Cinecraft Flashback Friday Episode #47,
Title; Land of Promise,
Client; The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. (1955).
This Cinecraft film was made while I was learning to walk. It tells the story of the St. Lawrence Seaway project, then under construction. The locks of the new Seaway would open all the established commercial ports throughout the Great Lakes to international shipping. The film was sponsored by the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and was intended to ignite interest in industrial development due to the international shipping potential of the Seaway.
Long gestation of the Seaway Construction began in 1954 and the Seaway opened in 1959. The extensive series of locks and canals are operated by the US and Canada, each handling responsibilities for facilities on their respective territory. The deep waterway was first proposed in 1890’s was more than a century ago government could impressively drag their rudders. For the short history….en.wikipedia.o...
The Great Lakes already had locks to connect iron ore from Duluth to the steel making plants Chicago and Cleveland. There are some great shots Hewlett's in action, the amazing iron ore unloaders. The film also tells the story of the other ports along Lake Erie in the CEI service area: Fairport, Ashtabula and Conneaut. And the strong manufacturing base in our region that would soon be open to more directly exporting to the world.
Cinecraft’s director for this film was K Elmo Lowe. K, as he was known, was a multi-talented actor, director and ultimately Managing Director of the Cleveland Playhouse. He was a handsome “matinee idol” for CPH appearing in over 300 productions. Lowe was an influence on many young actors including Joel Gray and directed him in a Cinecraft film. Here is a link to a short video CPH created about k Elmo Lowe. • CPH Centennial Moment ...
The script was by Frank Siedel of Storycraft, and cinematography by Edwin Perry. Ed was our cameraman when I arrived in 1976. He was a master craftsman.
Graphics and animation were a big part of this film and were created by Cinecraft’s Bob Mowry. The depth of the various Great lakes and the St. Lawrence are depicted. And Cleveland’s ideal location in the heart of America and the industrial belt his highlighted.
The Land of Promise is a interesting look back at how we once were and what we hoped to become back in 1955.
4 фев 2021
