Beef Rings the Bell. #documtary

It’s highly likely that the opening shot of open plains with cattle grazing in Beef Rings the Bell was filmed in Idaho. The documentary, produced by Union Pacific, showcases cattle ranching and transportation, and specific filming locations mentioned include Idaho’s Stanley Basin and the Railroad Ranch at Island Park, along with Sand Springs Ranch. These areas are known for their expansive, picturesque plains and mountainous backdrops—perfect for capturing sweeping shots of cattle grazing in a classic Western landscape.
The Stanley Basin, in particular, is a wide-open valley in central Idaho, flanked by the Sawtooth Mountains, and has long been a cattle country staple. The Railroad Ranch, now part of Harriman State Park, was a working ranch in the 1950s and ‘60s, making it an ideal spot for Union Pacific to film authentic grazing scenes. While the exact “opening shot” isn’t pinpointed in the sources, these Idaho locations align with the film’s early focus on cattle in their natural habitat before the rail journey begins. The vivid color footage of snowy peaks and green plains mentioned in reviews further matches Idaho’s terrain.
Excellent shots, in my opinion(in beautiful color) of cattle ranches, cowboys herding cattle, cattle auction. Butcher cutting sides of beef. SUPERB early 1960s backyard barbecue (at roughly 0:24:00), CU hamburgers cooking on the grill. Early 1960s family eating hamburgers outdoors in their backyard. Great shot (at 0:25:08) of man wearing chef's hat and apron ("Genius At Work") putting thick, juicy steaks on the barbecue grill. For barbecue shots, you couldn't do better than this film!
Credit and video index 👇
PA-4146 ìBeef Rings The Bellî
00:00:41:18 - 00:28:19:10 Color Sound ca. 1960s
Beef Rings the Bell - promotional film following beef productionfrom cattle ranches to family barbecues.
00:00:41:18 - 00:05:18:05 Color Sound ca. 1960s
Title credit, cartoon w/ cow ringing bell for meal time. WS PANcattle herd w/ snow-capped mountains in BG. VS cattle (steers)grazing on ranch. VS of cattle ranch in winter, w/ rancher feedingcows hay. VS of bull cow among herd. Cowboys(men &horses)herding cattle. Cattle in holding pens, fences. Men sprayingcattle w/insect repellent, dipping them, inoculating them againstdisease. Branding irons.
00:05:18:06 - 00:08:47:20 Color Sound ca. 1960s
Cowboys leading herd, cattle drives.
00:08:47:21 - 00:10:57:04 Color Sound ca. 1960s
Cattle herds arrive at railroads, forced into holding pens bycowboys. Ranchers on horses direct cows. Cattle loaded throughchutes on to train, stock cars. Cows (steers) on to train inwinter, snowing. VS trains on the move (Union Pacific Railroad).Sign for Union Stock Trade Company claiming "World's LargestLivestock & Meatpacking Center," Omaha, Nebraska. HA WS of holding
pens w/ cattle.00:10:57:26 - 00:12:22:18 1960s footage of of cattle auction. Steers driven to auctionfloor. VS auctioneer taking bids on cows, speaking rapidly. Menin audience (feed lot operators) raise hands to bid.00:12:23:17 - 00:15:16:05 Color Sound ca. 1960s AERIAL over cattle feed lots. Thousands of cows (steers) inholding pens. TD of mill processing plant used for making animalfeed. Scientists working in laboratories. Scientific experiments& equipment. Agricultural equipment, farming machinery preparing cattle feed. VS feed trucks filling fence-line troughs w/ food for cattle in pens. Automated feeding machinery, food transported directly to cattle troughs. Cattle eating feed.00:15:17:00 - 00:22:13:08 Color Sound ca. 1960s
Beef carcasses hanging in processing plant. Government inspector examines each carcass & labels stamps them with "USDA" Plant workers (butchers) cut beef carcasses, put them in refrigerated trucks for transport. Butcher (retailer) cuts beef. Great diagram of cuts made on hind quarter of beef (butcher points them out): the flank, the sirloin tip, the loin, & the round. VS cutting beef, narrator describes where each steak comesfrom as the butcher points it out. Diagram of the fore quarter w/butcher pointing out cuts: the chuck, the shank, the brisket, theplate, & the rib. Butcher cuts steer into different steaks.00:22:13:26 - 00:24:05:17 Color Sound ca. 1960sFemale factory worker wraps meat (steaks) in plastic + styrofoam w/machine. Man (butcher) weighing meat packages + pricing them.Consumers (shoppers) choosing meat at supermarket from refrigerateddisplay case. VS of advertisements for meat industry. PAN ofNebraska license plate "The Beef State," + bumper sticker reading"Enjoy Beef Every Day."00:24:06:02 - 00:28:19:10 Color Sound ca. 1960sBackyard barbecues. CU hamburgers on the grill. Friends & family eating hamburgers outdoors. Olderman cooking steaks (sirloins) on backyard grill. Man wears apron"Genius at Work) & chef hat. CU of steaks cooking on grill.Credits (Union Pacific Railroad logo). Your's Truly, - Wolvmarine
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