Created by
Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994
Calloway, Nuffie, American, 1915 - 2008
Subject of
Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994
Calloway, Nuffie, American, 1915 - 2008
Date
ca. 1951
Medium
acetate film
Dimensions
Length (film strip): 450 Feet
Duration: 00:16:10
Description
A compilation reel of 16mm home movies filmed by Cab and Zulme "Nuffie" Calloway during a tour of the Caribbean, with both Kodachrome and black-and-white film edge codes indicating the year 1951.
The initial color footage depicts Zulme "Nuffie" Calloway and other women seated at a table underneath palm trees; Cab Calloway makes a cameo appearance. Subsequent scenes depict a garden tour, featuring flora and a building flying the Union Jack. Zulme "Nuffie" Calloway is seen conversing with officers, and several shots of military men in uniform appear. Following scenes include panoramas of a valley, and pans of white stone cottages. A group of people, including Mrs. Calloway, appears under a sign which reads "W. McD. Wiltshire Licensed Hotel." Subsequent scenes depict marshlands, and animal stables with workers leading a donkey. There is also a close-up shot of a person feeding a manatee in the water, only the person’s arm is visible. Subsequent scenes depict Mrs. Calloway greeting and speaking with unidentified women and children.
The second half of this compilation reel is in black and white, beginning with port scenes of sailboats and pleasure craft. There are also scenes of a market where women can be seen weaving. In another scene, Mrs. Calloway appears with two men, standing underneath an archway and a sign for the Shalimar Hotel. This is followed by a poolside scene with the Calloways and others at the Myrtle Bank Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica; a scene with ships out at sea; and a painted sign that reads Myrtle Bank Hotel. The following scenes occur at a camera reel break, wherein a cement splice and laboratory stapling are visible. It depicts a horse track, a cricket pitch, and a cricket match with players and patrons. There are also multiple scenes of men playing steel pans. The final footage features Mrs. Calloway appearing with several other people, including robed religious leaders at a religious building.
Place filmed
City of Freeport, Bahamas, Caribbean, North and Central America
Kingston, Surrey County, Jamaica, Caribbean, North and Central America
Collection title
The Cabell “Cab” Calloway III Collection
Classification
Archival Collections
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Type
silent films
home movies
color films (visual works)
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Calypso (Music)
Composers (Musicians)
Conductors (Musicians)
Entertainers
Film
Jazz (Music)
Nature
Singers (Musicians)
Travel
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cabella Calloway Langsam
Object number
2015.273.2.3.1a
Restrictions & Rights
Creative Arts By Calloway, LLC
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e9fa81f2-2932-4666-a010-31cf5011b2ab

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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