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Despite an unfortunate name and introductory title card that describes the
local population as "John Chinaman", this newsreel item is a lovely record of a
newly-opened Great World Amusement Park, known as 'Shanghai's Coney Island'.
Unlike the other Topical Budget newsreels made in Shanghai in this period, no
Western people are seen; the film focuses instead on the Chinese people enjoying
the rides (some Japanese women, part of the international community in Shanghai,
are also seen).
The fashions of the time are interesting: the men are mostly wearing
Western-style 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, as the Chinese elite were among the
early adopters of Western tailoring.
The camerawork in this item is relatively poetic compared to other Topical
Budget films, moving in time with the Ferris wheels, waltzer and swing carousel,
and lingering on a family enjoying a ride on the Caterpillar. The funfair was
active until at least 1936, when it was mentioned in a tourist guide for
Westerners that suggested people visit to experience a real taste of Shanghai
metropolitan life.
Lucy Smee
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Complete item (1:07)
