HOME MOVIE: EIGHTH ARMY'S SUN VALLEY

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1960s

Format: 16mm

Description: One of a series of extraordinary home movies shot in Occupied Japan immediately after WWII, this film shows scenes from a tour of the islands. It includes footage shot during a trip down the Hozu River, and includes footage shot on the Sakamoto funicular railway and a temple on Mount Hiei. Both of the funicular and river raft tours are still in operation, and visited by modern tourists. The man who filmed these was a Harvard graduate ('43) and U.S. Army Intelligence Officer named Robert Ryan. Ryan may have very well worked for the OSS, although it's not clear. He definitely worked as an instructor at the U.S. Army's AFFE Intelligence School, and toured Vietnam in the early 1960s to conduct strategic vulnerability surveys. These films dates to the period July 1947-May 1951, when Ryan served in the Department of Defense in the Geographic Branch, Theater Intelligence Division, Far East Command. During this time he served in Occupied Japan and in the Korean theater. This film shows the Akakura Kanko Resort (also known as ‘Akakan’), which was one of the first European-style ski resorts in Japan. The resort was established in 1937 and remains one of the most popular resorts in Myoko. During the Occupation of Japan, the resort became a recreation center for members of the Eighth Army and diplomatic guests. Sign for Akakura Imperial Hotel, Taguchi, Japan (:16). On the top the sign likely says "Eighth Army". At (:21), small Studebaker M29 Weasels are seen in the snowy streets. At (:31), stencil for Akakura Imperial Hotel. At (1:12), shots of the mountains near the hotel. At (1:34), American servicemen obtain skis from the lodge. At (2:13) a small cart, loaded with skis, makes its way up the mountain. At (2:52), people bathe in the hot springs and lie in the snow to cool off. Writing in the snow proclaims "New Year's 1950" (3:49). At (4:03) another M29 makes its way through town, holding skis. Sign for Akakura Imperial Hotel (4:41), proclaiming "Eighth Army's Sun Valley" and "Admission by Orders Only." At (4:44), views from inside an M29. At (5:18) the American flag flies over the resort. At (5:28), skis are put on. Views of the hotel (6:00) main building. At (8:30), skiers ride a sledge, probably powered by a cable, up the slope. The film concludes with various shots of skiers on the slopes.

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