While most of my research for my next book, The History of Sled Dogs in North America, is focused on photographs, I occasionally come across vintage film footage of sled dog teams, and they are delightful to watch. Whether silent, with sound from the mushers and dogs, or with narration explaining the scenes, the dogs, equipment, and often the mushers themselves are fascinating! A few favorites I’ve discovered in my searches:
ARTHUR TREADWELL WALDEN
Arthur T. Walden was one of the greatest sled dog trainers, author of the classic book, A Dog-Puncher on the Yukon (Houghton Mifflin Co., 1928). He developed a new breed he called the Chinook, after his favorite dog from his gold rush days, and is credited for bringing the sport of sled dog racing to New England. In 1927 he helped train sled dogs and drivers for Admiral Richard E. Byrd’s Antarctic expedition, and Walden was in charge of hauling supplies to Byrd’s base camp.
A 10-minute video clip of outtakes filmed on December 12, 1926, features “various scenes of young huskies being trained for winter races and international contests. Arthur Walden, pioneer dog team driver, starts his training routine. The dogs have to cross fallen trees, hilly trails, woods, water overpasses, and other obstacles.” Click any link to view the film.
The film, donated by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, is at the University of South Carolina Moving Image Research Collections, in Columbia, SC.
ALLAN ALEXANDER “SCOTTY” ALLAN
Among the more exciting finds was this 1930 “Dog team launches glider--outtakes” film featuring The King of the Dog Team drivers, Allan Alexander “Scotty” Allan.
Known in his day as the greatest of all dog drivers, three-time winner of the 410-mile All Alaska Sweepstakes sled dog race from Nome to Candle, and a tireless advocate of the sport of sled dog racing, A. A. “Scotty” Allan was a legend in his own time, and a genuine celebrity.
On December 31, 1930, Scotty and his dog team took part in festivities at a resort location in the Sierra Mountains of northern California which included launching a glider into the air with the aid of Scotty’s dog team. The event was filmed by Fox Movietone News, and the description accompanying the film explains: “Allan Alexander ‘Scotty’ Allan's dog team hauls a glider to the High Sierras. Scenes include men hauling a glider down a mountainside and being met by Allan with his team of Malamutes. Scenes also include the dog team being hitched to a shock cord of the glider. Allan discusses the take off with a glider pilot. A glider takes off with the assistance of dog team power and man power.”
“Come out and see us in California, we have oranges and snow—in close proximity!”
This several-minute film includes sound, and it’s delightful to hear Scotty’s brogue! The film, donated by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, is at the University of South Carolina Moving Image Research Collections, in Columbia, SC.
LEONHARD SEPPALA
Perhaps the most well-known musher today, thanks to dozens of books and a few films about his legendary exploits, is Leonhard Seppala, who would, like Scotty Allan, win three All Alaska Sweepstakes championships. He became a living legend in Alaska after carrying lifesaving serum over the treacherous ice of Norton Sound in the 1925 Serum Race to Nome.
This three-minute silent color film clip shows Leonhard Seppala harnessing and mushing his dog team at his home in Chatanika, Alaska, circa 1940. The film, titled ‘Leonhard Seppala with his dog team,’ is part of the collection at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Film Archives, which holds more than 10,000 Alaska films and videos from professional productions to amateur home-movies, made in and about Alaska from the earliest days of filmmaking through today.