A Documentary by Geordie Lynch
The discovery of silver in 1859 skyrocketed San Francisco from a chaotic mining boomtown into a world-class metropolis. Like a volcanic eruption, sudden massive and concentrated wealth from the Comstock Lode sent San Franciscans into frenzy. The great American dream, prematurely crushed with the demise of the Gold Rush, could now be realized. But as the extraordinary lives of a few rose with the opulence of the City, the lives of many others fell into ruin.
This historical documentary tells the fascinating stories of San Francisco and of epic struggles by individuals such as William Ralston, William Sharon, Adolph Sutro, and the Bonanza Kings.
It is the tale of those who built the West on Comstock silver.
View the 9 minute trailer.- Ralston
- Sutro
- The Bonanza Kings
Bank panics. Stock market crashes. Greedy corporate practices... events much like today. Yet this true story took place 150 years ago, when the West was still being won.
City of White Gold digs deep into timeless themes of money, ambition, and the dichotomy of human nature. While our exuberance, determination, and optimism allow us to build magnificence for the benefit of humankind, our animalistic tendencies drive us to tear each other down for personal gain.
William Chapman Ralston
Visionary, banker, and gambler. "The Man Who Built San Francisco." He was the ultimate tragic figure. Beloved by all, he propelled San Francisco forward with his ideals of a West Coast Mecca.
A group of insiders known as the Bank Crowd surrounded him. With their aid, he used the riches of the Comstock to create both an opulent private life and an opulent San Francisco. But he had a manic side to him as well. Unable to control his risk-taking on the stock market and his extravagant spending, he went too far. Taken by his own game, he met with tragedy before the city he imagined came to full fruition.
Adolph Sutro
Maverick, entrepreneur, "Man of the People." In the 1860s, Ralston and Sharon were busy building a monopoly over the Comstock silver mines. Nobody stood in the way, except for Adolph Sutro. He had a vision of his own: to dig a 4-mile tunnel laterally to the Comstock's heart.
He proved a threat to the Bank Crowd's monopoly, and he and Sharon became arch enemies. Through sheer perseverance, however, he finally raised the money to dig his tunnel. It was fought every step of the way. He finished his tunnel, 10 years later, but it was too late.
The Bonanza Kings
Upstarts, capitalists, dream makers. A group of four Irishmen, they all came from humble origins. They were determined to destroy the arrogance of Sharon and the Bank Crowd.
John Mackay and Jim Fair knew how to work the mines. James Flood and William O'Brien knew how to work the stock market. Together, they made a formidable team who schemed craftily and diligently to take control of the Comstock.
They went on to hit the richest silver strike in US history, known as the Big Bonanza.
Contact Us
Please send comments or questions to cityofwhitegold@att.net. Thank you!
- Geordie Lynch
- George Kelly
- Ben Ferrer
- Jason Williams
Producer/Director Geordie comes from a post-production background. He has been motion graphics designer, production assistant, and assistant editor for various production and post-production companies, including the television program 'More Than Entertainment' for Frame By Frame. He most recently created, directed, co-produced, and co-wrote a half-hour sketch comedy for Public Access Television.
With a passion for history and the film arts, he is now answering the call to blend the two spheres together.
Production Manager. A third-generation cameraman, George B. Kelly studied Film, Theater and Television at UCLA and Film at NYU Grad. George later used his expertise to open CineSpecial Productions, specializing in Line Production, 1st Assistant Directing and 2nd Unit Directing for independent features in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. He was also a founding member and President of Reel Live Crew, a below-the-line production service company.
He is currently a Producer/Director at Transvideo Studios, a high-end production studio.
Director of Photography. Prior to joining Transvideo Studios, Ben was a freelance Director of Photography in San Francisco since 1996. His interest in visual communication started at the age of ten while making super 8 movies. While working towards his Bachelor of Arts in Media & Communications at Sacramento State, he earned the Kelly Broadcasting Scholarship, twice, and interned at the NBC affiliate KCRA-TV. Ben specializes in docs, corporate, and short narratives.
Ben is enjoying the success of shooting a short film for the San Francisco 48 Hour Film competition.
Editor. Before joining Transvideo Studios as a Senior Editor, Jason Williams had been working as a freelance editor in New York and San Francisco for clients such as McCann Erickson and MTV Networks. Jason has worked on a wide range of projects, from shorts to feature documentaries, in a variety of capacities, ranging from colorist to line producer to director, in locations from London to Shanghai.
He took a BA in Film from San Francisco State University, as well as studies at New York University.
Get involved.
- Donate Online
- Donate By Check
- Incentives
- Contributors
Online or by Mail donations made through the San Francisco Film Society are tax deductable.
City of White Gold is now raising money for production of the feature film. Your involvement will help to ensure that this film gets out to the nation and to the world. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.
Tax-Deductable donations can be made online through
San Francisco Film Society.
Or non-deductible donations can be made directly to the filmmaker using the Paypal button below.
| Tax-deductible checks to: |
San Francisco Film Society 39 Mesa Street, Suite 110 The Presidio San Francisco CA 94129-1025 |
Be sure to write checks to San Francisco Film Society. Please write City of White Gold in the memo line.
________________________________________________________
| Non-deductible checks to: |
Geordie Lynch City of White Gold PO Box 693 Larkspur CA 94977 |
Be sure to write checks to Geordie Lynch. Please write City of White Gold in the memo line.
Any amount you are able to contribute is deeply appreciated. We do have some incentives for larger contributions that we'd like you to consider.
- $100+:Listing on the website as a major donor. Invitations to special events.
- $250+:Letter of tax-deductible receipt from San Francisco Film Society. Free copy of DVD (when documentary is completed).
- $500+:Name in film credits. Invitation to screenings.
- $1000+:Name with title in film credits.
Rene Lynch
Frank Lynch, Eric Short
Victor Blajot & Montse Mitjans
Bill Karpowicz, Susan Macke, Steve & Debbie Layman, The Clampers, Yerba Buena Chapter 1
Brian & Jennifer Goodrich, Jon Stedman, Tony Wood, Matt Gray, Merin Mathew
Andy & Eva Dobrov, Montse Flaquer, Lluis Ignasi Flaquer, Teresa Flaquer, Merce Blajot, Jeff & Cam Frankenfield, Colin Sebestyen, Thomas Stedman, Jim & Emy Thurber, John Wilk
Click to see a list of major contributors and incentives.
Turn the possibility of a feature film into a reality.
The trailer is now on YouTube. Click here to rate and comment.
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