Jack Baker Collection
Inclusive Dates
1942 – 1987
Bulk Dates
1942 – 1966
Abstract
The entire Baker collection was shot by commercial artist Jack Baker on 8mm film between the 1940s and 80s, with the exception of one 16mm film of unknown origin. The collection consists of in-house industrial films Jack made for work and home movie footage he took of his wife and two kids. The films he made on the job consist of downtown Chicago scenes, an American Can Company plant and trips to Milwaukee, New Orleans, and New York City. The home movies include suburban construction, numerous children's birthday parties, a few Christmas celebrations, an adult Halloween party, a Cubs game and trips to the Indiana dunes and Wisconsin's Lake Geneva.
Collection Items
Film
1943 circa: Canco Picnic
circa 1963
Film
1951-1953: Birthdays
1952
Film
1953-1956: Winter - Birthdays - Halloween Party
1953 – 1966
Film
1956-1959: Wagon Wheel Lodge, Family in Yard
1956 – 1959
Film
1942 circa: New Orleans - Zoo - New York City
circa 1942
Film
1942 circa: Chicago Cubs Game - Train Ride - Baby
circa 1942
Film
1953 circa: Picnics and Parties
circa 1942
Film
1942 circa: Ruth in Park
circa 1942
Film
1942 circa: Downtown Chicago - Factory - Train - Construction
1942
Film
1954 circa: Yard Work - Christmas - Baby - Lake Scenes
1950s
Film
1942 circa: Baby - Thanksgiving & Christmas - Lake Scenes - Birthday
circa 1942
Film
1944 circa: Christmas - Construction - Winter Scenes
circa 1944
To request more information about the items in this collection, please contact the archive at
info@chicagofilmarchives.org.
- 1942 circa: Baby
- 1942 circa: Baby - Thanksgiving & Christmas - Lake Scenes - Birthday
- 1942 circa: Chicago Cubs Game - Train Ride - Baby
- 1942 circa: Downtown Chicago - Factory - Train - Construction
- 1942 circa: New Orleans - Zoo - New York City
- 1942 circa: Ruth in Park
- 1943 circa: Canco Picnic
- 1943 circa: Lake Geneva
- 1944 circa: Christmas - Construction - Winter Scenes
- 1951-1953: Birthdays
- 1953-1956: Winter - Birthdays - Halloween Party
- 1953 circa: Picnics and Parties
- 1954 circa: Yard Work - Christmas - Baby - Lake Scenes
- 1956-1959: Wagon Wheel Lodge, Family in Yard
- 1987: Florida - Ruth & Teryl
- 1987: Park Ridge Yard Scenes
- [Title Cards]
- [Untitled]
Collection Identifier
C.2007-01
Extent of Collection
15 reels of 8mm totaling 2,565 feet; 2 reels of Super 8mm totaling 430 feet; 1 reel of 16mm totaling 400 feet
Language Of Materials
English
Subject
Custodial History
These films were collected and stored previously by Jack Baker. CFA aquired the films from Jack's son Scott, who donated the films to CFA in 2007.
Access Restrictions
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.
Use Restrictions
Chicago Film Archives holds the copyright for the films in this collection.
Creators
Baker, Jack
(was created by)
The Baker Family lived in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, Illinois. Jack Baker, the patriarch of the family, was a freelance commercial artist who worked for the Stone Container Corporation. Although Jack was not a filmmaker by trade, shooting film was part of his job, and quickly became a hobby at home.