TOPICAL BUDGET 279-1 [Main]


View at www.iwm.org.uk
  • Year: 1916
  • Runtime: 3 mins
  • Description: I. 'ALLIGATOR FARM. An alligator farm at Los Angeles, the reptiles answer the call at feeding time and attack a huge pile of meat fastened to the ground with iron stakes.' MLS as young adult alligator at edge of pool worries at staked meat. Others join in. Juvenile alligators in another pool pull meat off a fork - a watery melée ensues. Young alligators swarm over meat staked out on the ground.II. 'REVIEW AT THE FRONT. Cavalry marching up to the Review ground to be inspected by the Headquarter Staff, previous to going into action.' A General's escort with lances ride their horses at the walk along a French village street. The General gets out of his Daimler staff car and joins aides who include an Indian officer. The General decorates some French officers. Everybody stands about after the ceremony - some of the staff officers wear armbands - possibly signifying Fifth Army.III. 'BELGIAN AMMUNITION STORE. Loading up railway waggons with shells of all sizes. Some of the shells are so heavy that they have to be rolled up an inclined platform.' Soldiers file out of warehouse, each carrying a shell over their shoulders which is loaded into a waiting railway wagon. Larger shells are rolled up a wooden ramp into the wagon. 'SHELLS FOR THE GUNS. Distributing the shells. the motor lorries taking up the ammunition to the batteries.' French trench mortar rounds in wooden transit cases are transferred from railway wagon to a lorry. Shells are also rolled across on a plank.IV. '"TOMMY'S" XMAS LEAVE. some of the trenches they have left, and some of the men back on leave, buying their Christmas dinner.' Pan over snow-covered trenches - fusiliers are heating a can by immersing it in a pot of water warming over an open fire - many of the group are smoking pipes. Cut to two soldiers of a highland regiment wearing fur jackets as they buy turkeys (complete with feathers) from a butcher. They display their purchases to the camera - one has slipped the muzzle of his SMLE between the dead bird's tethered feet so that it hangs down his back as he stands resting the gun on his shoulder.
    I. California alligator farm.II. Anonymous Anglo-French investiture on the Western Front.III. Ammunition is transferred from a Belgian warehouse to trains and thence to trucks.IV. Soldiers on leave buy turkeys.
  • Keywords: EFG1914 / World War I / British Army / British Army / agriculture, United States - animal: alligators / animals, reptiles: alligator / ceremonies, British - event-related: investiture / transport, British military - car: Daimler staff car / supplies, Belgian, storage [RA] - munitions / supplies, Belgian, movement [RA] - munitions: rail / supplies, Belgian, movement [RA] - munitions: lorry / weapons, Belgian - shell / animals, birds: turkey / celebrations, British - popular: Christmas / economics - British general - commerce: butcher / society, British military - sustenance: canned food / Los Angeles, California, United States of America
  • Provider: Imperial War Museums
  • Rights: In Copyright / Imperial War Museums
  • Production company: Topical Film Company
  • Colour: Black & White
  • Sound: Without sound

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