Roland Rives Collection
CFA
4 reels of 16mm film totaling 1,375 feet.
1926 - 1928
1926 - 1928
The Roland Rives Collection consists of three films documenting Dartmouth College students on a Cunard Line European tour in the 1920s. These films feature scenes shot on the Cunard ocean liner, as well as various destinations in western Europe. The fourth film in the collection, “The Cunard Line Oceanews,” is a promotional film that showcases various features and attractions of the ocean liner, including dining, entertainment and sports facilities.
The Roland Rives Collection consists of three films documenting Dartmouth College students on a Cunard Line European tour in the 1920s. These films feature scenes shot on the Cunard ocean liner, as well as destinations including South Hampton, London, Warwick, and Stratford in the U.K.; Scotland; Holland; Belgium; a cruise on the Rhine; Jungfrau in Switzerland; Venice, Florence, Naples, Amalfu, Capri, Rome, and Pisa in Italy. The fourth film in the collection, “The Cunard Line Oceanews,” is a promotional film made by the Cunard Line that showcases various features and attractions including dining, entertainment and sports facilities. The film follows the SS Berengaria as it leaves the harbor in New York and arrives at a port in Europe. This promotional film was most likely sold as a souvenir to passengers on the ocean liner.
Roland J. Rives is the son (the third of four boys) of Benjamin Shore Rives, Sr. and Norma Rives. He was born on May 14, 1931 and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He moved to Chicago to attend Northwestern University at night while working during the day, and graduated in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He has worked in real estate ever since, and specializes in consulting and valuation.
These 4 films belonged to Roland Rives's father, Benjamin Shore Rives. Roland Rives is certain that the films were not shot by his father and does not know how his father came to possess them. He believes that the films belonged to / were filmed by a family member who went on the Cunard Line and ended up with his father because his father shot 16mm film, primarily home movies, as a hobby and had a 16mm projector. Roland Rives initially approached the Chicago History Museum about taking the films, but museum determined that they did not fit into their mission. He also contacted the Carnival Corporation (which acquired the Cunard Line in 2005) He then gifted the films to CFA. He also donated a Kodaxope Pageant sound projector that belonged to his father, Benjamin Rives.
English
This collection is open to on-site access. Appointments must be made with Chicago Film Archives. Due to the fragile nature of the films, only video copies will be provided for on-site viewing.
Public Domain. Original film materials are too fragile to exhibit.
1- Cunard Line Oceanews, The 2- Dartmouth European Trip Reel 1; Cunard on Board - New York to South Hampton; Londong, Warwick, Stratford, Scotland 3- Dartmouth European Trip Reel 2; Holland Belgium Rhine Cruise, Switzerland - Junfrau Italy 4- Dartmouth European Trip Reel 3; Venice, Florence, Naples, Amalfu, Capri, Rome, Pisa, Italy