Theodore Roosevelt was the first U.S. president to have his career and life chronicled on a large scale by motion picture companies (even though his predecessors, Grover Cleveland and William McKinley, were the first to be filmed). This presentation features films which record events in Roosevelt's life from the Spanish-American War in 1898 to his death in 1919. Besides containing scenes of Roosevelt, these films include views of world figures, politicians, monarchs, and friends and family members of Roosevelt who influenced his life and the era in which he lived. Commemorative events up to 1921 are also included. All in all, it gives a fascinating look at the life of a president in the early 20th century. The films are silent as they were all shot before sound films were made.

Below you will find sample stil clips from four of the films on this CD

TR receiving Belgian envoys at Sagamore Hill 1917

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n., 1917

SUMMARY TR entertains members of the Belgian Mission at Sagamore Hill, Aug. 22, 1917. The mission is headed by Baron Ludovic Moncheur, former Ambassador to the United States and includes General Mathieu Leclercq, Commander of the Belgian Cavalry, Major Leon Osterrieth, Hector Carlier, Count Louis d'Ursel, and Jean D. Mertens. Those accompanying the Belgian Mission include George T. Wilson, Major General Daniel Appleton, Lieutenant Harry Stratton, Captain Thomas C. Cook, T. P. O'Connor, Irish political leader and writer, and New York lawyer Frederic Coudert. Camera pans the group standing in front of the porch. Identified are: Count Louis d'Ursel, the Belgian officer standing at the end of the group; T. P. O'Connor, the large man with white hair; a man who is probably Jean D. Mertens; a man who is probably George T. Wilson; General Leclercq; TR; Baron Moncheur; Frederic Coudert, wearing the white vest; Major Osterrieth, the large Belgian officer; Hector Carlier, with a dark beard and wearing a light suit; the large man in an American uniform with a white mustache is possibly Major General Appleton; the smaller American officer standing with his side to the camera and his knee bent is Captain Thomas C. Cook.

TR reviewing and speaking to 13th Regiment at Sagamore Hill, 1917

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n., 1917?

SUMMARY TR speaks to several unidentified people, including a man who looks like TR, on the porch at Sagamore Hill. There are two views of TR addressing soldiers assembled on the lawn of Sagamore Hill: the first segment shows TR's back as he speaks; the second is a long shot of TR, shot from the rear of the group of soldiers.

TR reviews and addresses troops Fort Sheridan, Ill. ; TR riding in auto, Chicago, 1917

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Universal Film Manufacturing Co., 1917.

SUMMARY Two segments of TR during a midwestern speaking tour in support of military preparedness. On September 27, 1917, TR visited the officers' training camp at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Views of troops marching past a reviewing stand for inspection by TR and several civilian and military personnel; identified on the platform with TR are Captain Georges Etienne Bertrand (wearing beret), a visiting Frenchman who instructed the trainees in trench warfare, and Colonel James A. Ryan, commanding officer of Fort Sheridan; TR addresses the troops after the review. The second segment shows scenes from a parade staged in TR's honor in Chicago on April 28, 1917. Views of men on horseback who appear to be mounted police, sailors and cavalry; view of TR standing and waving his hat in an open touring car; identified in the car with TR are Arthur Meeker and Samuel Insull, Chicago businessmen who are members of the welcoming committee, and other unidentified men.

TR reviews French troops at Vincennes, France, 1910

CREATED/PUBLISHED S.l. : s.n., 1910

SUMMARY Robert Bacon, American Ambassador to France, TR, Jules Jusserand, French Ambassador to the United States, and General Jean B. Dalstein, Military Governor of Paris, arrive at the Ch teau de Vincennes, a medieval castle and dungeon, parts of which are used by French military schools; the group has been invited to review troops and observe military maneuvers. TR's party arrives in a car and is received by M. L pine, the Prefect of Police, General Verand, and Colonel Jacquot. In the courtyard of the dungeon, TR is mounted on a horse while his stirrups are adjusted and leggings are brought to fit over his formal striped trousers. There are several scenes of Bacon, Dalstein, TR, and other dignitaries and soldiers riding through an arch, probably La Porte du Bois, on the way to the Polygon, the field where the maneuvers are to take place, and scenes of the group riding past French cavalry units. Views of TR and Dalstein mounted, with Jusserand standing nearby, watching the military maneuvers and sham battle enacted for TR. TR shakes Dalstein's hand as he leaves; Jusserand and TR tip their hats to French officers.

TR seated at his desk in the Outlook office 1914?

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n., 1914?

SUMMARY TR works at his desk in the New York City office of The Outlook, a small but influential weekly journal of opinion for which he became a special contributing editor early in 1909.

TR speaking at Pueblo Colorado, 1912

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n. , 1912.

SUMMARY As part of a western tour, TR addresses crowd in his campaign for the presidency under the Progressive Party banner in what appears to be Pueblo, Colorado, on September 19, 1912. Long shots of gathered crowd, with views of two cameramen on a platform with the sign: Mile High Photo Co., Denver. Views from varying distances of TR speaking with prepared text, from a decorated gazebo; three unidentified men seated inside gazebo; long shots of crowd, with some people on horseback, and a body of water visible in background.

TR speaking at Sagamore Hill 1916-1918

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n. , 1916-1918.

SUMMARY Three sequences of TR addressing groups from the porch at Sagamore Hill. First sequence is TR speaking to a group of people on Sept. 8, 1917 at the opening of the second New York State suffrage campaign at Sagamore Hill. Second sequence is probably TR encouraging New York District volunteer workers for the third Liberty Loan on Apr. 2, 1918. Final views of TR addressing the large crowd which came to demonstrate support for him for the 1916 Presidential nomination. The May 27, 1916 rally was organized by members of the Roosevelt Non-Partisan League. Interior titles, which appear to be TR quotations, stress the need for loyal American citizens and for judicious American dealings with other nations.

TR speaking at the Battery, 1910

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n. , 1910.

SUMMARY Upon returning to the United States after an extended tour abroad, Theodore Roosevelt is welcomed with elaborate festivities in New York City on June 18, 1910. There are views of Roosevelt and Cornelius Vanderbilt, thechairman of the welcoming committee, walking toward the Battery Park platform, with photographers lining their approach. Mayor William J. Gaynor greets Roosevelt at the base of the Battery platform, with the spectators' stand visible in the background. There is a side view of Roosevelt and Gaynor on the platform.

TR speaking at the dedication of Roosevelt Dam, 1911

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n. , 1911.

SUMMARY On March 18, 1911, TR spoke at the dedication of the Roosevelt Dam. Providing irrigation for the Salt River Valley area of the territory of Arizona, the dam is largely the result of TR's reclamation efforts while President. On driveway along top of dam, TR, officials, and crowd look intently over the side of the dam. TR has probably just pushed the electric switch opening the sluice gates on the dam's northern slope. Long shot of TR addressing crowd, with the following officials identified behind him on platform: territorial Governor of Arizona, Richard E. Sloan; Louis C. Hill, engineer in charge of dam construction; and Benjamin A. Fowler, president of the National Irrigation Congress.

TR speaking in Panama, November 1906

CREATED/PUBLISHED United State : s.n. , 1906.

SUMMARY TR became the first President in office to visit a foreign country while on an inspection tour of the Panama Canal. On November 15, 1906, there are views of TR and Manuel Amador Guerrero, first President of Panama, and two unidentified men arriving and standing on a platform on the steps of the Cathedral in Panama City; medium shot of two women arriving at the ceremony, woman on the right may be Edith Roosevelt; long shot of President Amador Guerrero delivering welcoming address as dignitaries look on; TR then speaks.

TR speaking in St. Paul, Minnesota, 1918

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n., 1918?

SUMMARY Views of TR, wearing a mourning armband for his son Quentin, delivering a speech from a covered platform to a large crowd gathered in an open area of what appears to be a factory and surrounding area; close-up of TR, prepared text in hand, speaking to the camera.

TR speaking to a group of men from the porch at Sagamore Hill

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n. , 1916.

SUMMARY On May 27, 1916, groups of men, the 7th Regiment Band, and several children march on the road from the Oyster Bay railroad station to Sagamore Hill to demonstrate their support of TR for the 1916 Presidential nomination. Views of TR addressing the large crowd assembled on the lawn of Sagamore Hill. The rally was organized by the Roosevelt Non-Partisan League of New York City.

TR speaking to a group of suffragettes from the porch at Sagamore Hill 1917

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n., 1917

SUMMARY TR addresses a group of men and women at the opening of the second New York State suffrage campaign on Sept. 8, 1917 at Sagamore Hill. Film includes a side view of TR and a frontal view shot from the rear of the crowd. A woman and a man appear on the porch behind TR; immediately in front of the porch, a man who may be a reporter, takes notes.

TR with Rough Rider friends

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n., 191-?

SUMMARY Scenes of TR in a western setting; the man on TR's immediate left appears to be Albert B. Fall, Senator from New Mexico (1913-1921) and four unidentified men, two wearing western hats, who may be Rough Riders; a woman is barely visible directly behind TR.

TR's arrival in Panama, November 1906

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n. , 1906.

SUMMARY TR became the first President in office to visit a foreign country while on an inspection tour of the Panama Canal. On November 15, 1906, in Panama City there are views of the processional, including a marching band and escorts on horseback, as spectators gather; long shot of TR, accompanied by Manuel Amador Guerrero, first President of Panama, and two unidentified men standing on a platform on the steps of the Cathedral; President Amador Guerrero delivers welcoming address as dignitaries look on; TR then speaks.

TR's funeral at Oyster Bay, 1919

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Universal Film Manufacturing Co., 1919.

SUMMARY Views of Christ Episcopal Church, the funeral procession, and Youngs Memorial Cemetery during the funeral of Theodore Roosevelt on January 8, 1919, in Oyster Bay, N.Y. Medium close shot of specially delegated New York City mounted police guards, followed by hearse, passing on road in front of church; long shot at church entrance of flag-draped casket being placed in hearse, with line of funeral procession autos parked behind, and crowds on church lawn; closer shot from different angle of casket as it is borne through church entrance to hearse, with flag-bearer following behind, and Rev. George E. Talmadge, pastor of Christ Episcopal Church and reader at the simple service, visible in street beside hearse; long shot in cemetery of casket being shouldered and carried up steep pathway to grave site, preceded by Rev. Talmadge and followed by TR's son, Archie Roosevelt, in uniform, and other family members; close shot at what appears to be train station of the following men in attendance at the funeral: General Peyton C. March, Army Chief of Staff; Vice-President Thomas R. Marshall (1913-1921), official representative of the U.S. Government at the funeral; and Rear Admiral Cameron M. Winslow; close shots in crowd at cemetery of TR's friend, Major-General Leonard Wood; and Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of Commerce and Labor in TR's Cabinet (1906-1909).

TR's inaugural ceremony, 1905

CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : s.n. , 1905.

SUMMARY On Mar. 4, 1905, TR is inaugurated in Washington, D.C. with much celebration and fanfare. TR rides in an open landau on Fifteenth St., NW, escorted by mounted Rough Riders; Secret Service men and detectives walk on either side of the carriage; TR tips his hat to the crowd. Sitting beside him is Sen. John C. Spooner of Wis., Chairman of the joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Opposite, but not clearly visible, are Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge of Mass. and Rep. John Dalzell of Penn., members of the committee. Second sequence consists of long shots of TR taking the oath of office on a platform erected on the east front of the Capitol; Chief Justice Melville Weston Fuller (1888-1910) administers the Presidential oath of office as Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court James H. McKenney holds the Bible. The platform is decorated with plants and garlands and a large banner with the American eagle on it hangs from the center of the railing. West Point cadets and Annapolis midshipmen are assembled below the platform.

TR's inauguration, 1905 (in 3 parts)