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1. Central Australia (1:17:16)

Date:
19uu
Main contributors:
McRobbie Family
Summary:
The film consists of travelogue sequences around Australia by way of an Australian tour company, Bonds Tours, utilizing an elongated, rugged car for travel. Sequences span from the Northern and Southern Territories to Victoria in Australia, with lots of footage from Mt. Buffalo National Park in Victoria, and Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell National Park in the Northern Territory. Notable locations within Mt. Buffalo National Park include wonderful shots of Pulpit Rock and Wilkinson’s Lookout, Lake Catani, the Leviathan, Manfield’s Lookout, Bent’s Lookout, and Reed’s Lookout. Shots in South Australia include Parachilna Gorge and the Flinders Ranges, with a stop at the Ancorichina Hostel nearby, as well as William Creek. A wonderful sequence of camera tilts reveals the various Kodak posters for Mt. Buffalo National Park. In the Northern Territory locations include Alice Springs (known locally as “The Alice” according to title card), the Fink Gorge National Park and West MacDonnell National Park, and the Hermannsberg Lutheran mission, an Aboriginal mission in the Ljirapinta Ward of the MacDonnell Shire. A majority of the final segment includes many profile and group shots of Aboriginal peoples part of a mission possibly sponsored by the “Australian Board of Missions, Church of England, Alice Springs,” which was printed on a nearby car. Final segment is footage from a track event of the Korowa C.E.G.G.S. (Church of England Girl’s Grammar School). Footage consists of color film stock with particularly beautiful title cards inserted for many new locations and sites.

2. Europe 1 (part 2) (47:54)

Date:
19uu
Main contributors:
McRobbie Family
Summary:
Comprised of travelogue sequences from Europe, Asia, and Africa. Countries shown include British Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), Yemen, Egypt, Italy, France, and England. Specific cities, locations, and activities include Colombo, the capitol city of Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), that include wildlife (elephants) and local street scenes. Another sequence showcases the port city of Aden, Yemen and another in Egypt with a shot of “Cooks Rest House,” the pyramids, the Sphinx, and local peoples. Naples, Italy follows with black and white and color footage of the ruins at Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius (which appears to be active in one shot at 20:50!). London, England sequences are particularly interesting for their bustling urban shots and depiction of escalating wartime propaganda publications and signage, as well as capturing the Guard Mounting and Trooping of the Colour ceremonies. Several shots are taken specifically around Oxford and Regent Street. Footage consists of a combination of color and black and white film stock with title cards inserted for new locations.

3. Family 1 (part 1) (51:57)

Date:
19uu
Main contributors:
McRobbie Family
Summary:
Film consists of travelogue sequences mainly of the Eastern United States and Canada, with footage from New York, Washington D.C., Virginia, Illinois, and New Mexico. The film opens with shots of the New York City skyline and Times Square at night with an amazing light show of entertainment and advertising signage. We see the marquee of several historic movie theatres, including the Loew’s State Theatre and the Strand Theatre, showing 'Only Angels Have Wings' (1939) and 'Indianapolis Speedway' (1939), respectively. Other notable footage includes a segment of the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair. There is also footage from George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate in Virginia, Chicago, IL cityscapes, and wonderful footage of Niagara Falls. Moving north to Canada the film captures shots from Montreal, Toronto, and Québec City. Notable sequences include shots of Montmorency Falls and Château Frontenac in Québec City. Finally, the film travels to the American Southwest of New Mexico, including the cities of Gallop and Albuquerque. The film captures in amazing detail an “Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial” in Gallop, according to a title card, which includes ritual dancing, games (including tug-of-war and foot and horse races), and a rodeo with broncos and bulls. Footage consists of a combination of color and black and white film stock with title cards inserted for new locations and cities.

4. Family 1 (part 2) (49:31)

Date:
19uu
Main contributors:
McRobbie Family
Summary:
Film consists of travelogue and family footage, opening with an Australian military parade. The parade’s location is identifiable as it passes the Princess Theatre, located in Melbourne, Australia at 163 Sprint St., and built in 1854. Other footage shows the “Anzac Memorial Tree” at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney, Australia. Further shots of the “Footscray City Pipe Band” marching; Footscray is an inner-western suburb of Melbourne, Australia. There are also sequences of a nature trip and backyard family footage. Based on a passenger ship life ring, travel was taken on the SS Orontes, a ship owned by the Orient Line and built by Vickers Armstrong in 1929 in Barrows-in-Furness, England. The film ends with sequences from Phillip Island, Australia, including family beach footage and wildlife. Footage consists of color film stock.

5. Family 2 (36:17)

Date:
19uu
Main contributors:
McRobbie Family
Summary:
Film consists mainly of a combination of what appear to be classmates at school and at a party, possibly a birthday party, nature and flower shots, a visit to a zoo, a large military parade, a military formation (potentially a graduation ceremony), and a track event, consisting of the high jump and long jump. Zoo sequence includes shots of peacocks, elephants, flamingos, monkeys, grizzly bears, and polar bears. Footage consists of a combination of color and black and white film stock.