To Oberammergau and the Alps in an Austin Sixteen: Continental Film - Views of Monte Cristallo, Crode Rossa, Lake Como, Contina, Pordoi [Reel 6]

Journey to and from the Oberammergau Passion Play and the Alps by car in 1930.

Sixth in a series of film reels recording Eustace and Eunice Alliott’s trip to and from the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1930, by way of a motor tour through Belgium, Luxembourg and the Rhine, before travelling further south to northern Italy, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, returning to London via Germany and Belgium. The sixth reel in this series records details of Alliotts' journey through northern Italy from the Dolomites to Lake Como. Scenes include: landscape shots of mountain peaks (including the Dolomites, and mountain peaks at the Stelvio Pass); observations of the local population and activities (including children, villagers, and soldiers who pose for the camera in the Dolomites; village street scenes in the Karerpass [Costalunga Pass]; agricultural labourers engaged in harvesting; fishing on Lake Como; and the progress of road improvements around Lake Como); a stop at a roadside war memorial in the Karerpass and in the Stelvio Pass Eunice examines reminders of war found by the roadside; visits to local sightseeing attractions on Lake Como, as well as boat trip on the lake. Notably, as in other reels, the scenes in this film record work done by women as part of the agricultural workforce and in domestic duties, with shots of women engaged in harvest work and washing laundry.

Featured Buildings

Unidentified war memorial in northern Italy, possibly near the Costalunga Pass Schloss Karneid [Cornedo all'Isarco/ Castle Karneid] Boat moorings, Bellano Villa Carlotta, Lake Como Villa Arconati, Lake Como

Keywords

Inter-war continental tourism; War memorials; Italian lakes; Agricultural labour; Female labour

Intertitles

All around were famous Dolomite peaks – the Drei-Zinnen, Cadin di Misurina, Marmorola, and Sorapis Monte Cristallo and Croda Rossa Some snapshots among the mountains On the Ampezzo Pass A fair was being held at Cortina d’Ampezzo We climbed the Pordoi (it was kindergarten work by now) to picnic in the wild pasture-land above After picnic we entertained company and hunted for edelweiss (we found some!) – Pordoi Pass Village scenes at the foot of the Karer (now Costalunga) Pass War memories are perpetuated in a busy countryside The castle of Karneid guards the road to Bolzano We explore Merano Half way up the Stelvio – the Ortler with its magnificent peaks and glaciers There was thick snow at the top of the Stelvio. The pass is 9,000 feet high the highest road in Europe There are 44 hairpin bends going up and 33 coming down. Here are some of them Even above snow level one may find traces of fighting We saw some charming things at Colico on Lake Como The roads around the lake were being improved – and they needed it! This is Bellano The villa Carlotta, famous for its gardens and statuary There are beautiful views from the villa towards Bellagio, across Lake Como We took motor boat from Tremezzo round the villa Arconati To be continued on next reel

Other Places

Ampezzo Pass; Cortina d’Ampezzo; Pordoi; Costalunga (Karer) Pass; Karneid castle; Stelvio; Merano; Colico, Lake Como; Bellano; Villa Carlotta; Villa Arconati