April 8, 2010
We know the what of this film; help identify the why
Editor’s Note: The UW Audio Visual Services Materials Library has more than 1,200 reels of film from the late 1940s through the early 1970s, documenting life at the University through telecourses, commercial films and original productions. Some of the short films are easily identifiable, but many more remain mysteries. Who shot these films and why? Can you help answer those questions? Faculty and staff can use the comments field at the end of the story to send ideas. Those outside the University can e-mail filmarc@u.washington.edu.
There is more information about this week’s film, Opening Day Regatta Seattle 1950, than there is about most of the Lost and Found Films. It’s a nearly three-minute segment of a 22-minute film produced by Philip Smith for the Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day Regatta in 1950, and it follows the activities of the club members as they prepare for and sail in the regatta. What we get to see in this clip is the opening credits and shots of people decorating their boats. It ends with the boats on the water, and some “undulating beauties” on deck.
The main question Film Archive Specialist Hannah Palin has is, what is this film — which appears to have been produced as a promotion for the Seattle Yacht Club — doing in the UW’s film collection? What is, or was, the connection between the club and the University? Any information about the people mentioned in the credits would also be welcomed, as would any information about the history of the regatta.
Palin is still looking for information about last week’s film, This is your Life, which she believes shows student projects in the School of Communications. If you can help out with that film, she’d like to hear from you.
