Walter Hausner (April 24, 1914-February 5, 2003) was a member of the Austrian amateur film society in Vienna. His father, Ferdinand (1883-1957) owned a firm for fabrics and fashion articles with factories in Vienna and Jihlava, Czechoslovakia with business partner Siegfried Furst. Walter’s mother, Wilhelmina Bloch, died from cancer in 1937. Walter and Ferdinand managed to leave Vienna together just before the plebiscite in March 1938 on a plane which was brought down in Berlin. The Nazis required Ferdinand to supply an inventory of his assets. His friend and fashion designer, Claire Rennai, had a visa to go to the United States and married Ferdinand to help him get out of Austria. Walter made it to England where he had planned to establish another factory for the family textile firm. He was interned as an enemy alien. Walter later served in the British Army, where he met a singer, Irene Jones (1921-2014) performing for the troops. They married and emigrated to the New York region in 1948.
Probably the May 20, 1932 swearing-in of Engelbert Dollfuss as chancellor of Austria. 01:00:29 Title: “Reception of the Cardinal Legation.” Crowded street scenes in Vienna as people watch parade of people carrying Catholic flags. 01:01:41 Archbishop of Vienna (later Cardinal) Theodor Innitzer. Crowded street scenes continue as several groups of men and boys, wearing different types of uniforms, march down the streets of Vienna. Informal shots of men wearing elaborate uniforms and hats. 01:04:41 A photographer prepares his camera on a tripod at the far left of the frame. 01:05:31 Title: “At the march-past.” More uniformed men march by onlookers and group of officials, including Kurt von Schuschnigg at 01:06:53 (second from left). 01:06:57 Onlookers include Catholic clerics. 01:07:53 Title: “Rally of the Fatherland Front at Trabrennplatz.” Men with cameras rush to take photos of Engelbert Dollfuss (visible beginning at 01:08:04). Dollfuss speaks to assembled crowd. 01:09:55 Title: “Rally and march-past of the Schutzkorps.” Uniformed and civilian-dressed men (obviously VIPs) watch the Shutzkorps march by. 01:11:18 Title: “Der Wehrmann in Eisen” 01:11:30 Austrian President Wilhelm Miklas is visible. Miklas speaks to the crowd. Parade scenes appear to end at 01:13:25. Quick shots of Heldenplatz followed by people feeding and viewing zoo animals, including elephants, exotic birds, and seals. Street scenes include a panning shot of 11 Bognergasse. The last shots appear to be taken in a park and show a pond, squirrels, and pigeons.
Swearing-in Engelbert Dollfuss as chancellor; Heldenplatz