Jim Chaney and the first shot timing

[Tom Graves]

James Chaney keeps his head facing straight ahead if you watch him until he disappears from Zapruder's view.  He never looks to his left at any time.

Is the darkened area on the right side of Chaney's face a shadow?

If so, why isn't there a shadow on the right side of the other motorcycle policeman's face?

[Steve Barber]

Have you seen the National Archives copy of the Zapruder film Steve? It is my understanding that that is a privilege that not many people get to have.

I won’t argue about the direction that his head faces. My impression that he turned his head to his left could definitely be wrong. However, I think that he could have glanced to his left using just the movement of his eyes. My opinion still is that Chaney’s description of JFK looking over his left shoulder just after the first loud bang that Chaney first thought was a motorcycle backfire is when JFK does just that around the mid Z140s to Z150s.

    Hi Charles,

  This is an enhanced copy (slowed and somewhat steadied) of the National Archives (NA) copy.  I am looking for the copy of the NA Z film without the enhancement, and slow motion, and as soon as I find it I'll post the link here for you. This gives a good view of Chaney, however, without Zapruder's camera jerking, and such: 

 

 Here is the link to the NA copy of the Z film at regular speed, un-enhanced.  You can slow the film down on YouTube  to get a better view of James Chaney.   

[Charles Collins]

    Hi Charles,

  This is an enhanced copy (slowed and somewhat steadied) of the National Archives (NA) copy.  I am looking for the copy of the NA Z film without the enhancement, and slow motion, and as soon as I find it I'll post the link here for you. This gives a good view of Chaney, however, without Zapruder's camera jerking, and such: 

 

 Here is the link to the NA copy of the Z film at regular speed, un-enhanced.  You can slow the film down on YouTube  to get a better view of James Chaney.   

Thanks Steve these are helpful!

[Royell Storing]

    Hi Charles,

  This is an enhanced copy (slowed and somewhat steadied) of the National Archives (NA) copy.  I am looking for the copy of the NA Z film without the enhancement, and slow motion, and as soon as I find it I'll post the link here for you. This gives a good view of Chaney, however, without Zapruder's camera jerking, and such: 

 

 Here is the link to the NA copy of the Z film at regular speed, un-enhanced.  You can slow the film down on YouTube  to get a better view of James Chaney.   

   Thanks for posting that Z Film copy. To my eye, I see a lot more JFK "Up-Down" movement before #313 vs other Z Film copies. (Including "The Lost Bullet"). This Up-Down validates eyewitnesses claiming that JFK stood up or rose up like he was faking being hit in the chest.