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“An Old-Fashioned American Christmas”

same as

“Christmas at Bradford Farm”

same as

Christmas at Grandfather’s Farm (1890s)

 

Here's the film, freshly digitized, with some clicks and pops removed and a bit of color correction:  https://youtu.be/c_I9dUMVHzU

 

1958

A Coronet Instructional Film for classroom use

 

Recording is 22 minutes in length

 

Recorded in 1958 at the Octagon House in Watertown, WI, home of the Watertown Historical Society.

 

Exterior shots done at the Paul Hibbard home on Oconomowoc Ave.

 

The film was made with actors from the Curtain Club, Watertown's community theater at the time.  Featured actors include Carl Kolata, Esther Winogrand, her son Mark Winogrand, and Margaret Luchsinger, among others.

 

A person cooking in a kitchen

Description automatically generated

 

CAST AND DIRECTORS-Pausing in their labors on the production of a motion picture being filmed in Watertown, with scenes being shot largely at the Octagon House, are the cast and directors. The film is being made by Coronet Instructional Films of Chicago. The directors are Mr. and Mrs. Tod Stromquist, shown at the left.  Next, in rear, are Miss Gladys Mollart, technical advisor, Carl V. Kolata and Don Boyink.  In front of Mr. Kolata and Mr. Boyink are Mrs. Edward Dobbratz and Mrs. Esther Winogrond. At the right of the tree are Erwin Keepman, Oconomowoc, and Mrs. Roy Fargo, and in front of them are Mrs. Sam Luchsinger and James Bloor.  The group in the foreground consists of Mrs. Paul Hibbard, Dana Hibbard, Mark Winogrond, Susan Teggatz, Charles Johannsen, Jr., and Storey Hibbard. 

 

 

 

A still photo from a kids/school film shot at the Octagon House in early 1958. 

From left to right, me (Chuck Johannsen), Mark Winogrond, Grace Fargo (my real-life grandmother), Esther Winogrond, Jan Dobbratz. 

Also in the film is my former mother-in-law, Margaret Luchsinger, and various other Watertown kids and grown-ups whom I knew.

I got out of 2nd grade for two weeks to dress up in 1890s clothes and hang out in the freezing-cold Octagon House. 

Here's the film, freshly digitized, with some clicks and pops removed and a bit of color correction:  https://youtu.be/c_I9dUMVHzU

 

 

 

Charles Johannsen Welcome. A pleasure. I've had this film kicking around for years. Finally got a decent digitization. Years ago, I was on the board of Storefront Cinema, in Rockford, when the Northern Illinois Library System decided to jettison their collection of 16mm films. Another guy and I went to load up whatever we thought Storefront Cinema could use. I found this film and grabbed it for myself, along with a few other reels - Life Cycle of the Fly, documentary footage of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the bombings, Winnie the Pooh Talks About Weather, and some 1950s State of Michigan tourism films.

 

 

Add to Christmas html

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Movie Camera Is Busy Here

 

Film Production Made in City Is Well Underway

 

“Lights!  Camera!  Action!”  These commands of the movie industry, usually restricted to the film capitals of Hollywood and New York, are very much a part of Watertown, too. this week.  The sound stages are largely concentrated at the Octagon House, but don’t be surprised if you see authentically garbed Watertown Curtain Club members, sound equipment, movie cameras and cameramen busy doing scenes in an old fashioned sleigh, or at a nearby farm or country church in the next few days.

 

The occasion is the filming of a documentary film to be entitled. “An Old Fashioned American Christmas”, by Coronet Films.  The Octagon House was chosen for the great authenticity of its rooms and furnishings, only after dozens of settings were considered throughout the Midwest.  This selection of' the famous Octagon House is another fine recognition of its authentic preservation and reflects highly on the local historical society.

 

Local Cast

 

The entire cast has been chosen from among local persons through the resources of the Watertown Curtain Club.  The presence of such a community theater group was another factor in the selection of; this site.

 

“Don't be surprised if you see yourself on network television every Christmas for many years to come,” said Director Tod Stromquist at a Curtain Club meeting held last evening.  “This is the sort of documentary film which the television industry likes to run at Christmas time.” 

 

One of Coronet’s films documenting the origin of the carol "Silent Night,” which Stromquist filmed in Germany, is seen every Christmas on many television stations.  Stromquist also showed two examples of his films to Curtain Club members and outlined many of his experiences with Coronet Films.

 

Professional Experience

 

This filming represents the first professional experience for many Curtain Club performers, since they are being paid for their work.  Filming begins in the morning and continues until 6 p.m.  About 10 days will be required to complete the filming.  The finished movie will be available for national distribution next September.

 

Coronet spares no expense for authenticity.  For example, they take polaroid pictures of each actor’s hairdo, makeup, and costume the first day of filming in order to maintain consistent appearance for each day’s filming.  They imported special collars from Brooks Brothers in Chicago and authentic button shoes from the window display department of Marshall Fields.

 

Stromquist will depart for Rome, Italy, immediately after directing this film to finish a film Coronet he is doing there.

 

The Milwaukee Journal is sending reporters and photographers to Watertown and a feature story and pictures will appear in it soon regarding this film.

 

Local persons appearing in the film are:  Mrs. Grace Fargo, Mrs. Henry Winogrond, Edward Dobbratz, Mrs. S. J. Luchsinger, Carl V. Kolata, Don Boyink, James Bloor, Mrs. John Viets, Dana Hibbard, Storey Hibbard, Susan Teggatz, Charles Johannsen, Jr., Mark Winogond and Erwin Keepman, Oconomowoc.

 

 

1958

02 20       A number of Watertown residents will appear in an educational movie titled “An Old-Fashioned American Christmas” which is being filmed here under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Tod Stromquist of Coronet Instructional Films of Chicago. This project is being made possible by the Watertown Historical Society, working in cooperation with the Wisconsin State Historical Society and the Watertown Curtain Club. The local historical society, under the direction of Miss Gladys Mollart, curator, has opened the Octagon House for photographing so that authentic, original backgrounds for scenes would be possible. The setting for the film is the 1890s. Those appearing in the film include Mrs. Grace Fargo, Mrs. Henry Winogrond, Mrs. Edward Dobbratz, Mrs. S.J. Luchsinger, Carl Kolata, Don Boyink, James Bloor, Mrs. John Viets, Dana Hibbard, Storey Hibbard, Susan Teggatz, Charles Johannson Jr., Mark Winogrond and Erwin Keepman, Oconomowoc.   WDT

 

12 12       Sub-zero weather standards offered no deterrent to the large, enthusiastic crowd that witnessed the first public showing of the Coronet sound color film “Christmas at Bradford Farm,” last night at the Lincoln School Auditorium.  The production was sponsored by the Watertown Historical Society for its members and Octagon House patrons and supporters.  The interior scenes for the film were taken in the kitchen, dining room and parlor of the house with exterior scenes taken elsewhere.  The State Historical Society assisted in the filming.  Assemblyman Byron Wackett was master of ceremonies.  The prize for long distance traveling on a cold winter night perhaps should go to William J. Schereck, fieldman for the State Historical Society, who came from Madison to be presented.  He commented upon the high rating of the local Historical Society with the state society and particularly upon the fact that the officers realize that there is opportunity for growth and development.   WDT

 

 

 

 

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