Encyclopedia Brittanica brings you the absolute latest news about the New York City traffic conditions in 1941. :) Shows the major ways people get in and out of the City, and demonstrates how major urban areas have to plan for traffic and traffic infrastructure. Great video for New York City history buffs!

In honor of Flag Day (June 14)/ Uses animation to demonstrate how the flag has changed over the years, from colonial days, until today (today being 1938)

Another song from the 1940s Double-Entendre king, Benny Bell

Billy Jones and Ernest Hare sing "Does the Spearmint Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Over Night?"

Date unknown

This is a clip from the 1980s John Hammond Show

Benny Bell McCarthy and McGinnis 78 rpm record from the 1940s

Very interesting recording by Al Jolsen of what is now the Israeli National Anthem.

Another double-entendre classic from Benny Bell

East 10 St. on corner of University Place.

Seems like a men's version of the Virginia Slims commercials....

A short video of a few war posters and a familiar military song playing in the background

A short silent video of the various parades and observances on Memorial Day in Cornwall, N.Y. Here is a description of the day and movie by Cornwall town historian Janet Dempsey... Memorial Day, 1920 Cornwall's Memorial Day of 1920 was a unique occasion in the annals of town historyis there anyone who remembers that memorable day? Another question: how many times a week do you pass the Soldiers' Monument near the Town Hall? Is your attention so focused on making the green light that, like most passersby, you are scarcely aware of the granite shaft and accompanying cannon on the small plot between two busy roads? The monument and older cannon are memorials to veterans of the Civil War; the second cannon, from World War I, was presented to the town on Memorial Day, 1920. The event was fully covered by the Cornwall Press, beginning with a special edition on May 27th, its cover printed on glossy paper bordered by a red and blue stripe, the masthead flanked by American and French flags. The headline "Significant Event Staged for Memorial Day in Cornwall"was followed by the details: "Captain Pierre Lecomtedu Nouy, a distinguished citizen of France an embattled soldier of the Great World War representing the French Government will present to the people of Cornwall, in the name of his country, a seventyseven milimetre cannon, captured from the Germans in combat."Taken "when the German army made its final fatal drive against Paris.. .it is the only captured cannon of the great World War ever presented to an American community." This . great honor, the article continued, was due to the efforts of Dr. Ernest G. Stillman. Column one of the newspaper lists the parade's line of march. Forming at the Village Square, it would proceed down Hudson Street as far as Mountain Road, countermarch to the upper village and onto Willow Avenue to the Firthcliffe Club, then return to the Monument where the ceremonies would take place. Spectators lining the parade route would see an impressive number of units. The first division, headed by the N.Y.M.A. Band, consisted of veterans of the Civil War, the SpanishAmerican and World Wars, the corps of cadets, and what everyone would crane his neck to see, Captain du Nouy on horseback escorting the horsedrawn cannon. The Firthcliffe Band provided music for the second division, which included town and village dignitaries, thirteen civic and fraternal organizations, and students from the public and parochial schools and Storm King School. At the end of the parade were the Storm King and Highland Engine Companies and the Cornwall Village Band. On page two of the paper was listed "The Veteran Dead of Cornwall," a total of one hundred and seven, buried in ten town and neighboring cemeteries. The editor's prediction that Cornwall would welcome the Frenchman with open arms was borne out by the June 3rd issue, which featured the presentation ceremony and printed the text of Captain du Nouy's speech. "I am no speechmaker,"he began, "and I hate nothing so much as speaking in public. But today is different .... This gun is yours, and has been chosen for you by myself, three thousand miles away, at the muddy camp where it was brought right after it had been captured near Soissons.... "I love this country," he continued, "because of its high ideals, backed by the most wonderful energy, and the most striking boldness." He spoke of his homelandits wartorn devastation, from which it was "coming back to life in the most astonishing way," and the great gratitude it felt for America. The editor was eloquent in praise. "As an ambassador of peace he [du Nouy] fulfilled a beautiful mission; as an educator he enhanced our learning; as a gentleman he taught us a lesson and gave himself as an example." Supervisor Clemence C. Smith, in accepting the German cannon on behalf of the town, read an original poem he had written for the occasion. Then Mrs. Cyrus W. Shaw read the Gettysburg Address, also "a verse in appreciation of the boys of the World War." Commented the editor: "Mrs. Shaw has an excellent voice and a clear delivery." The address of Dr. Jay W. Somerville, "an oldtime orator," was clearly superfluous, and received scant coverage. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Old Homestead lawn was the scene of an informal reception, a time for the townspeople to meet Captain du Nouy in person. This part of the program inspired another burst of eloquence from the editor on the impression made by the Frenchman. "He sank his own personality in the higher motive of the celebration and joined heartily with the people of Cornwall in the inspiring sentiments of the day, met them like a brother, caressed the children, honored the old warriors, praised the valor of their courageous youth, and charmed the whole town by the comradeship of his gentle nature. The children loved him at once. They followed his horse in the parade and gazed at the man in an admiring wonder." At midday, the official party of thirty retired to Red Men's Hall for a sumptuous luncheon at which Dr. Stillman was the toastmaster. A picture of the group in front of the building is preserved in the town archives. Captain du Nouy appears in the center flanked by the surviving veterans of the Civil War. Also in the picture are Colonel Milton F. Davis, superintendent of N.Y.M.A., the town and village boards, a delegation from the American Legion, and Dr. Stillman. Another memento of the event is a film, probably taken by Dr. Stillmannow so fragile that it breaks repeatedly when shown. But what a unique document! It shows Captain du Nouy on horseback surrounded by a group of children, the war veterans marching by and scenes at the Monument. It is interesting to note the rural character of the town in 1920. The next time you drive past the Monument Park, think about the Memorial Day of 1920.

This short movie has a BIG payoff for fans of "The Simpsons" ... Young Matthew tells a creative story to his sisters, while his father captures the moment on film. This littls clip might be better called "The REST of the Story"!

In a display that would surely get her arrested today, a mother uses her young daughters as a backdrop for her knife-throwing routine.

Just a brief segue giving the movie audience a little Mother's Day Greeting.  May 13, 1934.

A two-minute clip that discusses a bit about the building of the World Trade Center.  It shows scenes of the neighborhood that would eventually be razed to make room for the "Twin Towers".

WORLD OF TOMORROW That world which you and I and our millions of fellow citizens can build from the gest of the tools available to us today. We show you here a pictorial review of the New York World's Fair 1939.

This is the official movie put out by the 1939-40 New York World's Fair. It has no soundtrack so I added a few novelty songs from the era. Not sure it improves the viewing of the video - you might just want to turn the sound off.

Here's the audio playlist:
Betty Grable - The Sidewalks of New York
Betty Grable - Sweet Rosie O'Grady
Eddie Cantor - Hungry Women
Ink Spots - When You Were Sweet 16
Vera Lynn - As Time Goes By
Bob Hope & Dorothy Lamour - Thanks For the Memories

1955 short documentary discussing the end of the Third Avenue Elevated subway, to make room for the Second Avenue subway line that never happened.

Amateur footage of the 1964 New York World's Fair, including scenes of the fair, the Unisphere, and the newly opened Shea Stadium

Even in the 40s schools were under-funded and outdated. Many of the concepts in this film are still true today in education. It seems as if those who actually DO something for humanity, get paid far less than those who ultimately do nothing for humanity, like sports figures, supermodels, tv actors, lawyers and such.

Amateur video of The World Of Tomorrow

Geared towards very young children and featuring the brilliant animation of H.L. Roberts, the film takes place one dreary, rainy evening at home. John and Mary, desperate for their father to take them to the movies, tease him about his old-fashioned attachment to his science books and mock his interest in an image of the tubercle bacillus. This sends their father into a strange and, to the children, deeply engaging scientific reverie. What if, he wonders, we could talk to this fascinating germ? What story would it tell? The animation involves an invention called a “germ radio,” a convenient conceit that allows “Tee Bee” (who is, perhaps, a bit too adorable) to tell his own story. Directed by Edgar Ulmer.

You've come a long way, baby!

I really enjoyed anything that involved smashing toy cars into stuff.

Remember these? This was my absolute favorite car toy, because it could do the most damage to Barbie Playhouses.

Retroflick.com contines it's Charlie Chaplin's 122nd Birthday Relaunch Extravaganza with his second  film, Kid Auto Races At Venice, which was released on February 7, 1914.  It's the first picture in which his "Tramp" character appears.   Directed by Henry Lehrman for Keystone Studios, Chaplin's character is a spectator at a California 'baby-cart race'.   He keeps getting in the way of the camera and interferes with the race, causing great frustration to the public and participants. Chaplin's tramp character would go on to be one of the most beloved film icons in history.

In honor of Charlie Chaplin's 122nd Birthday, we launch the NEW Retroflick.com with "Making a Living."  This was Charlie Chaplin's first film.