1 Nomination, 0 Wins
Nomination: Best Short Subject, Cartoons - Tom Daly
"Romance" and "transportation" are two words not often heard in the same sentence, let alone one with the inclusion of the word "Canada." Yet in 1952, the National Film Board of Canada released the animated short "The Romance of Transportation in Canada," a humorous 11 minute short that shows the historical development of transportation in Canada.
The National Film Board of Canada is one of the most recognized entities in Academy Awards history, receiving 72 Oscar nominations, 11 competitive Oscars, and an honorary Oscar. The NFB's importance in both cinematic history and in promoting Canadian culture cannot be overstated. "The Romance of Transportation in Canada was the first film from the National Film Board of Canada to receive a nomination in the "Short Subject, Cartoons" category.
This isn't my favorite of the NFB's offerings. Its narrative structure is more in the style of a promotional film than a story, but the film moves along briskly and there is a nice, subtle sense of humor that pervades the film. It is also brightened by a lively score from the great Eldon Rathburn that almost singlehandedly keeps the film from dragging.
If you only have time to watch one NFB short (which are generously offered for free viewing on the NFB website), there are better options than "The Romance of Transportation in Canada," but if you have a little time it's worth checking out.
Remaining: 3146 films, 871 Oscars, 5404 nominations
I am a Canadian musicologist and I am about to publish a book on the life and work of NFB film composer Eldon Rathburn (McGill-Queen's Press, forthcoming 2018). I want to cite your comments about Rathburn's lively jazz-inspired score for The Romance of Transportation in Canada (1952). It would be helpful to have your name, for example. Please contact me at James.Wright@carleton.ca (see also jameskwright.com) Thank you! J.
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