Le Havre harbor and on board Normandie ship to the U.S.
Creator(s)
- Judith Gasul Simon
- Benjamin M. Gasul (Camera Operator)
Biographical History
Benjamin Morris Gasul (1898-1962) was born in Latvia. He traveled to the U.S. on the "Empress of Russia" ship at the age of 16 and settled in Kenosha, WI. He graduated from Rush Medical School in Chicago and continued his studies in Vienna where he married American Lala Rosenzweig (she sang in the opera house). Dr. Gasul practiced pediatrics until 1945 when he became focused on heart disease in children. He developed an academic training program in pediatric cardiology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, published a textbook, and established a monthly meeting where physicians consulted each other on the diagnosis and treatment of childhood heart disease. Named Gasul Club Meetings, these informal sessions still occur today. Dr. Gasul and Lala had three daughters: Gloria Gasul Gottlieb (b. 1928), Sandra Gasul Dreyfuss (b. 1934), and Judith Gasul Simon (b. January 1939; the donor).
Scope and Content
Title: "Havre. Homeward Bound on the 'Normandie'." Le Havre harbor. HAS. Capsized hulk of the French Lines' ship PARIS, which burned and rolled over at Le Havre in April 1939. View of another ship, possibly the French Lines' ship CHAMPLAIN docked in Le Havre, seen from the deck of 'Normandie.' On deck, people on red chaise lounge chairs, man in swimming pool behind. Good view of the Statue of Liberty.
Note(s)
The Gasul Family consists of Gloria Gasul Gottlieb, Sandra Gasul Dreyfuss, and Judy Gasul Simon.
With novel design features and lavish interiors, the SS Normandie was considered the largest and fastest ship in the world when launched. The Normandie's record-breaking maiden Atlantic crossing in May 1935 earned her the prestigious Blue Riband award. Over the next few years, the ship was rivaled by the Britsh liner "Queen Mary." After the outbreak of the war, the Normandie was refitted as a troopship in New York and capsized after a fire broke out in 1942.
Note that the date is approximate and based on age of baby (born in January 1939) shown at the end of the film in Story 4570 as well as warm-weather clothing worn by individuals.
This film was preserved with a 2010 National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF) cash grant.
Subjects
- FRANCE
- HARBORS
- STATUE OF LIBERTY
- SHIPS
Places
- New York, NY, United States
- Le Havre, France
Genre
- Amateur.
- Film