Ship SS France; Visiting Morocco and Spain
Creator(s)
- Arthur Schleifer Jr.
- Arnold Schleifer (Camera Operator)
Biographical History
Arnold Schleifer (1872-1950) was a Vienna-born restaurateur who leased and managed the Claremont Inn and Tavern-on-the Green in New York City for many years. In 1943, Arnold Schleifer and his nephews, Arthur Schleifer and Julius Berman, won the contract to operate the restaurant. They enlarged the dance floor and offered nightly music. A large outdoor patio offered dining al fresco. Trees were first wrapped in the well-known twinkling lights around the property and the Elm Tree Room was built to surround one of the city's classic American elms. The menu was designed to be elegant but affordable for New Yorkers. Luncheon and dinner offerings changed regularly. Arnold emigrated to the United States in 1903 and married Bertha in February 1937.
Scope and Content
With intertitles in English. “Europe and the North Coast of Africa, 1929. Before sailing on deck of ‘SS France’” Large group of well-dressed men and women gather on the deck of the SS France for a group shot. 1.11 Man leans on the railing looking out. Other groups of people gather for group shots, laughing and embracing each other. A final large group of people form a line, walking on the deck of the ship. 1:47 “Dropping the Pilot.” Overhead shot of a small paddle boat and shots of the open water. 2:18 “Advertising the races during 5 o’clock tea.” Men in uniform carry large cutouts of horses and riders on the deck. A well-dressed couple lounges in the sun. 2:57 “The deck-tennis tournament.” Shot of three simultaneous mixed games of deck tennis; others look on and smile and wave at the camera. 4:26 Shot of the smoke stacks on top of the deck; three girls lean against the railing. 4:35 more shots of the three games of deck tennis. 5:08 shot of the large letters hung on the upper deck reading “FRANCE” as people move about on the deck below. 5:18 “Professor Michaelou (BB) explains his art.” Professor Michaelou smiles and speaks with a woman in a row of lounge chairs. 5:36 “Teneriffe and Canary Islands- First sight of land.” Pan of the open water and hilly island. 6:34 “Looking down on the native village in Casablanca, Morocco.” Shot of roofs, people walk in front of the camera on the street. 6:54 “Street Scenes.” Men and women walk down the street carrying children and baskets. A man stands in front of a field, looking at the camera. 7:18 “Ruins of a Mosque outside the city.” Pan of the ruins. 7:39 “We meet a camel on the road between Casablanca and Rabat.” A man and a large camel stand in a field, a well-dressed woman nervously approaches. 8:03 “Afternoon tea in a former Fortress in Rabat.” Men and women are served tea in an outdoor courtyard, one woman holds a camera. 8:21 “Entrance to Sultan’s Garden and Palace.” A man stands outside of a gate while another man comes to meet him. A couple climb the steps up to the palace doors. 8:44 “Gibraltar- The Park of Edward VII.” Pan of the city and the coast. Woman stands next to a monument, looks into a cannon next to it. The same women walks through the park. Pan of the fence around the park. 9:47 “The English Boundary.” A man passing by salutes the camera, soldiers in uniform cross the street. A horse and carriage ride by. 10:03 “No Man’s Land.” Shot of a field, horses and carriages. 10:21 “The Spanish Frontier.” A group of men talk with the coachman of a horse-drawn carriage. A soldier stands in front of another horse-drawn carriage driving by in front of the mountain. 10:44 “Street Scenes and a ‘Bull Ring’ in Linea, Spain.” Groups of children wave to the camera in front of a carriage. Man and woman stand in the center of the bull ring. Young boy riding a mule on the street. 11:25 “A British Warship and ‘SS New York’ before the Rock of Gibraltar.” Shots of the two large ships near the coast.
Subjects
- SPORTS/GAMES
- VACATIONS
- HORSES
- FAMILIES
- TOURISM/SIGHTSEEING
- JEWISH LIFE (PRE-WAR)
- CHILDREN
- SHIPS
Places
- , Spain
- , Morocco
- , North Africa
- , Atlantic Ocean
Genre
- Amateur.
- Film