Film, Motion Picture

The Story of FTD's 50th Anniversary Convention, 1960

Color 16mm reel containing a documentary about FTD's 50th anniversary convention in Detroit between August 14th and 18th, 1960--the first major event at the newly completed Cobo Hall. The opening title cards explain that the film was produced for those who could not attend the convention. The film's narrator takes the viewer event-by-event, and day-by-day through the convention.

The film begins on Sunday, August 14th, with registration. Afterward attendees are shown visiting Cobo's Hospitality Room, modeled after a French sidewalk cafe, complete with waitresses in French maid costumes. Then the attendees meet at the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel for brunch and a series of speakers. Afterward, at Cobo is the International Floral Design Institute's four-hour show consisting of a 64-foot long stage with a rotating portion that showcases different floral arrangements from international designers. This is followed by the 50th Anniversary party. "Juniors" attending the show instead attend a pizza party. Here a group of young people are shown in 1910 and futuristic 2010 themed costumes. Additionally two more Floral Design Institute shows are put on for members of the public. After the 50th anniversary party, members of the company's Todos Amigos club meet.

Monday begins with the annual business meeting. In additional to appearance by company officials such as John L. Bodette, a member of Mayor Louis C. Miriani's commercial development committee, the meeting also includes an official welcome from the mayor himself. After the meeting lighthearted electioneering for the company election is shown in the form of women handing out flowers, and a mariachi band playing for attendees. Monday also features a mid-day luncheon in honor of FTD's past presidents in one of Cobo's halls.

Monday night is devoted to a live show of the Bell Telephone Hour presented by Belle Telephone and Telegraph. The show features opera singer Elaine Malbin, actor Keith Andes, singer Mindy Carson, actor Tom Poston, comedian Elliot Reed, and former Miss America Marilyn Van Derbur. Pianist Lorin Hollander, conductor Donald Voorhees, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, folk musicians the Brothers Four, and the Dukes of Dixieland jazz band are also shown performing.

Tuesday again begins with the business meeting, followed by the election. The film also uses this day to explore the on-going Trade Fair. Also on Tuesday is a fashion show of clothing selected by Chevrolet's Genevieve "Hap" Hazzard to appear on upcoming episodes of the Dinah Shore Chevy Show. The day closes with the vaudeville show "Down Memory Lane" put on by the Associate Division at Ford Auditorium.

The Wednesday portion of the film begins with shots of the convention's comprehensive business clinics on topics such as artificial flower arranging, and a panel discussion on department store flower show promotion. A design school for juniors and the Future Florists of America Corsage Bar are also featured. The camera follows along as some attendees go on a tour of FTD's headquarters offices in the Lafayette Building. The film explains the automated punch card-based system used here.

On Thursday, attendees are shown taking buses from the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel to Greenfield Village, for a barbecue and rides aboard the SUWANEE. As the day is also FTD's 50th anniversary, company officials and Mayor Louis C. Miriani are shown laying the cornerstone for the new international headquarters building for FTD and Interflora. The film uses a model of the building to discuss its design. The convention ends that evening with the President's Banquet and Ball, featuring a giant floral birthday cake, two stages, and strolling musicians.

The film is on a brown metal reel housed within a green metal canister. A Florists Telegraph Delivery Association mailing label is used as a title label on the canister. The canister is in turn housed within an olive mailing box. The mailing box includes an address slip addressed to Mr. Tom Killen at the City-County Building. The return address is for FTD's Public Relations Section. Their old address of 200 Lafayette Building is crossed out, and their new headquarters' address of 900 West Lafayette is instead handwritten below.