The LES Heritage Film Series is closing out its season tomorrow evening at the Seward Park Library with a film from the Fulton Fish Market in 1955 and a compilation piece of amazing footage shot in and around Seward Park Library in three different time periods, starting in 1934! Curator Sean Ferguson writes:
It might be hard to believe, but the historic Fulton Fish Market migrated away from Lower Manhattan more than five years ago. In our final installment of the 2010-2011 LES Heritage Film Series, we will take a look back at the Fish Market as it was in the 1950s (sans the olfactorial sensations). We’ll be casting the rarely seen extended 23 minute reel for all to sea. All this on our very own scaled down silver screen. (Apologies, as I am sure I have overfished these waters.)
And back by popular demand – to bookend this series – the Seward Park Compilation film. For those unfamiliar, this film is an absolutely amazing collection of amateur footage shot in and around the Seward Park Library. The reels were literally found in a closet here at our beloved 101 year old building (before the 2004 renovations), where they had been all but forgotten.
*Fun Fact* – when documentarian Al Maysles discovered the footage, he decided to excerpt part of it for his 2007 documentary on New York choreographer Sally Gross.
June 7, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
This FREE monthly series held at Seward Park Branch Library offers documentary and feature films that were shot on location in lower Manhattan on both 16mm and DVD formats. The series will resume in the Fall.
9th and final part in the 2010-2011 series:
Fish Market
(1955, 23 min., 16mm)
Director and writer, Leroy Stone with film editor and photographer, Michael Eisler present scenes of a typical business day at New York’s Fulton Fish Market, showing how fish from all parts of the world are sold, processed, and stored. Photographed and recorded in the market area.
The Seward Park Compilation
(1934-35, 1941, 1959; 25 min., 16mm)
Compilation film about the Seward Park Branch of the New York Public Library composed of three separate short segments filmed at different times: The 1934 and 1941 films of the branch neighborhood and The Liberty’s Mother’s Club were photographed and edited by Miss Grace Hardie, former staff member. The 1959’s film of the changing East Side and The Library in action, was made by Mr. William Sloan – Film Librarian, Donnell Library Center.
