Another entry in the James A. Fitzpatrick travelogue series "Traveltalks." This one focuses on Argentina. It starts in the capital of Buenos Aires and works its way into the mountains and countryside. I enjoy these old travelogues. They may seem quaint and even boring to people today, but back then it was rare for most Americans to see life outside their city or state, let alone country. Personally I enjoy looking at them from both a historical perspective as well as an entertainment one. The color footage is nice and it's very interesting to see how things have changed culturally and aesthetically in the decades since. Wait til you get a load of the Buenos Aires traffic cop sitting in his cute little traffic tower. Something tells me being assigned that job was not considered a promotion. Fun, informative short.
6 Reviews
A good contribution to the TravelTalks series
rgcustomer23 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I'm dismayed by the low rating of this TravelTalk on IMDb. It's certainly among the better ones.
I didn't know a lot about Argentina beyond the musical Evita (1996), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) biopic, and Argentina's recent recognition of same-sex marriages, but I found this short to be delightfully informative.
The short starts with a beautiful and interesting look at the city of Buenos Aires, its streets and landmarks. At the time this metropolis still had police directing traffic at intersections. We see a funeral, regal, with flowers.
Then we come to a stunning pool built to permit 100,000 people to be in it at once. It has to be seen to be believed, although it has been eclipsed by more recent pools of course.
Next is miniature sailboat racing, and some children's tricycle races (called "animal races" because of the animal decorations on the front wheels). And of course there's the horse racing at San Isidro.
We're told social life revolves around club membership like San Isidro's Jockey Club, and the El Tigre Yacht Club.
We see a cattle boat, and then cattle on the Paraná Basin in the Pampas. Beef is a major industry.
Fish is also an important private enterprise. Join the Fisherman's Guild and go.
Two other spots of interest: Mar del Plata with gambling and bathing, and Bariloche in the Andes.
I didn't know a lot about Argentina beyond the musical Evita (1996), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) biopic, and Argentina's recent recognition of same-sex marriages, but I found this short to be delightfully informative.
The short starts with a beautiful and interesting look at the city of Buenos Aires, its streets and landmarks. At the time this metropolis still had police directing traffic at intersections. We see a funeral, regal, with flowers.
Then we come to a stunning pool built to permit 100,000 people to be in it at once. It has to be seen to be believed, although it has been eclipsed by more recent pools of course.
Next is miniature sailboat racing, and some children's tricycle races (called "animal races" because of the animal decorations on the front wheels). And of course there's the horse racing at San Isidro.
We're told social life revolves around club membership like San Isidro's Jockey Club, and the El Tigre Yacht Club.
We see a cattle boat, and then cattle on the Paraná Basin in the Pampas. Beef is a major industry.
Fish is also an important private enterprise. Join the Fisherman's Guild and go.
Two other spots of interest: Mar del Plata with gambling and bathing, and Bariloche in the Andes.
No Politics
boblipton8 June 2019
James Fitzpatrick and his Traveltalks take on Buenos Aires in Argentina, gradually expanding its scope to the pampas for consideration of the cattle industry, fishing on the coast and the tourist industry.
As usual the pictures of Argentina are well shot in Technicolor; the images were filmed by Keith Covey, who filmed about half a dozen of Fitzpatrick's Traveltalks from 1949 through 1952. Mr. Fitzpatrick's narration is typically banal and filled with minor solecisms, like referring to "legal bath and gambling" at one of the resorts. As always, he winds up sounding like a rote travel agent, which is what he was when he wasn't producing these travelogues.
As usual the pictures of Argentina are well shot in Technicolor; the images were filmed by Keith Covey, who filmed about half a dozen of Fitzpatrick's Traveltalks from 1949 through 1952. Mr. Fitzpatrick's narration is typically banal and filled with minor solecisms, like referring to "legal bath and gambling" at one of the resorts. As always, he winds up sounding like a rote travel agent, which is what he was when he wasn't producing these travelogues.
TravelTalks
Michael_Elliott26 November 2011
Glimpses of Argentina (1938)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Another nice entry in James A. FitzPatrick's TravelTalks series. This one here takes us to the South American country of Buenos Aires where we see a variety of landmarks including the home of Jose de san Martin who liberated the country from Spain. Not only Buenos Aires but also Chile and Peru. From here we see the largest swimming pool in the world, which was built to hold over 100,000 people. I've seen dozens of TravelTalks shorts and I must say that this pool is perhaps the most stunning image I've seen from any of them. You almost think you're looking at an ocean this thing is so big. We also see a funeral pass by a learn that colorful flowers are always an important piece. Other images include a public park where mini-sailboat racing is a big thing. If you're unfamiliar with this series then you're going to realize that the Technicolor is certainly one of the biggest drawing points as is the narration by FitzPatrick who has no problems getting excited about telling a story. This is a nice entry in the series as we get a good history lesson and some pretty images to look at.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Another nice entry in James A. FitzPatrick's TravelTalks series. This one here takes us to the South American country of Buenos Aires where we see a variety of landmarks including the home of Jose de san Martin who liberated the country from Spain. Not only Buenos Aires but also Chile and Peru. From here we see the largest swimming pool in the world, which was built to hold over 100,000 people. I've seen dozens of TravelTalks shorts and I must say that this pool is perhaps the most stunning image I've seen from any of them. You almost think you're looking at an ocean this thing is so big. We also see a funeral pass by a learn that colorful flowers are always an important piece. Other images include a public park where mini-sailboat racing is a big thing. If you're unfamiliar with this series then you're going to realize that the Technicolor is certainly one of the biggest drawing points as is the narration by FitzPatrick who has no problems getting excited about telling a story. This is a nice entry in the series as we get a good history lesson and some pretty images to look at.
old school travelogue
SnoopyStyle17 July 2021
Traveltalks goes to post-war Argentina. It starts with the capital Buenos Aires. They spend time in a park, a public pool, horse racing, yacht club, etc. They follow a cattle drive and visit a fishing community. They end with a few modern resorts.
It's an old school travelogue. It's not the most compelling episode. The kids in the park is fun for a few seconds. This needs a bit more local flavors or something more personal. It has a cattle drive but it doesn't have a large cowboy cookout with the film crew. It shows the fishing boats but it doesn't show the fishing action. TravelTalks would go on for 3 more years. FitzPatrick would do another series for one more year but this type of travelogues is slowly going out of style.
It's an old school travelogue. It's not the most compelling episode. The kids in the park is fun for a few seconds. This needs a bit more local flavors or something more personal. It has a cattle drive but it doesn't have a large cowboy cookout with the film crew. It shows the fishing boats but it doesn't show the fishing action. TravelTalks would go on for 3 more years. FitzPatrick would do another series for one more year but this type of travelogues is slowly going out of style.
Fitz goes to SouthAm
ksf-24 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers - WAY post-war-time, this chapter of James FitzPatrick's travel shows was towards the end of the line. His last one was in 1957. Things highlighted include: So many cars for so long ago, in the capital, Buenos Aires. Policemen in raised platforms. Statues. House of San Jose de Martin, who freed much of South America from Spain. A HUGE swimming pool. Sailboat racing. Bicycle races with plastic horses attached to the front. Off to the races with real horses. The dark water of the Tigre River. Cattle ranchers, producing excellent steak. Fishing ports. Casinos along the coast. Snow in the mountains. Very pretty. Short film, nine minutes.
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