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The Lighthouse (1952)

1952 · Short film · 11 min

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Synopsis

The Lighthouse” is a color educational film from 1952, made by New Horizon Films and released by Encyclopedia Britannica Films. Produced by Cynthia Chapman, Hal Albert, and Wilbur T. Blume, this film’s story is told from the perspective of a young boy who lives on the property of a U.S. Coast Guard operated lighthouse. The boy’s father is the lighthouses’ headlight housekeeper and the film follows as the young boy helps his father fulfill his duties from cleaning the light at dawn and watching as the light gets turned on to guide ships at dusk. The film takes place at the Point Sur Lighthouse which was established in 1889 and is located just south of Monterey, California at the peak of a 361-foot rock. At the time of filming, the lighthouse was operated by the United States Coast Guard however today it is part of Point Sur State Historic Park and is open to the public. Opening credits (0:10). Voice of young boy narrates as camera pans rocky cliffs and blue water of Pacific Ocean (0:20). Lighthouse sits on top of rocky cliff, waves crash at bottom of the cliff (0:58). Man and young son exit front door of home, white picket fence (1:08). Father and son in sailor hats go out on walk with dog (1:16). The pair walk along carved out path holding onto white handrails as they walk down cliff-side towards lighthouse building (1:33). The pair look down at white foaming water (1:52). Close-up of father and son’s faces looking down at the water below (1:58). Camera pans lighthouse…

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Details

Running time
11 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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