us-005578-irn723301
type: RecordSet
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 holder: us-005578
has or had identifier: 2
has or had identifier: 1
has or had some members with language: silent
has record set type: Item
identifier: irn723301
scope and content: FILM ID 4538: Teil I. Lizzy Film Produktion. Mitglied des Klubs der Kinoamateure Osterreichs. At a train station, men in uniform waving flags. The frame pulls back as if the filmmaker is on a train leaving the station. Image of a boat on the water being seen through binoculars. On a boat, Hansi is looking over the railing and waving to the camera. Hansi is joined by his Father. “Hansi’s erste Reise”. 01:01:31 “1931.” “I Teil" Hansi ist schon 2 1/2 jähre alt.” “Italien Sein Reisezei" “Am Strand von Laurana” Homes by the large lake with mountains in the background. “Ausblick auf’s Meer” Footage of several small boats on the water. “Die Feisenkuste” Two men in a rowboat and a group of men and women are lounging on the rocks by the water. “Der Weg ins Bad.” “Die Strand Promenade” Hansi’s father and Hansi walking along a pathway and looking over the railing. 01:03:35 Hansi wearing a white hat playing in the water by the shore. “Nur Vorsicht!” Hansi standing in the water and sitting on the edge of the water. “Hansi Schwimmt” 01:04:46 Hansi playing in the water holding on to his Mother and then holding onto his Father in the water. “Ringelspiel” Hansi being spun in the water. “Im tiefen wasser” Hansi holding onto a rope and laughing. “Die Wasserratte” Hansi wearing a straw hat splashing in the water. “Die Sache wachst ihm uber den Kopf”. Hansi wearing a straw hat and playing in the water. Three women sitting in bathing suits in the water at the shore. Hansi walking up and down stone steps. “Hansi denkt an zu Hause.” 01:07:51 Hansi pointing to his forehead by the stone steps.Hansi holding a rock-like object in the water. A man sitting in shallow water and Hansi is splashing him. “Hier wird fotographiert.” Hansi is holding on to an object and playing with it. Woman doing a handstand in the water and a group of fellow swimmers watches. Hansi holding black bathing suit and playing in the water. “Vom Bad nach Haufe.” “Hansi macht sich’s bequem.” Hansi on his Father’s shoulders …
title: Hansi's first vacation (2 reels)