The 1946 Golden Jubilee Parade celebrating the auto industry, in Detroit Michigan. A large crowd of approximately 750 thousand people watches from sidelines as antique automobiles drive past in the parade, along Woodward Avenue. The parade features a wide variety of antique and classic cars dating from as far back as the 19th century. Several jeeps carry persons, standing, who seem to be supervising the event. On a couple of occasions, cars stall and drivers must get out and hand crank them to restart, or push to get them running again. Some occupants are in costumes dating to the time of their cars. A Ford tractor pulls a float containing a Ford Fordson tractor. Another drives behind them. That is followed by a float showing the world and a message, "More food for a hungry world." The float also carries three men shoveling in a bread basket and a Ford tractor. A float carries the 999 race car built by Henry Ford, that set world speed records when driven by race driver Barney Oldfield. A 1946 Lincoln Continental that is possibly carrying Henry Ford, is followed by a large brass band, and more antique cars. A small brick building is seen on a float with a sign reading: "1896, The Original Ford car in First Workshop, 58 Bagley Avenue." The next float carries a 1940 Ford Station wagon, and a 1903 model Ford. Behind it are more antique cars. One stalls and need a push to restart. Scene changes to new perspective offering wider view of Woodward avenue, which is lined with tall Golden Jubilee signs. A pause in the parade allows spectators to spill into the street and some buses to pass. Closeups of more antique cars and their occupants. Closeups of the 1896 Ford workshop, showing the original Ford car inside, through a cutaway in the brick side.
After underexposed start, Harry Bennett, Head of Ford Motor Company Service Department (In light hat) and two women, and a friend (holding newspapers) greet another woman stepping from a house, carrying an overnight case. It is wintertime with snow on the ground. As the five begin to walk toward parked cars, Bennett picks up some snow and throws a snowball at his friend. View of them all standing by cars parked at the curb. One woman waves toward the camera. Next, Harry Bennett is seen standing by a gas station gas pump, while the station attendent cleans the rear window of his car. Abrupt scene change shows the car driving away past snow piled at roadside. Then it is seen (from a following car) speeding along a wet road. It veers off onto a snow-covered rural road still followed by the camera car. They travel through pine forest until Bennett turns into a driveway with trees bordering close on both sides. He parks and runs up to his log cabin house. Closeup of one of the women standing with snow background. Momentary glimpse of another woman.
Glimpse in Winter, of Lake Huron bordering property of Harry Bennett, Director of the Ford Motor Company Service Department. Camera pans quickly to show his log cabin house in the woods. Next, he and three friends are seen roughhousing in the snow. Bennett starts throwing snowballs, and his friends continue the snowball fight near their parked cars (1934 Fords). Two women approach the cars. Next, his friends pummel Bennett with snowballs as he heads toward his parked car. He jumps inside it quickly and drives away, as they throw snowballs at his car. Meanwhile, as one of the women is getting into the back of a car, one of the men throws a snowball at her. He then goes quickly to brush snow away from her. Behind them another man begins to drive his car away. The two women seated on the back seat laugh. Snow is seen on inside of the open door. Camera pans over snow and then back to the other car driving away. (It is a 1934 Ford Fordor Sedan Deluxe with the optional Potter Trunk and the spare tire.) Closeup of Harry Bennet holding a snowball. Closeup of two women laughing in backseat of a car.
Camera pans across fireplace in log cabin style home belonging to Harry Bennett, head of Ford Motor Company Service Department. He is entertaining guests. One, a woman, is seated near the fire. Interior of cabin near front door is seen. View shifts to different woman guest descending stairs. She warms herself in front of the fire. Harry Bennett places some more logs on the fire. The woman settles comfortably in a chair. Next, she is seen picking up a rabbit from the floor and trying to pose it on a chair for the camera. But it is struggling and she puts it down. She picks it up again and holds it. She then opens the front door as the cameraman (unseen) moves into the doorway to show the snow on the ground outside. Scene shifts to several women and men guests socializing near the fireplace. Change of scene shows one guest with a gun outside the cabin. A rabbit is nearby. Later, inside, he picks up the, now dead, rabbit up by the ears and places it in a cardboard box. Harry Bennett speaks to his guests.
First scene shows a line of new Ford V8 sedan cars parked side by side along the edge of a highway. The closest car displays a sign reading: "Ford, V8 Detroit Police Department." A spokesperson stands in front of the car and delivers some remarks. Next scene shows a white car parked next to the line of police cars, with a large sign on its roof and writing on its door. (The writing is difficult to decipher.) Individual Police officers are then seen standing next to each of the new Ford V8 automobiles, which are lined up along the highway edge, almost out of sight. Then the Police officers begin to drive the cars away, one at a time, successively, in a single file motorcade. Ford Company executives and Detroit city officials pose for a group picture. Harry Mack, Ford's Dearborn branch sales manager, is standing to the left of a uniformed Police officer (who may be James E. McCarty). Mack converses with Police Commissioner John P. Smith to his left. Closeups of segments of the group. Views of the officials dispersing and some more closeups. Finally, the new cars leave in a "parade" of sorts, led by motorcycle police. Traffic is stopped for them as they drive away from the photo site.
Brief view of a slate at start of a movie film that reads: "In compliance with the law of this state, this is SAFETY (NON-INFLAMMABLE) FILM."
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