Santa Clara County promotional film (c. 1917) / Things You Ought to Know About San Jose (c. 1920s)

Two films from History San Jose's collection, originally on cellulose nitrate film, restored and transferred by UCLA film lab in the 1980s:
1) Black and white silent film promoting the Santa Clara Valley produced in 1917 by Tucker Film Co., with extensive footage of agricultural production and local industries, and street scenes of county towns and road building activities.
Santa Clara County title cards:
"Tomatoes: The tomatoes raised in this county are known for size and flavor"
"The largest dry grounds in the world. 25,000 trays of prunes spread for drying at one time."
"Young orange orchard: Nature's testimonial for our climate."
"Acres of string beans"
"Four-year old grapefruit trees"
"Rounding the hairpin: One of the 365 curves on the trip to the mountain top."
"University of Santa Clara: A Catholic institution conducted by the Jesuit fathers but open to all denominations."
"College of the Pacific: A co-educational institution of the highest standard under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church but non-sectarian. Surrounded by stately trees."
"San Jose Country Club: Showing championship golf and tennis games. National champion McLoughlin in action."
"The Vendome: A tourist hotel in the midst of twenty acres of flowers, palms, and shrubberies."
"In the picturesque Los Gatos Canyon"
"Attractions for the tourist: Alum Rock Park, San Jose's Play Grounds of 600 acres."
"Annual Blossom Festival Saratoga: The tourist is refreshed by a trip through this valley at Blossom Time."
"Prunes: Showing the various details of the County's greatest industry from the blossom to the packer."
"Apricot Industry: Preparing the fruit for market. This County leads the state in the production of apricots."
"Picking apples: An average crop is 800 to 900 boxes to acre."
"Santa Clara Street Scene: Home of Mission Santa Clara, founded 1777, and Santa Clara University."
"Sunnyvale Street Scene: This thriving town has many manufacturing industries."
"Glimpses of Mt. View: Showing public buildings and residences in this progressive town."
"Palo Alto Street Scene: The University City."
"Mayfield Street Scene" / "Grammar School, Mayfield"
"Portion of west side of the Valley showing Los Gatos nestling in the foothills." / "Hotel Lyndon, Los Gatos"
"Los Altos the Home City"
"Road Building: Two main lines of the state highway and 150 miles of roads equally as good make autoing a delight."
"Inspecting [onion] crop for burn or blight." [and other onion crop production]
"Hendy Machine Works Sunnyvale: Employing 125 men. Weekly payroll $2500."
"Eberhard Tannery Santa Clara: This plant averages 125 hides daily. Turns out from thirty to fifty thousand sheep and goat skins annually."
"Squab Ranch: Four thousand pigeons can easily be carried on an acre, producing about 32,000 squabs annually. The owner of this plant nets $3.00 a dozen for squabs from a private trade."
"Cherry picking: The tree produce last year 1600 lbs., valued at $180.00."
2) The Imperial Film Corporation presents "Things You Ought to Know About San Jose" (1920s)
Titles: San Jose can be proud of its busy business district; San Jose theatres of the National Theatre Syndicate. Offering the utmost in entertainment; An enthusiastic luncheon of the Chamber of Commerce, an institution that holds the civic betterment of San Jose close to its heart; Police Chief J. N. Black and Sheriff Geo. W. Lyle; Many of San Jose's great strides in progress have been formulated by the Exchange Club; In the Santa Clara Valley the San Jose Evening News has become informer, adviser, and friend to their thousands of readers; Many beautiful parks and swimming pools are maintained by this progressive city for the comfort and enjoyment of visitors and home folks; A luncheon of the Kiwanis Club. An organization which sponsors high standards of business ethics; Many beautiful and highly efficient schools and colleges are located here; A weekly luncheon of the Rotary Club; Many pleasant hours are spent at the San Jose Country Club; The San Jose Mission is one of the oldest and most historical in California.
Transferred from VHS in November 2017. Master created from original nitrate film is also available.