Reel #1. 1947-48

Reel #1 Clip #1. Christmas, 1947

Dad’s parents, Sadie and Howard Blake are arriving to our home on 7th Avenue in Hopkins, Minnesota.

As indicated with a title, this is Dad’s first roll of film with his new camera. This is also Mom’s debut and her walk down the snow shovel sidewalk and back with the in-laws in silhouette, plus, the hand held high wave tells us she is a full partner in this making home movies idea. Mom’s name was Maxine, she was a natural before the camera in every shot through to the end. According to nephew Robert, Maxine, his Grandmother, told him “The Blakes Are Show People.”

Dad’s first pan of the holiday scene begins a tradition, as well as, cluing for the kids entrence was established with the first roll of film. I was five years old, Peter turned one in October, and as we will see, he will grow to enjoy the bright lights and the gaze of the camera.

Sister Sara appears at 1:56 slouched, yet stretching, in her hand-me-down baby chair — she was born in August!

The exterior footage conjures a memory of place for me.

. . .

Reel #1 Clip #2. Easter, 1948

The footage begins with Mom looking radiant in a flower house dress holding baby Sara on her lap while failing to corral Peter to face the camera, instead, the footage cuts to show Uncle Eddy with Peter showing him eggs from a basket; and, Aunt Bernie is entertaining Sara in her beautiful baby chair.

Bernadette was Mom’s mother’s sister, she and Edward Gagnon adopted Maxine when her mother died in 1928.

The footage at the table is one of the best shots in the collection. It starts with Uncle David and his wife next to me as the camera quickly pans right stopping at Grandfather Howard who is seated next to Mom, and Dad catches a quick interchange between them about being in the movie. The pan continues to Uncle Eddy seated next to Grandma Sadie, then back to the center of the table and me seated next to Uncle David and his wife Lyda. David Desomery was a step-brother to Howard Blake; I remember attending his open casket service in a funeral home and not understanding his connetion to the family for the longest time.

Mom takes the final shot of Dad, closing a real treasure of a homemovie.

Follow this link to learn more about Mom’s French Canadian famly.

. . .

Reel #1 Clip #3. Backyard at the Hopkins home, 1948

Brother Peter writes in his notes: “My sister Sara and I are confined to the baby carriage .. we are being pushed by Susan Lundquest.”

Commenting on the final shot Peter writes: “We are pleased to see that Peter can walk (he can also suck his thumb and stick his hand in his pants.)”

. . .

Reel #1 Clip #4. Gathering at Black Lake, 1948

Black Lake is one of Minnesota’s “10,000 lakes” located less than an hour west by car from Hopkins. This is where Sadie and Howard lived in a cottage-style house that Dad helped build. At the kids’ table are our cousins Cynthia and Philip, children of Aunt Pricilla and Uncle Harold — who eventually took over the cottage upon Sadie and Howard’s death, and built a larger home closer to the lake.

. . .

Reel #1. Clip #5. Sara’s First Steps, 1948

This is what Home Movies are all about. Thanks Dad.

Sara and I loved the performance artist Laurie Anderson as adults; and I believe Ms. Anderson wrote this song for Sara’s First Steps.

. . .