Having fun


SERVICEMEN’S DANCE AT THE CECIL CLUB

The footage on this reel opens with Marines dancing with young local women in a purpose-built club in the Cecil Hotel, on the corner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington. The Cecil Club was set up by the American Red Cross as a place for the US Marines to feel at home. Hamburgers, donuts, Coca-Cola, ice-cream sodas and coffee could be bought cheaply in the milk bar, while the jazz lounge featured regular bands from the units as well as the occasional visiting ‘name’ entertainers. This brief sound clip then cuts to a series of mute slated takes of a serviceman blowing a bugle before cutting back to the Cecil Club with the dance floor in full swing.

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JAZZ ORCHESTRA

A US Marine jazz band performs at the popular Cecil Club in Wellington. A young trumpet soloist stands in front of the band waiting for his jump in point. The footage is silent.

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TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETIC EVENTS

A US Marine military band plays in the Central Park camp, Brooklyn, Wellington. One of the many sites around Wellington used by the US Marine Corps as a campground for American expeditionary forces. After the band performs there is a flag raising ceremony.

A vast crowd scene in Lambton Quay, Wellington, looking towards the King’s Chambers building on the corner of Willis Street and Willeston Street. Soldiers in uniform can be seen amidst a sea of formally dressed civilians. (This scene possibly follows after the parade seen in NTSV: F318886?).

Headquarters Marine Band lead a procession of Marine athletes including a group of young women competitors, in the opening ceremony of a ‘track meet’ held on the Basin Reserve sports ground. A large crowd of spectators line the surrounding banks. Segments of events shown include men’s hurdles, laps of the track, men’s and women’s sprints, cycling, walking, high jump, and throwing horseshoes (including trick shots!).

Short sequence shot for British Pathé: A troop of Marines parading at Camp McKay, Paekākāriki. A row of 75mm Howitzer guns on wheel mounts are shown in the campground.

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TRENTHAM RACE TRACK

A day off for some US Marines is spent at the Trentham Racetrack, looking for insider tips and sure bets. A military band plays in the rotunda while people mill around. In the stadium, a crowd of thousands watch the horses and check their tickets.

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MARINES WORKING ON FARM

This reel consists of several mute takes depicting a visit to a Gisborne sheep station in December 1942. A US Marine, with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, is steering a horse-drawn plough across a field. In another scene, with the farmhouse in the background, the farmer and his family are dressed in Sunday-best and converse with a Marine about sheep farming in New Zealand. Sheep are mustered by a Border-Collie sheepdog. Four Marines and the farmer pose for the camera. Female officers and civilians are seen coming and going from the Wellington train station. Parliament is seen from the vantage point of the corner of Molesworth and Aitken Streets. Repeat close-up takes of the first scene of the Marine ploughing the field.

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SKIING, FIRST LADY ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

This silent reel contains short segments of various slated scenes:

[Scene 83] US Marines skiing on the lower slopes of a ski field.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, accompanied by Governor-General Sir Cyril Newall and Miss Marie Ryan, American Red Cross Supervisor for the Southwest Pacific, 28 August 1943. Seen here exiting Government House to sit on lawn chairs, where Mrs. Roosevelt answers some questions for the Press. The Governor-General’s daughter Miss Georgiana Newall joins the group on the lawn with four small dogs on leads, for a publicity shot.

[Scene 83] Some more brief shots of skiing.

[Scene 77] Shot of the Avon River and Armagh Street bridge, Christchurch.

[Scene 78] Shot of an old small church with a tower and cemetery plot out front.

[Scene 75] Uniformed students, and school masters in gowns stroll across the quad grounds of Christ’s College. A group of students on bikes cycle around the quad.

[Scene 76] In Cathedral Square many people can be seen biking and walking the busy city centre, as well as the odd tram. Colonial Mutual Life building is clearly seen.

[Scene 75] Student group on bikes seen again passing the camera in school quad. Three student prefects(?) wearing blazers and a US Marine stroll into the quad through one of the arches.

[Scene 63] Guide Rangitīaria Dennan leads a small group of US Marines through the entrance gate of Whakarewarewa Pā, Roturua. A close-up of the carved waharoa (entranceway).

[Scene 65] Guide Rangitīaria Dennan leads the group to a hot spring where three wahine are bathing. Cuts to a different scene: view of advertising boards on a fence – South British Insurance Co., Jockey Underwear, and Caley’s Chocolate complete with an image of soldiers fighting with the caption ‘plenty more when the war is over’.

[Scene 91] NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS, AUCKLAND. Military officers and civilians walking along a railway platform.

[Scene 66] Geysers billowing steam as the small tour group approaches at Whakarewarewa. Cuts to a wide, static shot of the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

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