Dwight Watson - 8mm Movies Home

For Watson's notes on his movies, see watson-dwight-shoeboxes-A-folder-A. The dates of most of Watson's 8 mm films is uncertain. However, a page in his movie notes (listing titles) suggests that many of the 8mm films may have been completed before May 14, 1941. All films are without sound. (These film notes and video clips are by Lowell Skoog.)

Skiing and Mountaineering (about 1 hour 43 minutes)

These films have been dubbed from DVCam to MiniDV tape.

"Mt Baker Skiing", 8mm B&W and color, 200 foot reel, about 14 minutes

The film can is labeled "Mt Baker B&W Ski etc, 1/2 B&W, 1/2 color". The film has a title leader: "A Ski Tour". It depicts a snow survey stake showing increasing snow depths, then black and white scenes of winter ski touring on a ridge. There are men and women clowning and doing telemark and stem turns. Otto Trott is one of the skiers; he wears a light colored windshirt and a small pack. On Table Mountain, cornices and tracks are shown. There is a short sequence of the photographer's ski tips in motion, skimming through powder. There is footage of spring skiing, showing some strong skiers making turns in slow motion and at actual speed. This segment ends with skiers touring through Herman Saddle to Chain Lakes.

Inserted here is a very interesting short segment (unlabeled) depicting what appears to be the west ridge of Forbidden Peak during the original April 1940 attempt by Lloyd Anderson, Fred Beckey and Dwight Watson. No climbers are shown, but the corniced ridge is depicted, as well as views of Eldorado Peak, Moraine Lake and the Klawatti Glacier area.

The final segment of the film is in color. It depicts Austin Pass, skiers chasing each other, powder skiing, snow slopes and textures, and the old cabin near Austin Pass.

"Spring Skiing: Spray Park, Mt Hinman, Buck Pass", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 16 minutes

The film can is labeled "Spring Ski Tour" and "Hinman, Spray Park & Buck Pass". The film has a title leader: "A Ski Descent: Spray Park Mt Rainier". It depicts a party of 3 skiers touring through Knapsack Pass to Spray Park, skating and straight running, with the NW side of Mt Rainier as a backdrop. Watson's scrapbook dates this trip May 6, 1940.

The second segment depicts men carrying skis through a forest. It shows Mt Hinman in the distance, then men carrying skis at sunset. Then expansive snowfields are shown and a 360 degree panorama from the summit. This is followed by scenes of four men skiing wide open slopes, running fast on good snow. There are extensive ski scenes, making the run look quite long. Watson's scrapbook dates this trip May 5-6, 1944. His companions were Dave Lind, Charlie Cehrs, Dean Thompson and Gene Paxton.

The final segment depicts the Dakobed Range in summer and fall, then a car carrying skis and the "Coca Cola girl" (a cardboard cutout). Men are shown carrying skis in the woods. Then views of the Buck Pass area in spring, showing Fortress, Buck and Tenpeak Mountains. The Coca Cola girl takes in the scenery. Watson's scrapbook dates this trip Memorial Day, 1941. His companions were Walt Dyke, Clint Kelley and Gage Chetwood. The segment ends with action footage of skiers swinging turns with Tenpeak Mountain and Glacier Peak in the background. One of the skiers (Gage Chetwood, I think, based on the Watson interview tapes) is exceptional.

"Mt Adams, Chinook Pass Skiing", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 7 minutes

The film can is labeled "Ski - Mt Adams, Chinook". The film depicts skiers hiking into Bird Creek meadows, the east flank of Mt Adams, then a climber reaching the summit on crampons with ski poles (no skis). The Coca Cola girl makes another appearance. Mt Rainier is shown from the summit and there are scenes of the old summit cabin buried by crusted snow. The Castle and upper eastern ramparts of Adams are shown. Then skiing on the lower flanks (Mazama Glacier) is shown. This must be the "cosmic ski" trip with Walt Dyke mentioned in Watson's scrapbook and dated June 22, 1941. There are no scenes of the party using skis near the summit of the mountain.

The second segment shows winter scenes at Chinook Pass, rimed trees, Mt Rainier in the distance, ski tourers in spring, peaks, slopes and cornices. Slopes well tracked by skiers are shown. Some climbing and fast running are also shown.

"Mt Rainier Skiing: Puyallup Glacier, Summerland, Paradise & Race ", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 16 minutes

The film can is labeled "Ski - Rainier, Klapatchie, Summerland, Paradise & Race". The film has a title leader: "Puyallup Glacier, Mt Rainier". It depicts hikers carrying skis up steep snowless slopes, then climbing toward snowline and spectacular alpine scenery. A man and woman are shown. Based on notes in Watson's scrapbook, papers and shoeboxes, I believe the man is Otto Trott and the woman is Virginia Hill. The trip date is June 9, 1940. Spectacular scenes of the Puyallup Glacier, Sunset Amphitheatre and west side of Rainier are shown. The skiers cross the Puyallup Glacier flats and descend near the glacier edge. Ski touring with crevasses in the background. Snow worms. Finally, late afternoon sun (in color) on the Tahoma Glacier.

The second segment depicts Summerland in spring. Walt Dyke skis in shorts on the Fryingpan glacier. There are scenes of the Emmons Glacier, K's Spire, and cloud-play on Little Tahoma. The Coca Cola girl returns and Walt deploys a tiny umbrella. Watson's scrapbook lists several trips to Summerland. I think this one is May 28, 1939.

The next segment has scenes near Paradise, Mt Rainier above the mists, winter scenes, ski running, and touring to Camp Muir. Finally there are scenes of the Silver Skis race. I believe this is the 1942 race won by Matt Broze. (Several racers appear to be wearing Army clothing.) The skiers run one at a time. Lots of falls. Panorama Point and its face, the Tatoosh Range and Edith Creek basin are shown. The racers are shown making high speed turns on a rutted course.

The film ends with a group of people including Otto Trott clowning and painting a mountain cabin, possibly at Mt Baker.

"Mountain Climb: Flapjack Lake and Nisqually Glacier", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 14 minutes

The film can is labeled "Mountain Climb (Composition), Flapjack L." Also, "and Nisqually Glacier" has been penciled in next to the label. The film has a title leader: "Thrill of a Mountain Climb". At the beginning is a brief scene (B&W) of two men hiking through brush and crossing a stream. The men look like a young Fred Beckey and Lloyd Anderson (1940 Forbidden Peak attempt?).

Then there is a title saying "Flapjack Lake". The lake and camp life are shown. There are views of the crags above (Needles, Olympic Mountains). Then men are depicted ascending from camp and scrambling rock. There are views of summit rocks and surrounding crags. I believe the two men in this segment are Walt Dyke (in a light shirt) and Clint Kelley (in a dark shirt).

The second segment is entitled "Reservoirs of Snow & Ice". Mt Rainier is shown. Hikers approach Nisqually Glacier and walk roped on the glacier near crevasses. There are closeups of ice, flowing water and pools.

"Charmed Land: Glacier Peak Area", 8mm color, 400 foot reel, about 37 minutes

The film can has the following label on it: "Charmed Land: White Pass, Monte Cristo, Chelan". Segments of the film are separated by titles, e.g. "Glacier Peak Area," "Lyman Lake," and "Lake Chelan". The film depicts a variety of mountain scenes, including:

Mountains and Nature (about 2 hours 10 minutes)

These films have NOT been dubbed from DVCam to MiniDV tape.

"Mt Rainier Summer", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 17 minutes

The film can is labeled "Mt Rainier". The film has a title leader: "Mt Rainier National Park". The film depicts the mountain from a distance, then shows closer views from the Carbon Glacier side. A hiker is shown in Spray Park. A lookout and lake on the NW side of the mountain are shown. Scenes from the west side of the mountain (Klapachie Lake?) are shown. People are depicted wading in the lake, scrambling a peak, and eating watermelon. About 10 minutes into the film there is a short segment labeled "Flowers". This is followed by a longer segment labled "Paradise Park, Mt Rainier". It depicts alpine meadows, the mountain, streams, flowers, hikers, deer, and finally a sunset view of the NW side of the mountain.

"Mt Baker Seasons", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 19 minutes

The film can is labeled "Mt Baker: Winter, Summer, Seasons and 'Hope Y.P.'". The film has a title leader: "Mt Baker Region". The film depicts winter scenes near the ski area, ski tourers, Austin Pass, snowy trees, Shuksan, Baker and surrounding mountains, snow slopes, showing lighting and texture.

The second segment of the film is entitled "Pastoral Symphony". It depicts summer near the ski area, views of Mt Shuksan, hikers on snow at Austin Pass, sunbathers, and perhaps an organized outing group. The end of the segment includes views of Mt Baker from Baker Lake, from north of the mountain, and the Sisters range from the west.

"Garibaldi Park", 8mm color, 400 foot reel, about 28 minutes

The film can has the following label on it: "Garibaldi Park, 25 min". The film itself has a title leader: "PNW, Charming and Beautiful". The film depicts travel by boat up Howe Sound, by train up the Squamish River valley, and by horses to Black Tusk meadows. There are scenes of the Garibaldi Lake area, glaciers and peaks, telephoto views of the Tantalus range, and high country views of the Castle Towers area, probably from the Black Tusk vicinity. Based on Watson's scrapbook, I think the date of this film is 1943.

"Autumn Color", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 14 minutes

The film can and title leader are both labeled "Colorful Autumn". The film begins with short scenes of Mt Hood, Three Fingers and Whitehorse, Glacier and Monte Cristo Peaks. It depicts alpine valleys and meadows, slide paths, colorful leaves, horses grazing in a field, trees along a river, deer, a hiker in a meadow, the Yakima Canyon, apple trees laden with fruit, and fallen leaves.

"Spring Flowers", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 14 minutes

The film can is labeled "Spring Flowers: Cereus, Pansy, Tulips". The film has a title leader: "Awakening of Spring". It depicts lowland flowers with closeups, sequences of petals opening, Tulip fields, lilly pads, and concludes with waterfront sunset scenes.

"Wild Flowers", 8mm color, 400 foot reel, about 28 minutes

The film can has the following label on it: "Wild Flowers: Spring". The film itself has a title leader: "Awakening of Spring". The film depicts a variety of wild flowers. Inside the film can is a typed note listing the flowers shown in the film, which I have not transcribed.

"Canadian Rockies (by August Miklave)", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 9 minutes

The film can has the following label on it: "Canadian Rockies, 'Mountaineers', Miklave". Inside the can is the following typed note: "Mountaineers Annual Outing, Canadian Rockies. This 8mm film was made by a member, August Miklave (born circa 1902), and left with me for editing. Then he lost his life in strange accident at Twin Falls Park east of North Bend, WA. This was many years ago in Sept 8, 1957. His brother Rudy died July 1981. --Dwight Watson." The film depicts mountain scenery, scrambling and camp life. It includes closeup footage of a woman in camp, apparently an acquaintance of the photographer.

Glory of Water (about 1 hour 57 minutes)

These films have NOT been dubbed from DVCam to MiniDV tape.

"Glory of Water I", 8mm color, 400 foot reel, about 24 minutes

The film can has the following labels on it: "Glory of Water I: Ocean, Storm, Winter", "Glory of Water IA, to Small Streams" and "Glory of Water, First Part". There is no leader or title on the film itself. The film depicts nature scenes from oceans to mountains, streams and lakes over the course of a season. Some short scenes of ski touring are shown.

"Glory of Water II", 8mm color, 400 foot reel, about 33 minutes

The film can has the following labels on it: "Glory of Water II, Streams" and "Glory of Water, Last Part". The film itself has a title leader: "The Glory of Water". The film depicts nature scenes of streams and rivers flowing to the sea.

"Glory of Water, Seasons ", 8mm color, 400 foot reel, about 38 minutes

The film can has the following labels on it: "Glory of Water, Seasons" and "Ocean, Vapors, Snow, Summer, Autumn, Stars, III". Inside the can is a typed note describing the film as "Nature General, oceans mts, lakes". The note lists the film contents, including:

"Waterfalls", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 9 minutes

The film can is labeled "Waterfalls". The film has a title leader: "The Raging Torrent". It depicts waterfalls of various types and sizes, rapids, pools, sculpted rock, spray and rainbows, rushing and falling water from above and below, some slow motion. I believe several sequences are of Snoqualmie Falls. The film ends with two brief titles: "And thus merrily & unhurried" and "The return to the ocean fount".

"The Ocean", 8mm color, 200 foot reel, about 13 minutes

The film can and title leader are both labeled "The Ocean". The film depicts waves breaking on rocks, seabirds, arches and stacks, sandy beaches, surf, sandstone cliffs.

Two small 8mm films were found loose. The first "Lovely Switzerland" is 2-1/2 minutes and seems to be a series of still photographs. It depicts Swiss mountains in summer, alpine dwellings, sheep in a meadow, lakes, meadow country, and finally paintings of alpine dwellings, peaks and climbers.

The second reel is labeled "8mm Experimental Titles" and is about 2 minutes. The titles include: "Shall I be mute", "To him shall bow", "And knows no bounds" and "Amen". Then there are scenes of ferry boats, a waterway, and Seattle from Magnolia. Finally, more titles: "Preface", "On the way", "And all living things", "The ocean", "If they bring joy", "And satisfy", "We are grateful", "Garibaldi Park", "Water is symbolic of life" and "The gentle thaw".

In Watson's box of 200 foot 8 mm films, there is a film can labeled "Audio: Lovely Switzerland (21 min - tape), Sound" and "Sound - Not Movie". Inside is a rather dessicated reel-to-reel audio tape that I don't have the equipment to play.


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