The Idaho Film Collection (IFC) is the result of Boise State University English professor Tom Trusky's efforts to track down and preserve films, memorabilia, and any related information on Idaho films and filmaking. The films researched by Trusky in this collection were either primarily shot in Idaho or have key scenes filmed in Idaho. Those include: Bus Stop, with Marilyn Monroe at Ketchum; Sun Valley Serenade, with Sonja Henie; and Northwest Passage with Spencer Tracy at McCall. The collection contains extensive material relating to Nell Shipman and her films at Lionhead Lodge Studio at Priest Lake and elsewhere, historical publications by Trusky, correspondence between Trusky and others regarding his quest to find copies of old Idaho films, movie stills, set photos, film reviews, audio and visual multimedia, and research on specific films, actors, and actresses. One of the the largest series in the collection pertains to the film Told in the Hills (1919), filmed at Kamiah, Lawyer's Canyon, and the Selway River, of which the only remaining copy of the film Trusky tracked down and purchased from a Soviet Archive. The film holds significance as one of the earliest films ever shot in Idaho. Also included are the memoirs, films, and biography of Jack Hoxie, an early cowboy movie star who grew up in Riggins. While much of the IFC material pertains to the first half of the 20th century, there are files on various Idaho films into the 21st century.
Three books from the collection were cataloged separately and are available in Special Collections: Photoplay Writing by William Lord Wright (1922), Motion Picture Studio Directory and Trade Annual (1920), and Film Notes from the Museum of Modern Art Film Library (Volume 3, Number 2, November 1935).
The Idaho Film Collection contains over 450 audiovisual assets on a range of formats: from 16mm film to VHS to Betacam to audiocassette tapes. Many of the titles in the collection appear on multiple formats. Below is a list of every discrete title held in the collection. When there is an "et al" after the ID number, there are multiple assets in the collection for that title (i.e.
The Idaho Film Collection (IFC) was founded by Tom Trusky prior to 1990 as a Boise State entity within the Hemingway Center for Western Studies. Until his untimely passing in November 2009, Trusky collected, studied and republished the films of Nell Shipman, and published two books and other materials relating to her oeuvre; circulated rare films and lectured on Shipman's work; collected and archived films and photographs made in Idaho or relating to Idaho, as well as collateral materials relating to Idaho film and photographic history, all under the aegis of IFC.
These activities were supported by revenues from the sales of DVDs and books, film rental fees, and by a BSU Foundation account, the Howard Anderson bequest. The Anderson Bequest stipulates that its proceeds shall be used to support research and scholarship in the history and practice of film and photography in Idaho and in the Northwest; and to preserve and exhibit historic photographic equipment and archival material donated by Mr. Anderson. Boise physician Dr. Raymond Bungard also contributed to the IFC by donating several "lost" Idaho films.
Collection is available for research.
[Item description], Idaho Film Collection, Box [number] Folder [number], Boise State University Special Collections and Archives.
Donated by Tom Trusky in 2001, with collection aid by Howard Anderson and Raymond Bungard.
The Idaho Film Collection contains over 450 audiovisual assets on a range of formats: from 16mm film to VHS to Betacam to audiocassette tapes. Many of the titles in the collection appear on multiple formats. Below is a list of every discrete title held in the collection. When there is an "et al" after the ID number, there are multiple assets in the collection for that title (i.e.