Video Archive Posts

The Kidnappers Foil: 1938 Duluth Footage

Feb 13, 2013 3 Comments

Starting in the 1930s, Melton Barker traveled across the United States filming The Kidnappers Foil for the next 40 years. No, he did not take this long to film one movie, instead he filmed the same movie in every town that he visited, perhaps hundreds of times. I’m not sure if this was part of a “home movie” business plan, or if he was ripping people off with promises of fame, but nonetheless, it’s now part of movie history.

In 1938, he stopped by Duluth to film, and though the main film is missing, there are two scenes featuring Duluthians. Maybe you have a famous grandparent and never knew it?

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Art, History, Videos

Low’s 2005 performance of “California” on Last Call with Carson Daly

Nov 05, 2012 2 Comments

This video was posted on PDD back in 2005 as a QuickTime Movie, but now it has been converted for YouTube, so here it is again. And here’s a link to Chris Godsey’s coverage of it all on mnartists.org.


Music, Videos ,

Video Archive: Louis Jenkins reading in 1976

Oct 19, 2012 1 Comment

These clips are from the short film From the Museroom: A Sampler of Minnesota Poets, shot in 1976 during a Poetry Collective benefit at the Firehouse in Minneapolis, Minn. Above: “Violence on Television.” Below: “Dream of Wealth.”

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History, Videos ,

Video Archive: Robert Bly in 1976, interpreting Rumi’s poem “Feeling and Thinking”

Jul 30, 2012 10 Comments

This is an excerpt of the short film “From the Museroom: A Sampler of Minnesota Poets,” shot during a Poetry Collective benefit at the Firehouse in Minneapolis, Minn.

“Feeling and Thinking” by Rumi

Someone struck Zayd a hard blow from behind. He was about to retaliate, when his assailant cried, “Let me ask you a question: first answer it, then strike me. I struck the nape of your neck, and there was the sound of a slap. Now I ask you in a friendly way — ‘Was the sound caused by my hand or by your neck, O pride of the noble?'”

Zayd said, “The pain I am suffering leaves me no time to reflect on this problem. Ponder it yourself: he who feels the pain cannot think of things like this.”


Art, Videos , ,

Video Archive: Dukes of Hubbard Live at Schooners in 2002

Apr 13, 2012 4 Comments

You’d never know what would happen next at a Dukes of Hubbard show (circa early 2000s). On stage, they would mix Phish with Kenny Loggins, then beatbox. Or play Ween followed by a Beatles medley and other antics. Or Jane’s Addiction followed by Herbie Hancock, while trading instruments and doing shots. And with Trudy (good dog, may she rest in peace) lounging off to the side. Some nights were more of a variety show than a usual set of music.

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History, Music, Videos , , ,

Video Archive: 14-year-old Paula Shires of Bovey tears it up on Chemielewski Fun Time

Nov 18, 2011 18 Comments

It’s ladies’ night and the feeling is right.


History, Videos

Video Archive: Dennis Anderson knocks down a few Grain Belts and shows off the film equipment

Nov 08, 2010 9 Comments

This video appears to be from the early 1970s. Watch the high-pressure air send Denny’s hairpiece flying! (Plus bonus footage: A Jack McKenna forecast.)


History, Videos ,

Video Archive: A Sunday Afternoon Walk on Central Avenue in West Duluth, circa 1940

Apr 21, 2010 1 Comment

This is the Helgeson family after church services on a Sunday in roughly 1940. They lived at 911 Central Ave. The parents are George and Rose. Their sons are G. Lewis, Robert, John and Paul.

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History, Videos ,

Local TV news flashback fun

Jul 30, 2009 4 Comments

Some more vintage Duluth TV newscasts have been posted on YouTube. Red Owl, Jack McKenna, Kirby Puckett … enjoy (though some of the news in these clips is kind of grim).

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Videos