Fonds paa-7206 - Melvin and Ethel Ross fonds

Melvin Ross was born August 19, 1914 at Hutchinson, Minnesota, U.S.A., moved to Dorothy, Alberta in 1932 and worked the family ranch with his father. Ethel Graham was born January 2, 1919 in Drumheller, Alberta. Melvin and Ethel married on February 19, 1946. Melvin and Ethel owned a store at Kenisville, Alberta for a short time and then moved to Calgary, Alberta and built and sold houses. Mel was also an inventor, an artist and a writer. Ethel was a writer and a lobbyist, especially regarding the topic of water resources, and was a member of the Western Canada Reclamation Association, a water rights group. They co-authored the book The Long Road South about their trip through Mexico, Central and South America, where they also filmed their travel film The Pan-American Highway, in 1960 and 1961. In the early 1950s, they decided to live on the road in their home-made camper truck and make adventure-travel films. They purchased their first movie camera, a second-hand 16mm camera, in southern California. They then taught themselves filmmaking, purchased a newer and better camera, and proceeded to make their living producing travel films and lecturing for the next two decades. Their productions were filmed in various locations around the world. One of their most popular films was "Headless Valley" about their 1957 trip up the Nahanni River by canoe. They created commentaries for their films and then lectured and screened the films at universities, colleges, service organizations, schools and churches throughout Canada and the United States. Some of the films were also broadcast on television. Melvin was the primary cinematographer with Ethel taking over filming where required. Ethel was the still photographer for their films and on their trips. When screening the films, Melvin presented the live commentary and Ethel projected the films. Travel was a great passion for the Rosses, and over their lives, they traveled to every continent, and worked as tour guides on some of the trips. Melvin and Ethel retired to Calgary, Alberta. Melvin Ross died February 21, 2011 in Calgary, Alberta.