HMBI066009 from HMH Archive on Vimeo.

SANTA CRUZ ETLA II 1934

This is the second of three reels of film documenting Helen Miller Bailey’s experiences living among the people of Santa Cruz Etla, Mexico, in the summer of 1934, together with her husband, Henry Morle Bailey. She returned several times over the next twenty years and her studies resulted in the publication of her book “Santa Cruz of Etla Hills” in 1958. The three reels contain overlapping footage, indicated in the descriptions. The third reel (i066016) includes additional footage of a return visit to the village in 1969.

Continuation from i066975, with some overlap:
Narrative titles describe the action: “Watch some packers loading their animals. And walk to the market in the center of the city. ” — Busy marketplace. “Here we purchase dolls, and materials to dress them.” Helen Miller Bailey at stall with local women holding dolls, smiling at camera. Helen Miller Bailey shopping for textiles. Town scenes – larger buildings and busy paved streets. Local men carrying baskets on their backs. [Here footage overlaps with i06616]: “Back in our schoolhouse the children skillfully sew the native costumes and . . .” –footage of children sewing. “Our dolls are ready to go to the Los Angeles schools, as a friendship gift from Santa Cruz Etla.” — “Cresencio brings wood for a fire.” — Boy loading donkey with wood.  — “Augustina brings corn” – – Girl carries basket.  — “And Dona Navarra makes tortillas for the Americans.” — Older woman making tortillas by hand. — “Would you care to try? It looks simple.” — Helen Miller Bailey laughing while making tortillas. — “Augustina makes a sauce with tomatoes and chiles.” — Little girl using a mortar and pestle. — “Then all sit down to dinner.” — People sitting on the ground eating dinner. — “Our visit almost over, everything is scrubbed and cleaned for a farewell fiesta.” — Little children sweeping floors. — “Weeds are cleared out of the brook.” — Henry Morle Bailey helping. — “The young men decorate the school with willows.” — Helen Miller Bailey helping to make and hang wreaths. Helen Miller Bailey watering the floor. — “Rosita and the children dance for the fiesta.” — Children covering Helen Miller Bailey in wreaths. — “The mothers write words of farewell in our Travels book.” — Women lining up to write. Helen Miller Bailey saying goodbye to the women. — “And we are off to the train in the mayor’s ox-cart.” (See i066016 for additional footage from 1969.)

 

 

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