Desert Empire: Utah’s Wonders

Directed by Carlton T. Sils in 1938, this Universal Pictures short, backed by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, showcases Utah’s landscapes and industries via train travel. Narrated by Don Wilson, with Frank Asper and Heber J. Grant featured, it sweeps through rugged deserts, Salt Lake City, and mining towns, highlighting natural beauty and economic vitality. Aimed at boosting tourism, this color film blends stunning vistas with a promotional push for rail exploration of the "Desert Empire."