us-005578-irn709551
biographical history: Hans Otto Kessler (later Dr. John Otto Kessler) was born in Vienna in 1928 to Alice Blanca Neuhut and Jakob Kessler. The family relocated to Baden, approximately thirty-five miles from Vienna when Hans (Hansi) was four-years old. His maternal grandfather retired from his role as the sales director of a light bulb company, and bought a hotel. Kessler lived in this hotel as a child where his mother cooked, and his father managed the expenses. Growing up, Kessler knew of his Jewish identity, but his family practiced Judaism socially rather than religiously. He was exposed to a variety of religions because his mother came from a predominantly Catholic family, and his maternal grandmother studied Buddhism. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis gained control of Austria, Kessler’s father was arrested and detained in Vienna. Kessler, along with his mother, and maternal grandmother, were baptized as Lutherans, potentially an effort of protection from Nazi control. Kessler’s mother, a resourceful woman who enjoyed reading English detective novels, used her language skills to secure a job in England. She received the position immediately, and managed to free her husband from prison. The Kesslers overcame the risky journey to England, narrowly escaping patrolmen at the border between Germany and Belgium. From Belgium, they boarded a ferry to England. In England, Kessler’s mother worked as a chef, and his father earned a living as a butler. Kessler assimilated and learned English at a boarding school near Sussex. John Kessler and his family immigrated to the United States in 1940. They lived in New York for one month. Kessler’s mother wanted to live in a warmer climate, and the family decided to relocate to Jacksonville, Florida. Kessler attended boarding school in Connecticut, and later moved to Jacksonville after his parents established themselves financially. Back in Vienna, Kessler’s grandparents could no longer manage the hotel, and felt threatened by Nazi control. They escaped…
has or had some members with language: Silent
has or had holder: us-005578
has end date: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/dates/1932-12-31
has or had identifier: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/units/us-005578-irn709551/alternateIDs/2
title: Visiting Italy
has or had identifier: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/units/us-005578-irn709551/alternateIDs/1
identifier: irn709551
scope and content: Lizzy Film Produktion. Mitglied des Klubs der Kinoamateure Osterreichs. “Riccione 1932” “Domus Mea. Unsere Pension” (00:00:25) Hans and his father Jakob Kessler walking out in the yard in a rented pension in Riccione, Italy. “Gang ins bad” Hans plays with a dog. Lizzy shows a sign above the gate that says, “Domus - Mea” and Jakob and Hans walk out of the gate under it. “Das meer” (00:01:41) Jakob and Hansi run and play along the beach. “Der strand” Hans and Jakob on the beach. “Badeleben” Lizzy is doing handstands in the water and then practices different swimming strokes. “Wettlauf” Hans and Jakob race each other on the sand. “Schwimm-Lection” Hans learns how to swim with the help of his father and a flotation device. Hans then walks around with his sailboat then races with his father again. Jakob swims in the water. “Dic Altstadt Rimini” (00:06:38) People ride around on bikes in the old town of Rimini. Hans walks with his family. “Das Augustus Tor” Hans and his family walk under the Augustus Gate “Alter Hof” Hans and his family walk through another historic site. “Auf der Fahrt nach San Marino” (00:07:53) Hans sits in the car and waves and smiles at the camera. “Die Erste Fahrt der neuen elektrischen Kleinbahn: Rimini-San Marino” An electric train goes by. Hans smiles and points to something in the distance. “Die Republik San Marino mit ihren alten, steilen Gässchen” The family walks through the streets. “Platz vor dem Rathaus” The square in front of the town hall is shown. “Hansi auf dem Söller” Hansi and the family wave from a balcony. “Im Innern” They walk through the streets. “Beim berűhmten Muskateller in der Grotta” (00:10:19) Hans eats a meal with Jakob. “Rückfahrt” The family gets ready for a ride. Hans opens his mouth wide. “Allein im Weltmeer” Hans swims in the ocean. “Gradara mit der mittelalterlichen Burg, in der Franceska da Rimini ihre Untreue mit dem tode basste.” (00:12:00) “Der Glockenturm” Hans and Jakob walk under the bell tower and up a steep s…
type: RecordSet
has record set type: Item
has beginning date: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/dates/1932-01-01