Series GR-3928 - Films and videos

This series consists of films and videos held by the Provincial Mental Hospital, Essondale (later Riverview Hospital). Film dates range from 1930-1963 and videos as late as 1994, though many are undated. The majority of films seem to have been created by the hospital as records of operations and events, or as visual aids for medical studies. There is little to no information about the creation of these films or their contents. A few films have sign out cards in their cannisters, indicating staff were able to check them out and view them. All films have titles and some have dates or additional technical information. There may be multiple short films on a single reel or tape; each part has been identified with it's own title in the item list when possible.

Many films cover hospital events, such as patient dances, carnivals, graduations, parades, sports days and the opening of the Crease Clinic. There are films recording the Essondale grounds and building construction. There are also films regarding pathology, some of which are recorded in the GR-3420 index of pathological photographs. These films record various physical or mental conditions. They were generally filmed for particular doctors studying a condition or patient.

The series also includes a few commercial films likely used by the hospital for instructional purposes, and a copy of the National Film Board documentary titled "Breakdown".

Many of the films have video copies which may be more easily accessible. Films were not reviewed by archives staff. The existence of a video copy for particular films is estimated based on film descriptions and the contents of videos. Possible copies are indicated in the item list.