Savanna Home Movies

10/08/2022

Bob, Harry & Dick Grissinger’s grandfather’s (Harry B. Grissinger & the Merrymakers Orchestra) in May’s Paddock Room circa 1940 with one of the decades of live entertainment brought to Savanna from Chicago.

12/21/2019

Repaired version 1946 Savanna Movie 5: The original version contained 4 seconds of upside-down film of the Memorial Day or Independence Day parade. I was able to cut, flip and splice so that this version is repaired. I've added Savanna Community High School's version of String of Pearls from SCHS Band Director Dean Ritzman's & the1982 Jazz Band's 33 RPM album.

This film was shared by Jerry Hubble and Gary Scott Law paid ScanCafe to digitize it. Jerry Hubble is the little blonde-haired boy at the beginning with his sister. Jerry worked with me for 2 years loaning a few of his reels to me at a time. I miss him.

09/30/2017

Famous Chicago Magician John Platt appeared in one recently digitized Savanna Home Movie. Search Famous Chicago Magician John Platt on the internet.

09/14/2017

Act that played May's Paddock Room.

These are professional promotional photos of the more than 1,000 acts that played May's Paddock Room at 405 Main Street in downtown Savanna, Illinois. Kathryn May gave these photos to Tim Canavan whose parents purchased May's Tavern & Paddock Room circa 1969.

In the weeks ahead, I'll add more photos of the acts.

08/09/2017

These pre-1943 photos should provide greater understanding while viewing Savanna, Illinois movies for Savannans. Please visit http://stevensorchestra.org as well.

08/08/2017

Enjoy Savanna Home Movies for Savannans #4. This movie is more than 30 minutes in length. I thought I'd have to split this movie into 2 or more cuts, but have since learned that it's not necessary.

Please share these 1940s-1950s movies with seniors over 70 years of age to help identify people, locations & events. Later, I'll add timeline scripts that identify people and locations for each movie.

View these movies on HD laptop or desktop computers for the best quality and size possible.

This movie is the 2nd movie I've posted from the reels given to me by the late Stu and Jane Smith of Savanna back around 2005. Jane Smith's grandmother Emma Law was a sister to my great grandfather Andrew J. Law.

Jane Smith of Chestnut Park (Savanna) knew I was interested in Savanna history having started the Steve Stevens Orchestra Project in 1996. She said the equipment and reels of film had been in the closet for 35 years.

Thank you for watching, commenting and sharing these movies with your family and friends so we can identify as many locations, events, and people as possible.

08/08/2017

Enjoy the 4th Savanna Home Movie for Savannans. It's more than 30 minutes in length. I thought I'd have to split this into 2 or more cuts, but learned it's not necessary. Please share these 1940s-1950s movies with seniors over 70 years of age to help identify people, locations & events. Later, I'll add timeline scripts that identify people and locations for each movie.

View these movies on HD laptop or desktop computers for the best quality and size possible. This movie is the 2nd I've posted from the reels given to me by the late Stu and Jane Smith of Savanna.