HOME MOVIES: 1930S

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1930s

Format: 16mm

Description: This amateur shot home movie chronicles the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival -- an annual event held on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in Trinidad and Tobago. This event is well known for participants' colorful costumes and exuberant celebrations. There are numerous cultural events such as "band launch fetes" running in the lead up to the street parade on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. This short eight minute film likely dates to the late 1930s based on the automobiles that are seen in the background of some of the footage. The film features footage taken around Port of Spain, Trinidad along the corner of Frederick St. and Marine (Independence) Square in front of historic business storefronts such as Salvatori, Scott, & Co. and J.T. Johnson Ltd. Crowd of people gather in open square; Observers line dance circle while performers in extravagant costumes filled the central space - perhaps funeral as women dressed in white appearing to be nuns walk beside corpse bound in white cloth (0:08). Covered seating area for observers; Perhaps dignified guests (0:51). Festivities continue on through streets of town; horse-drawn carts stop for "traffic" of dancers and festival participants (0:57). Group of young men in costumes resembling warriors (1:27). Another group of carnival goers stand in costumes made in fabric donning the Union Jack flag, 1930s Ford Model A seen just behind them (1:36). Men set up for stunt performance along Marine (Independence) Square in Port of Spain, Trinidad (2:06). Exterior of historic Salvatori, Scott, & Co. storefront on the corner of Frederick St. and Marine (Independence) Square; Mounted police patrol streets as festivities continue (2:29). Group of men dance down main street wearing traditional dress consisting of red tiered dress with gold and white accents (2:34). J.T. Johnson Ltd sponsored parade float; All red truck with men in bright red satin band jackets dancing in float (3:14). Other carnival performers dressed in theme costumes such as knights with swords; Performers in different costumes line up to perform on stage off of Marine (Independence) Square (3:26). Young boy dressed up in jester costume with fake white beard poses for camera (4:37). Groups of dancers, participants in extravagant costumes stop along festival route for judges to rate costumes (4:48). Group of participants in "Bat Costume," which is a traditional carnival character (5:37). Man stands in front of judges in extravagant costume featuring landscape painting balancing on head as decorative headpiece (6:29). Group of participants in perhaps "Minstrel Costume," which is another traditional carnival character (6:37). More bat costumes (7:15). Film ends (7:50).

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