Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator

Honestly, only if you like old-school travel docs or if you’re trying to kill ten minutes in the most relaxing way possible. If you’re looking for a plot, look elsewhere. If you want to see what Pikes Peak looked like before it was a tourist trap nightmare, stick around.
Lowell Thomas is the star here, even if he’s mostly just a voice. He talks with that old-timey radio authority that makes everything sound like a grand discovery, even when he’s just pointing at a pile of rocks.
There's this segment where they head down into the Royal Gorge. The footage is jittery and looks like it was filmed through a screen door, but there’s something mesmerizing about it. You can almost feel the dust kicking up in the camera lens.
The transition to the cliff dwellings felt a bit jarring. One second we’re at a high-altitude lake, then suddenly we’re poking around abandoned homes. It’s like the editor had a checklist and just went down the list as fast as possible.
It’s funny how this feels more like a relic than The Girl in the Crowd. That one tries to tell a story, but this? This is just existence on display. It feels almost accidental.
Sometimes the film scratches. A few frames are blown out by the sun. It’s perfect. Don’t expect the polish you’d get from A Girl of the Limberlost. This is raw, dusty, and strangely calming.
I found myself zoning out during the Continental Divide part. It’s just mountains. So many mountains. It’s kind of nice to not be told how to feel about a landscape for once. 🏔️
If you're a fan of vintage travel footage, this is a solid watch. If you're bored easily, you’ll be checking your phone by the second minute. I'm okay with that.
Year
1936
IMDb Rating
—

Editorial
Deciphering the legacy of transgressive cult cinema.
Community
Log in to comment.