James Maloy Collection - Dennis Takes a Hike and West (1959)

Duration: 0:19:45

Year Published: 1959

Sound: silent

Description: This film contains two short amateur films produced by members of the Maloy family and starring Boy Scout Troop 33. The first film, Dennis Takes a Hike, follows an eager Boy Scout as he joins his companions on a hiking trip. Unfortunately, Dennis makes several major mistakes along the way, leading to numerous minor disasters. The second film, West, follows a group of cowboys, who live in a Western town. On a hike, they encounter Native Americans, and the fight begins. Please note: This second film depicts racist representations of Native Americans and the appropriation of Native American culture. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image does not condone this exploitative practice, but presents the film as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as to claim these attitudes never existed. Cultural appropriation involves the adoption of elements of a minority culture by members of a dominant culture without consent. These elements are often trivialized or used outside of their original cultural context, resulting in the loss or distortion of their true meaning. In some instances, cultural appropriation is considered not only disrespectful and offensive but also a form of desecration.