Pat Sanders Film

Object number1995.024.0001.0001

Date11/22/1963

ClassificationsFilms

Photographer Pat Sanders

ObjectFilm, 8mm

Credit LineHerbert and Pat Sanders Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

MediumFilm

DimensionsGauge: 8mm

Terms

Collections

DescriptionOriginal color 8mm film by Dallas resident Pat Sanders. After a brief scene of the Sanders boys in front of their home, the film shows crowds lining Main Street in downtown Dallas, waiting for the presidential motorcade. The photographer caught a clear but brief glimpse of President Kennedy and Governor Connally waving toward her side of the street but both Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Connally were facing away as the limousine passed by. The film also shows some of the following cars in the motorcade including the White House Press bus and the Official Party bus. After the motorcade, the Sanders family filmed flags at half-staff in front of the U.S. post office, as well as crowds of mourners and flowers in Dealey Plaza. The film ends with views of several Dallas newspaper front pages from the weekend of the assassination.

Curatorial Commentary

Herbert and Pat Sanders planned a full day in downtown Dallas on November 22, 1963. After seeing the presidential parade, the couple had intended to catch a screening of the latest John Wayne film, McLintock!, at the Majestic Theatre on Elm Street. However, after the assassination took place, they decided to skip the movie and go straight home.

In addition to footage of the presidential motorcade, Pat Sanders's home movie captured something unique: a glimpse of legendary Dallas pawnshop owner Rubin "Honest Joe" Goldstein driving up and down Main Street to advertise his business prior to the parade. Another unique aspect of Sanders's home movie is that she filmed the Kennedys with one hand, holding her camera in her right hand while waving with her left. Her gloved hand can be seen as the limousine passes in front of her camera. - Stephen Fagin, Curator