This film is part of Free
High Jinks
All the fun of the fair: lovely, lively record of 'Shanghai's Coney Island'.
Overview
Despite its insensitive title (and a patronising intertitle describing the local population as 'John Chinaman'), this is a lovely record of the newly-opened Great World Amusement Park, dubbed 'Shanghai's Coney Island'. The camerawork is quite poetic by newsreel standards, capturing the rhythms of the Ferris wheels, waltzer and swing carousel, and lingering on a family on the Caterpillar.
The funfair was active until at least 1936, when it was mentioned in a tourist guide for Westerners seeking a taste of Shanghai metropolitan life. The fashions of the time are interesting: the men wear mostly Western clothing, complete with fedoras or newsboy caps, while the women retain more traditional cheongsam. The men's dress suggests that the people visiting the fairground were upper class: the Chinese elite were early adopters of Western tailoring. Unlike other Topical Budget newsreel items made in Shanghai in this period, no Westerners are seen, although a few Japanese women - part of Shanghai's international community - mingle with the Chinese people enjoying the rides.
Related
Nankin Road, Shanghai Nankin Road, Shanghai
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Nanjing Lu (Nanking Road)
An extraordinary window on to the cosmopolitan heart of Shanghai - Nanjing Road - over a hundred years ago.
A City of Chaos A City of Chaos
Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Scenes of panic on the streets of Shanghai as Chinese citizens seek protection from Communist and Kuomintang violence behind Allied barricades.
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.
The Bradford Dyers Association's Offices in Shanghai and Messing About in the Courtyard The Bradford Dyers Association's Offices in Shanghai and Messing About in the Courtyard
Amateur film 1929 2 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Work and play definitely mix in this short film featuring the staff of the Bradford Dyers Association's Shanghai office.
A Chinese Boat Trip and Views of Shanghai A Chinese Boat Trip and Views of Shanghai
Amateur film 1934 9 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
The famous waterfront of 1930s Shanghai is the star of this tantalising film which captures the bustling street life of China's most cosmopolitain city.
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.
21 Days in China - a British teacher's impressions 21 Days in China - a British teacher's impressions
Non-Fiction 1972 6 mins Location: Shanghai
"Education must be combined with productive labour", so says a Chinese slogan. Western cameras are special guests to capture 70s school days - eastern style!
Shanghai c.1932 Shanghai c.1932
Amateur film 1932 46 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Join the Eng family on the long journey by ship from Europe to Shanghai, China
A Visit to Fuzhou with the Bradford Dyers Association and Shanghai Views A Visit to Fuzhou with the Bradford Dyers Association and Shanghai Views
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
The bustling waterways of rural Fouzhou contrast sharply with the frenetic pace of life in Shanghai, as seen in this atmospheric film from the late 1920s.
Life in Shanghai Life in Shanghai
Amateur film 1933 17 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
A Dragon procession, a Japanese beer festival, two duck shoots and a day at the races all feature in this remarkable film from 1930s Shanghai.
At Home in Shanghai and a Trip to Hong Kong At Home in Shanghai and a Trip to Hong Kong
Amateur film 1928 4 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Chinese junks and British battleships appear together in this film depicting the 1928 Armistice Day in Hong Kong.
Outward Bound through the Suez Canal and on to Shanghai Outward Bound through the Suez Canal and on to Shanghai
Amateur film 1938 10 mins Silent Location: Shanghai
Travel in luxury on the 'slow boat to China' in this remarkable film from 1938, passing through the Suez Canal to Hong Kong, Shanghai and beyond.
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.