1939 Antarctic film to be restored
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State University will use a $5,000 federal grant to restore and copy two 16mm reels of film from Adm. Richard Byrd's first expedition to Antarctica in 1939.
Medical officer Harrison Richardson filmed all five Byrd expeditions to the region between 1939 and 1941.
Richardson's son, James Richardson, donated 18 reels of his father's film, both 35mm and 16mm, from Byrd's expeditions.
Polar archivist Laura Kissel said on Tuesday the two 16mm reels from the 1939 expedition were chosen for restoration because little material exists from that trek.
The two reels represent only the tip of the iceberg of the Byrd collection, but the quantity and price tag for preserving all the film is daunting, Kissel said.
"It's not feasible that we'll get it all done, ever," she said. "You can't save everything."
The National Film and Preservation Foundation, which awarded the grant, liked the Richardson films because they show an insider's perspective and represent some of the first color footage of Antarctica, said Jeff Lambert, assistant director of the foundation.
Bob Wagner, an OSU professor emeritus and former chairman of the Cinema and Photography Department, said the 16mm reels are the most interesting because Richardson carried his camera with him.
