Moving Image

Norway and Russia tour, 1938

Dublin Core

Title
Norway and Russia tour, 1938
Identifier
2022013_19
Date
1938
Description
No description available. Video available online here.
Funding for digitization provided to NAHA by the Sons of Norway Foundation.
Extent
00:40:08
Format
Independent films
Rights
In Copyright
https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission for the rights-holder(s).
Spatial Coverage
Norway
Russia
Table Of Contents
00:00:00 “We leave New York on the Normandy.” This is followed by a shot of the Normandie in port, one of it leaving port, and shots from around the ship, including several decks, a life preserver, and shooting trap off the side. Nearby ships are also shown, especially as the port is reached.

00:01:57 “Norway from the car window.” Images are of Norwegian mountains and fjords, with an interlude

00:02:25 Shots of a woman (probably a tourist) wearing traditional Norwegian garb.

00:03:26 “A cruise in the Norwegian Fjords to the North Cape and the Midnight Sun.” The next title is, “Bergen, Our first port of call.” Shots include a Bergen with the sea, a fish market, a flower market, and boats and buildings at the water’s edge.

00:04:40 “Stavekirk--Eleventh century Church ‘Dragon’ style architecture.” Shots of a wooden church follow, as do more shots of a harbor.

00:05:38 Aalesund, headquarters of cod fisheries--Western Norway.” Shots of port, both from boat and from land. Images also include nature scenes, such as a mountain, long grasses, and birds, and several shots of fishermen at work. The boat’s departure from the harbor is shown as well.

00:07:01 “Midnight Sun. Exposures made between 11:00 and 12:00 P.M.” Images are of the sun over a large body of water.

00:07:28 “Norangs Fjord.” Several shots are of other boats, with mountains in background. Also included is a shot of two people talking while others look on. Possibly a play.

00:07:58 “Oie and Merok through Norangdal Valley.” Pastoral images follow, specifically a small farming communities in valleys. Also, women are shown in traditional Norwegian apparel, and people are shown working.

00:09:58 “Geiranger Fjord.” Images include: an inlet between steep mountains, women hauling milk, girls on a porch, a town, and waterfalls.

00:11:22 “Neptune comes aboard at the Arctic Circle.” A party is held, and a man dressed as Neptune comes on board to aid the festivities.

00:12:22 “Svartisen Glacier.” Film of a glacier and surrounding area 00:13:34 “’Stella Polaris’, our ship and home.” A shot of the Stella Polaris with a launch going toward it, followed by more images of a glacier and fjords.

00:14:28 “Lapp encampment.” Images of Saami (Lapp) life: working with reindeer hides, cleaning antlers, herd dogs, live reindeer, and a man with his son. Following this are more shots of the ship, seagulls, and fjords. A sign advertises that they are in Tromsø.

00:18:59 “At Tromso we lay a wreath on the monument erected to the memory of Roald Amundsen.” Many people watch as several individuals put wreaths in front of a monument. A man gives a speech, and a man with a long beard looks at a flag. Another sign indicates that they have progressed to Hammerfest.

00:20:27 “Hammerfest, northmost town in the world.” Shots of the town and their ship from on top of a hill are interspersed with images of the residents of Hammerfest.

00:21:23 “Bird Rock.” A large bare rock, surrounded by ocean, has many birds living on it, they are shown flying around in flocks.

00:22:22 “North Cape and the Midnight Sun, 71˚ 10’ North Latitude.” A rocky cliff dwarfs a lighthouse.

00:23:11 “Fishing for cod at the North Cape.” A man is shown pulling a line by hand through an eyelet with a wheel attached to the side of a ship. A woman holds a fish. Two men shake hands in front of a pillar, probably indicating the North Cape. More shots of birds, and fjords follow.

00:24:04 “Trondhjem--‘Tea for two’.” Shots of life in Trondheim and nature near Trondhjem are followed by images of two people drinking tea on a balcony overlooking the town.

00:26:20 “Naerodal Valley to Stalheim.” Shots of a road with horse and carriage running along it are followed by more images of valleys, waterfalls, and people on shore. Two items on deck appear to explode, possibly fireworks, or a planned steam release.

00:30:33 “RUSSIA U.S.S.R.”, “Leningrad,” “Peterhof Palace and Gardens.” Shots are of the Peterhof, with special focus on the fountains. Also shown is a troop of guards marching.

00:32:01 “Statue of Nicholas I St. Isaacs Cathedral.” Images as the title describes, and also two workers sleeping on a bench.

00:32:26 “Marine Building.” Images of a large Neoclassical structure.

00:32:44 “Uritsky Square and Winter Palace.” Images of the Winter Palace with a monument in the courtyard.

00:33:08 “Across the Neva.” Long-distance shots of Leningrad/St. Petersburg across the river Neva.

00:33:24 “Peter the Great.” Statue of Peter the Great on horseback and a line of women on a square.

00:33:47 “Detskoye Silo Palace.” Images of a large palace.

00:34:00 “At the corner of 25 October Avenue and 3 July Street.” A large Neoclassical building is shown, probably a monument. Also depicted are a building with a huge banner of Stalin on it and the Church of the Savior on the Blood, with a close-up of some of the panels.

00:34:48 “Moscow Athletic Parade.” A parade with numerous individuals marching in large blocks, carrying banners, flags and signs. The assembly area is shown also.

Notes: The Normandie and the Stella Polaris were both considered upper-class ships. This, combined with dress, indicates that the filmmakers had some wealth. Additionally, the trip took place during the summer, as they saw the northern midnight sun. Further, based on their last port of call before the film mentions the midnight sun, the dates are likely to fall within 10 days of June 21, that is, June 11-July 1, though possible dates stretch as far back as May 11 and as far forward as August 1.
Bibliographic Citation
[Indicate the cited item here]. Campbell Norsgaard Collection. Norwegian-American Historical Association, Northfield, Minnesota.
Has Format
MP4

Citation

Norsgaard, Campbell, “Norway and Russia tour, 1938,” Digital Collections, accessed October 16, 2026, https://www.norwegianamericanhistory.org/digital-collections/items/show/16014.