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Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website This film by Julien Bryan and Irving Lerner, one of many films made to promote inter-American friendship during WWII, showcases the nation of Colombia. Julien Bryan narrates (:17). The population was about 9 million at the time (:31). About 5% is black, another 5% is native Indian and the remaining 55% is of mixed Spanish and Indian descent (1:03). Large division exist in wealth and education (1:08). Colombia was named for Christopher Columbus (1:13). Colombia’s principal ports (1:57) and cities are highlighted on a map (2:12). Much of the population resides in the three principal fingers of the Andes (2:50). Churches were erected as gold miners settled the area (4:08). Members of a local Indian tribe are seen (4:12) practicing the Catholic faith they had been indoctrinated into (4:26). The town prepares for a special Feast Day (4:58). The celebration is comprised of bull fights (5:10), native tribes dancing sacred dances in the streets (5:25) and masked parade goers (5:38). El Carmen Church is spotted in the historic center of Bogota (5:58). The head of the church; Ismael Borrero, was also the Archbishop of Bogota (6:10). The city is known as the center of life (6:38). Shops line the streets (7:16). Theaters show films from the US including ‘The Invisible Woman’ released in 1940 (7:23) starring John Barrymore. A book shop is highlighted (7:30) as book shops were more common than restaurants. Friends enter the luxurious home of the elite Ramirez family (7:54). Traditional Colombian homes were built to face inward. A garden is built within the house (8:09). The liberal statesman, Alfonso Lopez (8:56) was President from 1934 to 1938 and was reelected in 1942 (8:56). Colombian industry is based in minerals and agriculture including cattle, emeralds, bananas and coffee (9:15). A sugar cane field (9:53). Ranches owned by the wealthy (10:02). Peasants are able to work for themselves on a small designated plot (10:20). A small sugar refinery follows (10:26). At a small peasant farm (11:47) a man produces coffee bags (12:19). Much of the coffee comes from Antioquia. A coffee farm sits in the hills (12:42). Field workers trim the plant (13:24). Barranquilla is the most important seaport (13:51). Ships traverse the Magdalena River (14:14) to reach port. The SS Santa Paula, constructed for the Grace Line (14:30). Colombia must import commodities which it cannot manufacture for itself (15:04). Much of this comes from the US as brands such as Waldorf Toilet Tissue (15:08) appear. The rivers operate as highways (15:34). Burrows were heavily relied on to cross land (15:53). A modern highway built by the government sits congested with trucks loaded with passengers (16:11). The oil fields of the Barco concession hit trouble as they had to lay pipe through jungles and across mountains (16:40). The large home of a savage tribe in the jungles is viewed (17:09). Workers explore the grounds prior to laying pipe (17:34). Materials were air dropped (18:06). Airports and air strips were constructed as the job began (18:11). Men wounded by interactions with the local tribe receive care at Petrolia (18:14). The first well was successful in May of 1934 (18:29). Most of the workers were Colombian (18:46). A small refinery for local use (19:07). The Nazi flag precludes Hitler’s Mein Kempf (19:25). Germany had investments in the country prior to the war (19:33). Business signs include Bauer (19:38) and Alemena (19:45). A flood of Nazi propaganda entered Colombia through networks such as Transocean (19:57). Officials inspect personal mail with the Nazi insignia on it (20:11). Ties with the US were strengthened as US business flick by (20:31) including Westinghouse Electric (20:36). Simon Bolivar (20:51) and Francisco de Paula Santander’s statues follow (20:59). Colombian citizens have a high participation rate in politics (21:20). Alfonso Lopez (21:38) and Eduardo Santos are pictured (21:48). Dr. Nieto Caballero (22:05) was the former Director of the National University (22:05). He and Santos delivered a progressive education program (22:33). Private schools gave Catholic instruction (22:54). Nurses care for the sick and wounded at San Jose hospital (23:07). Work of female artists is displayed as women began to gain more independence (23:48). The National Library (24:04). The film ends as students hop from buses (24:07) and eat in the mess hall (24:36). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
