Washington State Progress Commission

The Washington State Progress Commission wanted to promote Washington State for industry and tourism to the rest of the world. About 1939 the Commission was able to convince Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to make a travelogue covering the State of Washington. The Studio sent James A. Fitzpatrick to film different localities throughout the State. Mr. Fitzpatrick spent several weeks filming before returning to edit a one-reel travelogue of Washington State. When he returned, he found that he had shot more than 6,000 feet of film. He had enough material to create three films titled: Natural Wonders of Washington State; Seattle, Gateway to the Northwest; Glimpses of Washington State. These three travelogues of the State of Washington were in technicolor and were first shown in a world premier in 1939 in Seattle, WA. The films were shown in movie theaters throughout the country and overseas to promote the State. At the opening of the film in 1939, Gov. Clarence Martin was in attendance and his photo was taken with Arthur B. Langlie, who would become governor in 1941 and two other men. Langlie was the Governor of Washington State for 3 terms, 1941-1945, 1949-1957. It may be one of the only photographs of Gov. Martin and Arthur Langlie together. In 1943 a film titled, Wood Goes to War, was also made about Washington State and shown in theaters.

From the description of Washington State Progress Commission's scrapbook about Washington State travelogue films, 1939-1943 1939. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 233034706