Home movie film of Greenville in 1938 brings back memories for some people
and new insights into the past for others.
Video taped copies of the "Shea Family Video Album" have been viewed by many
people since they were made available to the general public several years
ago.
At that time I viewed the video a time or two and thought it was
interesting.
However, I reviewed it again recently and became more aware of the many
fascinating aspects of the tape.
Like most home movies of the time, it is a bit grainy and sometimes out of
focus.
However, the film has a lot to offer as it shows viewers the various people
and places of 65 years ago.
Among other things, the video includes some touches of humor.
An employee at the Sinclair Service Station is shown mugging for the camera
by snuggling up to a life-sized promotional cutout of an attractive young
woman. The promotion touts Sinclair oil products.
Another bit of humor comes when the cameraman visits the Advocate office,
located where the First Bank parking lot is now.
Local citizens are seen looking at election returns posted on the
newspaper's window.
Then, Advocate employees come outside to be photographed. Long-time Advocate
publisher Will C. Carson holds up a "No Hunting" sign, possibly made in the
Advocate's job printing plant.
Later, in response to the coaxing of Leo Reeves, publisher Carson shows off
with an exaggerated and highly animated baseball pitch windup.
Throughout the film employees of various businesses and industries come
outside to be photographed.
Often the camera also goes inside for some dimly-lit interior scenes.
Interior and exterior views are presented of various Greenville industries
in 1938. Some of the manufacturing process is shown at the Model Glove Co.,
Pet Milk, DeMoulin Bros. and Co. and Coates Steel Products Co.
(One impressive aspect of the film is that ordinary working people are
highlighted and are often shown in their work settings.)
Horses appear in several movie scenes. A horse-drawn wagon is being used at
Greenville Elevator Co. Horses are used for excavating at a construction
site. The contractor on the project was O. E. Wheeler and Sons.
Horses are used for riding at the Suburban Lodge Stables. A sign says, "Ride
for health and pleasure," and several women are seen riding along a dirt
path.
The Greenville Shells basketball team is shown in their uniforms outside the
Shell dealership, the Greenville Service Co.
A parade of veterans takes place, apparently on Armistice Day, now called
Veterans Day. Some of the World War I veterans wear their uniforms. They
march to the northeast corner of the courthouse lawn, where a program and
band concert is held.
The courthouse Civil War monument is shown, complete with cannon balls
stacked in front.
A passenger train is shown stopping near the depot, and a man with a
suitcase gets off.
I was struck by how happy and healthy most people, including children, look
in the film.
Hundreds of people are photographed. A confident-looking Walter Joy appears
several times. Father J. J. Enright, long-time priest at the St. Lawrence
Catholic Church, is shown near the church. Pauline Watson cooperates with
the cameraman by trying on headwear at a clothing store. S. W. Andrews,
president of Model Glove, is at his desk. Raymon Genre shows ties to a
customer at Wise-Genre Clothing Co. A boy carries a potted plant in each
hand outside the Greenville Greenhouse, accompanied by his dog.
My father (Allan H. Keith Sr.) is shown driving a car and then walking across Main Street and his
sister is seen drinking a Coke in the Busy Bee Cafe.
A great many people were impeccably well dressed, with men often wearing
suits, ties, vests, as well as a hat.
Parishioners, as well as pastors, are seen leaving Sunday services at
various churches.
Also, students are shown, along with their teachers, at schools, including
Central and Inglis grade schools and at Greenville High School. A GHS school
bus can be seen. Students at Inglis slide down the tubular metal fire
escape. Playground activities are also shown.
It is interesting to note that black people are in at least four scenes in
the film. African-American students can be seen at both grade schools and at
GHS.
The film shows the city park and lake swimming area. Also, views of the old
Rod and Gun Club north of town show the lake there, as well as a man holding
two quail he had bagged.
The old airport landing strip north of town is pictured.
Children are seen leaving the Lyric Theater after a matinee showing of
"Black Bandit" and "The Lone Ranger."
Other scenes show Greenville College, the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps)
camp north of Greenville, the Hoiles sunken garden, and the city water and
sewerage plants. Also seen are the library, the post office, the mausoleum
at Montrose Cemetery, a crowd of people at an oil well site, and also at an
auction.
Greenville Cottages had 10 cottages available, with a sign promising "hot
and cold showers."
City policemen and firemen are shown at the old city hall. Firefighters
aboard fire trucks circle the block for the cameraman.
Many fine homes are shown, as well as downtown businesses in 1938.
Some of them are the Annex, Harper's Cleaners, F. P Joy and Co., Runells
Furniture, Watson's and O'Neal's drug stores, Fox Hardware, the George V.
Weise Co., Clementz Grocery, Blizzard's Market, Grigg's store, Maynard's,
the Hoiles bank, and some auto dealerships.
Some other scenes include golfers and the old clubhouse at the Greenville
Country Club, the Thomas House hotel, the Dewey and Bass funeral homes, many
service stations, as well as the Busy Bee, Brietie's, Kopper Kettle and
Purity restaurants.
Mouth-watering donuts are displayed in the window of Greenville Baking Co.
This video is a real prize. It is unfortunate that people don't do this sort
of thing more often for the sake of posterity.
Someone or some group should have the prescience to consider making a
similiar video today -- one that would have real historical significance 30
or 40 years from now
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