Eskimo (film)
Encyclopedia
Eskimo was a 1933
film directed by W.S. Van Dyke. It was the first major studio film made in Alaska, and starred Ray Mala
, a half-Inupiat actor, and was one of the first dramatic films to use a nearly all-native cast. In 1934, it received the first Academy Award for Best Film Editing, awarded to Conrad A. Nervig
.
spared no expense in making sure they had everything they needed during their stay - he even sent the famous chef from the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Blvd (the site of the first Oscars) with them to Alaska to cook for them.
When "Eskimo" premiered at the famed Astor Theatre
in Times Square, New York, the studio received the largest amount of feedback in the history of the studio up to that time. "Eskimo" was critically acclaimed and released worldwide; as a result Inupiat Eskimo
actor Ray Mala
became an international movie star. Director Woody Van Dyke has a featured acting role in the movie.
for Best Film Editing at the Academy Awards
, for forever preserving Inupiat culture on film, and for being the first motion picture to be filmed in an all native language (Inupiat).
1933 in film
-Events:* March 2 - King Kong premieres in New York City.* June 6 - The first drive-in theater opens, in Camden, New Jersey.* British Film Institute founded....
film directed by W.S. Van Dyke. It was the first major studio film made in Alaska, and starred Ray Mala
Ray Mala
Ray Mala was the first Native American movie star and is the most prolific film star that the state of Alaska has thus far produced. Ray Mala was recently named a "Top Ten Alaskan" by TIME Magazine...
, a half-Inupiat actor, and was one of the first dramatic films to use a nearly all-native cast. In 1934, it received the first Academy Award for Best Film Editing, awarded to Conrad A. Nervig
Conrad A. Nervig
Conrad Albinus Nervig was an American film editor with 81 film credits....
.
History
In 1932 an expedition set out from MGM's studios in Hollywood to Alaska to film what was then billed as "The Biggest Picture Ever Made". Upon arriving in Alaska, they set up "Camp Hollywood" in Northwest Alaska where they lived during the duration of the filming. Louis B. MayerLouis B. Mayer
Louis Burt Mayer born Lazar Meir was an American film producer. He is generally cited as the creator of the "star system" within Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in its golden years. Known always as Louis B...
spared no expense in making sure they had everything they needed during their stay - he even sent the famous chef from the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Blvd (the site of the first Oscars) with them to Alaska to cook for them.
When "Eskimo" premiered at the famed Astor Theatre
Astor Theatre
The Astor Theatre was a New York City Broadway theatre from 1906 to 1925 in the United States of America. It was located at 1537 Broadway, at W. 45th Street. It was first managed by Wagenhals and Kemper, then by George M. Cohan and Sam Harris, and later by the Shuberts. From 1925 to 1972 it was a...
in Times Square, New York, the studio received the largest amount of feedback in the history of the studio up to that time. "Eskimo" was critically acclaimed and released worldwide; as a result Inupiat Eskimo
Eskimo
Eskimos or Inuit–Yupik peoples are indigenous peoples who have traditionally inhabited the circumpolar region from eastern Siberia , across Alaska , Canada, and Greenland....
actor Ray Mala
Ray Mala
Ray Mala was the first Native American movie star and is the most prolific film star that the state of Alaska has thus far produced. Ray Mala was recently named a "Top Ten Alaskan" by TIME Magazine...
became an international movie star. Director Woody Van Dyke has a featured acting role in the movie.
Awards
Eskimo is significant for the following: winning the very first OscarAcademy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
for Best Film Editing at the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
, for forever preserving Inupiat culture on film, and for being the first motion picture to be filmed in an all native language (Inupiat).