Geoghegan Collection 3: Scenes in Burma (Myanmar) including shots of the German cruiser 'Berlin', [c.1929]
2009/004/003
This film is comprised of footage from Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar), including Singapore seaplanes, a visit by a German ship 'Berlin' [de-commissioned in 1929 after voyage around S E Asia], and a water tour of the dock pool.
Detailed description
(00.00 to 00.40) Geoghegan relaxing with his cigarette, with a male friend who sits on the running board of a car. Both are dressed in shorts and wear Pith helmets.
(00.40 to 01.45) Golf sequence at a large golf course [near Rangoon?]. British male and female golfers practice their tee-off drive. A large group of members of the Golf Club take tea on the lawn of the Club. The arrival of an official Rolls Royce car of the Governor, flying his ensign. Shots of the table on the lawn of the Club on which stand the Prize Cups.
(01.45 to 02.29) Caption - The Singapore Seaplanes reach Rangoon. The shot goes from the ground to the air, capturing four biplanes flying in formation. Seaplanes then lying at anchor on the Rangoon River, shot sideways taken from the shore.
(03.00 to 03.20) Various shots of fast passenger ferries, under steam on the wide river (taken from a craft on the river).
(03.20 to 04.12) Caption - Rangoon: German Cruiser, Berlin. The cruiser lies at anchor on the Rangoon River and is shot from a camera in a small boat which circles the German ship. The German Iron Cross ensign is clearly seen at the stern of the ship, as are most details of the ship's structure.
[The ship is a light cruiser of the Bremen Class and is a sister ship to the Emden which was sunk by the Australian Navy in 1914. She was commissioned in 1905 and was decommissioned in 1929 after completing a year-long training voyage around SE Asia.]
(04.20 to 05.50) Caption - Rangoon Zoo. The footage gives a tour of the animals in the Zoo, plus the grounds and lake.
(05.50 to 06.43) Mrs Geoghegan, in the garden, practices a teeing-off shot, and plays with her dog.
(06.43 to 08.25) Tour of the docks at Rangoon shot from a small motor boat as it travels around the pool. The following are shown; arrival of a large passenger liner with two funnels, cargo ships at anchor including the freighter 'Wabla', and river passenger ferries. Many of the cargo ships in the port are flying bunting as if there was some celebration.
(08.25 to 09.09) Military sequence. 2 British officers smile to the camera, both holding cigarettes in their hands. A Highland Regimental band, wearing kilts, march informally towards the camera while carrying their musical instruments. Indian turbaned native troops march along the road carrying their rifles at their sides, watched by two of their English officers who are dressed in shorts. The Indian troops then form up for an inspection at the road side.
(09.08 to 10.08) Caption - Hpoongyi-Byan, Rangoon. Various shots of the ground for the fair with the huge carnival figures of Giant and Elephant to be used in the parade.
(10.34 to 11.18) Wide boulevard in the centre of Rangoon, shot through the front window of a moving car. The shot shows a single deck tram and other traffic on the road.
(11.15 to 12.25) Golfing sequence.
