SS Hanseatic 1960s Cruise shipgeek 2019-05-26 | Here's some undated, color 8mm footage of a cruise aboard the SS Hanseatic. The soundtrack is from a souvenir 45rpm record that was presumably sold onboard. Another nostalgic trip back in time aboard a vessel that's now long gone. Bon voyage!
SSUS Gala 68 Variety Show Promo shipgeek 2020-06-09 | Don't miss the boat! This fun-filled "friend raiser" event will premiere on July 3, 2020 at 4PM Pacific 7PM Eastern, live streaming on the SS United States Conservancy's YouTube channel (be sure to click the link and subscribe): youtube.com/user/VideoSSUSC. Music in this promotional video, "Move Over Mickey" by Richie Everett, is used by arrangement with Epidemic Sound: https://www.epidemicsound.com.
RMS Queen Mary Arrives in Long Beach 1967 (Remastered) shipgeek 2019-06-09 | Color home movies of the Queen Mary's arrival in Long Beach Harbor, now remastered with a smaller watermark and music courtesy of the invaluable YouTube free music library.
Crossing the Pond of the RMS Queen Mary in the 1950s (Remastered) shipgeek 2019-06-03 | Enjoy this leisurely full color home movie of an eastbound transatlantic aboard the fabled RMS Queen Mary! This film was previously posted, but has been remastered with a less obtrusive watermark for optimum shipgeek enjoyment!
SS France East - SS Liberte West in the 1960s (Remastered) shipgeek 2019-06-02 | Enjoy these gorgeous full color home movies shot by a lucky couple who traveled on the SS France Eastbound, and the SS Liberte Westbound, here combined to suggest a mythical time when such a trip might have been possible. Film has been remastered with a smaller watermark for optimum shipgeek enjoyment. Bon Voyage!
RMS Mauretania to New York 1948 (Remastered) shipgeek 2019-06-02 | Join these lucky shipsters for a transatlantic from Southampton to New York aboard the Cunard Liner RMS Mauretania in 1948. This film has been remastered with a smaller watermark, and I've attempted to adjust some of the overexposed film. Enjoy!
A Crossing Aboard the SS Liberte (Date Unknown) shipgeek 2019-05-31 | Here are some wonderful vintage home movies shot aboard a crossing on the Liberte. The photographer even tried to shoot a few poorly lit interiors! Enjoy!
RMS Queen Elizabeth Transatlantic Crossing 1947 shipgeek 2019-05-27 | Come travel aboard the venerable RMS Queen Elizabeth in 1947, accompanied by Henry Hall & The BBC Dance Orchestra.
SS Rotterdam V Sails From New York May 23, 1966 shipgeek 2019-05-27 | Here's a little home movies of friends "seeing Marie off" according to the notation on the 8mm home movie box (back in the day when visitors were allowed aboard ships prior to departure). This gorgeous mid-century ship sailed from New York on May 23, 1966. I hope you enjoy this little trip back in time. Music: "The Girl From Impanema - Mangoes (Bolero)" performed by Sonny Dunham & His Orchestra from the album "Let's Dance on the 'Sonny' Side."
SS Mauretania Sunshine Caribbean Cruise 1955 shipgeek 2019-05-27 | Take the Cunard's fabled Mauretania to the Caribbean in 1955 courtesy of these fabulous color home movies! Music: "A Caribbean Cruise" performed by Lee Neeren from the album "Memories of My Caribbean Cruise." Enjoy!
SS Volendam 1937 Color (Remastered) shipgeek 2019-05-25 | Experience the Holland America Liner Volendam through color home movies shot aboard a crossing in 1937, now remastered with a smaller watermark. Bon Voyage!
SS Majestic 1931 (Remastered) shipgeek 2019-05-25 | Take a cruise aboard the SS Majestic through these vintage black and white home movies, now remastered with a smaller watermark. Bon voyage!
Boat Trip Circa 1930s (Remastered) shipgeek 2019-05-25 | Another classic remastered with a smaller watermark to maximize your enjoyment! Here's some delightful home movies shot aboard an unidentified ocean liner during the steamship heyday of the 1920s or '30s. If anyone recognizes the ship, by all means let us know in the comments!
A Busy Day in New York Harbor in 1934 Remastered shipgeek 2019-05-24 | Here's another oldie but goodie originally posted 12 years ago, now remastered with a much less obtrusive watermark. Look at all the liners! Music is by The Beau Hunks Sextette and is called, appropriately enough, "Reckless Night On Board An Ocean Liner." Enjoy!
A Cruise to Havana Aboard the SS Mauretania in 1956 shipgeek 2019-05-23 | Here's a remastered version of an oldie but goodie with a much less obtrusive watermark. Take a "sunshine" trip aboard the SS Mauretania through these fabulous home movies shot in 1956. And don't miss out on the cha cha lessons on deck! Music by Geraldo and the SS Mauretania Orchestra.
Normandie to Europe Queen Mary Home shipgeek 2018-07-06 | Undated, unedited home movie footage of a trip to Europe aboard the fabled Normandie with the lucky travelers returning aboard the Queen Mary. Enjoy!
SS United States New York to Southampton (Date Unknown) shipgeek 2018-07-06 | Join us for a transatlantic aboard the venerable SS United States. These lucky folks enjoy the usual shipboard leisures before arriving in Southampton, then spend some time in London and Bremerhaven (to catch the ship home?). Undated home movies, but judging by the fashion and the style of deck chairs, it would appear to be from the 1950s. Music by Meyer Davis and his Orchestra.
The SS United States Sails Westbound, Europe to New York in 1955! shipgeek 2013-02-24 | Some spectacular Kodachrome 16mm of a lucky couple's westbound trip aboard the Big U from Europe to New York in 1955. Check out the bandleader at the very end on the Enclosed Promenade. This little movie is dedicated to Carl Wesch on his milestone birthday, and only he knows why.
A Cruise Aboard the SS United States shipgeek 2013-02-24 | Another one back by popular demand, and this time I'm hosting this video for the SS United States Conservancy (www.ssusc.org). In 1964, former SS United States purser Jim Green returned to the ship as a passenger for a West Indies cruise along with his beloved wife Frieda. Here, set to the music of the ship's own orchestra, is a nostalgic journey back to 1964. This video also answers the trivia question: "Why were live turtles carried aboard the SS United States?" Hint: it wasn't for the soup! Enjoy!
SS America to Bermuda 1963 shipgeek 2013-02-23 | Back by popular demand! This is one of my favorite videos. Check out the elated expression of the lady in the white coat toward the end of the movie. Pure joy!
RMS Queen Elizabeth Departs New York for the Final Time in 1968 shipgeek 2012-05-10 | Headed for an uncertain and ultimately tragic future, the venerable RMS Queen Elizabeth sailed out of New York Harbor in 1968 without fanfare, fireboats, or fly-over salutations. At least an amateur filmmaker found the event worthy of documenting. Really reminds you how for a long time the greatest ocean liners were the heartbeat of the greatest city.
USS Bear Neptune Ceremony November 3, 1940 shipgeek 2012-05-09 | Okay, this is NOT my usual thing. I adore ocean liners, not military ships as in, AT ALL... Whereas a good liner is a posh hotel, military ships have always struck me as floating prisons, but where everyone's polite. Still, this film caught my eye because I'm fascinated by the Neptune Ceremony of crossing the equator. So here, in a departure from our usual fare, is an intriguing color and black and white document of the Neptune Ceremony aboard the U.S.S. Bear, a ship built in 1874 and still apparently in service before World War Two and beyond. The filmmaker went to such trouble to create title cards and more, and since I'm just the curator of other people's memories in my lifetime, I thought this one was worth putting out there in the permanent collective human consciousness that is the internet. Enjoy.
P&O Lines Iberia in 1964 and Canberra in 1965! shipgeek 2012-05-07 | This longish film is included here mostly as it was found, though I've excised quite a bit of shaky panning shots of landscapes. Found spliced together on one reel from the same estate were two cruise films, one from an excursion aboard the Iberia in 1964 and then the Canberra in 1965. According to the penciled notes on the film can, the Iberia went to Messina, Athens, Opatija, Venice, Naples, Capri, Wallasey and a couple of illegible places, while the Canberra had ports of call in Alexandria, Palma and Southampton. Watch for some fun cameos by other famous ships. Enjoy!
White Star Lines MV Britannic in 1931! shipgeek 2012-05-07 | Here's a short but delightful little home movie consisting mostly of some very dapper young folks horsing around aboard the White Star Line's MV Britannic in 1931. Looks like they had a lovely crossing! Enjoy!
Crossing the Pond on the SS Europa in the 1930s! shipgeek 2012-05-06 | Come aboard the blue riband winning SS Europa for a transatlantic from Germany to New York in the 1930s in glorious 16mm monochrome home movies. Sadly, this orphaned film had no identifying markings as to date or family. Note the plane on board with the name Bremen painted on the side, then note the two adjoining shots toward the very end of lifeboats, one with the name Europa and the other with Bremen. And remember, this vessel would become the fabled Liberte of the French Line after the war. Music is by a German dance band of the period, from an intriguing little iTunes download called "Swing Tanzen Verboten." Enjoy!
A Caribbean Cruise Aboard HALs SS Nieuw Amsterdam in 1949! shipgeek 2012-05-06 | Journey with our intrepid shipsters back to 1949 and hop aboard this Caribbean cruise on the fabulous Nieuw Amsterdam, one of my all time favorite ships. This is what was scrawled on the film can: "1949 Caribbean Cruise to San Juan and Curacao." Music is by Jimmy Thurston and his Orchestra, from a vinyl LP called, appropriately enough, "On a Caribbean Cruise." Bon voyage!
A Caribbean Cruise Aboard the Colombian Lines SS Haiti in the 1930s! shipgeek 2012-05-05 | Ahoy there fellow shipsters! Here's some delightful 16mm home movies in both black and white and color shot aboard a Caribbean cruise on the SS Haiti of the Colombian Line. This ship isn't even listed in Kludas (or any of my other ship books), and there's very little information online, SO MANY thanks to jec1ny below for providing some fascinating details! This also narrows down the time period of the film between 1932 and '38. These folks have a grand time documenting their trip and splicing in neat little title cards along the way. I'm guessing the period to be the 1930s, though I have found no service dates for the ship. At any rate, as always, I really hope you enjoy!
SS Queen of Bermuda to Bermuda in 1948! shipgeek 2012-05-05 | Here's more nostalgic footage of a leisurely cruise to Bermuda aboard the Furness Lines' Queen of Bermuda in glorious 16mm home movie color. Music is "Bermuda" from a Furness Lines' souvenir recording of the ship's band under the baton of Al Donahue. Enjoy!
SS Aquitania Cruise to Bermuda in 1935 shipgeek 2012-05-05 | These early shipsters certainly didn't let The Great Depression get them down. No, sir. They packed their steamer trunks and headed to Bermuda aboard the gorgeous SS Aquitania, documenting their trip with their trusty 16mm home movie camera! And dig those meticulously homemade title cards! I'm trying out a new logo and watermark with this edition, and would love your feedback in the comments. As always... bon voyage!
Our 1957 European Vacation: RMS Queen Mary East and RMS Queen Elizabeth West! shipgeek 2012-05-05 | This is a very sweet set of home movies from a couple who went on a European holiday in 1957, recording their trek in glorious Kodachrome 16mm film, most of which remains startlingly crisp and saturated. These lucky souls departed New York aboard the RMS Queen Mary, toured around Europe (though I edited out most of their travelogue footage of endless shots of the Eiffel Tower, the Coliseum, etc.), then came home aboard the RMS Queen Elizabeth. And I love how the woman quickly yanks off her glasses when she poses for the camera. Just check out the footage. And I got very lucky with the music in terms of timing. It's "You Were There: Dearest Love" from Harry Fryer and His Orchestra. How much do you want to be there?
A Tour of the SS Arandora Star in 1932 shipgeek 2012-05-04 | I just love finding these vintage home movies where the people who shot them weren't just home movie photographers, but hobbyists! In this little film of the Blue Star Line's SS Arandora Star, shot in 1932 according to the markings on the film can, they went to the trouble of photographing title cards and then splicing them in. Now bear in mind that in the pre-iMovie age, that meant actually cutting and taping (or glueing) pieces of film together and hoping they wouldn't jam the projector--so you know they were determined to make their trip memories look good before setting up the projector and screen and forcing all their friends to watch! The Arandora Star was a keen little ship with a rather tragic history. This from Wikipedia: "SS Arandora Star was a British registered cruise ship operated by the Blue Star Line from the late 1920s through the 1930s. At the onset of World War II she was assigned as a troop transport and moving refugees. At the end of June 1940 she was assigned the task of transporting German and Italian internees along with prisoners of war to Canada. On 2 July 1940 she was sunk in controversial circumstances by a German U-boat with a large loss of life." Well, let's focus on her halcyon days, shall we? Music is "Toy Violin" performed by The Queen's Hall Light Orchestra & Charles Williams. And now... a Tour of the SS Arandora Star in 1932!
SS Normandie: An Onboard Visit in 1939 shipgeek 2012-05-04 | These lucky camera-wielding folk were lucky enough to attend the 1939 World's Fair AND go aboard the fabled Normandie! And we're lucky enough that their footage of the ship is better than what they shot at the fair. It's always a treat to see this legendary liner come alive, and also to see how people used to dress to wish their friends and loved ones "bon voyage." Music is "Palm Beach" by Andre Ekyan from the album "French Swing Music During World War Two."
Lets Take the SS Atlantic to the Mediterranean in 1961! shipgeek 2012-05-03 | Here we have some wonderful color 8mm home movies taken aboard one of the American Export Lines' "Sunlane Cruise to the Mediterranean" aboard the SS Atlantic, a lovely little midcentury vessel. According to the scribbled notations on the original film, the itinerary included Gibraltar and Naples. Music is by the Irving Fields Trio from an LP called "Champagne and Bongos." As always... bon voyage!
RMS Queen Mary OR Elizabeth to Europe! shipgeek 2012-05-03 | It's always sad and a little frustrating to find these abandoned family home movies--especially when there's no identifying information other than "New York to Warwick." No dates. No names. And worse, they don't identify the year or the ship. Judging from the other ships in New York Harbor, I'm guessing this was sometime in the early 1950s, but the car on the crane at the end looks pre-war to me. Any car experts out there? So it's either the Mary or the Elizabeth. At any rate, enjoy the footage as we ask... "Which Queen to Europe?"
SS Independence: Seeing Friends Off on August 13, 1958 shipgeek 2012-05-03 | These vibrant color 16mm home movies vividly capture the day of August 13, 1958, when friends went aboard the SS Independence to bid "bon voyage" to their loved ones. Check out the fashions! Check out the deck chairs! Check out the profile of the ship at the end! And above all, enjoy! Music is "Mambo Jambo" performed by Terry Synder and the All Stars.
All Aboard the SS Ile de France in 1927! shipgeek 2012-05-03 | Here are some absolutely delightful home movies of a voyage aboard The French Line's SS Ile de France, one of the most famous and fabled of all ocean liners back in the day. This film was taken in 1927, the year of the ship's maiden voyage. The photographer added wonderful titles throughout his or her home movie footage, and you'll see that it's a star-studded crossing as well! Music is "Sunny Side Up" performed by the Kingsway Promenade Orchestra & Stanley Black. Bon voyage!
Our Trip to Europe 1938... Return on the SS Vulcania? shipgeek 2012-04-27 | Occasionally I come across odd bits of film in the crazy little hobby of mine. For example, here's footage--all from the same reel--that starts out in black and white showing a trip across the pond on an unidentified liner (any help from the other ship geeks out there?), then a very brief sequence of shots of the royal guard at Buckingham Palace. This is followed by a glue splice that takes us to color footage of the SS Vulcania. The itinerary is a mystery to me, but the film can was labeled "Our Trip to Europe 1938." And that, fellow ship geeks, is that!
A Bahamian Cruise Aboard the SS Mauretania in 1960! shipgeek 2012-04-27 | Journey with us now to the year 1960. Cunard's Mauretania embarks on a cruise to the Bahamas, and this intrepid amateur cinematographer grabs a few color shots on deck, then takes his/her camera into the lounge, the dining room, and the disembarkation area. It's an odd little film, but notable for the relatively clear interior shots. Music is from Pedro Garcia, a little track called "Hechizo." Enjoy!
RMS Queen Mary Return From Europe 1952 shipgeek 2012-04-26 | Enjoy this 8mm color footage of a true shipgeek's trip across the Atlantic in 1952, from Southampton to New York. Notice how his (or her!) camera lingers lovingly over the cargo cranes and tugboats during the sail away from Southampton. Then notice the rough seas with safety ropes strung everywhere for the passengers. This one clocks in at just over 11 minutes... but it's worth it! Music is all by the Meyer Davis Orchestra. First up "Goodnight Medley" from the album "Everybody Dance!" followed by "Ridin' High Medley" from "Dancing With the Smart Set," and finally "Great Day Medley" also from "Everybody Dance!" There's more footage to come, so keep checking back and above all, please enjoy!
A Cruise to Cuba Aboard the SS Kungsholm! shipgeek 2012-04-26 | Here's some vibrant color 8mm of what looks like a fun cruise to Cuba aboard the Swedish America Liner Kungsholm, loving shot by one J. Quentin Jaxon of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania (at least that's what the Kodak box said!). A quick check with Kludas would suggest this film is from sometime between 1939 and 1941. Any car aficionados out there care to help identify the cars at the pier in the opening shot? And check out the deck games. I'm sure no cruise line today would allow passengers to straddle a log and beat each other with a pillow until someone falls. Music here is "Frenesi" performed by Don Felipe and His Cuban Caballeros, followed by "Smile of a Latin" by Frank Chacksfield and His Orchestra. Enjoy another little Shipgeek trip back in time!
A Transatlantic Crossing Aboard the SS Nieuw Amsterdam! shipgeek 2012-04-25 | Here's some spectacular 8mm color footage of a crossing aboard one of my all time favorite ships, Holland America Line's SS Nieuw Amsterdam of 1938. Great shots of life aboard the ship, those weird horseshoe shaped life rings, and more. Music is "Holiday Funfair" by Dolf Van Der Linden and His Orchestra. Any help guessing at the year would be appreciated. Bon Voyage!
A Trip Aboard the SS United States in 1960! shipgeek 2012-04-25 | Here's some fun 8mm home movies dated 1960 showing the docks at Southampton (or is that Bremerhaven?) and Le Havre as well as shots aboard the ship. Notice in the last shot on the enclosed promenade that the woman is walking against rough seas! Music is by the Melachrino Orchestra, a little vintage ditty entitled "Gay Romance." For more information about the ongoing efforts to save the SS United States, please visit ssuscDOTorg.
SS France Maiden Voyage Arrival in New York, 1962 shipgeek 2012-04-18 | Featured here is some spectacular amateur color 16mm footage of the SS France's maiden arrival in New York harbor in 1962. Experience the grandeur up close and personal! The song "La Mer" is performed by the incomparable Chantal Chamberland! Bon voyage!
SS Nieuw Amsterdam of 1938 to Greece in 1954? shipgeek 2010-06-21 | Here's a delightful 16mm COLOR home movie shot in 1954 during what appears to be a cruise to Greece aboard HAL's 1938 Dutch Deco Masterpiece SS Nieuw Amsterdam. I haven't been able to find any documentation to show that this cruise happened, but the cans were labeled "Greece 1954" so you be the judge. The Nieuw Amsterdam is one of my absolute favorite ships, and was so successful that she would last for another 20 years before finally being scrapped in 1974!
Lets All Go To Hawaii Aboard the SS Lurline! shipgeek 2010-06-15 | Here's some fabulous unidentified color footage of a festive sail away aboard the SS Lurline, leaving San Francisco for Hawaii in what looks like the early 1960s. Here's a question for you viewers... how did the photographer manage to film the ship leaving the dock... and then get aboard?! Have fun!
SS Mariposa: 1963 South Seas Cruise! shipgeek 2010-06-15 | Journey back in time with us now to the SS Mariposa as she embarks on a south seas cruise, photographed in glorious 16mm Kodachrome by Mildred and Harry Brown of Glendale, California between February 25th and April 3, 1963. See leisurely, voyeuristic shots of a lithe woman sunning herself with a tiny folding canopy to shield her face from the sun! See the bloody and messy Neptune Ritual as passengers are carved up with a meat cleaver and left to stagger, bloody away, only to be doused in foam and tossed into the pool! See a woman possessed by the mood of the afternoon as she bursts into a spontaneous twist in front of King Neptune's Court! See exotic dancers galore! But above all... please have a good time!
SS Resolute From Hamburg to New York in the 1930s! shipgeek 2010-06-12 | Launched in 1914 but not completed until 1920 because of the First World War, the SS Brabantia was sold in 1922 to United American Lines, adapted for North Atlantic service, and re-named the SS Resolute. In 1926, she was sold to the Hamburg-America Line. She did a lot of cruising during this period, though this footage, two 16mm reels from the same estate (one black and white, the other color) suggest it was shot during a transatlantic crossing. It's odd to see a ship flying a Nazi flag sailing so casually past the Statue of Liberty! There's a host of great liners making cameos toward the end of the film. Enjoy!
Coast to Coast Aboard the California! shipgeek 2010-06-10 | Before 1938, the Turbo-electric vessel California of the American Line did routine service between San Francisco and New York. Here's some charming footage of a trip starting through the Panama Canal and ending in Manhattan. There's some film corrosion at the beginning of the reel, but it goes away as the home movie un-spools. Music by the incomparable Artie Shaw. Enjoy!
All Aboard the Saturnia! shipgeek 2010-06-10 | Here's a short home movie shot during what appears to be a cruise taken aboard The Cosulich Line's Motorship Saturnia sometime in the 1930's. What a handsome ship! Music is by the ever-fabulous Carmen Cavallaro playing Italian songs. Bon voyage!
