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Traveltalks - Exotic Mexico (1942)
Mexican Tehuana women of Tehuantepec wear United States gold coins
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"Traveltalks" were short travel films in color filmed by James A. FitzPatrick.
He filmed almost 300 films between 1926 and 1954.
The 1942 film "Traveltalks - Exotic Mexico" is set in Southern Mexico
in the cities of Tehuantepec and Oaxaca. In Tehuantepec are scenes of local women called "Tehuanas"
who wear jewelry made from real United States gold coins.
1. Title
A map of Southern Mexico appears.
2. Map showing Oaxaca and Tehuantepec
The narrator mentions that the Isthmus of Tehuantepec was the shortest route from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean
and was an important route to California during the Gold Rush.
3. Tehuantepec harbor
The narrator notes that the Mexican Government has been improving the harbor.
The film then shows scenes of Mexican women living in Tehuantepec who are called "Tehuana" women.
4. Tehuana women
One of their customs is to wear handmade self-embroidered colorful dresses.
Another custom is to wear gold necklaces, earrings, and bracelets made of 5, 10, and 20 dollar gold pieces
"in the coin of the United States".
5. Tehuana woman with necklace
The narrator continues that the custom began during the Gold Rush days when some American miners would linger
in Tehuantepec and, attracted by the local women, remained and married them.
6. Tehuana woman with necklace
Liberty Head United States gold coins can be seen.
7. Tehuana woman with necklace
Three Liberty Head United States $20 gold coins appear.
The narrator then shows a car driving from Tehuantepec to Oaxaca, a distance of 50 miles.
8. Driving to Oaxaca
Some Oaxaca ruins appear.
9. Oaxaca ruins
Diego Rivera, artist and archaelogist, appears holding a statue.
10. Diego Rivera with statue
He has a large collection of Mexican native art.
And this from The New York Times:
The New York Times, September 13, 1923:
YUCATAN IS LAND OF MISSING GOLD
Mestizas and Indian Maidens of Tehuantepec Also Laden With American Coins.
VERA CRUZ, Mexico, Sept. 12.
There are reports of missing gold in Yucatan and Tehuantepec. The amount of gold coins which has been withdrawn from circulation is astounding. Millions of dollars in coined gold now hang from the brown necks of Indian maidens in Yucatan and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
YUCATAN IS LAND OF MISSING GOLD
Mestizas and Indian Maidens of Tehuantepec Also Laden With American Coins.
There are reports of missing gold in Yucatan and Tehuantepec. The amount of gold coins which has been withdrawn from circulation is astounding. Millions of dollars in coined gold now hang from the brown necks of Indian maidens in Yucatan and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
Cast, Directors, Writers:
Diego Rivera as himself
Director: James A. FitzPatrick
Writers: James A. FitzPatrick
Writers: James A. FitzPatrick
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