Travel Through Time (One More Time)
fresh sleepycore for the fans of sleeping and being asleep
This week, I’ve got a selection of 1980s travel documentaries to show y’all. Back in August, I included a Panorama International Productions doc which focused on Mount St. Helens in one of my newsletters, and I got a handful of positive comments and messages about it. Well, I’m happy to report back in with a new Panorama International Productions travel documentary, this time on the Mesa Verde!
After doing a little digging, I found that this production company mainly sold their tapes in gift shops of the places depicted on film. Both tapes I’ve managed to find from this company have been from a place I talk about a lot, Grindhouse Video. They always have a big stock of clamshells or other more unique big-box VHS releases, and I gravitate to the nature docs.
In addition to that, we’ve also got a soaring view of the entire catalog of National Parks here in America and a deep dive on The Grand Canyon. Thanks so much for checking out this article. Let’s get right into the tapes!
Mesa Verde: Where The Spirits Rise, The Anasazi Story
1986 | Runtime: 42 Minutes
Before the pioneers, before the Pilgrims, even before Columbus, there were the Anasazi - the 'Ancient Ones. Our cameras take you on a thrilling journey into the remains of a vanished civilization, the largest archeological preserve in the United States containing the greatest number of cliff dwellings ever found. Explore with us deserted rooms haunted by the invisible presence of an ancient people; peer into darkened kivas and imagine secret ceremonial rites; experience the solitude, the silence, and the stirring of primal feelings and fears. Our cameras capture in magnificent photography aerial views of the ruins, Sun Temple, pit houses, wildlife, and many more scenes of the park's historical, cultural and geological significance. A must movie for your video library.
Touring America's National Parks: Second Edition
1989 | Runtime: 1 Hour
The second edition of "Touring America's National Parks" includes new and expanded cinematography of 20 of the country's most visited parks. Glacier, Zion and Shenan- doah have been added and a segment on the 1988 fire at Yellowstone is included. You'll see the splendor of the Grand Canyon, wondrous Yellowstone, the grandeur of Grand Teton, Yosemite, Acadia and Olympic. Marvel at the cliffs, canyons, spires, and sculpted forms found in Zion, Bryce, Arches, Mesa Verde, and Carlsbad Caverns. Feel the lushness of Shenandoah, the Florida Everglades, and the mist enshrouded Great Smoky Mountains. Enjoy the mountain beauty of Mt. Rainier, North Cascades, Glacier and Rocky Mountain National Park. Explore the mystery of Crater Lake, the majesty of the California Redwoods.
Arizona Highways Presents: The Grand Canyon
1987 | Runtime: 1 Hour
The Grand Canyon
Now you can share the Grand Canyon's overwhelming natural splendor with family and friends. This hour-long video adventure explores the Grand Canyon in action-filled detail. See and experience:
Spectacular scenes by some of the world's great nature photographers.
An exciting mule ride along sheer cliffs of the Canyon, from the South Rim down to the Colorado River and picturesque Phantom Ranch.
A thrilling river trip in a small raft battling some of the most challenging rapids on earth.A pictorial explanation of how the vast Canyon was formed.
Ruins of ancient civilizations that mysteriously disappeared.A visit to the idyllic waterfalls of Havasu Canyon.
And much more.
Lorne Greene and Arizona Highways
Only such an impressive combination could do video justice to the Grand Canyon. Lorne Greene is known throughout the world as both a film star and naturalist. Arizona Highways also is world- renowned as a magazine of beautiful scenic photography that has reported on the American Southwest since 1925.
Well, that’s it for this week! I hope you enjoyed the tapes. If you’re looking for more, please check out my page on Archive.org for the full list of digitized media. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message right here or drop a comment below. If you haven’t already, why not check out some of my previous work like this compilation of several examples of weird Christian media or any of my other previous posts here. Thanks so much for checking out this week’s edition of Diptych!
See you soon!
—Forrest
Thinking about how in just 9 hours I will be falling fast asleep to these. I'm going to honk and shew.