Skip to main content

Paul Talbott Lakewood Speedway and Gone With the Wind Premiere Film

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.VIS191

Scope and Content

The collection, in its original format, is a single reel of 8mm black and white acetate film. The film captures three separate events in the Atlanta area: Lucky Teter performing automobile stunts at Lakewood Speedway; landings and takeoffs at Candler Field; and a portion of the Gone With the Wind premiere celebrations. The first four and a half minutes of the film documents a portion of the Lucky Teter performance at Lakewood Speedway. This segment captures some of the automobile and motorcycle stunts as well as a section of the grandstands. The next two minutes contain aerial shots of neighborhoods, Lakewood Fairgrounds, and a portion of a train yard. The last minute and a half captures a portion of the Gone With the Wind premiere celebrations. There are shots of the Loew's Grand Theatre with a false Twelve Oaks facade and shots of spectators along Peachtree Street.

Dates

  • 1930s

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.

Administrative/Biographical History

Earl "Lucky" Teter (1902-1942) raced automobiles and motorcycles but earned a national reputation as a stunt driver. He began his career as a gas station attendant and weekend test driver but in the early 1930s decided to attempt stunt or thrill driving. He formed a group known as "Hell Drivers" and in 1934 began touring at fairgrounds and racetracks. Lucky died in 1942 while performing a stunt at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Candler Field, located south of Atlanta, Georgia, opened in 1925 when Mayor Walter Sims signed a lease on 287 acres. The first flight landed on September 15, 1926 from Jacksonville, Florida. Eastern Airlines, "The Great Silver Fleet," began service to Atlanta in 1928. The film Gone With the Wind, based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell (Marsh), premiered in Atlanta, Georgia on December 15, 1939. The principal actors arrived in Atlanta prior to the premiere and toured several historical sites as well as attended a ball hosted by the Atlanta Junior League.

Extent

1 film reel(s)

Language

English

System of Arrangement

Collection is arranged by catalog number.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Paul Talbott Jr., 1986 (1986.279)

Existence and Location of Copies

A DVD access copy is available for the entire film.

General Physical Description

Ten minutes playing time of 8mm black and white acetate film transferred to digital format (DVD)

Description Control

Collection processed in 2011.

Title
Paul Talbott, Jr. Lakewood Speedway and Gone With the Wind Premiere Film
Status
Completed
Author
Melanie Stephan
Date
February 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040