Darwin Was Right

Year Published: 1931

Description: Edited by Arthur C. Stevens and released through United Kingdom-based G.B. Equipment Limited, “Darwin Was Right” (1931) is a black-and-white short film that takes a comical look at the similarities between humans and their homo sapiens ancestors, the apes. The film features shots of different animals at the London Zoological Gardens in Regent’s Park in London like the jaguar, lions, seals, polar bears, and different monkey species from the macaque to the mandrill. The London Zoological Gardens (London Zoo) is the world's oldest scientific zoo having opened in London on 27 April 1828. (Note: this film is not to be confused with the comedy from 1924 directed by Lewis Seiler and written by Eddie Moran.) Film opens, opening credits (0:08). People line up for tickets outside the North Entrance of the London Zoological Gardens (0:15). Crowd of various ages from youth to adult gather for spectacle inside the zoo (0:18). Two seals swim around enclosure, jumping from rock formations, as crowd looks on (0:21). Polar bear at the Mappin Terrace bear enclosures (1:05). Little girl feeds a brown bear cub condensed milk from a mug (1:25). Man in suit holds honey bear upside down by tail as it tries to climb right-side-up (1:43). Exterior of Monkey House (opened in 1927, preceded by Monkey Hill 1925) (1:53). Mandrill monkey (1:56). Macaque monkey (2:08). Gorilla cub (2:11). Macaque cub (2:20). Energetic monkey swings from tail, does flips in enclosure (2:24). Chimpanzee cub; Little girl that was feeding bear sits with baby chimp in enclosure (2:46). Chimp ties woman’s shoelaces (3:06). Animal handlers walk chimps on leashes through Regent’s Park (3:18). Chimp operates what appears to be Balda Rollbox film camera to capture fellow chimp (3:35). Three chimps enjoy meal together while seated at picnic table (3:43). Chimp operating camera seen wrapped in film strip (4:33). Little boy observes as chimps play instruments i.e. accordion, drum, ukulele (4:50). Little boy shows soiled hands to camera, leads one of the chimps to the park bathroom; Inside bathroom chimp helps little boy remove shoes, socks, clothes before getting into bath and also helps rub boy down with sponge and soap (5:32). Jaguar rests in tree in one of the zoo enclosures (7:51). Another shot of mandrill monkey (7:55). Lion cub rests on adult lion (7:59). Little boy walks hand-in-hand with chimp back towards zoo (8:10). Adult lion seen sprawled out and sleeping on floor of cage (8:15). Energetic monkey from earlier, still swinging from inside cage (8:26). Closing credits (8:30).

Complete Record: Edited by Arthur C. Stevens and released through United Kingdom-based G.B. Equipment Limited, “Darwin Was Right” (1931) is a black-and-white short film that takes a comical look at the similarities between humans and their homo sapiens ancestors, the apes. The film features shots of different animals at the London Zoological Gardens in Regent’s Park in London like the jaguar, lions, seals, polar bears, and different monkey species from the macaque to the mandrill. The London Zoological Gardens (London Zoo) is the world's oldest scientific zoo having opened in London on 27 April 1828. (Note: this film is not to be confused with the comedy from 1924 directed by Lewis Seiler and written by Eddie Moran.) Film opens, opening credits (0:08). People line up for tickets outside the North Entrance of the London Zoological Gardens (0:15). Crowd of various ages from youth to adult gather for spectacle inside the zoo (0:18). Two seals swim around enclosure, jumping from rock formations, as crowd looks on (0:21). Polar bear at the Mappin Terrace bear enclosures (1:05). Little girl feeds a brown bear cub condensed milk from a mug (1:25). Man in suit holds honey bear upside down by tail as it tries to climb right-side-up (1:43). Exterior of Monkey House (opened in 1927, preceded by Monkey Hill 1925) (1:53). Mandrill monkey (1:56). Macaque monkey (2:08). Gorilla cub (2:11). Macaque cub (2:20). Energetic monkey swings from tail, does flips in enclosure (2:24). Chimpanzee cub; Little girl that was feeding bear sits with baby chimp in enclosure (2:46). Chimp ties woman’s shoelaces (3:06). Animal handlers walk chimps on leashes through Regent’s Park (3:18). Chimp operates what appears to be Balda Rollbox film camera to capture fellow chimp (3:35). Three chimps enjoy meal together while seated at picnic table (3:43). Chimp operating camera seen wrapped in film strip (4:33). Little boy observes as chimps play instruments i.e. accordion, drum, ukulele (4:50). Little boy shows soiled hands to camera, leads one of the chimps to the park bathroom; Inside bathroom chimp helps little boy remove shoes, socks, clothes before getting into bath and also helps rub boy down with sponge and soap (5:32). Jaguar rests in tree in one of the zoo enclosures (7:51). Another shot of mandrill monkey (7:55). Lion cub rests on adult lion (7:59). Little boy walks hand-in-hand with chimp back towards zoo (8:10). Adult lion seen sprawled out and sleeping on floor of cage (8:15). Energetic monkey from earlier, still swinging from inside cage (8:26). Closing credits (8:30).

Transcription

[Music] whether he is 6 years of age or 60 nothing pleases a loner better than a visit to the zoo the zoo F like children they adore showing off especially in front of a big crowd but like children they often stand in need of a mother's correction and and encouragement get into that bath you little dear go on these types are natural swimmers from birth which is a very useful thing and being expert their show draws a large crowd because everyone wants to look at experts showing off their PES and see if they can pick up a wrinkle or two and maybe try it out for themselves in the bath at home [Music] the crowd looking up is staring at nappin Terrace where the Bears perform they know that a good Snappy performance on their part will bring its own reward such as an old loaf or a joint of beef that mother doesn't want [Music] anymore they're nice and friendly too look at old breu in here he's just as as much at home with the kids as he is in his own forest this one's worried about his share of the condensed milk and that stuff's ration yes the Bears are definitely friendly and no member of the family more so than the tiny honey bear the lad who can clim up his own tail extraordinary but for real zoo addicts this is the place the monkey could be described as our closest animal relation didn't you know of course Darwin took the thing a stage further but uh we needn't go into that either the monkey is obvious human interest and his happy girl lucky manner has one him a place in our hearts and the knits a place in his hair and surely no animal has greater energy all right Charlie you can stop now we've seen your act yes the Apes have always been firm favorit and and Charlie please I'm talking and so it is that we visit the monkey house with Charlie please oh what's the use and here well here are the chaps we've been waiting for are they human are they intelligent well I ask you of course Their Manners are not all that could be desired but uh well we can't have everything can we my dare these utility shoelaces are simply the [Music] end once in a while The Chimps in region Park step out and throw a good party with food and fun and games and plenty of other attractive entertainments and so for the benefit of the news reals we're assigning our Ace cameraman to record the function nothing escapes the Keen Eye of this master Craftsman as usual with chimp Garden parties the eating has [Music] begun our cameraman has met with a slight technical hitch but we can trust to his infinite patience and experience to get things [Music] right have you read any good books lately the eating at this party is certainly going according to plan [Music] [Applause] [Music] our A's patience is exhausted so let's get back to the feasting water or Splash oh Splash now here is little Alfie and his swing T and when these boys get down to it well they certainly get in the groove but you know how it is with musicians one wrong note and they get very temperamental [Music] H Alfie's got himself into a bit of a muck hasn't he this calls for some of that soap you can't get so Fred takes him along to the bathroom it's the second door on the right oh well it would have been a lousy film anyway and here we are nothing like a nice steaming hot tub but first Alf has to be undressed and this tends to be a slow business especially when you pause to try the things [Music] on May I remove your shoes and socks please sir [Music] okay ready at last in you go you know you haven't taken your pants off oh well and you go then now let's see a the sponge May interesting things sponges very interesting come on Fred give it here H this washing seems to be quite a [Music] business well there he was up may I suggest a shave he still hasn't taken his pants off [Music] and now a few brisk rubs with the towel and the job will be [Music] done oh very funny un that's the only kid I ever knew who laughed when he had to be washed well another Zoo day is coming to its end the gates are closed and the visitors have gone a good thing too this entertaining can be a very tiring business and so when little alfit trots off home well there the very few left awake to see him off only those who can't sleep for various reasons and throughout the park there is stillness and peace Charlie please oh

1 user has this film:
Periscope Film

No related films.

Original permalink · Record added: 2025-09-09 13:06:47