Re: [visual-media:367] miniature recreation of a naval battle

Stef,

I may be wrong, but the set doesn't look complete enough to have featured in a live/fair setting. There were definitely similar shows in places like Coney Island, but from what I can gather, they were probably more elaborate in term of their setup.

Whether any did double duty as film sets is a great question I'd also like to hear more about.

Aaron

--------
Aaron Beebe

Museum Director

Coney Island USA

On Dec 9, 2011, at 10:41 AM, Stef Franck <steffranck.vdfc@gmail.com> wrote:

dear group members,

i am currently working on the 'red lantern' publication (dvd+book) by vdfc/cinematek of the nazimova/capellani movie (1919) which deals (amongst lots other things) with the boxer rebellion in 1900 China...
among the extras on the dvd will figure a miniature recreation of a naval battle dating from 1901 or 1902 - you can see a version of it at
http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675040577_Taku-Forts_alliedfleets_battleships_explosion_water-thrown-up
as you can see in the footage the action develops in front of a painted set with alp-like mountains, a port (do i recognize the tower bridge?) that was probably developed to be some sort of universal-fits-all decor

was it just a universal backdrop for some film company specialized in miniature reconstructions of naval battles in general?

i found the set photo in attachment in fielding's 'the american newsreel' of a similar recreation but here the backdrop is much more neutral, which makes much more sense in terms of film production

i wondered whether this kind of spectacle may also have featured as a fairground attraction or some sort of reconstruction of naval battles in theaters? in that case it would make more sense of having a hybrid landscape  as a backdrop

is someone familiar with this kind of attraction (live or in movies)?

any kind of information or pictorial documentation would be most welcome !

thanks

stefF

--
Visual Media displays a very wide field of wondrous devices which opens a lot of opportunities for research and discovering in the field of Media Archeology.
To find out, visit the online Archeological Media_Museum of Early Visual Media.
http://www.visual-media.eu
 
All requests are welcome via this group.
 
Thomas Weynants
thomas@visual-media.eu

<EH_Amet_sinking_of_cervera_fleet_in_santiago_bay_cuba.jpg>