Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free

Trip to Guandong aboard the Lion steamer with friends
We’re all aboard the steamer Lion, cruising towards the bustling city of Guanzhou. We also see Chinese workers in traditional headgear toiling in the scorching countryside.
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent
From the collection of:

Overview
In this remarkable film we see the Simpson's onboard the steamer Lion, heading towards Guanzhou, once known as Canton. After passing a variety of river traffic we next see panoramas and street-scenes of the bustling city before driving into the countryside where farm workers are seen harvesting crops. Wearing large hats or using umbrellas all seek shade from the searing heat of the sun. The film ends with scenes showing Chinese passengers disembarking from the Lion.
William Simpson, who made this film, worked for the Bradford Dyers Association in Shanghai, at Number 1, The Bund. His wife Charlotte was born in China's Lushan mountains and she married William, who originally came from Bradford, in Shanghai's St Ignatius Roman Catholic Cathedral. The couple left Shanghai before the city was overrun by the Japanese Army and by 1938 had left China for good.
Related
Hong Kong - Fragrant Harbour

Kung Hei Fat Choy - A Happy New Year Kung Hei Fat Choy - A Happy New Year
Amateur film 1937 12 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Excitement fills the air as Hong Kong steps out to party.

A Gate of China A Gate of China
Documentary 1927 9 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Staggering views of 1920s Hong Kong capture the contradictory cocktail of East meets West on this outpost island.

Hong Kong East Meets West Hong Kong East Meets West
Documentary 1940 24 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This intimate study of Hong Kong explores the life and landscape of the former British colony in exquisite detail.

Dragon Boat Racing Hong Kong c.1937 Dragon Boat Racing Hong Kong c.1937
Amateur film 1937 5 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Get close to the action with this high-octane footage of a traditional Chinese water sport.

Coronation Hong Kong 1937 Coronation Hong Kong 1937
Amateur film 1937 10 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Street carnivals and military processions – a home movie record of Hong Kong’s celebrations as George VI is crowned.

Hong Kong c.1938 Hong Kong c.1938
Amateur film 1938 17 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
The daily grind for Hong Kong dockers and farmers, captured by an amateur filmmaker.
Guangzhou

Shanghai: Water Transport Shanghai: Water Transport
Travelogue 1933 2 mins Silent Location: Guangzhou
A beautifully photographed trip back to the Shanghai of the 1930s, with views of the Bund's busy harbourside.

Riverside Scenes China Riverside Scenes China
Amateur film 1922 2 mins Silent Location: Bund
Four exquisite panoramic views of the Bund in Shanghai show life on the Huangpu River.

A Visit to Canton A Visit to Canton
Amateur film 1936 13 mins Silent Location: Guangzhou
A lively film showing the bustle of street and river traffic in Zhongshan, birthplace of China’s first president and founding father of the Republic.

The Bombing of Canton The Bombing of Canton
Documentary 1938 9 mins Location: Guangzhou
Harrowing footage of death and destruction in the aftermath of sustained Japanese bombing of the southern Chinese city.

China Today China Today
Travelogue 1936 58 mins Silent Location: Guangzhou
An epic amateur travelogue of eastern China on the cusp of Japanese invasion, filmed by British writer Lady Dorothea Hosie.
New

Lydia West introduces Second Coming Lydia West introduces Second Coming
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Lydia West (It’s A Sin) introduces debbie tucker green’s ethereal, warm and human debut feature.

In Separation In Separation
Drama 1965 5 mins
The powerful, multifaceted spirt and energies of the revolutionary 1960s are channelled in dynamic, monochrome microcosm.

Susan Wokoma introduces Prevenge Susan Wokoma introduces Prevenge
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Susan Wokoma introduces Alice Lowe’s slasher comedy Prevenge, reflecting on Lowe’s journey making and starring in the film while pregnant, and her rich palette of classic influences.

Great Noises That Fill the Air Great Noises That Fill the Air
Performance 1990 27 mins
The Bow Gamelan Ensemble stage spectacular avant-garde musical shows.

Enverounen Enverounen
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 15 mins
An elderly man takes a hypnotic journey through his memories in the moments before his death.

The Late Show The Late Show
Documentary 1969 12 mins
The supreme intent and personal biography of a Black Panther contrasts with the alienating propaganda of late-night television.