[1961 HOME MOVIE BLACK FAMILY'S TRIP TO DISNEYLAND, KNOTT'S BERRY FARM AND CALIFORNIA]

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1961

Description:

This 1961 color home movie shows landmarks and attractions from an unknown Black / African American family's trip to California. Amateur films showing the Black experience are somewhat rare, owing to the high cost of camera equipment and film processing, which made home movies out of reach of many minority families. As such this film is considered a rarity.

The film begins with a trainer working with seals at Marineland of the Pacific, an oceanarium and tourist attraction in Los Angeles County, California (0:30). It was later bought by SeaWorld in 1986. Sea lions balance a white ball on their noses and perform various tricks for a crowd, including jumping through a flaming hoop (2:24). Dolphins and a whale jump twist and jump (3:11). At 3:29, entrance to Disneyland. An African American family rides on the teacups (3:38). The Chicken of the Sea pirate ship (3:53); one of the three little pigs and the Big Bad Wolf in costume (4:13) at Fantasyland. An aerial view of the ship and Skyway, a gondola ride (5:30). Alice in Wonderland caterpillar ride (6:04); Disneyland Alweg Monorail System (6:33). Disneyland Matterhorn (6:47). The Dumbo ride (7:24); Sailing Ship Columbia (7:39); Mark Twain Riverboat (8:25); an alligator (9:34). TWA Moonliner at Rocket to the Moon ride (9:55). Flying Saucers (10:17); visitors on a boat ride (11:18); Catalina Casino (11:56). People swimming and snorkeling (12:44). Diver Dana Marie on Davey Jones Diving Barge (13:00); she shows sharks, eels, a lobster and other sea creatures to a crowd. A Catalina Island ferry (13:34) and bait ship; Holly Hill House (13:49). A "Shooting of Seals Prohibited by State Law" sign (14:02). Sea lions sunbathing on a beach with dolphins in the water (14:43). Fisherman's Wharf (15:10). Hotel Catalina (16:32) and Catalina Casino; speedboats in the water (17:58). A "pan real gold" attraction (18:51); a keeper in an alligator exhibit (19:56-21:35). A giant tortoise (21:49); an ostrich exhibit (22:29); an alligator goes down a slide (23:09). A trick monkey performs for visitors (23:56). "Entrance to Ghost Town" sign (24:22), possibly at Knott's Berry Farm. Family members pose for the camera and wave (25:29). Spreckles Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. (25:54). Balboa Park Bowl (26:14). The home movie ends showing scenes from a Western film shot off a TV set, of a moving steam locomotive.

Complete Record: This 1961 color home movie shows landmarks and attractions from an unknown Black / African American family's trip to California. Amateur films showing the Black experience are somewhat rare, owing to the high cost of camera equipment and film processing, which made home movies out of reach of many minority families. As such this film is considered a rarity. The film begins with a trainer working with seals at Marineland of the Pacific, an oceanarium and tourist attraction in Los Angeles County, California (0:30). It was later bought by SeaWorld in 1986. Sea lions balance a white ball on their noses and perform various tricks for a crowd, including jumping through a flaming hoop (2:24). Dolphins and a whale jump twist and jump (3:11). At 3:29, entrance to Disneyland. An African American family rides on the teacups (3:38). The Chicken of the Sea pirate ship (3:53); one of the three little pigs and the Big Bad Wolf in costume (4:13) at Fantasyland. An aerial view of the ship and Skyway, a gondola ride (5:30). Alice in Wonderland caterpillar ride (6:04); Disneyland Alweg Monorail System (6:33). Disneyland Matterhorn (6:47). The Dumbo ride (7:24); Sailing Ship Columbia (7:39); Mark Twain Riverboat (8:25); an alligator (9:34). TWA Moonliner at Rocket to the Moon ride (9:55). Flying Saucers (10:17); visitors on a boat ride (11:18); Catalina Casino (11:56). People swimming and snorkeling (12:44). Diver Dana Marie on Davey Jones Diving Barge (13:00); she shows sharks, eels, a lobster and other sea creatures to a crowd. A Catalina Island ferry (13:34) and bait ship; Holly Hill House (13:49). A "Shooting of Seals Prohibited by State Law" sign (14:02). Sea lions sunbathing on a beach with dolphins in the water (14:43). Fisherman's Wharf (15:10). Hotel Catalina (16:32) and Catalina Casino; speedboats in the water (17:58). A "pan real gold" attraction (18:51); a keeper in an alligator exhibit (19:56-21:35). A giant tortoise (21:49); an ostrich exhibit (22:29); an alligator goes down a slide (23:09). A trick monkey performs for visitors (23:56). "Entrance to Ghost Town" sign (24:22), possibly at Knott's Berry Farm. Family members pose for the camera and wave (25:29). Spreckles Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. (25:54). Balboa Park Bowl (26:14). The home movie ends showing scenes from a Western film shot off a TV set, of a moving steam locomotive.