Paul Tomkowicz: Street Railway Switchman

Jan 2, 1953

0h 9m

★ 5.7

Overview

In this film, Paul Tomkowicz, Polish-born Canadian, talks about his job and his life in Canada. He compares his new life in the city of Winnipeg to the life he knew in Poland, marvelling at the freedom Canadians enjoy. In winter the rail-switches on streetcar tracks in Winnipeg froze and jammed with freezing mud and snow. Keeping them clean, whatever the weather, was the job of the switchman.

Genres

Documentary

Production Companies

ONF | NFB

Paul Tomkowicz: Street Railway Switchman Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Himself

Paul Tomkowicz

Narrator

Tommy Tweed

A group of people are standing along the platform of a railway station in La Ciotat, waiting for a train. One is seen coming, at some distance, and eventually stops at the platform. Doors of the railway-cars open and attendants help passengers off and on. Popular legend has it that, when this film was shown, the first-night audience fled the café in terror, fearing being run over by the "approaching" train. This legend has since been identified as promotional embellishment, though there is evidence to suggest that people were astounded at the capabilities of the Lumières' cinématographe.

No Image Available

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No Image Available

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Paul Tomkowicz: Street Railway Switchman

Overview

Genres

Production Companies

Paul Tomkowicz: Street Railway Switchman Trailers