Correspondence, newspaper cuttings, typescripts, and production memoranda relating to the life and career of A.D. "Cowboy" Kean. Many of the documents in this collection pertain to the making of "Policing the Plains" (1924-27), a dramatic silent film about the exploits of the North West Mounted Police. The collection also includes newsprint copies of Kean's popular yarns on cowboy and ranch life which appeared in the Toronto STAR WEEKLY (1929-1936), and scripts of some of Kean's radio plays about his experiences in western Canada.

The fonds consists of correspondence, photographs, clippings, manuscripts and production memoranda, mainly relating to A.D. Kean's feature film "Policing the Plains" (produced 1924-1927), as well as radio scripts (five annotated during production), clippings of the outdoor and cowboy life stories he wrote for the Toronto Star Weekly (ca. 1929-1936), and a video copy of his 1949 film "Fox Hunting in Canada".

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The Quota Quickies PERIOD COVERED: 1932-1938 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-04-22 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Kroeger discusses his involvement in the production of movies in B.C. in the 1930s, with emphasis on the "Quota Quickies". Mr. Kroeger talks about the establishment of Commonwealth Pictures in Victoria by Kenneth Bishop. The financial backing of Mrs. Seldon Humphries (nee Kathleen Dunsmuir). Bankruptcy after production of "Crimson Paradise" and "The Black Robe" [aka "Secrets of Chinatown"]. Mr. Kroeger discusses writing a shooting script for "Harlow Manor" and Miss Dunsmuir's acting ability. The showing of "Crimson Paradise" at the Capital Theatre. Establishment of Northern Films, and subsequent bankruptcy. Central Films is successor. Mr. Kroeger's duties as continuity writer. Salary and working conditions. The Hollywood crew. Hiring of cast. Production schedule, budget. Shooting locations. Scenes of B.C. logging. Local residents involved. Stories of the actors and actresses. Mrs. Kroeger talks about her experiences with the stars. Mr. Kroeger discusses the directors, writers. TRACK 2: Mr. Kroeger talks about the beginning and end of Bishop's movie production in B.C. The change of legislation in Britain that spelled the end of the quota quickies. His first viewing of these movies in 1980. Mr. And Mrs. Kroeger talk about their photo collection of the stars involved in these movies.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1969-12-28 SUMMARY: An interview with Vancouver animator Al Sens, recorded at his studio in Vancouver.;

PERIOD COVERED: ;1913;-;1955 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), [197-?] SUMMARY: In a series of recorded reminiscences, Alfred E. Booth describes his travels on the B.C. coast, and in the Lower Mainland, Nicola and North Thompson regions; the Hope-Princeton Highway and the Boundary region; the Canadian Arctic (March 1955); coastal steamship travel; Kamloops to Calgary via the Big Bend highway; Alberta and N.W.T. oil and fields; Vancouver Island (especially its west coast and interior); the Lower Mainland; the Depression in the B.C. interior, and showing films in the relief camps. Throughout, Booth also discusses his experiences as an amateur and semi-professional filmmaker throughout the province. The second side of tape 5 discusses the senior's residence Booth was living in at the time of the recording, and includes some harmonica music performed by a friend of Booth's.

CALL NUMBER: T4077:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Bernard Atkins RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1983-06-28 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Atkins discusses: childhood in England; moving to Victoria; first interest in photography and first photographic assignment; going up to Alaska to make film on Alaska Highway, 1949; boss Clarence Ferris; work in hard-to-get-to parts of the province; first two films, "Look to the North" and "Land of Tomorrow"; work for civil service, Tourism and Travel Bureau for B.C. government. TRACK 2: More on development of the Peace River and Alaska Highway region. Describes what life was like in the north of B.C. in the '40s and '50s. Lack of funds in Travel and Tourism Bureau. Dealing with Phil Gaglardi at Department of Highways: agreed to make some films for that department. Films on industrial industries. Resignation of Clarence Ferris. Discussion of "Men, Mountains and the Challenge;". Film about Island highway and film about totem poles. CALL NUMBER: T4077:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Bernard Atkins RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1983-06-28 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Further discussion on "The Silent Ones". Going up to the Queen Charlottes with Wilson Duff and others from UBC. Bringing back the totem poles to UBC and the Royal B.C. Museum. Good relationship with Bill Reid and Kelly Duncan. Got along well with Mungo Martin, the Native carver. Feud between Chief Thunderbird and Mungo Martin. Atkins' last film was "Valley of the Swans," about Kootenay Flats being drained. Discusses "Kootenay Lake Holiday" and "Highway Sixteen". Dick Colby and Clarence Ferris anecdote. Describes working conditions at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and his relationship with Ferris. [TRACK 2: blank.]

CALL NUMBER: T4077:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Bernard Atkins RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1983-07-06 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: More on early family life in London and his father's background. Father was a photographer, both in England and in Victoria. Father's studio on Pandora Street. Travelling on a boat with his brothers and 87 other children to Canada during WW II. Warm welcome from Canadians across the country. First impressions of Victoria. Schools attended. Living with Major Wilson in Gordon Head. Camera club at Brentwood. Parents coming out to Victoria after the war. Buying a 1928 model A roadster. TRACK 2: Getting first job with Clarence Ferris through connection of his father. Describes working for the ministry, and the people he met there, Dick Colby, Gar Lunney. Anecdotes about Gar Lunney and his ability to attract girls. Anecdote about Bill Currie, the commissioner of the travel bureau. Ed Rowebottom, the deputy minister. Anecdotes about Dick Colby. Describes Wilf Gray, Peter Elkington, Lew Parry. CALL NUMBER: T4077:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Bernard Atkins RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1983-07-06 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discusses individuals in the film/TV business in the 1950s: Lew Parry, Wally Hamilton (Trans-Canada). Relationships with Trans-Canada, Alpha Cine, other government film units (Agriculture, Highways). Working on Beautiful B.C. Magazine: discusses start-up of magazine in 1959, his preference of keeping magazine as a full four-colour production, costliness of magazine, messages from current minister of Travel Bureau, feedback from readership, innovations in printing/production of magazine. Attitude to potential demise of magazine. (End of interview)

SUMMARY: "Between Ourselves" was a weekly series of hour-long radio programs that presented Canada to Canadians. It featured aspects of Canadian life in docudramas, plays, music, and interviews, originating from different regions of Canada. The series ran from 1966 to 1979. This episode, "Pacific Door", explores a "west coast" point of view in the arts. Musicians, writers, artists, and filmmakers discuss the impact of the landscape, and how the west coast impacts their art. The voices heard include playwright George Ryga.;

SUMMARY: "Between Ourselves" was a weekly series of hour-long radio programs that presented Canada to Canadians. It featured aspects of Canadian life in docudramas, plays, music, and interviews, originating fr;om different regions of Canada. The series ran from 1966 to 1979. This episode, "The Empty Screen", is an impression of the state of the BC film industry, gathered and compiled by Peter Hay. People co;nnected with the movie industry recount their impressions of working and making films in BC in 1970. Voices heard include: Robert Altman, David Foster, Morrie Ruvinsky, Sylvia Spring, Danny Singer, Al; Razutis, Pat Corbitt, Peter Jones, Cameron Porteus, Gordon Arnal, Art Jones, Pearl Williams, Nip Gowan, and Timothy Baw [sp?].;

RECORDED: Brooklin (Ont.), 1988-10-16 SUMMARY: A.D. Kean's daughter and son-in-law relate anecdotes about A.D. Kean, Mrs. Kean, and the Kean family's life in Toronto and Bowmanville. The voice of Fraser D. Kean is also heard. Recorded at the Nicho;lson home in Brooklin, Ont.;

CALL NUMBER: T3843:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Bill and Marguerite Roozeboom PERIOD COVERED: 1933-1946 RECORDED: White Rock (B.C.), 1981-05-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Bill: "Roozeboom" pronunciation and meaning; born Hendrik Willem Bakhuys-Roozeboom in Schin-op-geul, Netherlands, 17 February 1921; immigration of family to Canada induced by C.P.R. land promotion scheme; settled in Alberta. Move to Vancouver, 1934. Marguerite: born 13 February 1923 in Vancouver; Marguerite Ellen Goulding before marriage; desire to be an artist and education at Vancouver School of Art. Family influence on artistic career. Influence of Bert Binning, Charles Scott and Jack Shadbolt. Binning's reaction to her decision to go into filmmaking. Bill: aerial reconnaissance work for Royal Netherlands Air Force in South Pacific during World War II. Childhood film experiences, 1933-34. Projectionist for squadron in WW II; tale of Japanese soldier who came to a movie and was captured. Marguerite: childhood interest in film. Engaged to Gus Roozeboom (1921-1944). Went to work for Vancouver Motion Pictures (1944) owned by Leon Shelly, also owner of Screenadz. Gus killed at Arnhem. Marguerite decided to go into commercial instead of fine art. Went to Los Angeles commercial art school, way paid by Shelly. Shelly Films relocated to Toronto (1946), spent a little time there. Came back to Vancouver, met and married Bill. Oscar Burritt, Wally Hamilton (now in Philippines), other filmmakers in Vancouver in late 1940s. TRACK 2: Marguerite: Wally Hamilton first experienced cameraman in Vancouver; Ernie Kirkpatrick; Hamilton's background. Bill: Hamilton's background. Marguerite: E. Kirkpatrick, cameraman; Ed Taylor from Hollywood gave Marguerite first animation experience on salmon film. Kirkpatrick went back to Toronto; deceased. Helen Semmens, editor. Bill: Lew Parry's entry into filmmaking and personal background. Marguerite: story of trying to get hired at age 14 by Parry, art director at Neon Products. CALL NUMBER: T3843:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Bill and Marguerite Roozeboom PERIOD COVERED: 1955-1981 RECORDED: White Rock (B.C.), 1981-05-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Bill: production history of "Take Four Giant Steps" (1958-59). Marguerite: print asked for by National Film Archives. Bill: problems of cold weather motion picture photography. Roy Minter's role in "Take Four Giant Steps" as writer. Entertainment value of "Take Four Giant Steps" and public reception. "Rogers Pass" film, prints for. Marguerite and Bill: "Ripple Rock" film versus "Take Four Giant Steps" as drama. TRACK 2: Bill: production history of "Ripple Rock" film. Marguerite: art work for "Ripple Rock" film. Bill: clarification of loss of ships on Ripple Rock. Marguerite: art work for "Ripple Rock" film and story of feeling Bill had been killed in explosion. Enjoyment of abstract animation and use of in various films. Bill: explanation of broadcast scatter system. Marguerite: continues story of abstract art in telephone film on broadcast scatter system. Art work on film by Bill for government of Saskatchewan. Bill: high cost of animation and art work by Marguerite (satire). Bill: summary of involvement in film; 1955, joined Parry Films permanently; 1958, on his own; signed on Jack Lindsley to do promotion and selling of film; Pageant Productions, incorporated, 1961, made about 12-14 films a year; Werner Franz, Shelagh Reljic, editors; sold about 1965 to KVOS-TV but Bill remained on for three years but departed before contract expired over artistic dispute with Jack Gettles, manager of KVOS-TV. Present (1981) working conditions as Bill Roozeboom Productions. Marguerite: statement on film as communication tool. (End of interview)

News item. Vancouver filmmaker Phillip Borsos, whose NFB film NAILS was nominated for an Oscar, is interviewed at the Beverly Hills Hilton. He is also seen attending a party at the Canadian Consulate and arriving at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the 52nd Academy Awards ceremony.

RECORDED: Fort Macleod (Alta.), 1988-10-03 SUMMARY: Mr. Edgar, a onetime member of the RNWMP and former mayor of Fort Macleod, Alberta, recalls his involvement as an actor and advisor during the filming of A.D. Kean's POLICING THE PLAINS near Fort Macleod in 1924-25. He also discusses his own career, local personalities and aspects of local history.

CALL NUMBER: T4298:0002 track 2 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): David Rimmer interview : part 3 SUMMARY: An interview with Vancouver filmmaker David Rimmer. (cont'd from T4298:0003 track 2);

CALL NUMBER: T4298:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): David Rimmer interview : part 1 and 2 SUMMARY: An interview with Vancouver filmmaker David Rimmer.;

CALL NUMBER: T4298:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): David Rimmer interview : part 4 and 5 SUMMARY: An interview with Vancouver filmmaker David Rimmer. (cont'd from T4298:0002 track 2);

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): David Rimmer interview [ca. 1976] : part 2 & 3 RECORDED: [location unknown], [ca. 1976] SUMMARY: Vancouver filmmaker David Rimmer discusses the breakup of Intermedia; teaching film; influences upon films; theories about his films -- "Surfacing on the Thames","Cellophane", "Dance"; Al Razutis; hol;ogram show; etc. (Part 1 of this interview is not available);

RECORDED: Fort Macleod (Alta.), 1988-10-03 SUMMARY: Mr. Dixon discusses his family's property on the Oldman River east of Fort Macleod, Alberta, where he and his brothers erected two stockades for the filming of A.D. Kean's POLICING THE PLAINS in 1924.;

Documentaries. A series of 27 half-hour programs designed, written and co-produced by BC film artists, illustrating their own films and the process of planning and creating them.

Documentary. "Byron Black, a noted performance artist as "The Baron Infinity", whips out his camera and talks, demonstrates, makes popcorn, and shows excerpts from his films THE HOLY ASSASSIN, FLOR FINA PILAPINA and MANGO MAGRITTE."

Documentary. "Bonnie Kreps, one of the founders of radical feminism in Canada, here traces her development as filmmaker since 1969. Pre-eminent in this development is the emerging aesthetic which comes from a feminist value system, as distinct from the prevalent masculine one which now imbues most filmmaking. With humour, personal examples and illustrations from her films, she pinpoints some of the key elements of a woman's film aesthetic -- both in the process of making a film and in the end product itself." Includes excerpts from AFTER THE VOTE, PORTRAIT OF MY MOTHER, MOUNTAIN DANCE and THIS FILM IS ABOUT RAPE.

Documentary. "Chris Gallagher is a man who understands imagery. He races up in a Corvette a la HAWAII FIVE-O, then proceeds to describe his films to us over the phone. He discusses the origin and treatment of SIDESHOW, SANTA, PLASTIC SURGERY and THE NINE O'CLOCK GUN and uses a photographic assemblage to explain the mystery of his film ATMOSPHERE."

Documentary. "Sandy Wilson, sunning in her garden, describes the difficulties of being a filmmaker as well as a mother, while son Willie interrupts. She shows excerpts from THE BRIDAL SHOWER and GROWING UP AT PARADISE, and explains the financial hardships of making films as she goes to work later as an usherette."

Documentary. "Tom Braidwood, the 'wild west' filmmaker, re-enacts buying his first projector and how that act changed his interest from theatre to film. He shows clips from his jogging film, BOUREE, and WIND FROM THE WEST, and discusses the feature film INTERLOCK, which he co-authored and planned to produce here in B.C."

Documentary. "Phil Borsos produced a ten minute sequence of his films, from his first production [THE BARKING DOG] to his most recent completed short, NAILS. He also shows the complete film, THE MAKING OF SPARTREE."

Documentary. "This videotape contains excerpts from numerous films to create a sampler album of the films of Peter Lipskis. Many of them were shot originally in 8 mm, which allowed him greater freedom to capture real life images that probably wouldn't be possible in larger formats. Various special-effects techniques (including optical printing) were used to intensify colour, texture and rhythm. Pete describes his work and ideas in a voice-over."

Documentary. "Al Razutis holds a fish-eye lens up to himself, and another fishy-eye on film, video and holography, as he makes statements concerning these techniques and what he is trying to do with them. Between clips from his many films, Al takes us on a tour of his first film studio for optical printing, and to the labs at Simon Fraser University, where he also teaches film. Included is an excerpt from an interview on "The Vancouver Show" (CKVU) reporting on his holography."

Documentary. "Gordon Kidd reveals himself in carefully selected words and pictures. He describes the background-perceptual process, practice-production, and presentation of his films over clips from his films." Includes excerpts from WAVE PRELUDE, GULF OF GEORGIA TOWING, SKETCHES, OLYMPUS, SELF PORTRAIT and LUX PROCESS.

Documentary. "Zale Dalen introduces himself in his editing room at home in Vancouver, and shows clips from the many films he's directed, as well as acted in. In an interview with a CKVU reporter, he describes his career as a film director, then turns off the TV and speaks more personally about his development as a filmmaker in Canada." Includes excerpts from SKIP TRACER, THE SHORT TRAIN, GANDYDANCE, GRANNY'S QUILTS, DECISION, TUFTED PUFFINS and THE HOUNDS OF NOTRE DAME.

Documentary. "A filmmaker with an international reputation, David Rimmer shows excerpts from four of his films. He does not appear or make any voice over commentary." Includes excerpts from MIGRATION, VARIATIONS ON A CELLOPHANE WRAPPER, REAL ITALIAN PIZZA and AL NEIL/A PORTRAIT.

Documentary. "On this tape Richard Martin attempts to demonstrate the correlation between what he experiences in life and how closely that is related to what you see on the screen." Includes excerpts from GIVE THAT PERSON THERE A CAMERA, YOUR DAUGHTER IS SLEEPING, DIMINISHED and WINTER LAST JULY.

Documentary. "Rob McLachlan is earning his living as a filmmaker. He makes commercials, works as a cameraman, and produces sponsored films. In this tape he illustrates the flair and imagination that make his work distinctive, and caused a flurry of phone calls for CFMDC catalogues after the airing of the program." Includes excerpts from OLD FASHIONED STYLE, AN EGG STORY and HOT TIPS,