Film, Motion Picture

Hudsons Thanksgiving & M[…], Washington, N.Y,. Boston, London[?], Pelee[?], Grd Bend.

Silent, black and white 16mm film containing footage of what the donor believes to be the first J.L. Hudson's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, as well as footage of a family, and trips to Washington D.C., New York City, and Ontario.

The reel begins with the Thanksgiving Day parade footage shot near Second Avenue and Vernor Highway. The parade includes a Felix the Cat float; clowns; a horse-drawn Mother Goose-themed float featuring Mother Goose riding a goose, a jack-in-the-box, and several large books; an elephant-shaped float; a group of uniformed marchers; a parade featuring a giant crocodile and a group of men in stereotypical blackface "tribesmen" costume with masks, grass skirts, and spears; a dog-shaped float; and a variety of costumed characters including several with large heads and a men dressed so that he appears to be walking balanced on his hands. At the end of the segment are several Christmas-themed floats including one representing Santa's workshop, and Santa Claus in his sleigh.

Next are several shots of a family posted in front of their porch and playing in their driveway.

The next portion of the film concerns a trip to Washington D.C. The camera films sites including the Capitol Building, Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, Gettysburg, a blimp over the Washington mall, the Lincoln Monument, and the Washington Monument. The camera operator then boards the S.S. BOSTON for a cruise to New York City. The city's skyline is captured from the deck of the boat.

The family again becomes the focus of the film. They are shown with a baby on their porch and lawn. They then have a picnic in a park, visit a beach, and then going golfing.

The final portion of the film was shot around Ontario. The camera captures Brenner House in Grand Bend, a Grafton's Clothing with a sign providing a London address, and a Supertest gas station.

The film is on a metal reel in a B and H Company canister. A label in faded pencil on the canister reads, "Hudsons Thanksgiving & M[…], Washington, N.Y,. Boston, London[?], Pelee[?], Grd Bend."