In May 1941, the Bonneville Power Administration hired the folksinger Woody Guthrie for one month as an “Information Consultant” to work on a film meant to publicize and promote the Columbia Basin Project and hydroelectric power. World War II halted production of the film, but it was ultimately released in 1949 under the title of The Columbia. During his travels all around the basin, Guthrie wrote some 26 songs commemorating the workers and the projects they were building, including “Roll On Columbia,” “Pastures of Plenty” and “Grand Coulee Dam.” Songs by Woody Guthrie. Produced by Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration.

The Columbia

1949 US 90 min
Festival Year: 2013
Types: Documentary, Short
Topic: Global Perspectives