This is a pre-war TravelTalks episode. It's going all the way to Canada and James is emphasizing its Britishness. Of course, he's going to show the Mounties doing their ride. At least, it's colorful and kinetic. He's passing thru lumber port Vancouver watching a Bobby operating a traffic intersection. He stops at one particular house (it's nice but whodat) and Stanley Park. It's all very British. I'm not sure if there's anything to read into that. This is fine but Canada is far from exotic.
3 Reviews
TravelTalks
Michael_Elliott6 December 2010
Victoria and Vancouver: Gateway to Canada (1936)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
This entry in MGM's TravelTalks series takes us to Canada where we first visit Victoria before moving forty- miles to Vancouver. In Victoria we learn about it being the capital of British Columbia as well as originally being used by fur trappers who came over from Russia. When also learn that many people consider it the prettiest city in Canada and that the Scotish folk and dance music is still played there. We then travel to Vancouver for a much small visit but we do learn that it has the most people at 350,000 and that there's a statue of William Harding who was the first U.S. President to visit there. If you're a fan of this MGM series then it's doubtful you'll be letdown by this episode, which once again features the terrific narration from James A. Fitzpatrick and of course there's the wonderful Technicolor.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
This entry in MGM's TravelTalks series takes us to Canada where we first visit Victoria before moving forty- miles to Vancouver. In Victoria we learn about it being the capital of British Columbia as well as originally being used by fur trappers who came over from Russia. When also learn that many people consider it the prettiest city in Canada and that the Scotish folk and dance music is still played there. We then travel to Vancouver for a much small visit but we do learn that it has the most people at 350,000 and that there's a statue of William Harding who was the first U.S. President to visit there. If you're a fan of this MGM series then it's doubtful you'll be letdown by this episode, which once again features the terrific narration from James A. Fitzpatrick and of course there's the wonderful Technicolor.
A Place One Should Visit Every Half Century Or So
boblipton17 August 2019
James A. Fitzpatrick sends his Technicolor cameras north to just over the Canadian border, but keeps his shouty voice back in California to tell his audience that watching Mounties on horse parade is the most thrilling sight on the west coast, that they are dreaded, while music suitable for a child's social plays.
I haven't been in Vancouver since 1989, a little more than half a century after this film was released. While the downtown was built up more than it was in this Traveltalk, Stanley Park looked to be the same, barring the vagaries of gardening, and the trolleys still ran. The only difference seemed to be in the weather. I was in Vancouver two weeks, and everyone was pleased we got one whole day of sunshine. One of the locals worriedly spoke of drought. There's little but bright sunshine on view in this short. Either the place must have been turning into a desert, or the camera crew was there for a year or two.
I haven't been in Vancouver since 1989, a little more than half a century after this film was released. While the downtown was built up more than it was in this Traveltalk, Stanley Park looked to be the same, barring the vagaries of gardening, and the trolleys still ran. The only difference seemed to be in the weather. I was in Vancouver two weeks, and everyone was pleased we got one whole day of sunshine. One of the locals worriedly spoke of drought. There's little but bright sunshine on view in this short. Either the place must have been turning into a desert, or the camera crew was there for a year or two.
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