Mary Jane Colter: The Desert View

Over 100 years ago, when most women became seamstresses, nurses or teachers, Mary Jane Colter journeyed from St. Paul to San Francisco to study at the California Institute of Design. She went on to become chief designer and architect for the Fred Harvey company, designing hotels, gift shops and tourist viewing stops along the Santa Fe Railroad line and the Grand Canyon. Ellen Burstyn narrates this film which tells the story of her life and works, featuring commentary by National Park personnel, remarkable archival films, and magnificent western scenery. Along the way, viewers are also presented with a thumbnail history of the rise and fall of the Fred Harvey chain of hotels and restaurants which serviced the Santa Fe Railroad, a history which also captures the evolution of western tourism throughout this century. During her career, Mary Jane Colter sparked controversy with her use of Native American and indigenous materials in landmark structures like Desert View Watch Tower, Hopi house, Bright Angel Lodge, Phantom Ranch and the ill-fated La Posada, all beautifully documented here. Mary Jane Colter: The Desert View is a rich film which manages to deliver on all counts: as a profile of a virtually unknown innovator in American architecture, as commentary on Native American art and culture, and as an overview of tourism in the west. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Reed)