Frank Marotta Film

Object number1999.030.0001

Date11/22/1963 - 11/22/1964

ClassificationsFilms

Photographer Frank Marotta

ObjectFilm, 8mm

Credit LineAnthony F. Marotta Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

MediumFilm

DimensionsGauge: 8mm

Terms

Collections

DescriptionOriginal color 8mm film by Frank Marotta of the Kennedy motorcade in downtown Dallas as it neared the intersection of Main and Akard streets, where spectators had crowded into the street. One year later, Marotta filmed scenes in Dealey Plaza on the first anniversary of the assassination. Recorded on Dynachrome film, the photographer used film intended for indoor use, which explains why some of the scenes seem overly dark.

Curatorial Commentary

Anthony Frank Marotta, the son of Italian immigrants, took this home movie of the Kennedy motorcade near the Main and Akard Street intersection. As he recalled in his 1999 oral history, he had an awkward encounter with a coworker on his way to see President Kennedy: "I had a leather case with my camera in it. I had a fresh roll of film put in the camera, and it was already cranked and ready to go. So, as I was leaving the office, one of the individuals asked, 'Where are you going?' I said, 'Well, I'm going down to see the motorcade with the president.' And they said, 'What've you got in there? Something to throw at him?' You know, that to me was, well, what's the matter with you? 'Why don't you come down and see him? It's the president.'"

Standing on the north side of Main Street, Marotta had a good view of President Kennedy, though his home movie is noticeably dark. He explained, "As a result of that time of the year, the sun was still fairly low and so the film was backlit a bit, and they were moving very rapidly because they were running late from what I recall." Mr. Marotta passed away about one year after his Museum oral history was recorded, in October 2000. - Stephen Fagin, Curator