Early Film History     Travel     Documentaries     Variety Shows     Mysteries

In 1916, Theodore Case founded the Case Research Lab in Auburn, NY. It was here that he developed an invention that changed the world forever... the Birth of Sound on Film!

Join us as we learn the intriguing story of Inventor Theodore Case. We'll meet the Executive Director of the Case Museum who will take us on a fascinating tour of the lab and see rare historic clips from early sound test-films and Movietone Newsreels.

Video Clips: | Opening | Big Breakthrough | Sound Lesson | Case or DeForest? | Movietone | Soundtrack | 1st Sound Films | The Patents | Science Lab | Notebooks | Restoration Plans | Closing |

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Historic Charleston Getaway
Winner of 1st Place for Documentary & Best of Show - ACM-NE Video Festival, 2003

Explore Antebellum mansions, colonial homes, museums, gardens, churches and graveyards with this fascinating historic walking tour of the "Old Walled City" and the "Battery".       

Discover ornamental ponds, enchanted hidden gardens, and flowering azaleas at the oldest landscaped gardens in America at Middleton Place.  Meet the volunteers at the rice plantation who reenact a candle maker, cooper and a blacksmith.

Video Clips: | Opening | Getting Started | Walled City Tour | Middleton Place | | Battery Tour | The Holy City |

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Daytrippers in Western NY I
Winner of 1st Place Award for Magazine Format - ACM-NE Video Festival, 2003

From Sponge Candy to a 26 pound chocolate Easter rabbit, you'll discover why Oliver's Candies  in Batavia, is the fun place to learn about the history of candy making.  Cheese making in Siberia? Find out how at Kutter's Cheese Factory in Corfu, NY.

Discover the fascinating history of Fisher-Price Toys and the Bob Knechtel Marionettes at the Toy Town Museum. Take a breathtaking look at 17 original Tiffany stained glass windows inside the "Baker Memorial United Methodist Church".  Tour a nostalgic shop of yesteryear at Vidler's 5 & 10 and meet the zany "Vidler on the Roof."

Video Clips: | Opening | Oliver's Candies | Kutter's Cheese | East Aurora || ToyTown Museum |
 Baker Memorial Church | Vidler's 5 & 10 |

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Welcome Message from
Senator Maziarz

We’re off on another Daytripper through Western New York!  First we’ll meet Senator George Maziarz, and learn about his exciting plans to develop tourism throughout the State.

We’ll learn the fascinating story of William Seward, who was Secretary of State to President Lincoln and visit his treasure-filled home in Aubrun, NY. Then, we’ll visit the Willard Memorial Chapel, the only complete and unaltered Tiffany religious interior in the world!

Next, we’ll visit the beautiful Murphy Orchards, and learn the intriguing story of how this farm was often the last stop on the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves.  And finally, we’ll visit "Chi-Llama-Moo Farm" and discover why llamas are becoming such a popular addition to the working family farm. 

Video Clips: | Overview  | Seward House | Willard Chapel | Agri-Tourism | Chi-Llama-Moo Farm    

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Grand Parks of Western NY
Winner of 1st Place Award for Magazine Format - ACM-NE Video Festival, 2004

Mt. Hope Cemetery is truly a Victorian treasure!  Hear fascinating stories about Pioneers, Visionaries, Artists, and Inventors. Was the first automobile really invented in Rochester, NY?

If you love waterfalls, then join us for a breathtaking hike through the geological wonders of Watkins Glen and a romantic stroll to Taughannock Falls.

Video Clips: | Opening | Taughannock Falls | Watkin's Glen
Mt. Hope: | Beginnings | Pioneers | Portraits in Stone | Inventors | Flowers & Rocks | Adopt-A-Plot |

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Rochester, A City of Quality (1963)

This historic film explores the history of Rochester, NY and the beauty of the surrounding countryside. You’ll see how people lived, worked and spent their leisure time, by gardening, taking in a symphony, visiting local attractions, and going shopping.

We’ll explore Rochester’s long tradition of service to the Community through their Civic Organizations, Historical Societies, Churches, and Universities.

And finally, we’ll see how the visionaries of the 1960’s planned for a city of the future that started with the building of Mid-Town Plaza and resulted in "Rochester, A City of Quality."  This historic film was acquired courtesy of the Prelinger Archives

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Treasures of the Rochester Public Library
Finalist for Documentary Profile - ACM-NE Video Festival, 2004

Join us as we explore the rich history of the Rundel Memorial Library in downtown Rochester, NY.  Meet the Librarian and Archivist who preserve and maintain one of the best historical collections in Western, NY. 

Discover Rochester's past as we dig through "The Local History Section" and uncover one-of-a-kind books, photos and letters.  Learn how to tap into their extensive "Genealogy Research Center" to find that distant ancestor of yours.

Video Clips: | Early History | Building the Library | Local History Div. | In the Stacks | Displays | Roch. Reg. Library Council | Genealogy | Family Hist. CD | Testimonial | Internet Resources | Attic with an Attitude |

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Historic Gothic Church in Rochester
Winner of Best of Show for Documentary Profile - ACM-NE Video Festival, 2004

Join us in a celebration of a true East Avenue landmark, the Asbury First United Methodist Church.  Learn the remarkable story of Methodist Pastor, Dr. Weldon Crossland, and his dream of building a Gothic Cathedral in Rochester.

Hear the wonderful sounds of the season from the Asbury Ringers Handbell Ensemble.  Discover Asbury's incredible Outreach Ministry and the volunteers who feed, clothe and provide job services to thousands every year.

Video Clips: | Early Years | Man with a Dream | Funding the Dream | Dream Fulfilled | Bell Choir | Outreach |

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Victorian Vignettes

Take a rare look inside Brockport's Morgan Manning House. Hear the dramatic story of Sara Morgan's life and the restoration work of dedicated volunteers after the Great Fire of 1964.

From German bisque head dolls to Shirley Temples---this is a doll lovers paradise! Learn how antique dolls are appraised at the enchanting  Victorian Doll Museum in North Chili.

Enjoy the art of local Brockport, NY artist Karen Neibel. 
And finally, a  humorous look at the Historic Road Signs of Brockport and Clarkson ,NY.

Video Clips: |  Opening  | Morgan-Manning House:    History    House Tour   Great Fire of 1964    Restoration
                             | Victorian Doll Museum  |  Karen Neibel, Artist  |  Road Signs of Western, NY  |

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Our Amazing Seniors

You're in the pilot's seat as Korean War Vet, Don Johnson, stunt flies an authentic WWII Fighter Plane over Western New York in " A Gift to Remember."

Volunteer, George King, takes you on a fascinating walking tour of Sacramento Old City Cemetery  and shares his amazing stories on historic restoration and early California pioneers.  Volunteer John Bettencourt tells the fascinating story of early California attorney Jim Coffroth in "The Case of the Highway Robber."

And finally, take a rare look inside four charming Victorian Homes in Clarkson, NY!

Video Clips:  |  A Gift to Remember  |  Sacramento Old City Cemetery   |  The Case of the Highway Robber  |  
|  Clarkson, NY Victorian Homes  |

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Our Playbill starts with the Vibraphone Xylophone Orchestra. Then we’ll boogie-woogie with Thelma White and her all girl band.  And do the Conga, with Ginger Harmon and the Mercer Brothers.

Historic Newsreels will introduce us to Dr. Barclay’s offbeat collection of timepieces and Dr. Heard’s Fire Magic.  Then, for our special feature, we’ll join a 1953 tour of the Eastman House in Rochester, NY, where we’ll discover the early history of photography and marvel at their secret camera collection.  And finally, you won’t want to miss our whimsical lineup of classic TV commercials from the 1950’s and 60’s.

Click Here for Video Preview | Vibraphone Orchestra | Hollywood Boogie | Tica-Ti-Tica Ta |


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Starlight Variety Theater II

Soundies, Newsreels & Fun!
Zany vintage animations lead into the jazz beat in "Jiveroo",  starring Harry Day & Della with the June Taylor Girls.

Feature Presentation - Coney Island
We'll take you back to the 1940's to experience the fun and frivolity of the world's greatest amusement park. 

Sing-A-Long
And finally, get ready for a nostalgic sing-a-long as we take a romantic Greyhound Bus Tour in the 1950's!

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Winterfest 2004

We’ll begin with a nostalgic look back to 1939 with an ice skating show at the Sun Valley Exhibit of the NY World's Fair.  Then we’ll open our Holiday Wishbook and learn about the needs of our community organizations. We’ll also discover what women really want for Christmas in a whimsical 1940 film clip.

Next, we'll see a futuristic computer-animated music video entitled Pipe Dream, created by Animusic.   Then we'll celebrate world-class choir music from Rochester's own Asbury First UMC. And finally, Warner-Pathe filmmakers from around the world will share their Holiday Greeting.

Video Clips: | Ice Skating | Wishbook | RollOh the Robot | Pipe Dream | Choir Music | Pathe Filmmakers|

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Romance!

Senior newlyweds James and Luella prove that romance is for all ages! 

Mary Jane Holmes was one of America's best-selling romance novelists of the 19th century. Follow the charming story of this famous Brockport author who published nearly 40 novels!

Three aspiring authors from Lake Country Romance Writers of Western New York share their secrets on the value of critique groups and entering contests.

Take a great winter escape to the enchanting Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix!

Video Clips:  |  Opening  |  Senior Newlyweds  |  Mary Jane Holmes  | 
Romance Writers:  |  Intro  |  Critiques Groups  |  Contests  |  Getting Published  |  Future Plans  | 
Special Feature:  Southwest Escape - Phoenix, AZ

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This is a true story.  In 1826, Batavia, NY resident, William Morgan disappeared. The belief at the time was that he had been kidnapped and murdered for attempting to expose the inner secrets of the Freemasons.

Evidence is offered that sheds new light on the case and helps solve the mystery of Morgan's disappearance! Through gripping recreations and chilling dialogue, we’ll unravel an intriguing mystery about secret Masonic societies, betrayal, abduction, conspiracy and possible murder in small-town Western NY.

Another True-Life Western, NY Mystery from Producer Michael Keene.   To learn more,   Click Here

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The Murder of William Lyman

October 20, 1837  -  Rochester, NY.  He was found steps from his home. His body was stiff and cold. For William Lyman, 37 years old, faithfully devoted husband and father, had just become the city's first murder victim. Join us for this intriguing documentary of Rochester’s first murder and the trial that followed.

The Story is told through the use of original artwork, voiceover and music.  We’ll also meet Rochester producer Michael Keene and learn how he made this unique award-winning documentary.


Video Clips: | Opening / Interview with Michael Keene | The Murder | The Investigation  |
The Trial |  The Execution |  Epilogue |

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