A Japanese store of rice, stockpiled on top of Penang Hill, is transported down the hill using the funicular Penang Hill Railway.

View looking down the (very steep) Penang Hill Railway line; a swimming pool can be seen. The downhill train passes. The cameraman's train passes through a tunnel. Emerging from the tunnel. At a hilltop station sacks of rice are put onto an open-topped goods wagon. People picking up sacks. More sacks put aboard. Passengers on the train. Looking uphill. Shots of the cable gear which runs the train. Passing the downhill train. A wooden box marked 'No. 2' is hoisted off the train with chains. Sacks of rice are unloaded; armed British troops of 9th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment are present. Box No. 3 is hoisted off and set down. Children gather spilt rice. Brief shot of the downhill train. At the bottom of the hill the sacks are loaded onto a lorry. Second angle.

Notes

The Japanese had apparently built up a large stockpile of food on the top of Penang Hill, in anticipation of a protracted siege. This rice was distributed to the local population in order to help mitigate a shortage of food that was widespread across Malaya.

The dopesheet also remarks the the Royal Sussex, billeted in a large bungalow on the top of the hill, were 'thoroughly enjoying a tour of duty that takes them away from the heat and other annoyances of life at a lower level'.

The Penang Hill Railway was opened in 1923 after a protracted 17-year period of construction. A funicular railway, it climbs 686 metres (2286 feet) from Air Itam near George Town to the top of Penang Hill, and is still in operation. For other film of Penang Hill, see related items.