Film, Motion Picture

Bob-Lo scenes including Soap Box Derby, 1955

Silent color 16mm film containing footage shot at the Detroit dock where passengers board the STE. CLAIRE, aboard the STE. CLAIRE, and on Boblo Island during a special event for participants in the Greater Detroit Chevrolet Dealers Detroit News Soap Box Derby.

The film begins with a shot of passengers boarding the Boblo boat STE. CLAIRE. A sign posted above the boarding ramp reads, "Welcome Aboard, The Derby Cruiser Bob-Lo, Greater Detroit Chevrolet Dealers Detroit News Soap Box Derby." In the middle of the first shot, "Captain Boblo" Joe Short can be seen making his way against the flow of traffic on the ramp toward the shore. Following another shot of people boarding, the camera gets a view of passengers--mostly boys--waving to the shore from the boat's promenade decks. Many of the boys are wearing Jefferson Chevrolet t-shirts. As the crowd waves the boat disembarks. From the shore, the camera captures a brief shot of the STE. CLAIRE underway headed downriver.

In the next scene, another group of primarily children are filmed at the downtown dock, this time as they approach the camera, presumably walking to board one of the Boblo boats. Joe Short can again be briefly spotted at the beginning of the scene. Again Jefferson Chevrolet t-shirts are commonly worn, as are Davy Crockett sweaters.

The camera then moves on board the STE. CLAIRE for a shot of a band performing on the promenade of one of the boats. The band consists of a snare drummer, a saxophonist, a trumpet player, and a bass drummer. The following shots capture children on deck, as the camera operator travels along for the ride to Boblo Island. Joe Short receives a brief close-up as he stands beside the boat's railing. Emmert Chevrolet Company t-shirts are visible on several of the other passengers. From a low angle, the camera captures several boys pointing up toward the Ambassador Bridge, as the boat passes beneath it. Another group is filmed using tower views on one of the decks. The camera also captures youths ascending and descending the boat's ladders.

Nest, from one of the upper decks, the camera gets a shot of the "Boblo Island Park" sign and Canadian Red Ensign flying above the Boblo Island dock. The Ferris wheel and Moon Rocket are visible on the shore in the background. Next, the camera gets a shot of the waiting area beside the Moon Rocket as riders board. A very brief tight shot then captures the ride in motion. Footage followers of riders boarding the Ferris wheel, children walking down the ramp to exit the Moon Rocket, and several scenes of children playing the park's miniature golf course. The reel ends with a shot of a child walking with a spool of cotton candy and a Boblo sailor's cap.