The young teenage Richard Bare (with family and friends) testing out his brand new Devry 35mm motion picture camera in the 1920’s. If you look close you will notice he is cranking with his left hand. This is because the shot depicted here was done into a mirror and is therefore reversed. The following are most of the original films produced by Richard Bare followed by some historical interviews, etc.
SNOWBOUND TRIO RESCUED 1928
Exclusive pictures of the return to civilization of Mr. & Mrs. Jack Nightingale, week’s captive in sierras. Photographed by Richard Bare as a teenager
DELTOGRAMS 1928
Early newsreel shot by Richard Bare covering local events such as his schools’ football team, and a local speed boat race.
THE LADY HIGHER UP 1928
The beginnings of a short film by Richard Bare that ends with him and the two cast mates basically joking around. It is interesting to note the attempt at double exposure titles where the camera has obviously jumped a sprocket when they rewound it to prepare for the second exposure.
THE GREAT MAURICE 1929
Story shot by Bare for his Deltograms newsreel. This one contains footage of a stunt performer by the name of The Great Maurice high atop the Hughson Hotel in Modesto California around 1929.Bare is using one of the most basic title boards that amateur filmmakers could acquire.
MAKING OF THE BUTTER (1929)
A short educational film made by Bare’s Golden Bear Studios on the making of Butter in Modesto by the Milk Producers Association of Central California. Bare is still using the more crude homemade title boards but has come up with a more elaborate GBS
MODESTO NEWSREEL (1929)
An overall portrait of Modesto which includes the public library, the 12 span bridge, the Stanislaus Country club, Firebell from the voluntary fireman, some of the affluent houses in town , a farmer plowing , and the Stanislaus County welcome sign.
ALAMEDA VS PIEDMONT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME 1930
Another newsreel story shot while in High School, contains footage of the Alameda vs Piedmont High School football game with identifying images of cheerleader Dave Evans as well as captain of the Alameda team Bill Smith. Also includes footage of someone named Bobo the Shredded Wheat Man, and the Alameda Track team
ARIZONA (1930)
A “scenic” film photographed by the young Richard Bare while in Arizona, perhaps on holiday with his family. He received his camera on his 14th birthday in 1927 and took some time to become comfortable with the filmmaking process. This was made in 1930 while Bare was 17. Note the more advanced title.
YOSEMITE (1930)
A short scenic picture shot by the teenage Richard Bare. From the looks of it this was shot during a family vacation.
HOLY CITY, CALIFORNIA (1930)
Early footage shot by Richard Bare of Holy City California. Holy City was the brainchild of cult leader William Riker who believed in white supremacy and segregation of the sexes. This footage was taken during the town’s heyday when the population was in the hundreds.
DOWNTOWN MODESTO PARADE 1933
Parade shot by Richard Bare and possibly his friend Bud to be screened the following week at the 1800 seat Strand Theater on 10th street in Modesto. This footage was shot using the Devry camera but if you look closely you will see Bare himself on a flatbed in the parade shooting using his Institute Standard 35mm camera and tripod which was provided for him when he enrolled in a correspondence course from the New York Institute of Photography
OVAL PORTRAIT – SCREEN TESTS (1934)
photographed by Richard Bare in preparation for his USC student film entitled The Oval Portait in 1934 for which he won the one and only Paul Muni award. Test includes his asst mgr Tommy Phlillips at the Filmarte Theater in Carmel, Carmel and the Village Theatre Claremont (Taken on the Film arte stage)
BLESSING OF THE PETS (1938-1949)
Various footage including Cinecolor footage of California’s first theatre in Monterey, built by Jack Swan in 1847.Interior of the building shows rehearsal for Production of Tatters — silent ; Carmel Mission Hwy #1 – Scenic bridge and Paul Muni Award won by Bare for his USC student film The Oval Portrait , Golden Bough Theatre in ruins after the 1949 fire.–B/W footage on street during the Blessing of the Pets w/ men playing and young child dancing ; people walking animals down the street-Blessing of the Pets – yearly ritual on Olvera Street – man with Parrot on shoulder , religious blessing