Zion: Canyon of Colour

Zion, Canyon of Color (1934)

*** (out of 4)

Nice, early entry in James A. FitzPatrick's TravelTalks series takes us to Utah where we learn about the Zion Canyons. We start off learning that it became a National Park in 1919 and its shape was due to it behind beneath the sea at one point when scientists believe the Earth shifted and the rest was wind and water. From here we see the famous Mt. Carmel Highway Tunnel, which was built between 1927 and 1930. We also learn that Brigham Young didn't agree with it being called Zion so for a time he had Mormons calling it Non-Zion. Overall this is a pleasant entry in the series and the early use of Technicolor was certainly the highlight. Just take a look at the opening sequence as the camera pans the canyon but take a look at that rich blue sky and you'll certainly love the fact that this was shot in color. The stories told by FitzPatrick are good as usual but this early episode features three different songs, which thankfully didn't become the norm for the series.

It's a James A. FitzPatrick's Traveltalks episode of the Zion National Park in Utah. Nature is not necessarily the most useful of these shorts. One of the best aspects of these Traveltalks is that they are time capsules. Since mountains rarely change, there isn't much different over the years. The more interesting part is the old resort which screams old fashion. The other issue is that the canyons are not naturally colorful. There are shades of red in the rocks but there aren't that many bright colors. This is fine but a modern look would be more compelling and more beautiful.

James A. Fitzpatrick sends the Technicolor -- or, given the title of this short, perhaps Technicolour -- cameras to faraway Utah, so he can shout an assortment of facts at the audience. This is an early Traveltalks, so all of his annoying habits are shown, plus an assortment of random tunes, including a couple of cowboy songs.

If you can tune down the sound, however, you'll find some very nice pictures; this is one of the best preserved copies of this long-running travelogue series that plays on Turner Classic Movies.