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Congratulations to Robbins Barstow, whose 1956 film “Disneyland Dream” was named to the National Film Registry today.
After a long life of filmmaking, Robbins has become good friends with the amateur film preservation community through his tireless advocacy of amateur filmmaking and his attendance at archival film conferences and symposia. He then became an Internet sensation when the public discovered his films online.
Robbins Barstow, photo by M.J. Fiedler
From the Library of Congress’s press release:
Disneyland Dream (1956)
The Barstow family films a memorable home movie of their trip to Disneyland. Robbins and Meg Barstow, along with their children Mary, David and Daniel were among 25 families who won a free trip to the newly opened Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., as part of a ‘Scotch Brand Cellophane Tape’ contest sponsored by 3M. Through vivid color and droll narration (“The landscape was very different from back home in Connecticut”), we see a fantastic historical snapshot of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Catalina Island, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios and Disneyland in mid-1956. Home movies have assumed a rapidly increasing importance in American cultural studies as they provide a priceless and authentic record of time and place.
The film, along with 15 other Barstow Travel Adventure titles, is available for viewing and downloading at the Internet Archive.
Previous Robbins Barstow posts:
Of all of the words in the English language, the two that strike the most fear in men’s souls are: “holiday party.” Will I embarrass myself? Will my co-workers embarrass me? Will someone be dance to MC Hammer just a little too enthusiastically? Will there be karaoke? And what will I say to the President?
The blog for the Internet Archive just gave a shout out to home movies and urged people to include their own in the Home Movies section of the Internet Archive. This blog urges you to do the same!
There are few things in the world more fun than watching other family’s Christmas morning home movies…except, of course, watching the Osmond Family watch their home movies on national TV with Andy Williams and Paul Lynde and some awkward laughs from the studio audience.
home & amateur 