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.
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
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.