Vanderbilt Cup Races

Tacoma - 1907

Various theaters across the country attracted movie goers by featuring the Vanderbilt Cup Races.  Interestingly many of these were named the "Vaudette", probably playing off their main attraction, vaudeville acts.  (The News Tribune Jun. 22, 1907)

This film in silent form of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race was likely shown at the theaters in 1907.

At this theater in Tacoma, a movie being shown centered around an American racer vs. an Italian count, both courting the same woman.  Rejecting the count, the woman agrees to marry the American if he wins the race; a $10,000 bet is also placed.      (The News Tribune Jun. 22, 1907)

The count uses several underhanded maneuvers to ensure his victory, but will he succeed?   (The News Tribune Jun. 22, 1907)

After a thrilling race with speeds up to 100 mph, the American wins the cup, the race and his charming bride.  (The News Tribune Jun. 22, 1907)

Kansas - 1910

This Kansas theater portrayed the Vanderbilt Cup Race as "Very Fine" in this 1910 ad.  (Fort Scott Daily Tribune and Daily Mirror Oct. 3, 1907)

Indianapolis

Ads in this Indianapolis newspaper used catchy phrases to attract customers to the showing of the Vanderbilt Cup Race a year after the inaugural Indy race.(Indianapolis Star Oct. 2, 1910)

Indianapolis Start Oct. 2, 1910

A "Propaganda" Studebaker Film

While not related to a Vanderbilt Cup Race, I found this to be interesting as it notes that the film about Studebaker's South Bend, Indiana plant to be an "American Government propaganda film".  (The Sphere Dec. 23, 1922)

Several Studebaker plants are shown in this photo; I believe the plant in the center is the one featured in the film.   (Smithsonian Libraries) 

The Studebaker Light 6 produced at the plant. 

The Vanderbilt In Other Forms of Media

Besides appearing in film, the Vanderbilt Cup Race received notoriety in other forms of media, such as a double page illustration of the inaugural 1904 race in "Motoring and Boating" magazine.  The original issue containing the illustration quickly sold out with follow-up printings also selling out.  (Motoring and Boating Oct. 6, 1904)

The Motor Parkway

The Motor Parkway was also often used in non-fiction stories to provide an action oriented plot.  This one was in a story named "On Wings of Wireless" by Arthur B. Reeve that appeared in an Ontario, Canada publication. (The Weekly British Whig Jan. 29, 1925)

"The Motor Parkway Murder"

A copyright for an episode of what I believe to be a radio production written by D. Thomas Curtin with the Motor Parkway in its name was applied for in 1932 by the Lord & Curtin advertising agency.   (archive.org)

Look for more information on D. Thomas Curtin in a future post.  (archive.org)

Previous posts have explored the media's use of The Vanderbilt Cup Races and The Motor Parkway.  Here's a look back at a couple that some readers may have missed. 

Post 1

Post 2