British dignitaries visit DC; FDR and Churchill join the Morgenthaus at their farm to relax; Henry Morgenthau films a spot on war bonds
Creator(s)
- Henry Morgenthau III
- Henry Morgenthau Jr. (Camera Operator)
Biographical History
Henry Morgenthau, Jr. was born on May 11, 1891 in New York, NY, and was raised in a secular German Jewish family. His father, Henry Morgenthau, Sr., was appointed Wilson’s ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, 1913-1916, and Henry Jr. visited his father in Istanbul. Though Henry attended Cornell University, he did not graduate but instead bought a large farm in Dutchess County, NY, near the home of Franklin Roosevelt. The two men became friends. In 1916, Henry met and married Elinor Fatman; the couple had three children: Henry III (b. 1917), Robert (b. 1919), and Joan (1922-2012). Henry intended to make a living as a farmer, and also published the American Agriculturalist magazine. When Roosevelt was elected governor, Henry was appointed to an agricultural advisory committee. In 1934, Morgenthau was appointed as U.S. Secretary of Treasury under President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was largely responsible for the creation of the War Refugee Board in January 1944. After Morgenthau's resignation in July 1945, he became more heavily involved in Jewish affairs. He became General Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal and was a financial advisor to the newly-created state of Israel. “Tal Shahar,” an agricultural community near Jerusalem, was named in his honor. After Elinor’s death in 1949, Morgenthau married Marcelle Morgenthau in 1952. He passed away in 1967. Learn more about the Morgenthau family from the feature documentary "Morgenthau" (2014) at http://watch.thirteen.org/video/2365250608/.
Scope and Content
The Morgenthau family vacations in Hawaii in 1937 - hiking, waterfall, horseback riding, the beach. 00:36:35 Eleanor Roosevelt, Henry Morgenthau, Jr. and his wife Elinor pose for photographs, perhaps upon their return from France aboard the SS Normandie. Horseback riding, back at the Morgenthau family farm. Scenic views of Hawaii from a ship; a speedboar. 00:38:11 In June 1939, King George and Queen Elizabeth arrive at Union Station, Washington, DC, and are formally greeted. The Queen and Mrs. Roosevelt enter an automobile for transit to the White House. President Roosevelt and his guests board the Potomac. FDR and the Queen converse. The press films the event, including Henry Morgenthau, Jr. as cameraman. Morgenthau was the only cabinet member invited to be present, which deeply upset Democratic National Committee Chairman James Farley. The King lays a wreath on Washington's tomb at Mount Vernon and visit the gardens. Indian entertainers performing songs and dances at Hyde Park. Includes title cards throughout (see notes). 00:41:43 The Morgenthau family rides horses. A celebration for Henry III graduating from Princeton in 1939. MS, Henry III with a woman in a suit, followed by a shot of Henry III and Henry Morgenthau Jr. 00:42:12 In June 1942, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Elinor Morgenthau, Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Robert Morgenthau (in his Navy uniform) enjoy drinking mint juleps together and relaxing in a backyard of the Morgenthau family farm. Robert sits beside his wife, Martha Patridge Morgenthau, dressed in purple, and Joan wears a nurse's uniform. Churchill's daughter is in attendance. Henry Morgenthau Jr. poses next to a bust of himself while the artist Joe Davidson finishes the sculpture. Davidson had previously sculpted FDR's likeness. 00:46:00 FDR holds a press conference outside. 00:46:21 In 1941 in an office likely in Washington, DC, Secretary of Treasury, Henry Morgenthau Jr. reads through a script about war bonds (no sound, staged). He and Franklin D. Roosevelt talk to the camera (no sound), again with a war bonds poster behind them.
Note(s)
The short color film with titles also appears in the archive under RG-60.3066. Title cards: "State Visit of their Britannic Majesties June 1939. Photographed by The Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr. Their Majesties arrive at the Union Station by special train." "The Queen and Mrs. Roosevelt enter the car for the drive to the White House." "Their Majesties and the Presidential party board the U.S.S. Potomac for the river voyage to Mount Vernon." "The Queen and the President converse aboard the yacht." "Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr. joins the many photographers in taking pictures of King George and Queen Elizabeth at Mt. Vernon." "The King lays a memorial wreath on the tomb of George Washington." "Their Majesties in the gardens at Mt. Vernon." "At Hyde Park Their Majesties listen to Ish-Ti-Opi, Indian baritone." "Princess Te Ata in Indian folklore songs." "Kuruks Pahitu beats the Indian tom-tom." "The End."
Learn more about the Morgenthau family from the feature documentary "Morgenthau" (2014) at http://watch.thirteen.org/video/2365250608/.
Subjects
- HORSES
- WHITE HOUSE
- MORGENTHAU, HENRY
- ROOSEVELT, ELEANOR
- TRAIN STATIONS
- MEMORIALS
- ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN D.
- PRESS
- PERFORMANCES
- SIGNS/POSTERS
- ARTISTS
- PHOTOGRAPHS
- FAMILIES
- FARMERS/FARMING
- BEACHES
- MOVIE CAMERAS
- SHIPS
- ELIZABETH II (ENGLAND)
- REPORTERS
- JEWS
- VACATIONS
- SCULPTURES
- CHURCHILL, WINSTON
Places
- Washington, DC, United States
- Hawaii, United States
- New York State, United States
Genre
- Film
- Amateur.