In 2018, Dr. Christina Stewart, media archivist at the University of Toronto, visited Hearst Castle’s projection booth as an essential element in her research about the use of nitrate film for early motion pictures. Fascinated by William Randolph Hearst’s significance in the history of newsreels and movies, she also examined historic film footage in the Library of Congress which recorded Hearst and Davies in Spain.

After Prof. Stewart brought the film to the attention of Hearst Castle’s museum director, Mary Levkoff, our foundation provided funds to buy a copy of the raw footage, which will be edited and digitized locally, enabling us eventually to share this rare and very personal historic document with the public.

Hearst and Davies in Spain. Photo Credit: Courtesy Hearst Castle® All Rights Reserved.