JAMES FITZPATRICK'S TRAVELOGUES

[feaito]

I found on youtube a 1937 Fitzpatrick travelogue short about Chile, which has been aired on TCM USA (never in TCM Latin) that I did not existed (it's not even listed at us.imdb.com). It is called "Chile Land of Charm" and show some cities and places in my country back in 1937 when my parents hadn't been born and my grandparents were all under 20 years old. Reportedly its is the first color footage that depicts my country. It includes Valparaíso (where my wife's family lived for decades), Viña del Mar (where my parents-in-law live today and my wife grew up), Santiago (the
capital city and where I've lived all my life and also my parents were raised) and some sights of the South of Chile. It was a most pleasant surprise to find this vintage MGM short.

[youtube][/youtube]

[knitwit45]

What a lovely country you live in, Nando! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Is the country much changed? Did you recognize any areas, or has "civilization" taken over? I hope not, the country side is beautiful in this film.

[feaito]

Hi Nancy, Welcome! The country has changed very much, especially the cities Viña del Mar, Valparaíso and Santiago. Civilization has taken over with its good, not so-good and bad things. Anyway, The Municipal Casino at Viña del Mar is still there. There are more hotels and restaurants, malls, etc. and above all much, much more population. It was a total surprise for me to see this documentary. I had seen old photographs and things like that, but never such a long travelogue. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm wishing it will be included in an upcoming DVD release as a bonus!

[silentscreen]

Very interesting Fernando! You can find almost anything on the Internet. It brings the whole world to your doorstep.

The parts about the little boy champion rider and the Indians gave the travelogue a nice "human touch."

Thanks for sharing with us!

Brenda

[Birdy]

thanks, fernando, very beautiful

[feaito]

I'm glad that you both enjoyed the travelogue Brenda and Birdy.

[mrsl]

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Feaito:

Actually I love all the travelogues no matter how old they may be. I realize the cities have changed, but I'm pretty suremost of the countryside scenes remain very much unchanged. I can't say I saw Chile, but I'll keep looking. There are so many and each of them makes you want to go and see the country.

[feaito]

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Feaito:

Actually I love all the travelogues no matter how old they may be. I realize the cities have changed, but I'm pretty suremost of the countryside scenes remain very much unchanged. I can't say I saw Chile, but I'll keep looking. There are so many and each of them makes you want to go and see the country.

Not really sure about the countryside Anne, since I don't know to which regions or areas the places that are showcased belong. Some of the countryside is now part of cities or towns or has been urbanized. In some aspects they might have been improved with vineyards, lodges, hotels and all kinds of facilities and acommodations. I bet the landscape is pretty similar. But the amount of people, homes et al has increased dramatically. I'm especially fond of old travelogues which bring back cities and places that were lived by our grandparents and greatgrandparents.