TOUR IN INDO-CHINA, CHINA AND BURMA, APRIL 1940

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: MGH 4884).

Synopsis

Amateur film with titles shot by Colonel G E Grimsdale when serving as the senior Army member of the Far Eastern Combined Intelligence Bureau (FECB) records Chu Hsiung scenes during his tour of French Indo-China, China and Burma in April-May 1940.

"Chu Hsiung" (29 April 1940): market and street scenes; Chinese soldiers pass by at the double. Two Caucasians (including Colonel Grimsdale's temporary travelling companion Major Barrett of US AMA?) "Recruits": long line of Chinese men along country road. "Road Gang on trek": long line of Chinese labourers along country road. "Hsia Kwan - Statue of Lung Yun": truck halts in crowded street. "Talifu": crowded street and market scenes. Chinese labourers pass along country road, passing three Caucasian men. "Widening in progress": Chinese labourers at work on road, now wide enough in places to allow two trucks to pass in contrary directions, although elsewhere upturned truck beside road shows widening remains incomplete. "R Irrawaddy between Bhamo and Katha" (8 May 1940): Burmese beside river with their wares. View from steamer of temples on bank and Burmese river traffic.Shore scenes. Paddle steamers of the Irrawaddy Flotilla company pass. Buddhist priest with distinctive sunshade. "Mandalay. Irrawaddy Bridge": tracking shot from train approaching girder Ava bridge over Irrawaddy. "Bicycle Taxi": Burmese family pass by in rickshaw; others use horse drawn cabs. "Mandalay-Rangoon Night Mail": (14 May 1940) train at station. "Penang": harbour front scene and housing on stilts by sea.

 

Titles

  • AMATEUR FILM BY COLONEL GRIMSDALE (Alternative)
  • TOUR IN INDO-CHINA, CHINA AND BURMA, APRIL 1940
 

Technical Data

Year:
1940
Running Time:
16 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
Std 8mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
ca 200 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
cameraman
Grimsdale, G E (Colonel)