To Oberammergau and the Alps in an Austin Sixteen: [no title, Heidelberg to Oberammergau] [Reel 3]

Journey to and from the Oberammergau Passion Play and the Alps by car in 1930.

Third in a series of film reels recording Eustace and Eunice Alliott’s trip to and from the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1930, by way of a motor tour through Belgium, Luxembourg and the Rhine, before travelling further south to northern Italy, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, returning to London via Germany and Belgium. The third reel in this series records details of Alliotts' journey from Heidelburg through the Neckar valley and Bavaria to Oberammergau, including shots of Oberammergau and the surrounding mountains. Scenes include: visits to historic monuments and tourist attractions as well as observations of the activities of local inhabitants. Notably, the film reel includes a day out with unidentified friends in Heidelberg and perhaps inadvertently a shot of the presence and activities of the national socialist party in and near Heidelberg. Shots of tourist attractions and historic monuments include Heidelberg Cathedral and square, including a building with the sign ‘National Sozialistische Deutsche Arbeitespartei’; Heidelberg castle; river cruise boats at Neckargemünd; Ulm cathedral; and as the Alliotts' approach Oberammergau shots of the landscape. Shots of the activities of local inhabitants include: children playing by the river at Neckargemünd; a youth rambling group in the Neckar Valley; street scenes in Neckarsulm and a fair outside Ulm cathedral; street scenes in Oberammergau, highlighting the numbers of tourists in the village for the passion play. Many of the scenes include Eunice Alliott, who walks or drives into/ out of shot, such as watching a steam tug on the Neckar or admiring the view at Schongau or leaving Neckarsulm. Both Eustace and Eunice Alliott appear in shot during the picnic at Heidelberg. Notably Eustace Alliott appears in shot at Heidelberg, Schongau and possibly once driving the Austin Sixteen. Eustace Alliott also features in the section following the intertitle ‘Part II – Oberammergau, June 1930’, appearing mountain walking near the Kofel mountain and mountains overlooking Oberammergau.

Featured Buildings

Heidelberg Cathedral and fountain with statue of Hercules Old bridge, Heidelberg, with the tower of Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Ghost Church) in the background Neckar river Königs-stuhl, Heidelberg Heidelberg castle Heidelberg cathedral and cityscape (1930) Heidelberg castle courtyard and clock tower Neckargemünd St Dionysius Church, Neckarsulm Marketplace, Neckarsulm Ulm cathedral and square Polizeidienerturm tower, Schongau (1930)

Keywords

Pre-World War II German historic buildings and monuments; Oberammergau Passion Play; national socialist party

Intertitles

We visit Heidelberg Picnic with some old friends on the Konigs-stuhl [Königs-stuhl] Then explore Heidelberg castle Happy folk were making holiday at Neckargemund [Neckargemünd] There were lovely scenes in the Neckar valley The Neckar steam tugs haul a string of barges along by a chain laid on the river bed Neckarsulm was charming A guard of local inhabitants turned out for our departure There were fountains at Ulm and a fair around the old cathedral – the spire is the highest in the world We explored Schongau and found a wonderful viewpoint The landscape became more mountainous as we neared Oberammergau When we arrived the village was teeming with visitors End of Part I Part II – Oberammergau, June 1930 Oberammergau lies at the end of a fertile valley, dominated by the Kofel mountain Seen from the summit, the village lies spread out like a map and all around is a wonderful panorama Mountain walks abound. For these Bavarian costume is cool and convenient This mountain dandy has his private hairdresser Extending from the Kofel is a fine mountain range from which wonderful views may be obtained In the evening the cattle are driven out to pasture Smudge fires must be lit in the daytime to keep the flies away To be continued on next reel

Other Places

Heidelberg; Neckargemünd; Neckar valley; Neckarsulm; Ulm; Schongau; Oberammergau