BRITISH EAST AFRICA AND MOMBASA

This film is held by the BFI (ID: 506359).

Synopsis

Production footage/unedited material for a travelogue about Kenya and Mombasa.

No titles. An Asian ivory carver at work; an African brings in a large elephant tusk; the carver and another Asian discuss the carving of a lion; the carved elephant is checked for size against a tusk; the part of the tusk cut up for the carving (101). Five Africans carry tusks along the outside of a building (116): closer view of same (127); they enter the building marked `Ivory Room' (145); interior view as they enter (139). An Asian checks the tusks as the Africans hold them up for inspection (198). Hundreds of tusks lying on the floor of the warehouse (200). A boy shins up a palm tree; general views of the boy shinning up the tree and down again, including close-up of the climbing technique (some shots out of focus) (261). ELS views of Mombasa (307); a palm-fringed beach (317); further views of Mombasa, including view of the causeway bridge (342). The Monument to Major Wavell and his Arab Rifles who fought in World War I with two field guns either side and Fort Jesus in the background (357); a square clock tower (369); the Wavell Moument (378); a flag flying above the fort (387); views of Fort Jesus (418). Street scenes in Mombasa (430). A number of men push and pull a hand cart filled with bananas across a square and then down an alley (468). A tower - possibly a pillar tomb (472). A lorry travelling along a road through jungle (487). A hand cart on the road (502). A boy plays with a toy (?) on the road. The toy consists of a long stick with two sewing bobbins on the end. At the top of the stick is a lever which the boy twists to move the bobbins. He walks along the road wheeling his toy in front of him (525). CU condition of the road - which is good (542). Africans standing looking at the King's African Rifles World War I Memorial; closer view of the memorial which has four African soldiers on top (566). A dilapidated round tower (585). Pan right of river bank (607). A very large tree in a village; other large trees (640). Entrance to Fort Jesus (?) (653). Africans working by hand in a quarry cutting out rough blocks of stone (758). A painted round tower - a lighthouse (?) (769). Looking down a well as water is brought up (772). Scenes of a primitive irrigation system; the water being hauled from the well and deposited in a sluice; a boy drives bullocks along a path as ropes attached to them haul up the water (857). Pan right of a scene in Mombasa - view along an avenue with the shop J.H. Gidoomal - tailor and curios on the corner (876). Street scenes filmed from the forecourt of a garage with a `Shell' petrol pump to the left (889); another street scene (900). A British sailor walking along a palm-fringed road in town; he stops and opens the basket he is carrying to show fruit and coconuts (919). Africans walking down an alley (933). ELS cricket match in progress (953ft).

Note: Despite being filmed during World War II, there is no evidence of war preparations or activities.

Note: Shot gap between each take.

 

Titles

  • BRITISH EAST AFRICA AND MOMBASA (Archive)
 

Technical Data

Year:
1941
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm Film
Colour:
Black/White
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
953 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
Great Britain
 

Countries