Rhodes Patterson Collection

Collection Items

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WRAPAK: Your Packaging Answer?
Film
WRAPAK: Your Packaging Answer?
circa 1968
Grant Park 1968 - The Day After Democratic National Convention
Film
Grant Park 1968 - The Day After Democratic National Convention
1968
Apollo 11 Chicago Parade
Film
Apollo 11 Chicago Parade
August 13 1969
Grant Park
Film
Grant Park
June 30 1970
MARCOR
Film
MARCOR
1968
Seventh Wonder, The
Film
Seventh Wonder, The
1960s
Dogs of Aspen, The
Film
Dogs of Aspen, The
The Signal
Film
Signal, The
circa 1966
WWII: 1944 - X-Mas, Ball Game, Nurses vs Medics of 462nd Bombgroup Piardoba, India; 1945 - Tinian Scenes: Tennis by Donald Budgetal[?], Stage Show on Flying Line at Tinian Base
Film
WWII: 1944 - X-Mas, Ball Game, Nurses vs Medics of 462nd Bombgroup Piardoba, India; 1945 - Tinian Scenes: Tennis by Donald Budgetal[?], Stage Show on Flying Line at Tinian Base
1944 – 1945
Old Normandy House: The Last Days & Nights
Film
Old Normandy House: The Last Days & Nights
1959
Waste Watchers
Film
Waste Watchers IV
1981
Norma Swinging - Michigan Avenue Stop Action 1967 - Fullerton Beach 6/24/67
Film
Norma Swinging - Michigan Avenue Stop Action 1967 - Fullerton Beach 6/24/67
1967
Playboy Building Construction 919 North Michigan Avenue
Film
Playboy Building Construction 919 North Michigan Avenue
Six Weeks to Market
Film
Six Weeks to Market
circa 1975
Art Fair 1956
Film
Art Fair 1956
1956
Loop Christmas
Film
Loop Christmas
1970
Piney Woods Fantasy
Film
Piney Woods Fantasy
Made with Paper
Film
Made with Paper
1968
TWA Interview - Dirsmith Church Dance
Film
TWA Interview - Dirsmith Church Dance
Lincoln Park ‘60 - Fields Christmas ‘60 - “Miss Chicago” ‘58
Film
Lincoln Park ‘60 - Fields Christmas ‘60 - “Miss Chicago” ‘58
1958 – 1960
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow: The Packaging Connection
Film
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow: The Packaging Connection
circa 1975
CCA & You: Partners in Achievement
Film
CCA & You: Partners in Achievement
1976
Electronic Sealing for Frozen Pies
Film
Electronic Sealing for Frozen Pies
1959
Pylon Paperboard Modular Exhibition Design
Film
Pylon Paperboard Modular Exhibition Design
Belly Dance Class
Film
Belly Dance Class
1974
Farmer’s Daughter
Film
Farmer’s Daughter
1969
CCA Sales Promo - Premium Oats - Girl on Beach
Film
CCA Sales Promo - Premium Oats - Girl on Beach
Playboy West: First Swim in the New Dirsmith Pool
Film
Playboy West: First Swim in the New Dirsmith Pool
1971
Playboy West 1971: Flight Out West & Pool Construction
Film
Playboy West 1971: Flight Out West & Pool Construction
September 1971
In the Park
Film
In the Park
circa 1974
Madison
Film
Madison
circa 1970
Paris France
Film
Paris France
Packaging System, The
Film
Packaging System, The
circa 1963
"The Saga of Box Beer" CCA Comedy
Film
"The Saga of Box Beer" CCA Comedy
circa 1965
Dirsmith Church
Film
Dirsmith Church
1966 – 1967
Dynamics of Dimension
Film
Dynamics of Dimension, The
1965
Packaging is...
Film
Packaging is...
1962
Dirsmith Church Window Planning
Film
Dirsmith Church Window Planning
1967 – 1968
A New Look at Corrugated Packaging
Film
A New Look at Corrugated Packaging
1970s
Container Corporation and You
Film
Container Corporation and You
circa 1970
CCA Xmas ‘71, ‘72 -  Thinking Man's Red Riding Hood & Confessions of an Executive Secretary
Film
CCA Xmas ‘71, ‘72 - Thinking Man's Red Riding Hood & Confessions of an Executive Secretary
1971 – 1972
Top Management’s Expanding Role in Marketing
Film
Top Management’s Expanding Role in Marketing
October 3 1961
1938 Mae West on Stage at Palace Chicago
Film
1938 Mae West on Stage at Palace Chicago
1938
Dirsmith Church (Outs)
Film
Dirsmith Church (Outs)
1967 – 1968
Experimental - Patterson & Massey
Film
Experimental - Patterson & Massey
September 1957
5 Quickies O.T. - Good Circus Gal
Film
5 Quickies O.T. - Good Circus Gal
1969
Chicago Stormy Skies - Architecture
Film
Chicago Stormy Skies - Architecture
1970s
Hans Graff “Super Editor”
Film
Hans Graff “Super Editor”
1959
Chicago Loop Crowds ‘59
Film
Chicago Loop Crowds ‘59
1959
Fullerton Beach Chicago
Film
Fullerton Beach Chicago
1963
CCA Gals '70s
Film
CCA Gals '70s
circa 1978
Michigan Avenue Love In: Day After the 1968 Democratic Convention
Film
Michigan Avenue Love In: Day After the 1968 Democratic Convention
1968
West Coast CCA Trip - California
Film
West Coast CCA Trip - California
1957
Lincoln Park ‘59-’60 - Domeland’s & Paul Blake 5/4/59
Film
Lincoln Park ‘59-’60 - Domeland’s & Paul Blake 5/4/59
1959 – 1960
Great Ideas of Western Man
Film
Great Ideas of Western Man
Fullerton Beach
Film
Fullerton Beach
September 11 1960
International Design Conference in Aspen: The First Decade
Film
International Design Conference in Aspen: The First Decade
circa 1961
Dirsmith Church (Roll 2)
Film
Dirsmith Church (Roll 2)
1966 – 1967
Dirsmith Church (Roll 3)
Film
Dirsmith Church (Roll 3)
1966 – 1967
[Chicago Loop Christmas]
Film
[Chicago Loop Christmas]
1970s
Grant Park Frisbee
Film
Grant Park Frisbee
1973
[Design Office Interior]
Film
[Design Office Interior]
circa 1975
Marina City Construction 1960-'62
Film
Marina City Construction 1960-'62
1960 – 1962
Miss Illinois 1968
Film
Miss Illinois 1968
1968
Chicago Architecture from 54th Floor
Film
Chicago Architecture from 54th Floor
1974
Salesman: How Not to Make a Presentation
Film
Salesman: How Not to Make a Presentation
1975
WWII: Xmas '44 - Nurses Ball Game - India - Tinian Finale
Film
WWII: Xmas '44 - Nurses Ball Game - India - Tinian Finale
1944
Santa Stop Motion
Film
Santa Stop Motion
circa 1956
WWII: B-29s - India & Tinian via China
Film
WWII: B-29s - India & Tinian via China
March 1945
WWII: Tinian Tour - Officers’ Clubs
Film
WWII: Tinian Tour - Officers’ Clubs
1945
WWII: Tinian to USA (Malher Field)
Film
WWII: Tinian to USA (Malher Field)
October 1945
WWII: B-29 Take-Offs - India 1944 - Tinian 1945
Film
WWII: B-29 Take-Offs - India 1944 - Tinian 1945
1945
WWII: B-29s - Tinian Practice Mission & Officers’ Clubs
Film
WWII: B-29s - Tinian Practice Mission & Officers’ Clubs
1945
Playboy West Pool Construction
Film
Playboy West Pool Construction
September 24 1971
Near North & Michigan Avenue Footage
Film
Near North & Michigan Avenue Footage
1954 – 1955
Aspen Outtakes
Film
Aspen Outtakes
1955
Chicago Lake Front - Grant Park - Inland Steel Reflections
Film
Chicago Lake Front - Grant Park - Inland Steel Reflections
1957
Noon at St. Clair & Chicago #2
Film
Noon at St. Clair & Chicago #2
August 17 1960
ADCC Award Winners Oct ‘59
Film
ADCC Award Winners Oct ‘59
October 1959
Last Run Steam Locomotion
Film
Last Run Steam Locomotion
May 1 1961
Lakeview Pet Store Finches - Lincoln Park Winter Scene - Swan Chasing Ducks, etc
Film
Lakeview Pet Store Finches - Lincoln Park Winter Scene - Swan Chasing Ducks, etc
1958
Christmas Trilogy
Film
Christmas Trilogy; Darrill Connelly
circa 1956
Noon at St. Clair & Chicago #1
Film
Noon at St. Clair & Chicago #1
August 17 1960
4th of July - Park Forest
Film
4th of July - Park Forest
1952
Design Studio
Film
[Design Studio]
circa 1954
Michigan Avenue Pedestrians
Film
Michigan Avenue Pedestrians
1962
Dirsmith Church B. Mass Candle Lighting
Film
Dirsmith Church B. Mass Candle Lighting
April 28 1974
1st Plaza - Ellington Concert
Film
1st Plaza - Ellington Concert
July 11 1973
Xmas Party 73
Film
CCA Xmas Party ‘73
1973
Playboy Building Construction 919 North Michigan Avenue
Film
Playboy Building Construction 919 North Michigan Avenue
North Shore Unitarian Church
Film
North Shore Unitarian Church
circa 1969
I Love Lucely
Film
I Love Lucely
1952
Moulin Chartreuse
Film
Moulin Chartreuse
1953
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To request more information about the items in this collection, please contact the archive at info@chicagofilmarchives.org.
Items with Viewable Media
Collection Identifier
C.2010-02
Extent of Collection
517 reels of 16mm film; 50 reels of 16mm Magnetic Track; 1 reel of 1/4" audio
Language Of Materials
English
Custodial History
The films were stored by Rhodes Patterson's sons, Charles and Bruce Patterson, before donation to the Chicago Film Archives in 2010.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open to on-site access. Appointments must be made with Chicago Film Archives. Due to the fragile nature of the films, only video copies will be provided for on-site viewing.
Use Restrictions
CFA holds the rights to the films in this collection.
Creators
Patterson, Rhodes (was created by)

Rhodes Patterson wore many professional and artistic hats during his lifetime; he was a designer, cinematographer, photographer and writer. Described by a former colleague as a “gentleman with a fine sense of humor, imagination and creativity,” Patterson was an artist whose keen sense of style and design is evident in both his personal commercial projects. An important figure in the community of artists and designers that emerged from and around Chicago’s Institute of Design in the mid-century, Patterson lived in and around the city of Chicago for all of his adult life. His home movies, amateur films, documentation and commercial work grant us the opportunity to explore Chicago, and more broadly, the world, from the 1930s through the 1970s.

Patterson was born in 1914 in rural Arkansas and moved to Chicago in the 1930s to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. At the start of WWII, he enlisted as a reconnaissance photographer with the U.S. Army Air Corps and was stationed on the Island of Tinian in the Philippian Sea. After the end of the war, Rhodes returned to the Chicago area and moved with his family to the newly formed suburb of Park Forest, Illinois. Shortly after he began working for the Chicago design firm Bert Ray Studio.

In the mid 1950s, Patterson started working for the Container Corporation of America (CCA), writing much of their advertising material, designing internal publications, and documenting various aspects of the corporation and its activities. Under the leadership of John Massey and Walter Paepcke, the CCA became an important patron of the graphic arts and design. Patterson documented Paepcke’s early efforts to transform Aspen, Colorado into a modern artistic and intellectual destination spot through the development of the Aspen Institute. Patterson was an integral part of CCA’s creative team for more than twenty-five years, and was instrumental in the production of their “Great Ideas of Western Man” campaign.

In 1960, Patterson moved to Chicago’s Lincoln Park where he and his family lived for seven years. In 1967 the Patterson family moved to Evanston. Patterson stopped making commercial films in 1977 and shifted his focus to photography and writing. He died in 2003.