The First Reformed Church of College Point, NY went to Belmont Lake Park in 1931. My Grandfather brought his home movie camera along - the rest was recorded history.
All the camera tricks are Grandpa's. Likewise the rapid editing, especially in the balloon blowing sequence. It must have looked avant garde at the time! Contemporary filmmakers like Hans Richter and Oscar Fischinger were experimenting with similar techniques, but I doubt Grandpa had such groundbreaking aspirations - he was probably just conserving film during a lengthy contest. Sure looks neat anyway - MTV in the 1930's.
The soundtrack comes from two compositions by Roy Harris - his 8th Symphony, and a suite titled, appropriately enough, "Memories of a Child's Sunday".
The First Reformed Church of College Point is still around today.
Wow, that was enjoyable to watch, great job
nyimtman 1 year ago
@bregman1155 I want Albany to record the Harris 5th and 7th symphonies using the same artists as the above. The only available modern recordings of the 7th are terrible!
Mackeson3 2 years ago
Symphony No. 8, and Memories of a Child's Sunday, by the American composer Roy Harris.
robertwmartens 2 years ago
i walk around belmont lake a few times a week now, nice to see it then too.
roxykcny 2 years ago
What a wonderful combination of images and music! I happen to work for Albany Records and I love hearing the recording of the Harris pieces used this way!
bregman1155 2 years ago
very interesting, enjoyed watching it. I had hoped to see more landscape type scenes of belmont lake.
JGCUOZZO 2 years ago
This is great. We attended this church when we lived in College Point 1979-93
soundcrest 3 years ago