Dear Sara, my sweet dead Sister —
Big news this month, Sis. I am celebrating the completion of our home movie collection of Regular 8mm film, born again as short digital clips grouped by Peter’s edited reels. There are 22 reels, beginning in 1947 and ending in 1970.
Your passing in 2018 inspired this project, and here it is five years later: Blake Home Movies, 1947-1970. Yes, it feels good, but now the fun begins — to tell our stories inspired by the historic footage.
For example, I titled the clip excerpt above “Returning Home” when I posted it on the homepage many years ago.
But here are my thoughts today on why it should be changed to “Leaving Home.”
The year is 1958; I am 16 years old; our brother Peter is eleven; you are 10; and Nancy is around six years old. We’re on a long road trip, all six of us in the white Chevrolet (Dad bought only Chevys) visible in the background halfway through the clip. The road trip is the subject of its own 4:50 minute clip on Reel #13 titled “Summer Travels, 1958.”
The problem with calling it “Leaving Home” is that the footage clearly shows how happy everyone is, except me. Of course, we were usually ecstatic to be released from the four-door sedan! That I remember. (And how Dad refused to stop at motels with pools every time we passed one!)
But Dad was good at using signs to tell the place for his silent footage, and a bonus shot featuring movement would be the monument-style signs, as shown above, that call out “Climb Me!”
Nancy is the first to reach the top, establishing a cozy, safe spot in the corner where the sign is attached to the stone. She is so happy; she waves with both hands later in the footage. Sara is climbing up past Warner, who is seated, resting his elbows on his knees, and he looks up instead of waving. Sara reaches a safe two-step stance for her to turn and wave. Simultaneously, Peter appears from behind the sign and gives the camera a vast, open wave.
As Peter climbs down, Warner returns his watch to his wrist and stands. He turns toward Peter and starts to stumble, but the camera pans left to follow Mom going. Dad holds the shot of Warner walking away before panning back to the sign for a grand finish by Peter and Nancy. I’ve always loved this clip, so it’s fun to isolate it for closer inspection and thought.
You were behind Mom in this still shot, dear Sara. I love catching Mom’s smile with me still in the frame.
The following year, my Senior year, I ran away from home with Al, my water-skiing, double-dating high school bro. We were jailed on our second day for siphoning gas from cars. Dad drove us home in Al’s father’s old station wagon, stinking of gas fumes. We returned to high school and our roles in the school play “Solid Gold Cadilac” for its final weekend. We both graduated from Benilde; I joined the Army to serve in Germany. Al and I have fallen out of touch.
Continuing our celebration, let’s close with a fun clip featuring you, Sis, ably supported by sister Nancy, titled “Big Snow for Two, 1968.”
And let’s close with an invitation to explore the website; perhaps Bookmark It, as it will take several visits to see everything. Come to think of it, let’s do a Part 2 next month featuring our family favorites of you, dearest Sara, as your younger self.
We miss you every day.
If you are new to this letter, follow this link for the background of our monthly Letters to Sara, and if you enjoyed reading this letter, please share it with a friend. Thanks ~w.
Blake Home Movies, 1947-1970