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16 mm, American history, black and white photography, entertainment, Great Depression, H. Lee Waters, historic films, history, movies, museum, musings, people, silent films, southern history, thoughts, Wake Forest
So I didn’t watch the Golden Globes. Award shows are so exhausting. I agonize over who’s going to wear the wrong dress, fall off her stilettos, or venture into some wildly off-kilter improvisational acceptance speech.
That doesn’t mean I don’t love the movies. In fact, I’m obsessed with films by a photographer from Lexington, North Carolina named H. Lee Waters. He survived the Great Depression by traveling and making Movies of Local People in literally dozens of southern towns. He’d charge folks to see themselves on the silver screen.
The thing is… these movies are completely amazing in a way Hollywood movies reliably aren’t. They’re black and white. They’re silent. They show men walking out of the hardware store, or kids holding hands in front of the elementary school, or ladies in hats. People look into the camera and smile, or laugh, or mug, or hide their faces. The subjects are beautiful, certainly. But they’re also real. They’re part of history but don’t know it yet. There’s a deep sensation of time passing when you watch these films. The clothing’s outdated… but you know those people.
They’re so recognizably us.
There’s a growing appreciation of H. Lee Waters films. One is immortalized in the Library of Congress. Many are now preserved at the Duke University Library. (Our museum has its own copy… from Waters’ visit to Wake Forest in October of 1939.) You can see clips on YouTube. Websites have sprung up extolling his massive talent for capturing people in completely authentic and open moments… convincing everyone from infants to codgers to smile for the camera.
A couple weeks ago, I edited the museum’s 40-minute film into a three-minute music video. I did it for the museum website. But it was so much fun, I hope you like it. Frankly, it kind of brings a tear to my eye. Not only because I’m shamelessly sentimental… which I am. But also because I see myself in so many of those faces. I’ve been the child, the student, the young woman, the mother. My time is also quickly passing.
Today I spoke with a lady down the street who’s turning 96-years-old this year. She lived here in town when Waters came to shoot this film. She told me how lonely it is to be the only one left. When I watch this Movie of Local People... I understand what she means.
Maybe that’s because I understand the people Waters filmed. They move me. Isn’t that the definition of great art? In that sense, his movies are as wonderful as anything honored at the Golden Globes. In addition, nobody’s wearing the wrong dress.
You don’t worry about anyone in these Movies of Local People. Everyone… in that moment, in front of that camera… was feeling something special. They were being something special. It was like they’d found this rare intersection of reality and fantasy. They knew Waters was selling something simple and yet surprisingly ephemeral… the chance to See Yourself as Others See You.
Like those awards show honorees… they didn’t want to mess up. It was their moment. And they owned it.
What’s so surprising is how completely important… historically and artistically… this modest Depression Era project truly is.
What a beautiful post and video! My mom would have been 0-12 months and my dad 4-5 years old. I wonder what their dreams were, what their fears were and how those who went before us shaped who we are today. My eyes welled up watching it! Where’s the damn kleenex!
You are mighty talented, the museum is lucky to have you!
Thank you so much, Diana. I love the way Colbie Caillat sings that song… and the images just really affect me, too. That last shot… of Wooten’s Hometel… is tugging at my heartstrings right now. John Wooten died last week at 90-years-old. When that film was made, he was just a teenager. His mom ran that boardinghouse. I just feel like you could blink and see him as a kid again… maybe that’s what these movies do for me.
Yeah we forget that everyone was a kid once…
What a delightful video. Waters figured out that the best things to photograph are the everyday things, the places and moments that seem common to us but when we look back turn out to be the most special of all.
At 3:05 in your video, you get a very brief glimpse of a very old US 1 sign, a “cutout” we road geeks call it because it is cut in the shape of a shield. Underneath it is a square sign with an L in it, which means that to stay on US 1 you would need to curve or turn left. I used that to find Main St. near North Ave. in Wake Forest, which was US 1 then and is still a divided road I see. That’s so cool — this suddenly became a lot more real to me.
Oh, Jim. I knew you’d like this film, but I had no idea what a high-powered road detective you are. The roller-skater was indeed filmed on US 1. It was built straight through the middle of town in 1926. This leg of it was known as Faculty Avenue, because so many professors from Wake Forest College lived in those houses. The road hits the old WFC campus on its south end, circles to the east, and continues out to Raleigh. If you have time, you might like to click the link on Waters’ name. He did an interview in his old age, and explained his techniques. I thought it was fascinating… until the narrator began listing every single town Waters ever visited with his camera. That got pretty slow after a while.
The video brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful. Great post, as always.
Thanks, GrannyK. I really love this film, too. Something about all those hopeful faces… especially when you think how tough times were in 1939. So many families were struggling. And this movie event when Waters came to town was such a huge thing for everyone. I think our museum’s incredibly fortunate to have this in our archives.
Beautiful and poignant post. Really nice pairing with the movie and song. This brought tears to my eyes to think of all these lovely people, most now gone, living day in and day out, striving for their dreams and hopes and desires while dealing with all of life’s trials–no different than us today, really. You and Mr. Waters just proved in a little over three minutes why a movie will never live up to the real world around us. Who needs actors when we are playing our own part in the movie of life?
That’s just how it makes me feel, too. So sad that these people’s time has passed. That they aren’t young and beautiful and full of promise… life still ahead of them… anymore. And that it happens to all of us. I’m not sure why Waters’ work affects me this way. Maybe because the film is such a “slice of life?” Like you say, it does make you think Hollywood movies aren’t nearly as moving and authentic as what we experience over the years, every day.
Thanks so much for the kind comment.
Fabulous Jen. It made me feel wistful for the passing of ages…
Thanks so much! I might try to show this movie to the 96-year-old lady down the street. I’d like to know who she recognizes… and if she’s in it.
I love the song.. it always makes me think back to years past linking arms with my Gran at New Year parties… the video is magnificent and so thought provoking… a good portion of American history is depicted in it… this is one of the most wonderful posts I’ve seen since being on the blogging scene… you can sit back while we stand and applaud you on this post… I think you’re bloody marvelous….
Thank you so much, bulldogsturf! What a beautiful compliment. I’m just so happy you appreciate the American history in this post, because I couldn’t agree more. This film is just truly moving and gripping and historic in a way that kind of takes your breath away.
Waters did some very interesting things… chief among them was filming African Americans in southern communities. He also shot in front of factories and mills. He gave everyone equal opportunity to see themselves on screen. Another great choice was the decision to shoot film of local businesses so he could include extra footage as a kind of built-in “product placement.” Our full movie has a rather long section about a local car business that’s practically out of a time capsule.
Most of all, though, I think it’s just the faces and expressions that really get you. How could they not?
It was a pleasure to watch your compilation. Thank you.
Thank you so much, tootlepedal. I had such a wonderful time viewing the film and editing it to that lovely rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
This post is special in so many ways…. from the song to the faces from the past – it captures the lives, times, and an innocence that could only be saved via the candid camera. You are amazing to have put all this together for us and I thank you.
I’m so glad you like the film. It’s one of those things I love more each time I watch it. The entire Wake Forest movie is this fascinating piece of local history. Waters also traveled through Virginia, though not as extensively. He made films in Bassett, Damascus, Danville, Fieldale, Lebanon, Martinsville, Saltville and a couple other towns.
Doesn’t that cover of Auld Lang Syne by Colbie Caillat just break your heart? So stripped down and beautiful. Finding it on iTunes was quite a thrill for me.
My son is taking two film classes this semester and I can’t wait to share this with him when he gets home from school. We are having the most interesting discussions about what goes into a great film and how things have changed over the last century. He is going to love this as I’m not sure he’s been introduced to Mr. Waters work. Thanks!
Wow… that’s great, Danielle! I’d love to hear what he thinks of H. Lee Waters. I had never heard of Waters before volunteering at the museum. The film has been a valuable piece of archival material for us. It seems like such a stroke of luck to have a home movie from 1939 that documents a day in the life of the town. I think this idea of filming regular people was bigger than Waters knew… and I’m always amazed each time I watch because the images are just so powerful.
So….. this Reality Programming goes back much further than we thought!
(I’ll drop by later, when I’m home, to watch the video. Isn’t it wonderful though that we have such accurate records of ordinary people and ordinary lives!)
What’s really interesting, is how dignified and elegant the people in this film are.
Sadly, I’m afraid the “reality” element of today’s entertainment programming just doesn’t compare on that level… though it’s certainly compelling in its own right.
People had a sense of dignity back then. We hadn’t envisioned being “slimed” or eating bugs for our 15 minutes of TV fame.
Beautiful images. When I watched the video I was surprised to hear my hometown’s name among the list of those that were filmed. At that time my neighborhood would still be trees. I’ll have to find out if our local library has a copy of the film. Thank you for sharing this. You seem very interested in the history of North Carolina. I always enjoy learning something from your posts.
North Carolina is a place with very interesting people and a unique history, don’t you think? I just constantly find these inspiring stories lurking around in our local archives. I think it’s partly because Wake Forest has a very well documented past, due to the presence of the college… its teachers and students recorded a lot of material between 1834 and 1956!
If you check this link (http://library.duke.edu/rubenstein/findingaids/watershlee/) you can see when your hometown’s film was first shown, and at which local movie house.
So glad you liked the post!
Great video! Now I am curious…Is the Wooten’s Hometel still there?
Oh, you ask such great questions!
The building is still there on South Main Street. Unfortunately, it’s owned by a guy who’s let it get pretty rundown and it’s kind of a flophouse. People in town really wish someone with deep pockets would buy it and restore it. That was quite the place back in the day! Apparently, it had a very popular restaurant in the basement.
If you go on eBay, there are frequently Wooten’s Hometel postcards for sale… circa 1930-1950. Sometimes I buy the really nice ones. I recently got one like this:
( http://www.ebay.com/itm/NC-WAKE-FOREST-WOOTENS-HOMETEL-RESTAURANT-R67769-/140700962592?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c26e4f20).
It has a shot of one of the bedrooms and also the diners’ kitchen.
So glad you liked the post!
I love “real” history. Movies are interesting (a la Hollywood), but nothing is more intriguing than what *really* hung out in people’s kitchens, or what nick nacks were on their shelves. Heck, I still pay attention to those things in modern context.
I agree completely! There’s so much to learn about life from those little things that are all around and tell their own stories. One thing that’s really interesting to me is when you see one of those outdated items that’s completely fallen out of everyday use, and you’re like, “What the heck is that?” Our local museum is constantly searching for local artifacts that are exactly what you say… just the stuff people used in their everyday lives. Pans, utensils, irons, etc.
Thanks for the great comment!
Jello molds. I always thought they were cake pans. Haha. That was one of my big AH HA! moments from my thrift-store adventures.
Fantastic video! I’d rather watch videos like this than any current shows (which is one reason we don’t have commercial tv anymore). Kudos to you for producing such a moving video and to Mr. Waters for his brilliant idea.
Oh, thank you so much! It makes me happy that you also appreciate Mr. Waters’ amazing work. And I agree completely. There’s something incredibly wonderful about these old films… I could just watch them over and over again. In fact, I frequently do. The best part of having shared this film here is finding out people like you… generous, kind people… also see the specialness in these old movies. I love your comment and agree that Mr. Waters had a brilliant idea.
This is great. Especially the un-selfconsciousness of the people in the video, something that’s often missing these days. Some fine work on your part =)
If by “fine work” you mean my ability to note and appreciate the fine work of others… then I graciously accept the compliment.
Good. I am a little disappointed you didn’t set it to “Who Let The Dogs Out” though
The combination of the music you chose and the people filmed was awesome. I had already ‘liked’ it but wanted to think a bit to see if I could find another way to express my appreciation of the filmmaker, Mr. Waters’ work and your ‘stripped down’ (edited) version. This short 3 minute slice of life in your hometown touched my heart, as well as everyone who has checked out this post! I think many of us would love to sit and watch more…
Great Piece and great version of the song to match with it Jennifer! Thanks for sharing, now I’m going to to have to go look this guy up for myself…..
So glad you like it and thanks for the comment.
I’ll actually be working with an editor next week, using this old film as b-roll for some oral history interviews we shot back in mid-January. I’m really looking forward to viewing the complete film again!
Oh Oh! sounds like someone is trying to give Ken Burns a run for the money…
Sounds like it will be very cool when your done with it…