The Iron Horse -- November 26, 2024

New York Daily News, 09-November-1924

The great success of Paramount's The Covered Wagon inspired Fox to make their own western epic. John Ford directed The Iron Horse, which told the story of the building of the transcontinental railroad. I find it a much better film than The Covered Wagon. 

News of the Week March 18, 1916 -- March 18, 2016

The 18-March-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Double wreck on New Haven railroad at Milford, Conn.  Mutual Weekly." Ten people were killed by a rear-end collision and boiler explosion on the New Haven Railroad on 22-February-1916.

"Frank Chance, manager of Los Angeles ball team, photographed on his farm. Hearst-Vitagraph."  Frank Chance, the Peerless Leader, a native of California, had been the first baseman in the Chicago Cubs' famous double play combination of Tinker to Evers to Chance.  In 1916, he was manager of the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League.

"Canadian troops in maneuvers near Winnipeg before leaving for front.  Hearst-Vitagraph."  I have mentioned before that Canadian soldiers played a critical role on the Western Front.

"Subway halted for hours while rain is pumped from tracks, New York.  Universal."  Heavy rain on 04-March-1916 flooded the subway tracks. 

"American and Mexican health officers disinfect Mexican emigrants.  Selig-Tribune."  On 02-March-1916, the US Public Health Service reported cases of typhus in El Paso, Texas.  Mexican emigrants from Chihuahua were turned back at the international bridge because they had smallpox.

"Waiting in the trenches at Souchez, France, for call to battle.  Pathe."  Souchez is in northern France.

News of the Week January 1, 1916 --January 1, 2016

The 01-January-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.  Unfortunately, someone tore an item out of the page behind.

The caption is missing from the left-hand photo, but I see a heavy-duty railroad flatcar with the barrel of a large artillery piece, either on its way to a ship or a coastal defence fortification.

"C., M. & St. Paul installs electric engine at Butte, Mont.  Copyright, 1915, Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The Milwaukee Road (Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul and Pacific Railroad) opened its Pacific Coast extension in 1909, but found it difficult to operate because of steep grades and bad weather in the mountain passes.  They electrified part of the line in Montanna and Idaho in 1914 and 1915. 

The left-hand picture is missing completely.

"First Trial of the United States amphibious automobile.  Copyright, 1915, Mutual Weekly."  Delia The Motor Duck was designed and built by Michael de Cosmo in San Francisco.

"Water falls make motive power at Great Falls, Mont.  Copyright, 1915, Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Hydroelectric plants supplied the power for the Milwaukee Road's Pacific Extension.

"Crow Reservation Indian chiefs visit the capitol.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  I assume they are from the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana.

News of the Week December 4, 1915 -- December 4, 2015

The 04-December-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Results of terrible hurricane which swept across Missouri.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  I have not been able to find anything about this hurricane or tropical storm.

"A moving picture camera added to the equipment of Chicago Police Bureau.  Copyright 1915, Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Sounds like a good idea.  I wonder if any of the footage still exists.

"Purchasing Commissioner from France on board ship.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  On 20-November-1915, members of a French met with Secretary of Agriculture David F Houston. 

"New Lackawanna viaduct at Nicholson, Pa.  Copyright 1915 by Mutual Weekly."  The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad's Tunkhannock Viaduct opened for service on 06-November-1915.

"Crippled children of Chicago are guests at the Annual Flower Show.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  The Chicago Flower and Garden Show claims it started in 1847. 

"Blaze wrecks big war order plant in Trenton, N. J.  Copyright 1915, Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  There was a big fire at the John A Roebling Sons plant, which manufactured steel cables.  This was the third fire at a war production plant in 24 hours.  German sabotage was suspected.