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Through the Colorado Rockies

Name: Through the Colorado Rockies
Released: 1943
Duration: 10 min

Representation Score

0.3/10

Minimal

1943

Approved

Runtime

10 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Through the Colorado Rockies is a mid-century instructional documentary that focuses on documenting topography and industry rather than social issues. It serves as a historical record of transit and agriculture practices in the 1940s. The film adheres to the traditional structures of its time. By emphasizing masculine physical labor and a homogeneous workforce, it provides a conventional view of the American West that lacks diverse social perspectives. Ultimately, the film celebrates infrastructure and resource management but does not offer a nuanced look at the people involved, resulting in a narrow representation of the region’s inhabitants.

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Category Breakdown

Does Through the Colorado Rockies have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any narratives related to gender identity or sexual orientation. Since it focuses on landscapes and industries, it doesn't provide a framework for showing non-straight relationships.

How does Through the Colorado Rockies portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on traditional industrial and agricultural work. The depiction of men using stilts for peach harvesting emphasizes mid-century views of masculine labor, while women's roles are not highlighted.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Through the Colorado Rockies?

Minimal

The film presents a uniform view of the American West. It follows the era's tendency to see Western landscapes through a single, Anglo-centric lens, focusing on white-dominated industries like railroads.

How does Through the Colorado Rockies represent religion and culture?

Limited

The documentary celebrates regional industry and natural resources, reflecting mid-century values of American expansion. It presents a stable, positive view of Western geography and commerce without deeper criticism.

Does Through the Colorado Rockies include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication of people with visible or invisible disabilities in the film. The focus remains solely on able-bodied workers and scenic views.

Present on Screen

Provides a clear historical record of mid-century agricultural techniques, such as peach harvesting using stilts.
Offers valuable documentation of 1940s transit infrastructure and regional landmarks like the Royal Gorge.

Limited or Absent

Does not highlight female workers or their roles in the documented workforce.
Shows a homogeneous, Anglo-centric view of the American West that overlooks multi-ethnic perspectives.
Does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or individuals with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

This Traveltalk series entry on Colorado begins in Colorado Springs, then proceeds to Pike's Peak. We experience a train ride over Royal Gorge and the sights along the Gunnison River. In Palisade, Colorado, we see men on stilts picking the local peach crop in order to avoid ladder damage to the fragile fruit trees.

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