HOME MOVIES: 1950s

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1960s

Format: 16mm

Description: Shot by an unknown American naval officer, this color, silent home movie film shows a group of U.S. Navy officers visiting India / Sri Lanka / Ceylon, Pakistan and an unknown location in the Middle East. The reason for their mission is not known, nor are the names of the participants. This footage was probably shot circa in the early 1960s, but could also date to 1957-58, when the U.S. Navy assisted in a flood crisis in Ceylon. The film begins with a shot of the Gateway of India in Mumbai. Dhow type sailboats on the water (:08). U.S. Marines march (1:00). Streets near the docks teeming with people and oxen pulled carts (1:10). A snake charmer has a cobra and a flute; he tames the cobra; another man plays a flute and holds the cobra (1:40). A building being built with bamboo scaffolding (2:35). People walk on the streets (3:01). Crowded city streets with men carrying the national flag of India (3:30). A beggar poses forlornly (3:39). Colombo, Sri Lanka is shown starting at (3:40). A tram or trolley car goes by (4:11). Huge hindu temple, possibly the Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil (4:29). Street vendors (4:40). Fakirs or snake charmers pose with various types of snakes (4:52). Galle Face Hotel with the British flag flying at top staff (5:12). Hotel staff, which consists of a group of baggage boys in uniform, pose for the camera (5:20). United States Navy officers including a Captain at the left (5:27). Incredibly beautiful jewels and jewelry are displayed, including blue sapphires, chrysoberyl or cats eye, beryl, tourmaline (5:32). A child plays in the sand (6:03). A man climbs onto a small elephant (6:27). People ride elephants (6:48). Domesticated elephants (7:10). Natives run through a river (7:39). A stately hotel sits on a riverbank (7:54). A child stands in muddy water; water buffalo or oxen are used by farmers (8:51). Temples or other buildings (9:30). The Navy men are now in a passenger airplane flying to Pakistan, one is typing while others relax (10:04). Sign for Karachi Airport (10:37). A KLM Lockheed Super Constellation, with paint stating "The Flying Dutchman" on the hull, is seen at the airport (10:40). At (10:44) the plane the Navy personnel are in, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster, is briefly shown, with 50878 on the nose. Aerial shots of a trackless desert (10:50). A group of camels at a Middle East oasis (11:30). Children play in water (11:39). Minaret of a mosque (12:08). A woman walks past in a burkha (12;12). A group of cattle (12:14). A man washes clothes by beating them against a rock (12:45). U.S. Navy officers pose for the camera (13:07). Aerial shots (13:18). Pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit of the C-54 aircraft (13:40).

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