A Chinese Boat Trip with an Onboard Performance and Views of Shanghai

From the collection of

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton collects, preserves, catalogues and provides public access to its collection of films and magic lantern slides. The collection charts the rise of screen culture in the region and the nation and captures many aspects of life, work and creativity in the South East from the late 19th century to the present day. It is available for research, screenings, creative re-use and commercial access.

A Chinese Boat Trip with an Onboard Performance and Views of Shanghai

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton
Shanghai
1934-01-01
Silent
8m

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.

Filmed on the deck of a ship, we see child performers displaying their martial arts skills followed by crew members engaged in a lifeboat drill. A man exercises with Indian clubs. Once in Shanghai the film shows the famous Bund as well as amazing views of daily life on the bustling streets and waterfront. Traders of all sorts, some afloat, can be seen as well as washerwomen, rickshaws, junks and traffic in this remarkable snapshot of China's most cosmopolitan city.

Leslie Leigh, who made this film while on a trip to China with his wife Ellen in 1934, had dealings with the Chinese government of the time regarding the supply of bristles which were to be used in the manufacture of paint brushes.

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