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Natural Wonders of the West

Name: Natural Wonders of the West
Director: James H. Smith
Released: 1938
Duration: 9 min

Representation Score

1.3/10

Minimal

1938

Approved

Director

James H. Smith

Runtime

9 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Natural Wonders of the West is a product of its era, functioning primarily as a celebratory medium for established Western institutions. It prioritizes the grandeur of American geography and the progress of national monuments over social complexity. The film reinforces traditional hierarchies by centering the 'great man' theory of history. By focusing on the sculpting of U.S. Presidents, the narrative promotes a singular, Anglo-Saxon cultural lens that ignores diverse or indigenous perspectives. Ultimately, the documentary serves to bolster national identity and patriotism. It lacks the structural depth to challenge existing social hierarchies or provide characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity.

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Category Breakdown

Does Natural Wonders of the West have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses entirely on geological formations and monument construction. It contains no depictions of LGBTQ identities or non-cisgender gender expressions.

How does Natural Wonders of the West portray gender?

Limited

The narrative centers on masculine labor and the patriarchal lineage of U.S. Presidents. It offers no visible women's ability to drive the story or subversion of gendered power dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Natural Wonders of the West?

Limited

The film reinforces a homogeneous Anglo-Saxon historical narrative through its focus on Mount Rushmore. It lacks indigenous perspectives regarding the Western lands showcased.

How does Natural Wonders of the West represent religion and culture?

Limited

The documentary functions as a tool of nationalistic pride and patriotism. It presents Western institutions as foundational without critiquing colonialism or hegemony.

Does Natural Wonders of the West include disability representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses on landscape and sculptural subjects. There is no information regarding the depiction of individuals with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Provides a historical look at the construction progress of Mount Rushmore during the late 1930s.
Showcases significant geological landmarks like the Grand Canyon and Devil's Tower.

Limited or Absent

Lacks inclusion of indigenous perspectives regarding the Western landscapes being documented.
Reinforces a homogeneous historical narrative by focusing exclusively on Anglo-Saxon figures.
Fails to represent women's ability to drive the story or diverse gender identities within the narrative.

Official Synopsis

This Traveltalk entry looks at some natural wonders of the western United States, including the Grand Canyon and the Devil's Tower. The last stop on the tour, an "unnatural wonder," is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where sculptor Gutzon Borglum is hard at work. At the time of filming, only the head of George Washington was close to completion. Thomas Jefferson's face was almost finished; only the upper half of Abraham Lincoln's face is visible; and Theodore Roosevelt's head was not yet started.

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