Dogs of Aspen, The

Transcript (Download)

Most people think of Aspen, Colorado as a winter kind of place, and small wonder.

There is very substantial and colorful evidence to support this estimate, but more and more the beguiling appeals of Aspen are becoming not only multifaceted, but multi -seasonal.

The pristinely bountiful snows that speed the downhill pull of gravity across winter's frolicking courses do melt, eventually.

And the massive melt -off force -feeds nimble mountain streams, wherein the wily trout is not the only life form to languish sleepily.

And with the emergence of summer, Aspen itself, rather than its surrounding heights, becomes a veritable mecca for the mobile young, who display casual and communal ambience as they meet and fraternize in the clean air and bright sunlight.

Aspen becomes a mecca also for the more or less beautiful people of wider age and geographical range, who assemble annually for the well -heralded joys of aesthetic and intellectual communion which have become a summer tradition in Aspen.

Consumation of these larger interests takes place in and out of tents, seminar buildings, and adjacent oases on a scale and in a style difficult to match either east or west of the Rockies.

Taking all of these undoubted riches that surround them in easy, four -footed stride is an indigenous subculture much deserving of wider recognition.

The Dogs of Aspen.

The Dogs of Aspen.

The Dogs of Aspen.

Despite the rarefied atmosphere and the finely tuned style of their home base, the Dogs of Aspen do not run heavily to a particular breed, but they do run, and the livelier the traffic, the better the running.

For the Dogs of Aspen know that the streets are theirs, and they learn to fake out motor vehicles of all denominations at an early age.

The sidewalks are theirs too, and the buildings.

Inside and out.

Yet there is one conspicuous deviation in their pattern of conduct.

Perhaps it is a consequence of the scale of their surroundings, but the Dogs of Aspen generally and almost disdainfully ignore that venerated totem of canine lore, the fire hydrant.

Not all of the Dogs of Aspen are permitted to express the born free spirit of their peer group.

Some are left to sit in parked cars, forlorn consignees to an unnatural spectator role.

Given the overwhelming appeal of the action, however, it is not surprising that the simple admonition to stay does not always stand out.

A dozen miles from downtown Aspen as a Jeep climbs, one may see for a small fee the true elite of Colorado's canine.

These beautiful dogs, painstakingly bred and trained for the rigors of winter's work, are kept well away from the random temptations which can so easily debase less Spartan types.

But one could speculate that freed of their restraints, these too would most happily further enrich the vigorous Aspen mix.

With the coming of fall, Aspen's only really quiet season, the Dogs of Aspen have more color to look good against.

They also have less traffic with which to share their streets.

But though the challenge is gone for a while, their innate sense of pride and style carries them along in these quieter times.

And whatever their instinctive forebodings over the approach of winter, there is good evidence that something or someone will help them through yet another skiing season.

Summer is certain to come again for the Dogs of Aspen.

Identifier

F.2010-02-0205

Abstract

A humorous promotional film highlighting different elements of Aspen's touristic appeal, while focusing primarily on the "dogs of Aspen," and their idyllic lives in the renowned resort town.

Description

A short humorous film about the “beguiling appeals” of Aspen, Colorado, showcasing the natural beauty of the area throughout the seasons. The narrator notes that while Aspen is most known for its winter ski season, there is plenty to do at other times of the year. The film markets the destination as one especially attractive to younger tourists eager to enjoy the great outdoors. It also notes that bigger and more diverse crowds congregate every summer for the town's famous festivals and conferences.

The film then switches gears, focusing on what it describes as the "indigenous subculture of Aspen," which deserves more attention: its dogs. Different breeds are featured cavorting through the streets of Aspen, mingling with crowds, seemingly free agents left to roam the sidewalks and cross traffic-heavy streets completely on their own.

Towards the end, the narrator explains that while specific breeds meant to withstand the winter months are cultivated, the town is full of various breeds living in the rarefied streets of Aspen. The dogs' owners are rarely mentioned throughout the film; a clever device meant to reveal the safety and free-spirited nature of the town.

Run Time

0:07:31

Format

16mm

Extent

280 feet

Color

Color

Sound

Optical

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Language Of Materials

English

Element

Print

Genre

Sponsored
Comedy
Travel

Form

Short

Subject

Dogs
Travel
Aspen (Colo.)

Related Collections

Rhodes Patterson Collection

Related Places

North America ➜ United States ➜ Colorado ➜ Aspen

Main Credits

Patterson, Rhodes (is filmmaker)

Additional Credits

Patterson, Rhodes (is cinematographer)

Patterson, Rhodes (is writer)

Caradonna, Bob (is editor)

Do you know more about this item?

If you have more information about this item please contact us at info@chicagofilmarchives.com.