Columbia Center for Oral History Portal > Robert J. Flaherty project : oral history, 1973-1975.Scope and ContentsFriends and associates discuss Robert Joseph Flaherty (1884-1951) and his extraordinary accomplishments as a filmmaker. The memoirs include material on his philosophy in making documentary films, his lack of preconception, his sense of industrial landscape, and his treatment of ordinary people in their work. The making of LOUISIANA STORY (1946-48) is described in detail. There is material also on NANOOK OF THE NORTH, MAN OF ARAN, THE LAND, and MOANA OF THE SOUTH SEAS. Several respondents weigh his technical contributions and his influence on other filmmakers. Flaherty's warmth in personal relationships and gifts as raconteur are apparent in all the accounts.
Participants and pagination of transcripts: Bill Alexander, 22; Edgar and Daphne Anstey, 73; Michael Balcon, 17; Julien Bryan, 31; Ellsworth Bunker, 19; Edmund Carpenter, 23; Thorold and Joanna Dickinson, 30; Helen Van Dongen Durant, 66; Arnold Eagle, 38; Paul Falconberg, 20; Lewis Jacobs, 53; Richard Leacock, 49; Lucy Lemann, 19; Jay Leyda, 21; Carl Maas, 78; Chris Marker, 9; John Monck, 67; Elodie Osborn, 5; Henry Persons, 11; Hans Richter, 13; Ralph Rosenblum, 88; Paul Rotha, 14; Edward Sammis, 55; Charles Siepmann, 48; Sidney Smith, 70; Cecile Starr, 18; Judy Steele, 20; George Stoney, 13; John Taylor, 70; Virgil Thomson, 19; Willard Van Dyke, 9; Michael Voysey, 20; Harry Watt, 12; Eddy Weetaltuk, 27; and Basil Wright, 53.
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