tiberias along Sea of Galilee (0:11). Exterior of Hotel Tiberias (0:37). A donkey, camel, and herd of sheep side by side on farm (0:55). Bedouin farmer carrying bucket juxtaposes luxury car perhaps Citroen Type B14 (0:59). Carpenter ship sponsored by the American Near East Relief (active 1915-1930 working to help displaced refugees in Ottoman Empire) (1:07). Camera pans facade of church (1:11). American Export Lines boat perhaps part of Mediterranean Steamship Service (1:28). Montage clips of views from boat deck as it docks and passes through various coastal fishing towns perhaps along the coast of Southern Turkey (1:37). Shots of passengers aboard steamships enjoying time on upper deck taking in sights and dancing interspersed with more scenes of quiet fishing towns (3:28). Sailing along the Bosphorus, slowly Istanbul skyline comes into view (6:50). Perhaps Blue Mosque coming into view (7:14). Painted metal red crossed anchor with star and crescent above hull of Istanbul ferry boat (7:24). Close-up of Blue Mosque along Sultanahmet; Hagia Sophia (7:30). Ruins of perhaps Rumelihisarı (famous Ottoman military fortress along the Bosphorus, restoration did not begin until 1955) (7:59). Man and woman pose beside sheep grazing in ruins (8:18). Two boats, ferries, ships crowd Bosphorus (8:42). Nusretiye Mosque (9:01). View of Karaköy from across river, Galata Tower seen peering over other buildings (9:07). (9:20). Close-up of life preserver on deck of screw steamer “Semiramis” (10:30). Woman smiles for camera while sitting in back of horse drawn carriage (10:47). Passengers wait along platform of Brindisi Railway Station (10:56). Excelsior Hotel Rome (11:05). Temple of Portunus (11:09). Temple of Vesta/ Hercules (11:07). Two mounted police ride through streets on horseback (11:23). Man and woman pose beside Coupé De Ville car similar to 1925 Hispano-Suiza Type H.6 with collapsible rear compartment roof (also called a Landaulet), eventually two police officers join for photo op (11:48). Shot through vine covered archway (12:20). Aurelian Walls (12:48). Pyramid of Caius Cestius (12:59). Tourist vehicles, cars parked outside Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (13:13). Close-up mosaic that adorns the facade (c. 1854 and 1878, designed by Filippo Agricola and Nicola Consoni) which is divided into three tiers: At top Christ is flanked by St Peter and St Paul; In the middle the Agnus Dei is seated on the mount of paradise; At bottom stand four prophets: Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel and Jeremiah (13:36). The statue of Saint Paul in front of portico of Basilica (13:49). Cloisters of Saint Paul Basilica; Film ends (14:03).
