KNOXVILLE, TN (May 15, 2007) The East Tennessee Historical Society (ETHS) in conjunction with Treasures from the Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound (TAMIS)
invite everyone to attend a special upcoming film series devoted to the historical images and musical legacy of East Tennessee. Rare home movies, many filmed over 70 years ago, and missing-in-action television programming from the past have been recently transferred and made accessible once again from TAMIS. The first installment of their 2007 film series, “The Motion Picture Films of Jim Thompson 1915-1950” will be free and open to the public at the East Tennessee History Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 25 due to a generous sponsorship from the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.
This was one of last year's most popular programs and is being re-shown for those who missed it or have asked to see it again! Renowned and revered as one of Knoxville's most famous commercial photographers, few are aware that Jim Thompson also made motion pictures. Thompson began his photography business in 1902, capturing every facet of Knoxville life with his still camera. During the early 1910s, Thompson acquired a 35mm movie camera, and began working as a stringer for Pathé Newsreels. In addition to his newsreel photography, Thompson filmed special events and snapshots of the residents of Knoxville, occasionally producing two reel shorts that were shown in local theaters. Thompson also acted as the official motion picture photographer for the University of Tennessee football team. Generously made available from the Thompson family, these films feature the earliest known moving images of Knoxville, dating from 1915, and capture every facet of Knoxville life. Included in the program are some of the first home movies ever made, a 1931 Gay Street parade, historic downtown footage, a vintage 1930s UT Vols football game clip, a 1931 University of Tennessee student film, and panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Each film displays Jim Thompson's tremendous skills as a photographer, often utilizing the latest camera technology and special effects experimentation to produce films a cut above the average cinematographer.
Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving and providing access to the moving image and recorded sound heritage of our region. For more information on TAMIS, please contact Bradley Reeves or Louisa Trott at 865-212-5634, tamis33@gmail.com.
The East Tennessee Historical Society, whose mission is to preserve, interpret and promote the region’s history, is located at 601 S. Gay Street (across from the Tennessee Theatre) in downtown Knoxville. This film showing is offered at no charge and is open to the public. Limited seating is available. Directions to ETHS are available at www.east-tennessee-history.org.
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