Melton Barker Juvenile Productions

This curated collection features films created by itinerant filmmakers. Throughout the twentieth century, so-called itinerant filmmakers traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, visited smaller cities, and made a business out of the creation of local stars. These town booster or home talent films featured community landmarks, businesses and, most importantly, local residents.Many of these itinerant films did not feature a narrative structure; rather, the camera simply panned groups of school children, business owners, and factory workers. Other itinerant films, however, either concocted some sort of limited narrative, or mimicked popular Hollywood films and genres as a method through which to focus upon the local community. The local talent films, premiered grandly and touted in the local print press, were then exhibited along with other short subjects before major theatrical features.