5 - 16mm film reels

1926-1929

The collection consists of home movies of the Finley and Miller families (especially "Duddy" Finley, Elizabeth "Lady Bug" Peirce Miller, Harry Miller, and Lady's Bug's parents) from the late 1920s. These were filmed in Chicago, Ill., Canaan, Conn., Wisconsin, and Niagara Falls, N.Y. Reel 1 is from 1926 and features Duddy Finley on a tricycle in a park with her mother and Harry Miller; there are also scenes around Chicago Navy Pier and Lincoln Park. Reel 2 (1926) contains scenes of Lady Bug's family playing in the snow, a shot of a downtown street in Canaan with "Ives & Peirce Coal & Grain" store. Reel 3 (1927) shows the family swimming at Twin Lakes, a playground, children dancing, a girl doing the Charleston dance, and other family scenes. Reel 4 (1928) contains swimming scenes, adults dressed in Victorian clothing, girls dancing, and a cat. The last reel (no. 5, 1929) features wire-haired terriers and puppies in a backyard, little girls paying with dolls and a dollhouse, a large country house in winter, a sign reading "Barry Kennels: Equally Well Known Both Sides of Atlantic, Owned by Roger Phillips," dogs in kennels in the snow, the family in snow, a lakeside community, and Niagara Falls.

• VanHees & Finlay Films Finding Aid