Collection search - Abitibi Canyon : A Story of the Conquest of a River

Record information – Brief

1

Abitibi Canyon : A Story of the Conquest of a River

Item number (ISN):

20228

Hierarchical level:

Item (Accession level)

Date:

1932/1934

Item number (ISN):

20228

Type of material:

Moving images

Found in:

Archives / Film, Video and Sound

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Record information – Details

Fonds/collection:

ABITIBI PAPER COMPANY

Accession:

1974-0136

Media:

Film

Part:

4 of 4

Production date:

1932/1934

Production company:

Photo-Sound Corporation

Sponsor:

Dominion Construction Corporation Limited

Description:

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This film relates the process of constructing the dam at Abitibi Canyon. The viewer is shown scenic shots of the Abitibi River, waterfalls and portages through unspoiled forest while a voice-over praises the grandeur of Canadian natural resources which have only recently begun to be put to good use. A map of northern Ontario shows the exact location of the Abitibi River and proposed dam. The viewer is then shown images of the early stages of construction: a construction town; the river whose power is to be harnessed; and, land surveyors examining the terrain. The project's progress is illustrated by animation, live action shots and the narrator. The viewer is shown workers drilling rock, the instalation of railway tracks and equipment, the river being diverted, blasting and rock removal. The narrator expresses admiration for the scale of the task and its careful organization. The rock is taken to a crusher where it is prepared for concrete; enormous piles of sand are needed for the same purpose. The concrete is shown being mixed, transported and finally dumped into place.~At noon, the workers are shown marching to lunch, and then dining. The narrator describes the care that has been taken to look out for the welfare of the workers by providing good food, a hospital, recreation, and a school for their children. After lunch, the work resumes on the spillway and training wall. A group of engineers discuss the progress.~Finally, the dam is completed and the viewer is shown the first trickle of water going down the spillway, as the engineers and executives look on. Soon, the water is shown surging through, and the transformed landscape is shown by aerial photography. Lord Bessborough, the Governor General, and Lady Bessborough visit the dam and tour the spillway and power generators. As the narrator describes the significance of the new source of power, his comments are illustrated by shots of mills, mines, factories, and kitchens. The viewer is shown permanent houses which have replaced the construction town, and a monument to "Sons of Martha," workers who "sacrificed their lives to the project." The film ends with shots of the still river illuminated by the moon. <30mn 14s>

Language:

English

Notes:

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1. Harry MacLean was the president of Dominion Construction Corporation Limited.

Detailed holdings information:

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Vault ISN:

25945

Format:

FILM

Location number:

N-1345
N-1346
N-1347
N-1348

Number of items:

4

Kind of sound:

SIL

Stock:

NITRATE

Technical description:

NEG

Max. shrinkage:

2.2%

Made from:

DEPOSIT

Status:

MASTER

Vault ISN:

25946

Format:

FILM

Location number:

N-1349
N-1350
N-1351
N-1352

Number of items:

4

Kind of sound:

OPT TRK

Stock:

NITRATE

Technical description:

NEG

Max. shrinkage:

2.2%

Made from:

DEPOSIT

Status:

MASTER

Vault ISN:

324312

Format:

FILM

Location number:

9903-0009
9903-0010
9903-0011
9903-0012

Number of items:

4

Kind of sound:

SIL

Stock:

DUPE

Technical description:

POS

Made from:

N-1345
N-1346
N-1347
N-1348

Status:

MASTER

Vault ISN:

324313

Format:

FILM

Location number:

9903-0013
9903-0014
9903-0015
9903-0016

Number of items:

4

Kind of sound:

OPT TRK

Technical description:

POS

Made from:

N-1349
N-1350
N-1351
N-1352

Status:

MASTER

Vault ISN:

1171036

Format:

VIDEO

Location number:

N-1345-DPX
N-1346-DPX
N-1347-DPX
N-1348-DPX

Number of items:

4

Kind of sound:

SIL

Duration:

40:22

Made from:

N-1345
N-1346
N-1347
N-1348

Status:

MASTER

Vault ISN:

1171037

Format:

SOUND

Location number:

9903-0013.WAV
9903-0014.WAV
9903-0015.WAV
9903-0016.WAV

Number of items:

4

Kind of sound:

BWF

Duration:

40:22

Made from:

9903-0013
9903-0014
9903-0015
9903-0016

Status:

MASTER

Vault ISN:

1171038

Format:

VIDEO

Location number:

20228.MOV

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

SOF

Duration:

40:22

Made from:

N-1345
N-1346
N-1347
N-1348
9903-0013
9903-0014
9903-0015
9903-0016

Status:

REF

Vault ISN:

1171039

Format:

VIDEO

Location number:

20228.MP4

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

SOF

Duration:

40:22

Made from:

N-1345
N-1346
N-1347
N-1348
9903-0013
9903-0014
9903-0015
9903-0016

Status:

REF

Vault ISN:

1171040

Format:

VIDEO

Location number:

V1 2024-02-0007

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

SOF

Duration:

40:22

Made from:

N-1345
N-1346
N-1347
N-1348
9903-0013
9903-0014
9903-0015
9903-0016

Status:

REF
Ordering and viewing options

Conditions of access:

Open

Consultation copy number:

V1 2024-02-0007

Copyright status:

Under copyright

Copyright owner:

Copyright owner: Dominion Construction Corporation Limited.

Reproduction access:

with written permission of copyright owner : with permission of donorRequest permission from: Manager of Public Relations and Corporate Advertising, Abitibi Paper Co., Toronto Dominion Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5K 1B3.

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Date modified:: 2024-07-24