'The Way We Were': Nova Scotia in Film, 1917-1950

Nova Scotia Archives Film Holdings Database

Flowers, Gov. Torey, Exhibition, Barry: Golf, Fox Farm, Skating Parade

Date: ca. 1939
Format: 1 film reel (00:17:00 hrs.) : silent, colour
Filmmaker: Reginald S. Babcock

Note: Amateur footage of flowers in Halifax Public Gardens; 1939 exhibition showing trapeze artists and balancing acts; a young Barry BABCOCK golfing at Gorsebrook Golf Club; fox farm at Torbrook, Annapolis County; skating; sleding; and a wartime (WWII) parade.

Producer: Reginald S. Babcock
Access: Open for consultation; PANS holds copyright.

Reference: Reginald S. Babcock Nova Scotia Archives 1992-52 /

Hubbards Exhibition Squirrels Skating

Date: ca. 1939
Format: 1 film reel (00:13:30 hrs.) : silent, colour
Filmmaker: Reginald S. Babcock

Note: Amateur footage of the BABCOCK family at Hubbard's beach; golfing at Gorsebrook Golf Club; provincial exhibition including high wire acts and trapeze artists; a wartime (WWII) parade; and skating on a pond in the winter.

Producer: Reginald S. Babcock
Access: Open for consultation; PANS holds copyright.

Reference: Reginald S. Babcock Nova Scotia Archives 1992-52 /

Ice Processing Shipwreck

Date: ca.1939-1940
Format: 1 film reel (00:13:30 hrs.) : b&w
Filmmaker: Charles Balish

Note: This item contains footage documenting daily and unusual events as they happened between 1939 and 1940 in Lockeport. Includes ice processing techniques and a ship which was wrecked by a storm.

Producer: Charles Balish
Access: Open for consultation; PANS holds copyright.

Reference: Charles Balish Nova Scotia Archives 1990-25 / Location no.: Fb 2311 Duplication no.: Vc 843 Supplemental information no.: Mf 334- 3

Lockeport Footage

Date: ca.1939-1942
Format: 1 film reel (00:16:00 hrs.) : b&w
Filmmaker: Charles Balish

Note: This item contains scenes and events shot in Lockeport and Shelburne in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Producer: Charles Balish
Access: Open for consultation; PANS holds copyright.

Reference: Charles Balish Nova Scotia Archives 1990-25 / Location no.: Fb 2310 Duplication no.: Vc 843 Supplemental information no.: Mf 334- 2

Schooner

Date: 1939
Format: 1 film reel (00:1:23 hrs.) : silent, colour
Filmmaker: Walter H. Boutilier

Note: This amateur film features remarkable colour footage of the schooner ['Lilla B. Boutilier'] sailing into Halifax Harbour. In the background, MacNab's Island, the Imperial Oil Refinery in Dartmouth, the Nova Scotia Hospital, and George's Island can be clearly seen.


Reference: Walter H. Boutilier Nova Scotia Archives 1989-29 / Location no.: Fc 3383

Launching of Schooner

Date: 1939
Format: 1 film reel (00:1:25 hrs.) : silent, colour
Filmmaker: Walter H. Boutilier

Note: This amateur film contains remarkable colour footage of the launch of the schooner 'Lilla B. Boutilier' from the Lunenburg shipyards in [1939]. An excellent depiction of the launch, with workmen knocking away the chocks, the champagne bottle smashing of the side, and a tugboat steaming in after the schooner hits the water. Various dignitaries, including [Mr. and Mrs. Boutilier] pose, and interesting views of wooden ships under construction can be seen in background, as well as the offices of 'Lunenburg Marine Railway'.


Reference: Walter H. Boutilier Nova Scotia Archives 1989-29 / Location no.: Fc 3382

Golf School

Date: April 1939
Format: 1 film reel (00:2:50 hrs.) : silent, b&w
Filmmaker: Walter H. Boutilier

Note: This film appears to have been made for instructional purposes. It features slow motion sequences of a man, under bright lights against a black curtain, swinging a golf club. The man is filmed from several different angles.


Reference: Walter H. Boutilier Nova Scotia Archives 1989-29 / Location no.: Fb 2790

Gateway to The World Outtakes

Date: 1939-1945
Format: 2 film reels (00:60:54 hrs.) : silent
Filmmaker: CBC Television

Note: A variety of footage shot during World War II in & around Halifax. Footage on: military and merchant marine presence/ dignitaries such as Winston CHURCHILL and Queen [Julianna]/ celebrations/ [V.E. Day riot]/ troop ships/ ship- Queen Elizabeth etc.. Ftg. used in 'Gateway to the World'.** Includes both Col. & B&W, 16 mm & video. The 16mm film is a copy of footage restored by CBC and includes Stock cans 33, 34, 35.

Production Company: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Access: Open for consultation; written permission required from donor for use or reproduction.

Reference: CBC Television Nova Scotia Archives 1985-20 / Location no.: Fc 2418- 2419 Duplication no.: Vc 58- 59 Supplemental information no.: Mf352- 82

Gateway to The World

Date: 1939-1945
Format: 1 film reel (00:31:15 hrs.)
Filmmaker: CBC Television

Note: Documentary dealing with the role of Halifax, N.S., as a port city, with an emphasis on World War II and the strategic, military importance of the city. The footage used in this film was shot by Tom COURTNEY.

Production Company: Dept. of Industry and Publicity of Nova Scotia
Access: None for viewing. Permission must be received for reproduction.

Reference: CBC Television Nova Scotia Archives 1989-57 / Location no.: Fc 2180 Supplemental information no.: Mf352- 84

Royal Visit

Format: 2 film reels (00:11:58 hrs.)
Filmmaker: CBC Television

Note: The 1939 Royal Visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England. The camera follows the royal couple through Halifax, N.S., as they participate in ceremonies at the train station, the Grand Parade and the Citadel. They board the Empress of Britain for their departure. The Salterio triplets are presented to them in the Public Gardens.

Production Company: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Access: Open for consultation; written permission required from donor for use or reproduction.

Reference: CBC Television Nova Scotia Archives 1989-57 / Location no.: Fc 2174- 2175 Supplemental information no.: Mf262-48

Gateway to The World

Date: 1939-1945
Format: 1 film reel (00:21:08 hrs.) : colour
Filmmaker: CBC Television

Note: This film chronicles activities in Halifax during the war years (1939-1945) with particular emphasis on the role of Halifax as a port city. (incomplete version - silent print)

Production Company: Dept. of Industry and Publicity of Nova Scotia
Access: Open for consultation; written permission required from donor for use or reproduction.

Reference: CBC Television Nova Scotia Archives 1989-16 / Location no.: Fc 1981 Supplemental information no.: Mf352- 81

Few Shots Taken at Random at The Greeting or The Sherry Party

Date: 1939
Format: 1 film reel (00:10:44 hrs.) : silent, b&w & colour
Filmmaker: Allen Fraser

Note: Two amateur films - one is a pictorial of the Halifax/ Dartmouth area and the second is a short dramatization showing three people at an outdoor sherry party. A Few Shots Taken at Random includes the Waegwoltic Club, Capitol Theatre marquee, Barrington Street, Province House, Martello Tower the Public Gardens, CP steam engine train #2552 Annapolis Royal, scenes on the North West Arm and unidentified NS locales. [Note: The Sherry party was produced by WGC (Billy) Strickland.]

Producer: Allen Fraser And W.G.C. Strickland
Access: Open for consultation; PANS holds copyright.

Reference: Allen Fraser Nova Scotia Archives 1992-50 / Location no.: Fc 2734

World War II Convoy Leaving Halifax

Date: 1939
Format: 1 videocassette (00:2:10 hrs.)
Filmmaker: Mary-Elizabeth Lynch

Note: Amateur B&W film footage shot by Andrew D. MERKEL of troop ships leaving Halifax Harbour (see Charles LYNCH, 'You Can't Print That,' pp. 26-27).

Producer: Andrew D. Merkel

Reference: Mary-Elizabeth Lynch Nova Scotia Archives 1987-64 / Location no.: Vb 255 Supplemental information no.: Mf404-11

Home Movies: Dance Recital at Capital Theatre

Date: 1939
Format: 1 videocassette (00:10:00 hrs.) : b&w
Filmmaker: Malcolm and Mariel Mosher

Note: Potpourri of footage from several different recitals at the Capitol Theatre in Halifax, N.S., performed by students of the Madame Hylda School of Dance. Marial M. MOSHER is the focus of attention in most shots, as the film was shot by her father Malcolm MOSHER.


Reference: Malcolm and Mariel Mosher Nova Scotia Archives 1986-29 / Location no.: Vc 1230 Supplemental information no.: Mf402-01

Royal Visit, NYC, Guides Meet, Kittens

Date: 1939
Format: 1 film reel (00:10:00 hrs.)
Filmmaker: Malcolm and Marial Mosher

Note: Brief sequence showing cars driving through an arch erected [on Barrington St.] for the 1939 Royal Visit, reading 'Welcome to Nova Scotia'. Shots of the Hotel Nova Scotian and other Halifax buildings decorated for the Royal Visit. Shots of New York City [from the Empire State Building], followed by street scenes near Times Square. Shots of Guides Meet [at Lake Williams, N.S.] - canoe races, log rolling, etc. Miscellaneous shots of houses near the ocean, kittens in a basket, and a bonfire.


Reference: Malcolm and Marial Mosher Nova Scotia Archives 1986-39 / Location no.: Fb 1952 Supplemental information no.: Mf402-03