Otto L. Plaut, like his father Maximillian Plaut, was a doctor. He practiced in Leipzig, Germany before the outbreak of the war. Otto and his wife Johanna Plaut (née Löwenstein) raised three children: Renate (b. 1930) and twins Andrew and Martin (b. 1937). Dr. Otto Plaut filmed his family in their home city of Leipzig and on various holidays from 1931 to 1937, and after the war in Massillon, Ohio. Maximillian and Anna Plaut ((née Katz) were the first to immigrate to the United States. They arrived in New York on April 10, 1937 on the S.S. Ilsenstein from Antwerp, Belgium. Otto Plaut entered the United States on March 9, 1938. From Le Havre, France he took the S.S. Ile de France to New York. He was issued an immigration visa on February 10, 1938 in Leipzig, Germany. Last to arrive in the United States were Hanna, Renate, Andrew, and Martin on March 25, 1939. They took the S.S. Veendam from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Hanna received her immigration visa on March 3, 1939 in Leipzig.
01:01:00 Roll 34. Hanna and her mother walk around the town of Meersburg, Baden-Württemberg, in Southern Germany. Church. 01:02:01 Hotel sign with a Star of David hanging from it. The family drives in the countryside and stops by a gas station. They visit an outdoor market and Schloss Meersburg. Town square. Sheep. Hanna's parents consult a map for directions. MS, Otto's reflection as he films the back of one of the car lights. 01:09:07 Roll 35. View from a streetcar in a city. City workers shovel snow, construction. A sign outside of Otto's office reads,"Dr. Otto Plaut" located on Gottschedstraße in Leipzig. A page from a calendar indicates the date as Monday, February 23, 1931. A second date shows Sunday, March 15, 1931. Hanna plays with Renate. Calendar page indicates Saturday, March 21, 1931. Renate plays with a doll in her crib. Otto films himself in front of a mirror. Cake with dates"1892 -- 27. 3 -193" written in icing. Maximillian and Anna celebrate their 40th anniversary. Scenes from the street taken from inside. A sign outside Otto's practice reads,"Dc. Med. Plaut" Calendar indicates the date as Friday, March 27, 1931. Otto holds a piece of paper reading Easter 1931. Maximillian and Anna board a train. A nanny pushes Renate in a pram. A page from a calendar indicates Sunday, April 26, 1931. Elizabeth (maybe Elizabeth Plaut Hamburger) holds a journal displaying the date Saturday, May 2, 1931. Hanna and Elizabeth on a boat together. Active port. Pinning flower on man's lapel. 01:23:27 Roll 36. Harbor and U.S.S. Ukuma ship. Aboard the ship, Otto films as cargo is loaded. Musical band. The ship pulls away from the dock. The ship docks in a city and cargo is unloaded. 01:27:56 Another voyage. Men working on the boat. Scenery from ship. Sailors. 01:32:34 The family walks through a city with local merchants. Nighttime scenes. Sailors help passengers move from a boat onto a ship amidst strong waves.
Family takes trips; Jewish doctor's office sign