"World School of Adventure" film - Rough Road to Panama (1947)

his 1947 "World School of Adventure" film entitled "Rough Road to Panama" takes viewers to Panama through via the Pan-American Highway. The film follows a group of men who, prior to the trip, had little experience in exploration. At the time, the road was not completed and much of it was considered dangerous. This film was presented by Viking Pictures / 20th Century Vikings (:10) and was produced and narrated by Sullivan C. Richardson, a journalist who wrote a book entitled "Adventure South" (1:12). Richardson's Viking Pictures was founded in 1947 in Chicago. It produced instructional and corporate films for clients. A sequel film, "Rugged Road to Cape Horn", was also produced. The film opens with a discussion of the Panama Highway (1:52). A special Plymouth sedan used for the trip is pictured stuck on jagged rocks (2:38). The group prepares for the trip with a mission of collecting information for books and motion picture films (3:01). The trip begins in Washington D.C (3:22). From here they enter Mexico at Nogales (3:25). They then move towards Central America and on to Panama. A second feature accompanies this film as the narrator informs viewers it continues the trip to Cape Horn. The white Plymouth sedan sits in front of the Pan American Union building (5:06). Dr. Leo S. Rowe bids the travelers good fortune and farewell (5:11). The Magellan Straits were to be hit first on the journey (6:11). Nogales, Arizona is pictured as the group moves through customs with ease (5:23). Special modifications are pointed to on the vehicle (5:48) including the installation of a 35 gallon gas tank built into the trunk. The normally dry route is made difficult to traverse after six days of rain (6:24). A young boy carries a small burro (7:12) to the camera. A primitive ferry carries the men and car over water (7:30). Mules are also used to traverse waterways (7:46). After entering the capital of Mexico, President Miguel Aleman, informs the travelers they may photograph anything they want to along the way (8:34). Due to this they are able to photograph the pillars in the Great National Museum Park where tourist cameras usually are not permitted (8:43). Shots follow from within the museum (9:01) featuring the Great Aztec Stone Colander (9:06). An image of the Sacrificial Stone of Tizoc shows where hearts were set during the sacrificial ceremonies (9:33). The city of Monte Alban rests on a mountain top (9:44). Relics are viewed within tomb seven (9:51) including a breastplate (10:26) and a headband (10:41). The lands below Oaxaca are undefined and generally only traversed on foot or by burrow (10:57). The car nearly comes to a complete halt here. Colorful blossoms are viewed in the area (12:42) prior to a young boy with an anteater (13:02). Some of the natives whom joined on the trip hunt for iguanas (14:21). The film then shows the tourists chomping on tortillas and sardines from a can (15:05). Piloncillo bread is enjoyed by all (16:29). One of the men’s wounds are treated after slipping from a boulder (16:35). Along the route, repairs are completed (17:39). One door collapses as the car is stuck between rocks (18:42). They enter Guatemala through the custom’s house at Rio (19:52). Volcanos are pictured around Lake Atitlan (20:20). The Ruins of Quirigua date back to the Classic Mayan period (21:03). The carvings depicted are from the ancient city of the Mayans and date back to 179 BC and 444 AD (21:06). The Mesoamerican Pyramids follow (22:22). From Guatemala, the gang enters El Salvador (22:50) and the capital city of the Republic (23:23). Dr. Alfonso Rochac (23:28); an economist follows. Some of the self-supporting industries of the area are visited (24:08). Native women and girls weave straw hats (24:22). The trip moves to Honduras (24:51). Dust in Honduras and Nicaragua (25:23) made it nearly impossible to travel through. The hilly terrain (25:28) and ruts in the ground also hindered progress (25:36). Tarantulas were prevalent along the way (25:44). The Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School is visited (26:00). A lush canna lily field (27:06) wraps up the area as they head to Nicaragua (28:24). Pigs wear pokes (28:31). Lake Nicaragua (28:52). The travelers build a make- shift road over the sand (29:15). As the film enters Costa Rica, blossoms of yellow erupt on trees (29:54). For the remainder of the trip the car had to be sent aboard a banana launch and go down the coast to Panama (30:46). Banana plantation (30:59). These are sent to ships which will send them to the US (32:55). The Panama Canal appears (32:55). The men christen the car in celebration (33:31). The End (34:01).

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