Tsar Nicholas II is seen with Grand Duke, Nicholas Nikolaevich (the tall officer in his retinue) during a military review at beginning of World War 1. Along with senior Russian officers, they review troops in formation at a parade ground near St. Petersburg (Petrograd) Russia. After reviewing the formation, they walk past a low platform in the center of the field, where Russian Orthodox Metropolitan vladimir (Bogoyavlensky) of Petrograd (St. Petersburg) stands with several priests. With their hats removed, The Tsar and his party review a military unit in formation, whose members also have their their hats removed. The Tsar and party approach the Bishop and stop to cross themselves. The Bishop responds with a slight bow to the Tsar. Scene changes to members of the French military mission to Russia standing at the edge of the parade grounds. Next, the Tsar and his retinue walk to take up a position from which to review Russian troops on parade. Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia, in uniform, walks with his father. As troops pass in review, young Alexei is seen at left of the screen standing at attention. Scene shifts to another part of the grounds, where camera pans across the Tsar and party to military representatives from other nations.
In the opening scene, a U.S. Army Air Corps brass band leads a parade, followed by a contingent of army troops with shouldered rifles wearing steel helmets. A fairly large ship, emiting some smoke from its stack, is stationary in the background. Spectators watch from edge of the parade grounds. Palm trees dot the area. Next, a contingent of Air Corps trainees marches in formation, with a three-man color guard and the American flag behind them. The band now stands in formation off to the side as it plays. Other formations of airmen trainees march in the background. Scene shifts to downtown Saint Petersburg, where Army Air Corps officers, plus Marine and Naval officers occupy a reviewing stand with Robt. J. McCutcheon, Jr., the Mayor of Saint Petersburg. Closeup of Air Corps Colonel E. R. Householder rendering a salute. Camera pans the reviewing stand and then pans across the heads of standing spectators, to a large group of civilians occupying reserved seats. Scene shifts to the Air Corps band playing as they lead the parade down Central Avenue. The sidewalks in this business district are filled with spectators. The parade units follow in the same order as they had in earlier scenes at the parade grounds. Camera keeps pace with the unit of soldiers in steel helmets. Closeup of the soldiers executing left-shoulder arms as they march. Remaining units are seen and the color guard. Next, several formations of sailors, in whites, are seen from the rear, as they march. Camera shifts to Drum Majorette strutting between the trolley tracks on the avenue. Behind her are others in white and a contingent of sailors. A color guard of Womens Army Corps (WAC) passes the reviewing stand. Several High school cheer-leaders in white uniforms are seen next. followed by a large group High school girls, some wearing bobby socks, that seem to be marching with seniors first, trailed by successively lower classes. High School Drum majorettes in white strut ahead of their marching band. Another group of majorettes leads their band. In front of them is a drum major pushing an infant in a small stroller. He has some trouble as its wheels get caught in the trolley tracks. A group of nurses is next in the march, followed by a WAC formation in uniform. An African American marching band and majorettes is next. Their lead majorette twirls her baton. (World War II period).
Men conversing in a hall in Leningrad, Russia. Books on the table. Buildings and houses in the city. Scenes from automobiles driving along the city streets. Cars parked on the street. Trams on the street. People in a public park. Interesting view of Mikhailovsky Palace (Inzhenernaya St, 4/2, St Petersburg, Russia, 191011) being renovated, with scaffolding in place, and statue of Lenin (no longer there) in the courtyard. Commuters waiting for buses and streetcars. Pedestrians walking across bridges.
A Russian science fiction film depicts the landing of a manned space vehicle on the moon. Scenes of Soviet officials in government offices in Russia. View of the famous "Bronze Horseman" statue of Peter the Great, in St. Petersburg. Russian citizens watching progress of space activity on their television sets, at home. The space vehicle was launched an orbiting space station. At the space station personnel enter a cabin. Personnel at the space station watch and operate the launch. The space vehicle lands on the moon. Craters seen on the surface of the moon. Astronauts disembark from the space vehicle.
Newsreel entitled "Babe Gets a New Bat." Shows American baseball legend Babe Ruth playing golf at a St. Petersburg Florida golf course in 1930 with his wife, the former Claire Hodgson. The couple exit clubhouse with unidentified man; pose for camera on a breezy, sunny day; Claire holds up flowers for Babe to smell; Babe takes first shot while others in the background watch; the Ruths walk across golf course. (NOTE: St. Petersburg was where Ruth's team, the New York Yankees, held spring training most of the time between 1925 and 1960.)
Gambling ship underway off the coast in St Petersburg,Florida. Steamer Monte Carlo underway off the coast in St Petersburg. Passengers gamble at the roulette wheel. Croupier spins the wheel. He arranges coins for the players at the gambling table. Officers arrest the gamblers.