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Pathfinder

Accession number: 
1930.0001
Production Years: 
1930
Release Year: 

Languages:

Film Properties: 
Length (feet): 
958 (35mm, silent version); 765 (35mm, sound version)
Length (minutes): 
11
Holding Institutions: 

Library and Archives Canada: 35mm, VHS.
"Highlights in the career of Tom Wilson, trail blazer of the Canadian Rockies and first white man to discover Lake Louise and Emerald Lake."

"Documentary about life in the Rockies 50 years before, with emphasis on Tom Wilson, a guide and seeker of gold, who blazed a route through which the railway was built. Includes re-enactments of events in Wilson's life, including Wilson's meeting with Indians, who told him how to find Lake Louise, Wilson's locating Emerald Lake; the Yoho Valley; Cowboys roping and branding horses; the coming of the railroad; Tom Wilson shown in 1932, visits scenes in the Banff region; Lake Louise train station; Lake Louise; Chateau Lake Louise; Tom Wilson greeting Jim Brewster, another early resident; Emerald Lake; Wilson looks at a bronze plaque in his honour; and scenes of the Rockies."

Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Alberta: 16mm.
"A film about mountain explorer and guide Tom Wilson, featuring J. G. 'Red' Cathcart playing the role of Wilson as a young man, and Wilson himself being interviewed by Cathcart."

Bibliography: 

Motion Picture Distributors and Exhibitors of Canada, Canadian Motion Pictures 1914-1932 (June 1932), 6.

Comments: 
This original silent version with English intertitles was released in 1930. The film was also released in 1932 in a sound version titled The Pathfinder. Terry Ramsaye credited for titles. B.K. Sandwell, F.R.S.C. credited for description.