Video Parts (2)
This clip is Part 1 of a 2-part film.
CITY OF MEXICO 1,2 Part 1
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “Mexico City was a flourishing Aztec community when taken by the Spanish in 1521. The Aztecs built pyramids resembling those of Egypt.” View of large pyramid. “The pyramids were 200 feet high built of stone and cement.” “Stairs leading to the top.” Close-up of stairs. “These structures were temples on which human sacrifices were offered.” View of sacrificial altar. “Aztec idols resemble those of China.” Stone idols in museum. “A stone calendar used by the Aztecs.” Two guards stand by large calendar in museum. “Mexico City of today has 470,000 people. The Plaza de Constitution and the Cathedral.” View of plaza and cathedral - streetcar and automobile traffic in foreground. “The cathedral is built where stood an Aztec temple.” View of cathedral. “Founded in 1573 it cost $2,000,000. The interior contains priceless paintings.” Close-up of tower. “The twin towers have twenty-one bells. The largest one is 16 feet high and it can be heard 6 miles.” Silhouette of bell. “The National Theater was built with great care, cost and beauty.” View of theater under construction - close-up of sculpture work in archway. “Alameda Park has beautiful fountains.” Close-up of fountain in park - tourists. “The Independence monument commemorates the 100th anniversary of independence from Spain.” Close-up of monument. “The Paseo de la Reforma, the city’s most beautiful boulevard.” View of boulevard. “At the end of the paseo is the Castle of Chapultepec.” Castle in distance sitting atop hill. “On Chapultepec Hill stood Montezuma’s Palace.” Palace front - two men enter iron gate - tourists. “On the plain below is Mexico, beautiful in the moonlight of the tropics.” View of city from hilltop. “This giant cypress sheltered Montezuma, the last king of the Aztecs.” Fence enclosed tree - close-up of base. “Primitive transportation prevails.” Mule-drawn, wooden cart - native boys playing in street. “Bringing wood into the city.” Man leading two donkeys heavily loaded with sticks. “Three-fourths of the people are full blooded Indians, some wear large hats and heavy blankets.” View of Indian in street. “Street peddlers are common.” People gathered around peddler selling caged birds on street. “The jug and bottle market.” Jugs and bottles piled up in store front. “The peon’s home.” Two story adobe house with woman standing on balcony - mother and children sitting by wooden pole fence with chickens and dog - donkey in background - close-up of donkey - women washing clothes in tub and on rocks. “The thatched roof is made of palm leaves.” Close-up of roof. “About Spanish homes high walls enclose and inner court. The ‘patio.’” View of walls looking down into patio. “The patio is bright with fruit trees, flowers, and fountains.” Furniture and plants on patio. “A tree of luscious papayas.” Tree and fruit - boy picks fruit. “Spanish senoritas on the patio.” Two girls on patio. “The poinsettia tree.” Man standing by tree, pulls off branch. “The Viga Canals were started by the Aztecs.” View of tree-lined canal. “The Indian poles the boat through the muddy water.” “Vegetables are raised in the gardens along the canals.” Homes and gardens along canal. “Fruit and vegetables for market.” Indians pushing boatload of fruit and vegetables down canal. “Baking tortillas or corn pancakes, a national dish.” Women in boat making tortillas. “The palace gardens of the former Empress Charlotte.” View of pond and gardens. “These aqueducts have supplied water for over 200 years.” Man standing by aqueducts - close-up, top view of aqueducts. “Mexico, the oldest of American cities, preserved in its churches the idea of its Spanish conquerors.” Dome of church, with cross atop - stone fence work on balcony. “Great wealth and years of labor were given to the building and decorating of the many churches in the city.” Views of intricate stone work in church. “And yet, the city will always recall the cruelty of Cortez, its founder, whose conquest destroyed the ancient city of 400,000 Indians.” View of city street with pedestrian and automobile traffic - silhouette of bell. “The End.” [1925]
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