Film Date
1963
Film Reference Number
V63822-1
Description
KPIX documentary film from 1963 written by Richard Dillon which reviews the history of San Francisco's Chinatown from the 1840s through to the early Twentieth Century using b&w still photographs and voiceover narration from Dillon. Includes descriptions of: how Chinese emigrants mainly from Guandong Province settled around Grant Avenue; how the Chinese Six Companies organization developed to provide community leadership following the 1873 economic depression; how Police Chiefs Theodore G. Cockrill and Henry H. Ellis reacted to anti Chinese sentiment and violence; the work of the Chinatown Squad; the July 23rd 1877 'Riot Night'; the Tong Wars; how criminal gangs such as the Hatchetmen controlled organized crime in Chinatown and how the original settlement was completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1906. The Executive Producer of this film was Ray Hubbard and the music was composed and performed by Harry Partch.
Format
16mm b&w optical sound film
Copyright
KPIX-TV