Lady Bird Johnson Home Movies, Home Movie #16: Christmas 1948-Halloween 1949. Footage of the Johnson family (mostly Lynda and Luci) and their staff and friends enjoying holiday parties and vacations. This is a silent, color film with retrospective narration by Lady Bird Johnson. Following is a scene by scene description, courtesy of the Audio Visual Archives at LBJ Library.
This film opens with The Johnsons and staff members celebrating Christmas at the Johnson home at 30th Place in Washington. D.C. First we see a decorated Christmas tree in the Johnson's house and then Luci Johnson sitting in chair with a book, with Scott Carpenter by her side. Then her big sister Lynda Johnson stands behind them. Next Lynda plays in front of the mantle with candles burning behind her. Then the camera reveals Mrs. Johnson's red satin curtains, the dining table, and Zephyr Wright. Next we see the following people posing in front of the Christmas tree: Mary Rather, Dorothy Nichols, John Connally, Warren Woodward, Glenn Stegall, Walter Jenkins, LBJ, Lady Bird, and other unidentified staff people. Dorothy sits next to red roses. Mary Rather and Warren Woodward talk and laugh. Lyndon B. Johnson talks to Nellie Connally, John Connally's wife. John Connally, little Johnny Connally, and Les Carpenter pose in front of the Christmas tree. LBJ and Lady Bird smile at each other in front of the tree. Santa Claus brings presents and Mary Rather, Lyndon Johnson, and John Connally help hand them out to Bess Jenkins, Scott Carpenter, Lynda, Luci (held by John), Marjorie Jenkins, and Mildred Stegall. An unidentified woman holds a baby.
The film cuts to young Luci Johnson climbing down steps in front of their house at 30th Place in Washington, D.C.
Then we see Lynda and friends at her fifth birthday party. First there is a view of the birthday cake and Lynda with other children. Luci stands in her fancy dress; she is now about one year and nine months old. Other children at the party include Patty Nichols, Kathleen Connally, Lera Thomas, Bess Jenkins with Nellie Connally and Luci. Lynda opens her presents while others watch. Nellie Connally dishes out cake with Lynda nearby. Lynda blows out the candles on her cake, with Luci in a party hat in the background. Children eat and play at the party. Patsy White holds Luci. Lynda holds her new doll.
The next section of the film features Lynda and Luci at the first of spring in 1949. Luci stands outside eating chocolate. Lynda poses in front of the house. Luci, in a dress looking at flowers, is joined by Nellie Connally, and then held by Patsy White next to cherry blossoms. We see views of cherry blossoms blooming.
Next Lynda sits in a cherry tree at Kinwood(?). Lynda and Luci pose together. Doris and Diana Powell are visiting the Johnsons. Doris Powell poses with Luci in the backyard near roses. Diana Powell, Mrs. Johnson's God child, poses. Diana holds Luci momentarily and then stands next to roses.
The next scenes are of Halloween in the fall of 1949 at the Johnson's home in Austin, Texas on Dillman Street. Luci is dressed up as a witch, and Lynda as a devil. We see children on a backyard slide, and then children eating in the backyard, including Kathleen Connally, Neta Louise, Carolyn Kellam, the Smith girl, and Max Starke's daughter. Luci eats ice cream. Other children in attendance include Wally Thornberry, Susan Finney, and Evelyn Coleman (Luci's best friend from across the street).
The next section features scenes from the Johnson's vacation at Fort Clark in Brackettville, Texas. We see flags flying over Fort Clark. Homer Thornberry talks to Slim Dahlstrom(?) (who ran the place where they stayed). LBJ is in long sleeved sport shirt. Eloise(?) poses. Dottie McElroy lights a cigarette. Lynda is on a horse named Dynamite. The camera shows us the pool and nearby scenery, including a river and bridge. Luci holds a cat in front of a station wagon. Lynda and Molly Thornberry pose, dressed in cowboy outfits in front of a jeep. Luci stands with a hat next to a jeep. Lynda, Molly, and Luci pose next to the jeep.
Now the film cuts to Aunt Luci Baines with Luci and Lynda in the backyard at Dillman. Aunt Luci stands with Luci in the backyard. Lynda joins them; both Lynda and Luci have on matching outfits.
***end of film***
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Lady Bird Johnson Home Movie #13: The Johnson Family 1947-1948by TheLBJLibrary258 views
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