Mystery Photos

October 14, 1939, Neenah-Menasha News-Times

 

October 23, 1939, Menasha Record

 

October 27, 1939, Appleton Post-Crescent

History often presents itself with many unanswered questions and leaves the researcher with unfulfilled frustrations.  This is one of those cases.  How wonderful to be able to view such a treasure trove of pre-World War II photographs, if only one knew if a) it still existed, and b) where it was kept.  The news article implies it is still photographs, even though it is billed as "motion pictures."  I suspect it was still color photos put on film, perhaps with music and narration, again, implied by the phrase "...sound commentated throughout, in much the same manner as other news reels you have seen."  But when it was all over, what happened to it?  Did the Brin keep it and it was lost or forgotten over the years?  Was it given to the local historical society?  Was it kept by Mr. Clayton, the director, or Life Newsreels? It is so frustrating to learn about the existence of such resources but have no idea about whatever happened to them.  Apparently, this was an ongoing thing, as a little more research revealed an article from July 1939 about filming a similar type newsreel in Kokomo, Indiana.  I can see how such a vehicle could be quite the civic morale booster and a thrill to theater patrons to see oneself and one's friends and family on a local big screen.  I just wish we could all share in this thrill, though some eighty years later.