"Mainly shows trip(s) up the Stikine by riverboat and placer mining activity [nearby]. Includes: waterfront view of Wrangell, Alaska; views of and from riverboat Hazel B No. 2 going upriver; the Three Sisters (islands in the river); riverboat at Telegraph Creek and barge at Dease Lake, and local activity; forest fire & fire-fighting; shots of Fokker F-11AHB flying boat designated CF-AUV (at dock and taking off) and a Fairchild floatplane; aerial shots in the vicinity; wreckage of aircraft CF-AUV (which crashed at McDame Lake, 13 July 1935); general scenery and wildlife. The placer mining footage, which is interspersed, includes shots of a small mining camp, sluice works, panning, hydraulic monitor operation, jerry-built mining equipment in use, etc. [The footage] was shot [ca. 1933-35] by Joseph J. Jackson, whose company "Three J's Placer Mines, Inc." prospected near the confluence of Thibert Creek with Dease Lake in [the years 1931-35]." (BC Archives)
"Un-staged documentary footage shot and edited by Sallie Wagner. Sallie's description of the film: 'Shorty Boys, Little Shorty building a hogan, Crip Chee and his hogan, grandson in doorway. Blackrock in front of hogan, Tchindi, Rose Martin doing laundry, cooking shelter at squaw dance, Hosteen Glish getting water, Bent Knee getting wood, Hosteen Glish making a canoe out of a log, Hosteen Glish's granddaughter weaving, digging yucca root for soap, Navajo washing her hair, Hosteen Glish making a cradle board'." New Mexico State Archives.
"When the schooner yacht Enchantress put out from San Pedro for a five weeks' marlin fishing cruise in the Gulf of Lower California, fortunately James H. McCarthy was on board with camera, Kodachrome and a filming plan. The result was Before the Wind, as happy a movie yarn of a pleasure cruise as we have ever seen. A spirit of jollity and a general good time pervade this chronicle, which is adequately strung on the thread of a series of entries in the ship's log of the Enchantress. This casual continuity is entirely sufficient, for each episode is beautifully sequenced, and the whole film reflects a consistent happy go lucky holiday spirit. Exquisite shots of the schooner in translucent California Gulf waters, numerous studies of ship life, handsomely lighted interior views in cabins and engine room are all technical accomplishments in this picture. The sequences of marlin fishing and of clam digging on the Mexican shore are gems of good film planning and good cutting. The movie is presented with an intelligently planned musical accompaniment that really fits the film, but it is the natural handling of sequences of people on a carefree sea vacation that makes this picture superb entertainment." Movie Makers, Dec. 1940, 577.
A film documenting the work of deep-sea fishermen aboard steam trawler "Trier".
"B&W: views of Arrow Lakes scenery from a sternwheeler; arrival; the "Minto" at dock. Two men travelling by packhorse in the Lardeau. The steam tug "Beaton". Sequence on gold mining in the Cariboo, with footage of a hydraulic mining operation. COLOUR: Vancouver; Lions Gate Bridge and Stanley Park approach; city skyline. Trip on the steamship S.S. "Catala": views at sea; approaching settlement; people meeting the boat; log boom and sawmill adjacent to the dock. Alert Bay: views of village, store, homes, etc.; Indian children at play; schoolgirls in red sweaters [from St. Michael's Indian Residential School]; steamboat arriving; many shots of totem poles, graveyard, etc. Fishing fleet in harbour, preparing nets, and heading out to sea. Fishboat crew hauling in net full of thrashing salmon, and brailing them onto boat. Other fishboats setting their nets, hauling in salmon. Fishboat crew unloading salmon onto conveyor; shots of cannery wharf, female cannery workers. Savary Island: family vacation scenes; lodge; children at play; adults playing golf on beach at low tide; departing on a boat trip." (BC Archives)
"By Sea To Florida, 400 ft., 16mm., made by Porter Varney of Bradenton, Fla., is a film record of a sea trip which derives its importance from the fact that the photography and choice of viewpoint are consistently exceptional. Parts of the ship, such as the rigging and cordage, the portholes, the lifeboat davits, etc., were used with rare artistry as aids to composition and effect. An expert use of filters produced exceptionally pleasing and truthful black and white rendition of the sea and the movement and sway of the ship. Continuity was effectually obtained by a shifting of the camera viewpoint, emphasizing the harbor, the high seas and the arrival in Florida. A startling climax to the film was given by a series of shots of an approaching hurricane captured by Mr. Varney 's intrepid camera." Movie Makers, Dec. 1931, 685.
A Camper and His Canoe was filmed at Camp Kawagama, the youth summer camp run by the filmmaker and his wife.
"There are establishing scenes of the tugboat Carol Moran at dock in New York Harbor. We move aboard for an acquaintance with the captain. A call via radio comes from the dispatcher and very quickly the tug puts out for deep water. We are on the boat and live with the crew the experiences of a routine assignment, each of which must be just a little different. There are many things to see on these assignments and our cameraman has time for us to look. Carol has safely brought her mistress to dock; mission completed, Carol returns to her berth to await the next call. We have been part of a cycle of duty complete with the sounds attendant such a venture" PSA Journal, Nov. 1960, 39.
Total Pages: 8
Amateur Cinema