Maurice Everett Boorman was a lifelong resident of the Flathead Valley, Montana. He was born on December 29, 1907 in Kalispell, Montana, to Albert and Mary Boorman and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1925. After six years working on the West Coast with his brother, Paul, he returned permanently to the Flathead in 1931 and joined the Northern Montana Forestry Association (NMFA). He served as Chief Fire Warden for the NMFA from 1946 until his retirement in 1972. He served on several boards and commissions for the City of Kalispell.
Maurice married Lillian Mary Neas on December 17, 1934. They had two daughters, Barbara and Beverly, born in 1940 and 1942. In the years prior to their marriage, Lillian had been a telephone operator for Mountain States Power Company. Barbara and Beverly graduated from the University of Montana in 1963 and 1964, respectively. Lillian passed away on May 5, 1971. Maurice died April 2, 1978. His ashes were scattered on Boorman Peak, named for a relative.
The films in this collection were recorded by Maurice E. Boorman from 1946 to 1964. They center on Maurice and Lillian Boorman's daughters, Barbara and Beverly, as they grew from ages 6 and 5, to 23 and 22 respectively. Also filmed are Barbara and Beverly's grandparents (Boorman and Neas) and their many aunts and uncles. The scenes were shot principally in Kalispell, Flathead County, and Glacier National Park, Montana. Films range in topic from first days of school and family events, to family trips and conferences.
The films were consolidated in 1999, combining the original twenty-nine film reels (labeled as camera rolls) onto twenty 400-foot reels of 8mm film. Four VHS tapes were then created from those twenty reels to facilitate viewing by the family. In 2021, a table of contents was created by the film donors based on the contents of the VHS tapes. The corresponding time-table of scenes from the VHS table of contents are not currently matched to the 8mm film reels. The table of contents is available upon request.
These films were arranged by the creator and the film transfer technician. Films progress in chronological order.
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Non-exclusive copyright held by the University of Montana.
Maurice E. Boorman Home Movies, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
This collection was in the possession of Maurice Boorman until his death in 1978 when the films passed on to his two daughters, Barbara and Beverly. The films were in the possession of Barbara Boorman and Beverly Boorman Murphy until their donation to Archives and Special Collections.
This collection was donated to Archives and Special Collections in 2020 by Barbara Boorman and Beverly Boorman Murphy.
During processing, film reels were labeled. All reels were maintained in original order.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
By M. Moore
Color
400 ft
Color
400 ft
Butte, Bertha, Dad, Crook's, Cameron's Easter, Grandpa Neas and Grandma;
Color
400 ft
1947
Color
400 ft
Color
400 ft
Glacier Park Cubs, Sunday school, Hazel and Dan, Beverly's 5th Birthday
Color
400 ft
1947
Color
400 ft
California Trip 1948
Color
400 ft
California Trip 1948
Color
400 ft
Freedom Train
Color
400 ft
Memorial day; flood, Beverly 6th Birthday, Arthur, Paul, Moose
Color
400 ft
Memorial day; flood, Beverly 6th Birthday, Arthur, Paul, Moose
Color
400 ft
Claypool, Shari, Luggage, Bathtub, 1948, Big Snowball 1:9 lens, Barney at Kila, Indoor Xmas 1948
Color
400 ft
Claypool, Shari, Luggage, Bathtub, 1948, Big Snowball 1:9 lens, Barney at Kila, Indoor Xmas 1948
Color
400 ft
California Trip 1949, Glen Locke, Start of 17 mi Drive, Fisherman's Wharf, Cable Cars, Wishram, Ferrys, San Jose
Color
400 ft
Carmel, Santa Cruz, Zoo, Frisco, Portland, Spolane, 17 mi drive
Color
400 ft
Camera Roll 14: Firemen and Police, Brownies 4/12/49, Memorial Day Parade, Brownies, Glacier Park, Mem Day, Northwest Airline 1st Flight June 2 1949, Airshow June 5 1949, Bonnie, G. Pa Birthday, Kid Parade, Dolls, Night Gown, Swings
Color
400 ft
Woods Bay Fishing, Dachshunds Woods Bay, Hot Dog Party, Kalispell Lumber Company Fire, #2 1949, 4th July Parade, Hazel and Dan, Hauling Wood, Beauty Contest (sic)
Color
400 ft
Color
400 ft
Color
400 ft
Color
400 ft
Color
400 ft
1950, Little MB B and B, California Trip, Reel #2
Color
400 ft
Long Hair, Mrs. Berry - New Dress, Shrine Parade 4/9/1950, Brownies, Weinie Roast, 1950 Brownie Day Camp, 4th of July Parade, Indoor- Party Westside School, Winter 1949-1950, New Year 1/1/1950
Color
400 ft
Birds, Goldern Wedding 10/31/1950, Ed and Lottie, Xmas 1950, New Years, Ready to go to Frisco- Feb 1951
Color
400 ft
California Trip 1951
Color
400 ft
Color
400 ft
April 1952-May 1953, High Bridge, Stilts, President Truman, October 1, 1952, Dallas Torgerson, Beverly's 10th Birthday, July 6, 1952, Haskell Lookout, September 1952
Color
400 ft
1953-1957, May 1953- January 5, 1958, Glacier Park 1953, Christmas 1953, Long hair, Timberjack (the movie set) 1954, 8th grade graduation (Barbara) 1955, Fall 1957, Christmas 1957, Nelsons
Color
400 ft
Prom, Canada
Color
400 ft
Monty and Dusty, Bev and Formal, Crows Nest
Color
400 ft
Canada, Beverly, Lillian, MB
Color
400 ft
1962 and 1963, Monty, Liz (Poso)
Color
400 ft
Total Run Time 2:54:00
Total Run Time 2:47:45
Total Run Time 3:00:30
Total Run Time 2:06:30